tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post5949416154569108649..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: The welcoming church. . .Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-42265081509349078492019-02-09T16:03:03.213-06:002019-02-09T16:03:03.213-06:00A "sense of community" and "neighbo...A "sense of community" and "neighborliness" as understood by previous American generations is long gone - even in American small towns. As a nation divided, we live next to each other and not with each other. How many people ever bother saying hello to their neighbors? Church congregations everywhere try to re-create exclusive communities within their own gathering spaces.<br /><br />I don't care for the bland, ugly worship auditorium featuring Evangelical pastors giving law-based, shallow, life-coaching sermons. However, Evangelicals (including the non-denominationals) excel at fellowship. The problem is that if I were to join such a congregation based on the (institutionally forced) friendliness of the laymen, how easy would it be to leave said congregation after seeing through the seeker-friendly charade? After all, I would no longer be the fresh, prospective "new" member, but just another boring guy that everyone happens to pass by in the church hallway most Sunday mornings.<br /><br />Pastor Peters: Do LCMS congregations make a distinction between the sanctuary and the narthex? Is it possible for an LCMS congregation to have a quiet, serious, solemn sanctuary like yours, but with an upbeat, relaxed fellowship hall, always buzzing with various group events? Would it be possible to have traditional church *and* enjoy a decent coffee before the service?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-2744568326038222972019-02-09T13:10:17.916-06:002019-02-09T13:10:17.916-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Vladlen Aristonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10870373251947255736noreply@blogger.com