Friday 16 July 2010

Where two or three are gathered...


Have been musing on this picture that did the rounds shortly after the recent soccer World Cup final. Of course it is most likely a mock up, some clever image manipulation to convey a message that is still true. However, this picture can convey additional messages...

Have you also been told that in the same way you can't be a true football / soccer fan unless you actually attend matches you have to attend church to receive fullness as a Christian? I have always found that analogy uncomfortable (despite loving going to football matches!), so I am grateful this picture helped unfold an extra layer of interpretation...

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9 comments:

Sam Charles Norton said...

Slightly misleading parallel!

I'd say it is essential to get-together with other believers (=church), not necessarily in a particular place, or with a particular group. Christianity can't be done solo.

Peter Banks said...

Cheers for comment, I concur! So slightly puzzled you feel slightly mislead... perhaps I shouldn't be ;-)

Certainly agree believers need to get together, do feel it is not compulsory to meet in a pre-defined and prescribed way though?

Tim Goodbody said...

you could look at it the other way round; going to a football match doesn't make you a footballer any more than going to church makes you a christian - a variation on the old garage/car thing on that theme

Peter Banks said...

Thanks Tim, another interpretation!

At the risk of taking the analogy too far this conveys a sense that 'discipleship' is just as valid in a humble way as well as the more obvious mainstream way. Which is more orthodox, I wonder? :-)

Sam Charles Norton said...

Tim put his finger on why I thought it was misleading...

Peter Banks said...

There you go then, sorted, you lovely clergy types need to think more outside the, ahem, garage ;-)

Sam Charles Norton said...

now you really have lost me!

Steve Hayes said...

I have heard the church compared with a football match -- 22000 people who desperately need exercise watchuing 22 people who desperately need rest.

PS How about putting the BlogCatalog widget on your blog? And LayoutSeed (on BC)is a spammer - posted the same "shout" in dozens of places, but never visited any of the blogs.

Peter Banks said...

Excellent, Steve! All for more interpretation :-) Pretty much nails it, too!

Thanks for warning, btw.