Church Segmentation, Part 4 - Church on Sunday, Teach on Wednesday

Have you noticed that most churches adopt a philosophy of ministry that divides Sunday teaching and Wednesday teaching into two categories?

Usually, Sunday teaching is geared toward the masses. Now of course I am stereotyping, but most "mainline" churches have a "service" on Sunday that is geared toward attracting new believers, unbelievers and the tradionally "churched". What do these groups expect? Well, these new, non and traditional folks normally expect something similar to the "church" they see on TV and the movies. Give me some slamming music, a cultural message and the ability to sit and absorb without being involved in any manner. This is what the masses really want on Sunday. They want to be able to say, "We had church this week" and then go back to their regular, Christ-excluding lives on Monday through Saturday.

But where did we get this model? Is it scriptural? Did the believers in the bible meet in this manner?

The early church devoted themselves to prayer, the breaking of bread (Lord's Supper), the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship. They spent time with one another, fellowshipping in Christ. The were devoted to praying together. They were devoted to teaching, especially the Apostle's doctrine. This "Apostle's doctrine" was basically the content of New Testament Teaching. And of Course the New Testament includes Old Testament teaching, but the focus of "Apostle's Doctrine" has always been the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ taught as our Messiah, God, Savior, Redeemer, King -- plainly, Christ our Life.

In the 21st Century American church, teaching is normally relegated to Wednesday night, bible study. Most people don't even go to bible study, so at most churches, "bible study" plays second to Man centered, thematic teachings on topics the average unbeliever wants to learn more about. "How can I improve my financial status?", "What can I do to improve my Marriage", "How can I raise my kids better?", And if you want to be spiritual, what about "Ten ways to improve my prayer life".

Don't allow the world to shape worship. It is purely Christ-centered. He wants all of our attention. He is revealed in the Scriptures -- let's bring our time of worship back to solely focus on Him.