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The Pensees blog has an article entitled “The Seeker-Insensitive Movement.” In it the author identifies the phenomenon of Church Hopping as another name for Backslinding.
In a very insightful quote the author states:
The Seeker-sensitive leaders are naive to think they are getting mostly un-churched. They’re getting mostly de-churched. They’re getting the coddled second-generation church-goers who know nothing of Christianity except that they have to “do church.”
What do you think? Does the Seeker-sensitive approach simply fill a church full of “second-generation” christians who are looking for a less intrusive worship experience? Or maybe the seeker-sensitive approach does attract “unchurched Charlies.” Weigh in in the comment section of the blog.
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In my own belief, church-hopping is not a sin. I would like to qualify my answer in saying that I do church-hopping to get some fresh ideas from the many churches that I have and may have visited. This is done to improve my service to my own church, and to see if what we are doing are at par, if not better than the others. Although we are all servers of the word of God, we deliver them in so many different ways in the most effective way in our congregation.
What is the normal time line for ministers who have acknowledged their call to preach and because there are very few opportunities to preach, or for whatever other reason the Senior Pastor have not ordained him after several years of his calling.Also on that thought, this ordaination certificate is, as we know is a man-made requirement to perform certain “religious ceremonies”. I’ve recently been informed that these ordainations acquired online are recognized by most states; is this something the neglected Associate Minister should persue? After-all it is legal and does allow Associates to perform ceremonies like marriages, and baptisms.
This probably will become a post at some time…I thank you for your important question. Because this is a question that makes reference to legal and financial issues I must preface my remarks by saying that I am neither a Lawyer or a CPA…
Let me say that “legally” the state doesn’t care bout “baptisms.” If you want to do a baptism…simply do it. It is not regulated by the state at all. Now weddings are regulated by the state. You do need to be recognized as clergy by your faith body to perform them according to the state.
This goes to my first question “Why do you want ordination?” If it is to perform a wedding, well legally in many states an online ordination will suffice. But do you want more preaching engagements? I doubt very seriously an online ordination will give you that. In fact, there are many people with ordination who can’t buy a preaching opportunity and many who only have a license(and some without either) who are preaching every week. In short, what is it you want from the ordination?
After having said that, all online ordinations are not created equal. There are some that will ordain anyone…including those who do not believe that God exists. There are some that require no training, no work, and no accountability.
If you wan to do an online ordination. Make sure first of all that you agree with the people you deal with. Next make sure that there is some sort of accountability. Finally, make sure that they do some sort of test of your ministry, whether through an essay, background check, or whatever.
I understand the frustration and an online ordination might seem like the way to do an “end around” your pastor, but be careful.
Finally, talk to your pastor about what the hold up is. There may be some value in what the Pastor is saying…
Hope that helps…