A week ago, I asked you to take part in a poll: "What is most important in a church?" And you said:
DOCTRINE!
Almost half of you said doctrine was more important that any other thing. 45% of you voted that way. I'm a little surprised, this day in age, with so many people who don't know what they believe. However, those people may not be in the demographic that participated in this poll. I do have many well-educated 'old' christians as friends and your preferences doubtless came shining through. This is an interesting thought. I'd like to know more about the people who chose this answer. I would imagine that although many of you have this priority in common, that you may have very different reasons for choosing it. Too bad the poll didn't have place to 'splain.
Tying for second with 18% each was COMMUNITY and STANDARDS. I expected both of these to do very well in the polls, although for various reasons I would likely consider the groups of people seeking these individual traits to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. What do you think? Do you think of those who are separated in terms of being separated from community? Which churches are more likely to focus on standards, small or large? And does size affect community? I'm pretty sure that many of these options would overlap in different ways for different people.
Next in line was WORSHIP with 9%. This one did surprise me. I have heard so many people say something like, "The preaching was good but I just couldn't take the music." Similarly, I have known people to leave churches because the worship service wasn't what they thought it should be. And then it may be possible that this item would have pulled in more votes if the poll had allowed first and second choices. Because, while many people would definitely shy away from certain congregations where the worship service was uncomfortable, those same people may feel that if doctrine is on the ticket, it must certainly take first place. And then again, I may totally have it figured wrong.
MINISTRY and SIZE tied for last place with only 4% each.
PROGRAMS didn't even make a showing. This I am surprised about, having known people to have sought churches based on what they had for their children, teens etc. However, once again, we must consider that these same people, while looking for programs, might have been primarily more concerned with doctrine, and would look for churches with programs only if they first agreed with them doctrinally.
While doctrine did carry the lead, what is interesting to note is that some of you made a very clear choice not to choose it as most important. Maybe it is a big deal to you, but obviously something else was an even bigger deal. 53% of you were willing to place doctrine in at least the second seat to something you deemed more important. It would be interesting to know how doctrinally-broad people would be willing to differ for the sake of having those other needs met in their lives.
I know in my own life, that some of the people I love the most, some of the neatest people I know, believe differently than I do. We are able to have sweet fellowship together. I love meeting with people who can unaggressively discuss different points of view. A meeting of the minds, where personalities and preferences come through, but never at the cost of brotherly love. It is what I imagine Heaven to be like.
Discussion, conversation, Christians meeting and sharing. In a way, it is what has happened here, in this blog, with this poll. Yep, it's pretty heavenly to me.
Thank you for participating!
I do have many well-educated 'old' christians as friends and your preferences doubtless came shining through. This is an interesting thought. I'd like to know more about the people who chose this answer.
ReplyDeleteEph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
So many "Other" things have become more important than the Word of God.
Wow, great poll Hope, this one really had me thinking. My first response was to choose doctrine, and in the end that remains my first choice because good doctrine = Truth which guides all other choices. The Scriptures posted above by "Lady" (which I am printing out and posting by the way) make it clear that this is an entry level requirement. However, I ended up not voting in poll because while good doctrine regarding essentials would be a baseline requirement, it is not the only thing, ie, I can't see it as an either/or proposition. I am reminded that Jesus did not state all men would know we are His disciples by the correctness of our doctrinal statements, but rather by the love we have one to another. We see in 1 John that we cannot say we know Him when we don't love our brother, and throughout the New Testament if I had to pick a mark that is *the* mark of a follower of Christ it would have to be Love (and this would probably best be represented by "Community" in your poll). What brings me back to doctrine though is that it is Scripture which informs my idea of what constitutes love rather than culture so there we have that baseline again.
ReplyDeleteI would not attend a church with perfect doctrine however if love were absent, and believe me, it is possible. Neither would I attend a church that didn't know the answer to the question Jesus put to Peter: "Who do you say that I am?" Historically the answer to that question is where most have gone wrong.
Lady, thanks for your comments. This whole thing is interesting. I wonder what doctrines people think are important, cause Im sure diiferent denominations were represented here. I also wonder even among the Baptists who took the poll, which ones they consider indespensable and which teachings they just considered preference.
ReplyDeleteJon, you said what I believe beautfiully. I couldn't agree with you more. Doctrine is so important, but without love...maybe it's all kind of like sounding brass...just one big noisy show. Or at least it can be. Love is what makes the difference, I'm sure. I relate to your dilemna about even that knowledge of love coming from doctrine. It's kind of the old chicken/egg thing again isn't it?
Thank you both for your thoughts!