Athena in a Minivan

Boy' School

What if there were a boy's school here? What would it look like? Who would send their boys there? What would it teach? How would you even go about starting a school? Is it practical in this day and age to have a single sex school? Could it be spiritual without having to be "a christian school"? Who would you even approach if you wanted to start such a school? How do you start a school? Can new schools be started? Can it be made affordable to the average parent so as not to be elitist? Can someone who has the vision find someone who has the details? And then can you find someone who has the money? Just wondering..............

Big Church/Small Church

This may come as a surprise to anyone who reads my blog. (Actually, I know of about 4 people who read this and one of them is my sister, one my best friend from college, one a new friend named Kara and I think my dad.)

We have been feeling the rustling of the Holy Spirit in our house lately. Honey and I came home from church one Sunday a few weeks ago and both realized that the mega-church just wasn't working for us and our family. (actually it began back with the Rick Warren book 40 Days of Purpose and the 2004 election but that is for another post)There are as many arguments for as against these types of churches. Google mega-churches and you can find almost as many sites that support them as ones that criticize them.

I believe the key to our decision is the Holy Spirit talking (no, not out loud) to us each in the same way at separate occasions and then our talking to each other about it. We have decided to visit a small Baptist church in our city that has been struggling to keep families with young children as the mega-churches appeal to the McDonald's mentality of families with playlands, jump houses, clowns, happy meals and promises of fun on Sunday morning.

Sure, I want my children to have fun but they are fast approaching the age when I want them to begin to hear the more difficult truths of God and Christ. When there are 20-25 children in a Sunday School class, it becomes more difficult for them to pay attention and have these truths taught to them. The intimacy is lost to the assembly line teaching.

This small church has its drawbacks as well. Because of its small size, they are struggling to have children's programs. They are located in an older neighborhood that is fast becoming more Hispanic and the church has tried to reach this population to no avail. The church is made up of older residents. It also has some wonderful attributes. They have a new pastor and his wife who have a true love for Jesus, the church and God's people. They want what is best for all involved in the work of the Lord. The church has some faithful Chrisitans who love the Lord and are willing to go outside their comfort level to show it to others. This church loves each other. They demonstrate it on a weekly basis. They pray together, work together, love and cry together and fellowship together.

I feel that at this point in our lives, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. I know that we need to be in a church where we can serve the Lord and were our children can grow in God's service. Children's programs require children and I come with three of them. I believe this church can begin to grow and attract families like ours who want to get back to the basics of Christianity (and being Baptists) ; who want their children to learn to love Christ with all their hearts, minds and souls; and who want to build community with other Christians.