right now i'm in the "uptown" of portland at a coffee shop that use to be an old pharmacy. it is cool, but not quite the place i want to be a regular at. i'm just beginning my search for some cool coffee shops to work in. (i've decided i'm going to start "going to work" and take my office different places...it is a good excuse to get to know the city.) work keeps coming in, which is good. i'm not overloaded like i was a few weeks ago, but things are coming in.
on another note, i heard that imago dei has 1300-1400 people in their 3 services on sunday. i'm beginning to wonder how a church that big could have true community. i guess i'm filled with doubt that God could work in such a big community. isn't that horrible? i know that is not logical, but i question motives and wonder if those 1300 people are involved and truly a part or are just coming on sunday to be a part of a cool church. if you can't tell, i kinda' have a bad attitude about big churches. maybe this will change my mind.
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3 comments:
I don't think you're wrong about big churches. I'd say 70 to 150 is about the top you can have if you really want "community."
Of course there is something to be said for a bit of anonimity as well. It's like living in a big city. There is something that a lot of people love about being around a bunch of people without really knowing anyone or having to be responsible to them for anything.
right now, i wish i were better at articulating myself. my husband and i have been going to imago for the last year and we're so stoked about what God is doing there!
i completely understand your questions about community and how well that's maintained in such a large group, but i want to assure you that some how it's being preserved. imago is loyal to it's roots (the fact that it began as a home church) and everyone is strongly encouraged to jump into a home community. rick has said before that sunday's are a time to congragate as a church body, but that home communities are where connections are made and relationships built. they are organized by neighborhood but anyone can attend any H.C. at any time. i think this is key to keeping our growing body connected and accounatble.
i don't feel like i communcated my thoughts very well. hopefully some of this made sense. best of luck to you on your journey!
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