I’ve noticed a trend in some churches over the past several years: More and more people are not bringing their Bible to church. Why? I think there are two main reasons behind my observation: The Bible verses for the sermon are located behind the pastor on the jumbo screen (powerpoint) and the verses are located in the bulletin.
Clayton King noticed this trend as well:
Often I will take a survey just to make sure I am not making a snap judgment when it seems nobody is flipping pages when I tell them the text of my sermon. So I will ask everyone to hold up their copy of the Bible. On the average, it’s about 1 out of 4 that has a Bible with them. Am I being reactionary here? Not even close!
Because this happens to me 200 times a year, in Charismatic and Pentecostal churches, Presbyterian and Methodist youth camps, and (gasp) Southern Baptist events. This is ironic because Southern Baptists (I am one, proudly) are THE denomination in the West that has (said) we stand for the Bible. You would never know it by the number of Southern Baptists who even bring a Bible to corporate worship. [emphasis mine]
Clay Peck also echoed this sentiment here in Oregon:
I know that it might sound old fashioned to bring a Bible to church, but some traditions are worth preserving or resurrecting. I read an article in The Sunday Oregonian recently about Southlake Church in West Linn, Oregon. Southlake is a 3000 person, suburban mega church. During the course of the article, this line caught my attention:
“Shorts, sundresses, sandals and Hawaiian shirts carry the day, everyone dressed in their informal best like guests at a new neighbor’s barbecue. Some bring coffee or water bottles into the church, but no Bibles are in sight.” [emphasis mine]
In summary, I do take my Bible to church for this reason below:
Of course it is always good to listen intently at the sermon or preaching, but as you do, even as they speak, check out the source — the scripture verse — find out where exactly it was written. Not really to verify if the speaker is right, but simply to note where it is, so you could keep the verse handy for your own sake when Sunday is over and the next six days roll by.
So that when trouble arises (and you don’t know when it will) you can be assured in knowing where to find God’s promises — to comfort yourself, to comfort others. When you find the scripture verse, then you also vividly remember what your preacher told you about the verse. [emphasis mine] HT: Christian Pilgrim
3 responses so far ↓
penultima // July 13, 2009 at 10:24 am |
I am tempted to say that the reason for this is that the sermons are intentionally being dumbed down.
If the sermons were ‘about’ something less people would show and therefore Bible use would rise.
If the sermons are so generic that all the pastor is doing is hypnotically reading basic sermons that hold no real substance more people will show up just to show up.
barrydean // July 13, 2009 at 10:52 am |
I stopped taking my bible to church a few months ago. It was right after I got the full ESV available on my iPhone. I tried using it for a few weeks. It was fine whenever the pastor was expositing and staying in one chapter or section of verses. But if he started to reference any other verses I would be late getting to the verse and he will have moved on to another passage or abck to the main text. In frustration I stopped at the church bookstore and purchased a tru-tone ESV Study Bible to use from now on. I have since learned how to use the search function in my iPhone ESV app. I may still carry my new ESV study bible with me to church but I really don’t have to.
You know Tim Challies blogged for awhlie about using electronics for your bible awhile back. Did you catch it?
http://www.challies.com/archives/christian-living/your-ipod-in-church.php
I’d like to get your feedback from it.
Knight // July 14, 2009 at 3:46 am |
I always bring my Bible to church. For a couple of reasons:
1. The Scripture is not included in the PowerPoint.
2. Our pastor likes to reference other verses in addition to the passage he is preaching from. He also preaches from a Thompson Chain reference Bible. (Coincedence? I think not…)
I do know people who don’t bring Bibles but we have them available under the seat in the row in front of you. I also know people who use electronic devices with the Bible available on them. I have done this myself but I found I don’t care for it. (personal preference)
barrydean – Careful carrying around the ESV SB. You are liable to strain yourself carrying that beast…