The gospel says

This post is from the defunct blog "Dying Church"

The gospel says, "Go," but our church buildings say, "Stay." The gospel says, "Seek the lost," but our churches say, "Let the lost seek the church." (Howard Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins)

Comments

[Jamie Arpin-Ricci]

Great quote. Thanks! Peace, Jamie Arpin-Ricci www.emergentvoyageurs.blog.com

[Trish]

Well I hope my new friend who got saved will stay in our church family and get baptized in the church especially now when she needs nurture. And I'm sure glad she finally took the invitation and came to church to discover what's going on and hear the message of conviction. If church buildings are used they say, "Come and go," not "Come and stay." Jesus gave the Great Commission to the disciples corporate. The event itself is unrepeatable, but it is not a paradigmn for church-buildingless believers and more than it is for church-building believers. Just my immediate response, like my two cents worth.

[Dan]

I think this quote by Howard Snyder is dead on. I don't think it is saying "stop going to church" or that it is, in any way, dissing church. He is simply stating the obvious - that in many cases, "the church" has become so inward looking and focused on ourselves that we have totally forgotten about the needs of others. John Fisher wrote a book a while back called, "Dancing For Ourselves" where he basically challenges the modern church to stop programming FOR OURSELVES and attempt to reach those outside our doors.

[nawhitlow]

Maybe a bit of an overstatement, but I tell my church leaders: "if you can't lead the church without a building and a budget, you can't really lead the church, you've already missed the point."