Neto's list is very nearly identical to mine though I'm less musically oriented. I like to listen to it but you wouldn't want to hear me actually sing.Neto wrote:Here it is, unedited, from 07-29-2011Dream list for a new congregation
(I use the word ‘dream’ to be clear that I realize that some compromise is necessary for all of us, and I am of course willing to compromise as well, although less in some areas than in others.)
A Mission Oriented Congregation – Interest in reaching the lost - both here and in foreign cultures - is essential for a living congregation. A clear understanding of heaven & hell, of the eternal destiny of the lost, is a central doctrine for making missions make sense.
A Musical Congregation - (I do not use the term ‘music’ to distinguish use of instruments vs voice alone) I believe that two things commonly in practice today lead to a loss of musical ability in a congregation: use of words only projected on the wall or screen, and singly mostly simple choruses in unison only.
As to style of music, I personally prefer hymns, either old or modern, and the older choruses over ‘worship songs’, but the most important thing is that the words are theologically sound, and not overly repetitive. Instruments, if or when used, should not drown out the voice. In respect to music to which one might listen in other settings, I would like to see the distinction drawn between Christian and secular music based on the lyrics, not on the music style.
A Congregation where Community, or ‘body life’, is Evident – I don’t know how to implement this, because I believe it should happen without becoming institutionalized, but I feel that it is imperative that the members of a congregation have close associations with others in the congregation outside of the regularly scheduled meetings. Ideally the members ought to have some common interests or activities which result in ‘chance’, or unplanned, encounters. This gives opportunity for a sense of community to develop and grow without being mandated, or institutionalized by church programs like “small groups”.
A Congregation whose Members are Accountable to One Another – As important as it is to be accountable to one another, I do not believe that it should be necessary to talk about it a lot. This is something that will happen naturally if there is closeness between members of the congregation, and genuine spiritual concern, not only for one another, but concern for one’s own character as well.
Accountability should be seen as between equals, not having different standards for those in leadership in comparison to the ‘general membership’. Accountability is impossible unless there are clear congregational guidelines for conduct.
A Congregation Committed to Avoiding Super-Sizing itself – I would like to see agreement from the beginning that at some certain size (I would suggest around 175 members) plans are made to divide the group. (Maybe this should come naturally, too….)
A Congregation Actively Engaged in Church government – Having grown up in a congregation (and denomination) that was decidedly congregational in church governance, and now after some years in congregations which practice a more ‘top down’ sort of governance, I have concluded that while the congregational model does have some dangers (I saw a tract by George Brunk once which called it heretical), the other has some real dangers as well. The argument goes that if the congregation has a say in the direction of guidelines for conduct, for instance, then it is just a majority rule, and it will soon ‘go down the tubes’. This exposes a mistrust of the laity on the part of the ministers. More responsible choices need to be exercised on the part of the congregation, and more trust needs to be exercised on the part of the ministers. I believe that one of the benefits of the congregational governance model is that the burden of seeing guidelines for conduct carried out faithfully is not born by the minister(s) alone, but by all responsible members of the congregation. It is sometimes easier to sway one person than it is to sway an entire congregation.
A Congregation that Values Understanding the Scriptures - Openness to use of translations other than the KJV in public reading, etc. will encourage more people to read the scriptures in their own language. I realize that it is convenient to use a single translation for congregational readings, but words are already put on the screen for all sorts of other things, so this no longer seems to be a valid argument. The KJV was a modern translation 400 years ago, and the people of that time were able to hear the Scriptures in familiar language. Why should not the people of this era have the same privilege? I believe that insistence on the continued use of an archaic translation actually prevents people from understanding what is being read.
A Congregation that is Kingdom Oriented – While I do ascribe to a belief in non-resistance, I believe that this belief must be based upon a clear understanding of the two kingdoms that are at work in the world, the Kingdom of God, and the kingdom of the world. Non-resistance only makes sense when understood from the consciousness of the fact that no one can belong to both kingdoms. Spiritually there are no dual citizens.
A Congregation that is committed to a Life-style that is consistent with a non-manipulative understanding of the Scripture (ie, not twisting Scripture to fit one’s culture) – It would be my wish that clothing styles be modest and in keeping with clear standards based on Scripture. Extremes in men’s hair styles would be avoided. The Scriptural veiling would be used by the women, and children would be brought up to honor and respect this practice. Clarification to the effect that the veiling is a head-covering, not a hair-covering might aid in practice consistent with scripture. (I’ve heard that some girls are cutting their hair so as to reduce the size of the bun, and thus the size of the covering. This seems to have developed from the false assumption that it is the hair which should be covered.)
A Congregation that will avoid the Entrapment of Organized Sports – It seems to me that when sports are engaged in as fellowship activities it does not detract from spiritual pursuits, but when a congregation participates in a league, where teams are organized for competition with other congregations with play-offs, etc, the mood changes away from fellowship, and demands of time began to push out more important pursuits.
I would especially like to see parishes remain small for a better sense of brotherhood and community. The parish we attend now is smaller than average but is still larger than 175 families. It also has an excellent adult Sunday Scripture Study.
Unfortunately not all the women cover at Mass though some do. Not all the women follow strict modesty standards though I haven't noticed them being vulgar either. My wife would like to see a more strict modesty standard and full time covering: me, I stay out of those discussions of other women's clothing as that can get me into trouble. I think it's enough for me to make sure our sons and grandsons follow our modesty standards.
As to the sports: I'm with Neto 100%. Sports can become an obsession for some men, becoming a distraction from our true priorities in discipleship. When I was a young man (about 65 years ago), I would let sports and the discussion of sports consume far too much of my time. Hindsight is 20/20.