What does make a good church?
Posted by Jim Henderson in category General Conversation on January 31, 2008
So we know what doesnt work.
We’ve got plenty of evidence to substantiate that…
But what does work?
What does make a good church?
What it is about the churches you do like that keep (kept) you coming back?
Size?
Preaching?
Parking?
Kids?
None of the above
Comment by: benjamin ady
1 01/31/08 10:23 PM | Comment Link |The last time I went to a church regularly, there were two things that kept me coming back.
1. Preaching which managed, somehow, every single week just about, to surprise me with good news in the context of acknowledging the bad news.
2. A pastor who didn’t find me frightening, but rather seemed to genuinely like me.
There it is.
Comment by: benjamin ady
2 01/31/08 10:24 PM | Comment Link |wow, thinking back to that, I feel that trembly feeling you get just before you cry. I know that you are trying to focus on the positive in this thread. So I’ll stop.
Comment by: Washby
3 01/31/08 11:37 PM | Comment Link |I find a good (good is a subjective word and I understand this is my opinion) church has a spirit driven (yet organized) flow. Solid theology (by solid I mean consistent more then solid like a brick to beat someone over the head with) that is communicated through song and speech. A good church is active in the local community and willing to serve all around the world. The church should be welcoming and keep its members accountable for their attendance. I probably could keep going but I’ll leave it at that for now.
Comment by: Byron Smith
4 02/1/08 12:32 AM | Comment Link |A good church is one where you meet Jesus. In a loving, broken, grace-filled, healing community. In generous service and hospitality. In inspiring and insightful preaching. In wholehearted singing and liturgy and prayer. In reaching out to actually meet and know and care for those around beyond the walls.
Comment by: Beth Bates
5 02/1/08 8:39 AM | Comment Link |A really good church doesn’t have humans for members all stinkin’ up the place.
Comment by: Helen
6 02/1/08 9:33 AM | Comment Link |Beth, I’d say that’s a perfect church rather than a really good one :)
Comment by: pamhogeweide
7 02/1/08 1:11 PM | Comment Link |a good church for me is one where i can say f*ck and i won’t be shown the door, or “scripturized.”
seriously, a church where my family and i can be ourselves, our f*cked up selves and we’ll be loved and accepted.
and good parking doesn’t hurt LOL
Comment by: Jim Henderson
8 02/1/08 2:56 PM | Comment Link |Pam
Thats kind of a high standard you have set there
Comment by: Byron Smith
9 02/1/08 5:28 PM | Comment Link |Pam, Thats kind of a high standard you have set there
Yeah, where can you find good parking?
Seriously, I forgot to say that a good church is also within walking distance. That’s why the old idea of a parish church is so attractive: everyone has a church within walking distance.
Comment by: benjamin ady
10 02/1/08 7:36 PM | Comment Link |Pam
love your “scripturized”
goes with churches kind of line “homogenized” goes with milk.
Byron–walking distance is actually perfect. If I *were* to ever go back to church (won’t happen), I’d totally go to one of the two fairly kewl churches that are within walking distance of me.
Comment by: Lisa
11 02/1/08 8:09 PM | Comment Link |Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
Comment by: Jamie G.
12 02/3/08 9:13 PM | Comment Link |Funny, I’m an atheist, but I remember the one thing that really got my attention for a church being good was the genuine desire and passion of the people to know “the Lord”. I went to this church once that was meeting in a really bad old building, the parking lot was gravel and bumpy, the outside of the building was not pretty and wasn’t designed with a church in mind (formerly a small building sectioned off for businesses), poor design of the sanctuary (L shaped, yes!), hardly any programs for youth or children, and a lousy praise and worship team that just sang to music CDs. It was the genuine family love of the people and passion to serve “god” that kept me going back and had me proud that I was a member. Unfortunately, the church fell victim just like most into trying to be the best in town, and best meaning the best building, the biggest congregation, a flashy praise team, and all the bells and whistles, only skimping on the substance. However, even this was not the reason why I de-converted.