This is the day of Pentecost in the Christian church, a Big Three event in the liturgical year which doesn't get the attention that Christmas and Easter receive. A little like Chris Bosh playing alongside Lebron James and Dwane Wade (any b-ball fans out there?)Yet we wouldn't be the church without the mind-boggling events of that first remarkable Pentecost recording in Acts chapter two. We talked about the work of the Holy Spirit as wind/breath/spirit in bible study this past week and I used a Holy Spirit Scale I developed years ago, tongue firmly in cheek, to correspond with the Beaufort Wind Scale.
Our Child and Youth Worker, Laura, commented that they had talked about Pentecost in Sunday School last Sunday and one little boy wanted to know if the wind of the spirit wrecked things. She assured him "no," but then wondered if she might have offered a different answer. On the Beaufort Scale a Force 9 wind might skin shingles off a roof and do other damage. Not terribly destructive but packing a punch.
Holy Spirit Scale
Church Type Effects
1. Rest in Peace –The only members are in the cemetery
2 Last Stages – Only those with grey, white or blue hair attend
3 Congregation Hanging On – Squabbling over every decision
4. House Proud – Love the building more than God
5 Nostalgia Central – The Good Ol’ Days matter more than this moment
6. Social Christians – Plenty of good will but not much talk about Jesus
7 Desire for Ministry & Mission -- Signs of life but more talk than action
8 Thriving Through the Generations – Christ at the centre, flexible at the edges
9 Mature and Vibrant Faith – Joyful worship and commitment to justice
10 Praise Gone Wild -- Entertainment rather than worship
11 Too Religious for Their Own Good -- Members figure they are Jesus’ body guards
12 Welcome to our Cult!
The Holy Spirit Scale 9 is Mature and Vibrant Worship -- Joyful worship and commitment to justice. Laura wondered if we aren't afraid of the shingles coming off the roof to the extent that we won't venture into new and renewing areas.
I hope the children leading worship today fill our sails and encourage us in new directions.
Thoughts?
1 comment:
Interesting scale!
Service was great on every front. Well done to all participants and organizers. Laura, Allanah, Sherry, Derek ... all of you too numerous to mention: thanks for working so hard with our kids.
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