One of the things that is different about South Florida is the Basque sport Jai-Alai, which can be found in 5 different special arenas, called frontons. It is a sport that seems to be a cross between raquet ball and lacross, where helmet wearing players sling a goat skinned ball against a wall at speeds of up to 170 miles per hour. The opposing player must catch the ball and sling it back.It was actually introduced first in the U.S. at the St. Louis Worlds fair in 1904 and quickly became popular across the country because of the gambling associated with it. As different gambling options became available across the states, it didn't take long for the sport to die down in popularity, becoming extinct everywhere but South Florida, where it thrives to this day.
It attests to my theory that the culture of South Florida is unlike any other culture in the United States. Which is why starting a traditional church in the traditional ways is more likely to fail than to grow and prosper. Sure, we would probably have short term success, but, that success would more than likely be building a church out of people that already believe and already go to church somewhere else.
To build a church out of the culture of South Florida requires understanding the culture of South Florida. Which is still something we are learning on a daily basis. In the mean time, we will continue to love and serve the least of these and allow the church to organically grow out of the necessity of our labors.
Please pray that God gives us understanding and compassion for the people we serve along with eyes to see them as God sees them.
Hmmm I wonder if that kind of culture your talking about there regarding "church" is not spreading out into other parts of the country?
ReplyDeleteOf course, is what is known as "church" today the same as "church" was that began in the beginning? You know, where we go to hear a preacher stand on a stage behind what is known as a pulpit, to tell all those sitting in the pews seated "below" him, what to believe, on every Sunday and maybe one other evening a week, the church God began? Or is it today, more so mans idea instead?
In my studies of what happened according to the bible, it is not. So maybe Florida has something going, not realizing it, after all.
I once heard this story about this old drunk trying to go into one of the modern day churches, one of the modern day deacons meeting him at the door, saying you need to sober up first before coming in here. Go do so, then come back next Sunday. Sending him out before he even was barely in. So the old drunk did what he said. And the next Sunday he went back, trying once again to enter into the services. The same deacon meeting him at the door, saying whoa, you cannot come smelling like you do. You need to go and take a bath, then come back next Sunday. So he did what the deacon told him to do again. And again went back the following Sunday. The deacon meeting him at the door once again, telling him this time, he couldn't come in with those old nasty clothes he had on. To go to the salvation army down the street and get something decent to wear. So he left of course, but this time sat down on the steps, saying Lord I cannot seem to get in there. And the Lord said very clearly. Son, do not feel bad. Neither can I!!!!!
Of course, you may have already heard that story before, as it is an old one, somehting like some of us out here are. LOL But that story came to mind when reading what you wrote there about "church". I think maybe that might be similar to what you are saying here possibly? You know, meaning in other words, let God run it instead.