What We Are Known For

[lancelot]

Isn't it a shame that we are known for our views on instrumental music and our claim that we alone are the true church rather than being known for our love for God and mankind?

When there are many things in the same category, those things are often known by their distinctions, not something they have in common with the others within the category.

A dachshund is known by its length.

Lancelot

[Mere Nick]

Realistically, most folks have never heard about the CofC, especially north of the Mason-Dixie.

Yes.  A few years back our congregation was planning a revival, er, gospel meeting, and a couple of folks started talking about who the guest speaker would be since there would be more visitors.  They looked at me weird when I asked them if 1% of the county could name our preacher and if a guest speaker was really necessary.

Back when I was just a kid, the church would put on an evening VBS for a week, and our minister would have a week long gospel-meeting-esque lesson series.  I wish we'd do more of that.

Well, summer is here.  See about making it happen.  Are your elders talktoable?

[marc]

We have a pretty successful VBS every year (we're rural), but last year wasn't quite up to par and was more expensive than we would have liked so, with a busy summer already underway, we're only doing a one-day VBS camp this year.  On the whole, I'm a big VBS fan, though. 

[Arkstfan]

VBS is dying because the times have changed.
Fewer stay at home moms happy to get the kiddos out of the house for a few hours.
Few set up VBS to be work friendly. If mom has to be at the office by 8 and doesn't get off until 5, the typical VBS schedule doesn't fit.
As to revivals most elders quit that years ago when they realized they weren't even getting most the members to come, much less visitors.

[DCR]

Our VBS has been changed to night this year to accommodate work schedules, I think.  They're trying to provide more activities for adults also.

[marc]

We'v always done night VBS before. 

[Mere Nick]

Our congregation has night VBS.  However, I do admit that our family hasn't taken much part other than our kids sometimes helping to set things up.

We are having a special series this summer on either Wednesday nights or Sunday nights, I forget which.  Preachers from all over the area have a particular night where they will be the speaker about a certain topic.  I don't know if we will be going very often to those.  I've heard at least some of them before and it was quite forgetable.  It has to be hard for preachers to speak on a subject given that many of the folks who show up have already heard it a blue million times.  Mainly during the school year we don't have Sunday evening services at the building but have small groups in homes.  It seems that the small groups with dialogue and fellowship is so much better than going to listen to a speech.

[s1n4m1n]

Isn't it a shame that we are known for our views on instrumental music and our claim that we alone are the true church rather than being known for our love for God and mankind?

Generally speaking I think that most non-Christians have a negative view Christians. That is, being too judgemental, etc.


JTW, I thought you went Baptist.

Ken

[blonddad]

For the past handful of years we have been doing fun musicals for our VBS. Not to brag but my Don't Build the Ark out of Gopherwood solo was quite the winner a few years back.

[zoonance]

Apparently the planting of a christian college does affect the surrounding environment!   Unfortunately, Cascade is closed now due to expenses.

[LittlePinky82]

Realistically, most folks have never heard about the CofC, especially north of the Mason-Dixie.

Probably true.  I remember when that COC preacher was killed by his wife a good while back people were like "what's the Church of Christ?" and asked if we were some sort of cult lol.  What you find at one COC you won't at another and I like that independence because we can follow God's word at our own paces etc.  As far as instrumental music goes at my grandmother's (dad's mom) church they have a more main stream worship service with a sorta choir.  It's like the "good" singers sit up front with mics.  I don't like that cause it might make other people feel bad and we're supposed to be about God and worship and not ourselves.

[LittlePinky82]

We have a pretty successful VBS every year (we're rural), but last year wasn't quite up to par and was more expensive than we would have liked so, with a busy summer already underway, we're only doing a one-day VBS camp this year.  On the whole, I'm a big VBS fan, though.  

Oh my church does  a lovely VBS each year and always some sort of theme.  I remember when I was a kid it would start on Sunday evening with an introduction and singing kids songs and then fellowship finger food in the fellowship dining. As my brother always says it's a COC tradition with pot lucks lol.  Then it'd last throguhout the whole week until Friday and on Friday it would be a fair type thing a long with that years VBS theme with hot dogs and popcorn and stuff.  Fond memories.  Once I even won two fish. ;) Now days it starts on Sunday night and ends Wednesday night. Oh and there are adult classes which is nice and babysitting services. :)

[LittlePinky82]

Our VBS has been changed to night this year to accommodate work schedules, I think.  They're trying to provide more activities for adults also.

Yep ours is at night too when it used to be during the day until around lunch.

[LittlePinky82]

Our congregation has night VBS.  However, I do admit that our family hasn't taken much part other than our kids sometimes helping to set things up.

We are having a special series this summer on either Wednesday nights or Sunday nights, I forget which.  Preachers from all over the area have a particular night where they will be the speaker about a certain topic.  I don't know if we will be going very often to those.  I've heard at least some of them before and it was quite forgetable.  It has to be hard for preachers to speak on a subject given that many of the folks who show up have already heard it a blue million times.  Mainly during the school year we don't have Sunday evening services at the building but have small groups in homes.  It seems that the small groups with dialogue and fellowship is so much better than going to listen to a speech.

Oh yes.  Before I got super busy with college I would go with my parents to the small Bible study meetings we have at our church.  We meet during the spring and fall and take a break during summer.  Every third Sunday night (or whenever the group can meet for that month) we get together and have dinner and do a Bible study and the elders make up the lesson/discussion plans.  It's really nice and a good way to get to really know people.