The Relationship of Leisure to the Church
FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, the church - in general - did not have a good attitude toward leisure. In fact, most churches were quite negative concerning free time. In times gone by, the prevailing collective thought of most church members was that "an idle mind was the devil's workshop." In the not too distant past, churches extolled the value of hard work, and at the same time voiced strong disapproval of time off from work - and "merry-making." Most church leaders would preach against undesirable leisure activities and undesirable leisure surroundings, rather than provide for wholesome leisure pursuits.
In more recent years, many churches have taken a different view. They have turned to a biblical perspective with regard to the church's relationship to leisure and leisure activities: "Whether, then, you eat or drink [or play ball, or go on a campout, or attend a party, or sing, or read] or whatsoever you do, do all [every single bit of it] to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31; The Holy Bible, American Standard Version, paraphrase added)
Many churches in today's world have chosen to accept responsibilities in dealing with leisure. Many believe that leisure should be viewed within the framework of total stewardship, and not as a separate matter. They believe that the church should offer guidance to people toward the wise use of leisure. Many church leaders believe that the church should not attempt to occupy every minute of a church member's leisure, but rather the church should make available a "smorgasboard" or "recreteria" of leisure opportunities from which each member may make a wise choice concerning free-time activities.
Leaders in many of today's churches believe that if the church is going to be serious about total ministry, it must be willing to meet people where they are - and on their level. Some would suggest, as an example, the story from the Bible of Jesus meeting the woman at the well (see John 4:5-26). The "well" to which people are attracted in today's society is not one of water, but one of leisure and leisure interests. The church may respond to this attraction in any of three ways: it may be oblivious; it may condemn; or it may meet people where they are, and minister to them through the avenue of Christian recreation.
__________
Presented with contributions from Stephen C. Morrow
In more recent years, many churches have taken a different view. They have turned to a biblical perspective with regard to the church's relationship to leisure and leisure activities: "Whether, then, you eat or drink [or play ball, or go on a campout, or attend a party, or sing, or read] or whatsoever you do, do all [every single bit of it] to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31; The Holy Bible, American Standard Version, paraphrase added)
Many churches in today's world have chosen to accept responsibilities in dealing with leisure. Many believe that leisure should be viewed within the framework of total stewardship, and not as a separate matter. They believe that the church should offer guidance to people toward the wise use of leisure. Many church leaders believe that the church should not attempt to occupy every minute of a church member's leisure, but rather the church should make available a "smorgasboard" or "recreteria" of leisure opportunities from which each member may make a wise choice concerning free-time activities.
Leaders in many of today's churches believe that if the church is going to be serious about total ministry, it must be willing to meet people where they are - and on their level. Some would suggest, as an example, the story from the Bible of Jesus meeting the woman at the well (see John 4:5-26). The "well" to which people are attracted in today's society is not one of water, but one of leisure and leisure interests. The church may respond to this attraction in any of three ways: it may be oblivious; it may condemn; or it may meet people where they are, and minister to them through the avenue of Christian recreation.
__________
Presented with contributions from Stephen C. Morrow
posted by DrJ @ 1:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home