Hiam Shatir may look like your average pastor, but he’s not acting like one. In a nation filled with expensive mega-church buildings popping up, Hiam instead chose to sell his mega-church, Crestview Community Church, and attempt to live into what he says is the call to “be the church.” And although many doubt him, Hiam just knew it was the right move to make.
“We just felt it was the right thing to do,” said Hiam, a businessman turned pastor, from his converted basement where he now administrates the church. “We couldn’t put our foot on the problem. People were sitting in the pews and not doing anything. They would come and sit and leave. And we began to ask if this is the Gospel.” Read the rest of this article here.
ok, I feel the need to respond to my own question here … these thoughts have come back & forth with me since I posted this comment.
A thought a friend shared with me recently was this;
One reason perhaps why we should not be in such a hurry to “shut down” church as we know it would be that it would disengage those who have a passion to teach Sunday school or to teach the Youth group.
You would have to revolutionize Seminary training and curriculum as well since you would not be training up pastors to be single stage orators anymore.
Hmm … ok, I am back to my original stance … why would this be such a bad thing?
I am still not convinced even in my own dialogue with myself …
… a little help?
Ok, then what about this …
Release the pastor of his salary … yes, release him/her (and any other paid staff). Let them go and find a job in the community. Allow them to have a true 9-5 job and see their family more often.
Put the focus on families teaching their own children spiritual things instead of Sunday school and childrens ministries.
On Sunday mornings, everyone, adults, children are in church together to worship. Break up into smaller groups and have bible study together (relevant to the group).
No church meetings needed through the week, except perhaps to all volunteer at various community events where the community actually see you being a christian (Boy Scouts, Guides, Shelters, etc…)
Why are we still caught in this Sunday morning format of one teacher and an audience? Can we not be more practical and learn together? Why is so much money and time and energy focused on a Sunday morning gathering when we are needing so much more to grow on together?
Ok, too simple right? Help me understand why this would not work?
When I read this article I was impressed with the pastor’s faith and thought it was cool and when I found out it was satire..had to chuckle. What a great article for discussion.
I think this can happen to a church of any size. They loose “it”. ( I am reading “How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It” by Craig Groeschel) Their focus changes and moves away from what God’s purpose for them was.
It think it is harder for mega/huge churches to stay focused on God and not get sidetracked. Just as it is more of a challenge for someone who is financially blessed to stay dependant on God and fight greed, jealousy, power etc. It is alot easier to stay humble and dependant on God when you are struggling and have little. There is more responsibility to others.
But it really bothers me when people will say they like smaller churches better because they are more homey , personal etc. Shouldnt we all want our churches to get bigger and for thousands to come to Christ!
I dont think the point is mega-churches with all the bells and whistles versus the small penny pinching/bare bones churches. I think the point is following God’s call and seeking His guidance in everything. Remembering its God’s church and we are just His instruments. (Read the “IT” book. Craig Groeschel says it better!)
Wow!
I did not realize this was satire until I began reading the comments.
What a diassappointment.
It sounded plausable.
Certainly makes me think!