Church question regarding Christmas services

[disneymom3]

Hi,
I am hoping I can get feedback without having to wade through a bunch of antiChristian rhetoric. So, let's start this off with, I am a Christian, I intend to stay one, if you aren't yippy skippy I promise not to say I will pray for you if you will just not hijack my thread. Okay.......

We are struggling with our church over one particular issue. Primarily, that every year on Christmas and on Easter there is what we feel NO worship going on. They tell the story of Jesus' birth/resurrection through a drama in a very introductory way. Like they are assuming the people there have never heard it before. Then there is an invitation--not an altar call, but a sit in your seat and say this prayer with me and dedicate yourself to Jesus. Now, I understand some of the reasoning behind this, but what I am always left wondering is, what about those of us who are already believers? I want to celebrate and worship, not listen to a conversion speech. I would be okay if there were both, but there is only the one side.

So, I guess I am wondering--do your churches do that too? I grew up Catholic and there was pretty much no evangelizing going on. I was quite okay with that. I really feel that I am a much better witness by living my life as an example of what God wants us to do than by getting on a soap box and preaching about it. MIL comes to this service with us every year and is not a believer and I know this whole deal makes her uncomfortable and does nothing but push her away.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I didn't attend Christmas Day service this year, but did go on Christmas Eve.

Our service started with the choir and congregation singing about 4 carols, followed by some announcement by a Jr. Pastor. A soloist then sang a very touching song and then on the main show.

Our Pastor did a normal sermon entitled "Face to Face" which dealt with the fact that you can't judge a person/thing, etc. based on what you "see." He indicated that many people come to hear the story from Luke, but you would have to go home and read it yourself. He had something else planned.

We finished with the entire congregation holding candles lit from the "Jesus" candle and singing Silent Night.

So yes, we had a regular message in our service, mixed in with Christmas music.

FYI - this was a United Methodist Church.

 

[cardaway]

It's too bad you started off your thread the way you did. You might be surprised at how many people walked away from Chistianity because they agree with your post.

 

[phillybeth]

Sounds to me like they are taking advantage of the situation to 'convert' some C&E Christians, or non-believers who are there with their families. IMO, if it is only 2 services a year, I wouldn't make too much of a big deal over it.
Perhaps suggest two services, with one more worship-oriented and one the 'traditional' service? Or have the worship on Christmas Eve and at the Easter vigil service.

 

[lemondog]

My church doesn't do anything like that. But then again I am Catholic and like you said, we don't really do any evangelizing.

 

[clarabelle]

On Christmas Eve we have a Children Friendly service at 5 that is pretty much The Nativity, prayers and carols. More of a "Christmas for Beginners".
On Christmas Day we had a service with a bit more meat to it.

We never have an altar call or invitation because our denomination (pcusa) does not view salvation that way.

If it bothers you -I would thing it would be perfectly acceptable to mention this to your pastor or someone on the church staff.

 

[disneymom3]

It's too bad you started off your thread the way you did. You might be surprised at how many people walked away from Chistianity because they agree with your post.

Mike--let me clarify. I have no problem with hearing people's reasoning in that manner. What I don't want is to be told I am a deluded idiot and the Bible is a bunch of lies. It can happen on here, afterall.

 

[alabamaalan]

I assume they lead in an invitation speech for the very reason you mentioned. There are more unbelievers in church on Christmas and Easter than any other time and they want to provide that opportunity.

Actually I have been bothered in a church in the past that only marginally mentioned the holiday during the service but gave a "regular" sermon instead of a message based on the celebration.

However, there are separate Christmas and Easter cantantas/specials on another night which is more celebratory. (Even then we do a "sinner's prayer" though)

 

[ead79]

I’m sorry to hear that your Christmas service wasn’t as meaningful as what you were looking for. I have mixed views on the topic you brought up. First, as a Christian, I feel that we are called in the Bible to share the love of Christ and His message with non-believers. It’s a fact that there are people there on Christmas and Easter that are never there the rest of the year. I think it’s important that services on those days incorporate the basic message of salvation through Christ since it is central to Christianity. However, I think that the message of salvation can be incorporated into a sermon that discusses topics relevant to current believers as well. I like our church’s mission statement, since I think it reflects the dual purpose of the church: “To Love God and Worship Him as We Reach and Disciple People for Jesus Christ.” I think it’s entirely possible (and very important) to have messages that both present the plan of salvation and grow the believers in the congregation. You might consider taking your concerns to the pastor so he is aware that he should consider a different type of message. If your concerns aren’t addressed, maybe you can find a church that meets your needs better.

 

[disneymom3]

I think it’s entirely possible (and very important) to have messages that both present the plan of salvation and grow the believers in the congregation. You might consider taking your concerns to the pastor so he is aware that he should consider a different type of message.

Elizabeth, you managed to take my thought and put it into a much more comprehensible statement. That is exactly what I think could be happening here. I understand the need to reach out, but #1 it is very in your face and #2 it is like the believers are there for window dressing because there is truly nothing in the message for us to grow or celebrate. This is the third year I have tried to get something out of it and there has been nothing. I know that there are some people visiting, but I can tell you I recognized almost every single person in the church. (We have a pretty small church and are rather involved.)

I know I need to take it to the pastor, but I am not totally comfortable with that.

 

[jimmiej]

It sounds like an intentional way of reaching the unsaved. Lot's of C & E's present. Great time to present the gospel. We use drama in our church quite often simply as another way to deliver the message of salvation. Christ used parables-same idea. Maybe you could use the time to pray for those who are unsaved-that God would use this as a way to reach other with His message of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Another thought: Remember, worship is not about you; it's about God. If people are being convicted of their sin and need of forgiveness, God should be worshipped!


