Ways to avoid community...

Submitted by David on Wed, 2007-04-04 21:18

I ran into a post entitled "10 Ways to Avoid Building Community Within the Church" on probably half a dozen blogs this week, and figured that this was worth another mention.

Suggestion #2 regarding assigned seating is kind of amusing but seems to be the truth (of course, it also applies to classrooms and the like). Perhaps I should be "rebellious" and sit on the other side...

Comments

Scott

Thu, 2007-04-05 10:57

I have no problem talking to people, but I don't really have anything to say so I'm counting on them to supply the conversation. I seriously don't understand how people can talk for 15 to 30 minutes after both services and always have new things to say.

People tend to gravitate towards the same pew, and I don't necessarily see that as being a problem. One of the things I noticed when I came to Aldergrove is the huge number of people that talk before the service. In Maranatha this just wasn't done; everyone was busy listening to the organ. There's plenty of time to talk after the service, so save it until then. Before the service you're supposed to be mentally preparing yourself.

Aldergrove is trying to do some community building with their "ward enhancement" scheme which they borrowed from Abbotsford (where it failed, but we like to beat dead horses). We all went over to our elder's house after second service and sat there looking at each other. Those who did talk a bit were talking to people that they usually talk to at church. I think that people feel they have nothing in common except the fact that they go to the same church, so they don't know what to talk about. (Side note: the main people that this ward enhancement thing is supposed to help don't even bother to show up anyway.)

David

Thu, 2007-04-05 13:06

I have no problem talking to people, ... I don't really have anything to say so I'm counting on them to supply the conversation.

Those two parts of your sentence don't quite seem to agree with each other.

Scott

Sat, 2007-04-07 14:27

When I say I have no problem talking to people, what I mean is that I'm not opposed to it.

Calvin (not verified)

Mon, 2007-04-09 15:27

Aldergrove is trying to do some community building with their "ward enhancement" scheme which they borrowed from Abbotsford (where it failed, but we like to beat dead horses).

Failed? It allowed me to develop ties with persons I had previously never talked to. I call that success. Yes not everyone shows up but what are the chances that in our busy world (Sundays included with Bible studies and family visits etc...) that a whole ward can make it out? Minimal I'd say. And perhaps more new ways should be explored for those who wish to remain in their shell so that they really do become a part of the body. For more often than not those individuals who act in that way resemble dead branches on a tree.

Scott

Mon, 2007-04-09 16:49

I'm glad that you got some benefit out of it, but from what we were told it was not successful in most wards.