2006-08-01 16:23:07 · 26 answers · asked by Baxter 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi Baxter
I have only been attending churches for the last 2 years but here are three things I have seen the good churches do.
1. Create a friendly environment- I have only been to once church that was a model of this. When I walked in everyone was already talking to each other but as I began to find my way to the set people started coming up to me and talking to me. They seemed not at all interested in my beliefs but seemed genuinely curious who "the new kid was".
2. Inspire people to be better people- I have never enjoyed preaching about stories or history, but what gives me the strength to endure the boredom is the moral part of the story. In every history or biography there is a way to inspire people to live better or be better equipped to face life. Some churches only want to fulfill their Sunday duty. Church should grow and inspire people, if it does not stop wasting your time at that church. Find another or read a book.
3. Support and facilitate individual "growth"- I was talking to a lady about how great her church was. Her pastor always supported his people. When a member wanted to start a food pantry for the poor the church gave up a room to store the food. When a member felt lead to feed the poor the pastor rallied the people to make PB&J and took them to a creek where the homeless lived. One of the new members of the congregation felt called to preach so the pastor stepped down and let him preach.
As for what churches should do less of, that question seems up to the audience. People will choose a church that fits them. Sadly, surching for a church has become a consumers market. A church will eventually stop doing something if people stop going. And if enough people stop going that church will cease to do anything at all.
I would like to comment that some people have said what they want the christian church to do less of. It is impossible to change the Christian church as a whole do to its deversity. There are many different denomonations to christianity and all churches are free to brake off when ever their congragation feels opressed. Christains are only uniform in there use of the bible and belief that Jesus is Massiah. They follow the teachings of Jesus the best they can interpert from the bible. Thus,
All greivances about the Christain Church should be addressed to Jesus and not his followers.
2006-08-01 19:00:13 · answer #1 · answered by gavinski16 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
simple.
More actual assistance and less dogma.
The day I can see churches (Christian or other) showing actual well-balanced concern for the people (spiritual, emotional, physical and financial concerns) rather than pirating followers of other churches and maintaining a status quo, that's the day I'll believe that there's still hope for the human race.
peace.
2006-08-01 23:44:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Churches should preach the Word of God and Love and peace. Less Hate, persecute others for their beliefs and intolerance.
2006-08-01 23:33:36 · answer #3 · answered by princezelph 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Churches should do more for helping people and less of judging people.. Open there doors to EVERYONE and not turn you away because of your sexual orientation etc..
Quit pushing your values onto other people who do not want to hear it, it is rude to continue to do otherwise!
Churches need to realise that they have absoutley no say when it comes to laws etc, and they should quit trying to influence the outcomes of certain bills trying to be passed!
2006-08-01 23:26:53 · answer #4 · answered by Jade H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More of: Keep their noses where it belongs and not interfere with matters pertaining to the government. Teach people to do the same and that prayers do not belong in public schools.
A woman has a right to decide what she can and can not do with her body, it is not the place of the church to tell her what she can and can not do.
Stop interfering with a persons right to privacy with regards to who they sleep with in their homes.
Allow priests to marry-- will reduce child molestation and also make them better people to talk to about marriage issues.
2006-08-01 23:33:11 · answer #5 · answered by gwad_is_a_myth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say they need to spend more time trying to do good in the world. and by that i mean helping people in need not forcing their religion on them. and a lot less of taking the bible literally its not like it was written by god its just a collection of writings from normal people and it includes alot of their bias. there are some things that contradict others in it
2006-08-01 23:30:13 · answer #6 · answered by Liam K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do more to help the poor out of poverty. Do less criticizing of other churches.
2006-08-01 23:26:21 · answer #7 · answered by Track Walker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All religions should do more in the way of teaching and practicing tolerance. And they should do less fighting amongst each other. I know it'll probably never happen, but one could hope!
2006-08-01 23:27:11 · answer #8 · answered by lilbitadevil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spending more time with our Mother Earth "Gaia " Thinking a little more about our enviroment !!!!!!!! How to save Gaia and not the non Christians
2006-08-01 23:29:48 · answer #9 · answered by judy-ann j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should do more relying on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and less on manmade literature and traditions.
2006-08-01 23:28:52 · answer #10 · answered by dph_40 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