The church that I am interning at is struggling. They are a church plant of 5 plus years and still only have about 15 members, all of whom were there from the beginning. This is not very impressive and has forced the church to reconsider how it is doing things. It is not really my place to judge this church since I am only there to help them out with their ministry. I have absolutely no authority to give suggestions and make changes to the makeup of the congregation.
A lot of people ask me why I decided to intern at this church. I usually answer by saying that, considering my schedule, it fits the best. It is a low-commitment, easy-going congregation that does not require me to do much. With 15 people in the congregation, it is easy to understand why this is.
The main reason I did this internship is because I wanted a context that is slightly different from most of the churches on the East Coast. That is to say, most of the churches here are nothing like the churches I know in the Mid-West. Even the churches that are a part of my denomination (Church of God) are different. They all seemed very traditional and impersonal. So, the fact that this was a church that was committed to not having any walls, and formalized structures, was appealing.
I also wanted to do an internship in a denomination different than my own. This requires me to learn a completely different philosophy of ministry as well as participating in a liturgy completely different from the Church of God. I did this so as to enrich my understanding of other denominations, with the intention of knowing how to work with different congregations in my future ministry.
As of right now, I am still glad I am working at this church. If anything, I am learning what does not work in ministry. So that helps a bit. Usually, I have participated in semi-successful churches, therefore working at this church is an eye-opening experience.
I trudge on, nonetheless, hoping that the congregation finds its way. And I hope that I continue to benefit from it, even if it is in a negative way.
With 15 people, where do you guys meet? And are you gonna preach?
ReplyDeleteIf you do, make a post about it!~
Haha, we meet in a Middle School media center. I will be preaching sometime in mid-December. I will tell you how it goes. Though, it wont really feel like I'm really preaching with only 15 people there. Haha, more like a Bible Study atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool. It must be fun.
ReplyDeleteBesides, this will go on the inside of your book: "Caleb served with struggling congregations for years before using his experience to unlock the secret of Church growth and personal success. He has since planted 5,000 churches and is the author of 8 bestselling books. He ministers to a congregation of 15,000 in Sacramento, CA."
ReplyDeletemuaha
haha, B-row, I wish!!!
ReplyDeleteYo bro. My church takes the church to the people so no church building, no way, no how. Let me know if you ever treck up to Morristown.
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