On the other hand, if that's all there is, maybe you should speak to your leadership and tell them your thoughts.

 

[Buckalew11]

My church service wasn't like yours (S. Baptist) but the preacher did give an open invitation to unbelievers just for the reason Alan mentioned above.

I would talk to your pastor about your feelings and thoughts on this. Maybe he/she hasn't thought about from where you are coming from. I will say that there are times I don't feel we are worshipping enough but going through the motions of a sermon, singing and just doing things the same ol' way in general. Of course, I am comfortable with that style but often think it is lacking in the 'worship' department for me personally. Sometimes I just have to worship on my own or put forth more effort in the whole service. it is really a hard thing to explain (here or in RL).

I hope you resolve the matter for your own heart's sake.

 

[cardaway]

Mike--let me clarify. I have no problem with hearing people's reasoning in that manner. What I don't want is to be told I am a deluded idiot and the Bible is a bunch of lies. It can happen on here, afterall.

What also happens is people making judgements about the people not in church, or those who haven't been converted. Just like the BAC thread.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Our church really doesn't do alter calls. It is printed in the bulletin that the alter is always open for anybody wishing to pray and during Communion it is common for many people to use the alter.

I can see your point about the content light services on the actual Christmas and Easter Days however. Our Church does a heavy Bible study during Advent and Lent, but on the actual days of Christmas and Easter we have many visitors into the Church who aren't familiar with the series of sermons.
On Easter Sunday we actually have to add a third service and all three Services will be packed full. Those actual days tend to be really heavy on Music and really light on the Sermon, almost more of a Religious show than a Church service. Our Christmas Eve service is almost exactly as you describe. There is alot of reading of passages regarding the Christmas story from the New Testament and accompanying music.

 

[lbgraves]

Our service wasn't like yours either. It was a standard Catholic Mass and the one difference was that the Pastor called the young kid to the front steps and asked them what Christmas was about. We enjoyed that part because a child's perception of what is happening is usually so innocent & sweet.

 

[can'twait]

When I was a teenager we went to church every Sunday. I noticed that on Christmas and Easter the place would be mobbed with many people who only came for the big holidays. I kind of resented that, as I was forced to go every week. I always noticed that the priests would make a big deal of welcoming these people who would suddenly appear for the holidays with a guilt speech, along the lines of "now that you are here, why don't you come every week?". Sometimes it was a subtle, "Wow, we have a big crowd today" but often it was turned into an opportunity to make people feel bad about not coming every week. I always was turned off by this. If I only came once in a while I would have turned right around and walked out. I never thought it was a good idea to make people feel bad about not coming every week. I was really surprised that they weren't welcomed with open arms. JMHO.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Hi,
I am hoping I can get feedback without having to wade through a bunch of antiChristian rhetoric. So, let's start this off with, I am a Christian, I intend to stay one, if you aren't yippy skippy I promise not to say I will pray for you if you will just not hijack my thread. Okay.......

We are struggling with our church over one particular issue. Primarily, that every year on Christmas and on Easter there is what we feel NO worship going on. They tell the story of Jesus' birth/resurrection through a drama in a very introductory way. Like they are assuming the people there have never heard it before. Then there is an invitation--not an altar call, but a sit in your seat and say this prayer with me and dedicate yourself to Jesus. Now, I understand some of the reasoning behind this, but what I am always left wondering is, what about those of us who are already believers? I want to celebrate and worship, not listen to a conversion speech. I would be okay if there were both, but there is only the one side.

So, I guess I am wondering--do your churches do that too? I grew up Catholic and there was pretty much no evangelizing going on. I was quite okay with that. I really feel that I am a much better witness by living my life as an example of what God wants us to do than by getting on a soap box and preaching about it. MIL comes to this service with us every year and is not a believer and I know this whole deal makes her uncomfortable and does nothing but push her away.

Our church tends to do this too on the holidays, though the message usually appeals to current and new believers alike. I think it's because Easter and Christmas are times that attract those who don't normally go to church. The services during these times are more catered to that group. I see nothing wrong with it - it's always great to witness people become new believers! As for your MIL, she is not a believer, so why does she attend the services if they make her uncomfortable? If she's not a believer, than she'll probably be uncomfortable regardless of what the pastor talks about. BTW, I don't think the intention of a preacher, pastor, priest - whoever gives the message at your place of worship - is to "get on a soapbox".

 

[disneymom3]

Our church tends to do this too on the holidays, though the message usually appeals to current and new believers alike. I think it's because Easter and Christmas are times that attract those who don't normally go to church. The services during these times are more catered to that group. I see nothing wrong with it - it's always great to witness people become new believers! As for your MIL, she is not a believer, so why does she attend the services if they make her uncomfortable? If she's not a believer, than she'll probably be uncomfortable regardless of what the pastor talks about. BTW, I don't think the intention of a preacher, pastor, priest - whoever gives the message at your place of worship - is to "get on a soapbox".

Wanted to respond to these two things in particular. First off, MIL comes to hear her son sing and this year to see DD in the drama. She will come anytime DH is singing and we figure maybe the message will slowly seep in so we sure want her to keep coming.

And you are so right and I did not mean our pastor was on a soapbox, but that that is the way I feel I would come off. That wasnt' clear in my post. I truly love our pastor. He is such an inspiration and knowledgeable man while also being a lot of fun and just all around a great guy. We feel honored that he leads our church.

I really appreciate all of the honesty and forthright answers on this thread. You have helped me to look at this issue from different points of view and are providing a lot of food for thought for me. Thank you.