A church is a house of worship, not a coffee shop
Sir: Regarding the July 19 letter, “Failure to embrace change causing churches to close.”
We were astonished at the shallowness of the explanations offered of why churches are closing. To say the main cause is a lack of coffee, the lack of “cool music” and the garb worn by the choir, made us realize the writer’s lack of understanding that the reason for church closures is more complex than these silly things.
Church closures reflect a shift away from a God-centred society to an atheistic, materialistic society. God is no longer the focus of most people’s lives.
The writer seems to think the church is there to meet their needs, but it isn’t all about them or their needs. The church is not obligated to “entertain” us by providing beverages and “hip” music.
Let’s not lose sight of why we go to church. It’s not for warm and fuzzy feelings or entertainment. It’s not to stimulate our emotions, like a rock concert or an action movie. We are there to worship God, to draw closer to God.
A cup of “joe” doesn’t draw a person closer to God. The suggestions this writer offers to prevent church closure are exactly why churches are closing. So many churches have become “fluff” and “shallow” and unauthentic.
There is a growing movement among young people for authentic Christianity. This means a return to tradition and traditional forms of worship.
Within the Catholic Church, the Latin Mass is becoming very popular with young Catholics. They want the chanting, they want the incense, they want the Latin.
They want what their parents chose to abandon in exchange for “feel-good fluff.” Young people want a true encounter with God, and authentic worship gives them this encounter.
Coming to church with a “cup of joe” does not show respect for God. Sunday worship isn’t your local “Starbucks.” Once again, this attitude reflects the malady of modern society and the lack of seeing the “sacred in life.”
Instead of trying to change our churches to fit our selfish needs, we need to re-orientate our hearts back to God.
Brenda Black
Ruth Hardie
John Waligorski
Sarnia
You won’t find a perfect church
Sir: I would like to respond to the July 19 letter written by K.E. Rose.
If you are looking for that perfect church where everything is just right, you will not find it. All churches are made up of imperfect people. The Bible calls them sinners.
That is not a word many want to embrace. Many want a cheery, good-feeling church, and there is nothing wrong in that.
Some church services are not very uplifting, and that is not what people want. They want to leave church with a good feeling.
There is a movement that seeks to rewrite the Bible to make it fit the climate of today. That will not work. New music, rousing sermons, great fellowship and coffee bars are great. Worship in a stable, that is okay.
But we must not try to get around the Bible. The Bible teaches we are all sinners and are short of God's calling.
What God wants and what Jesus proclaimed is to have a personal relationship with Him. That is where the problem arises with the church today. That is not being proclaimed in many of our churches.
This means we would need to make a radical change to our lifestyle. Jesus’ message was a message of love, not judgment. We all fail to love as Jesus taught and not judge. God is the only just judge.
Pete Emmons
Sarnia
Boat show was fun
Sir: On July 21 the Bluewater Chapter of The Antique and Classic Boat Society held its annual boat show at the Sarnia Bay Marina.
The Marina is a jewel and Sarnia should be very proud of this attraction on the bay.
We can’t say enough about Dave Brown and his staff at Sarnia Bay Marina (and Bridgeview during the off season) who were there to help us orchestrate the event.
They were pleasant, ready to help with any need and practiced good old-fashioned service with a smile.
The new boat launch ramps worked well for our trailered boats, and the public helped make our day even more fun. Everyone was welcome to view the boats, and they voted in the first two among this year’s winners:
* The People’s Choice – Easy Goin’ (R. Williamson, Sarnia)
* Children’s Choice – Would Aye (J. Horley, Sombra)
* Captain’s Choice – Wood-n-Mischief (K. Tighe, Bexley, Ohio)
* Best Glass Boat – Lena Estelle (J. Mathias, Algonac, Michigan)
We appreciate everyone’s help in making our event a success, despite the rain. Regards,
Dianne Fellows
Secretary, Bluewater Chapter, A.C.B.S.
Writer seems distressed MP Gladu not a Liberal
Sir: Why do you allow letter writer Stanton Earle to monopolize so much space in your newspaper?
Most people who send in letters are relaying concerns they have about conditions or situations in our community they would like to see addressed.
Mr. Earle’s letters, on the other hand, seem to be aimed at attacking the ethical integrity of people.
In his most recent letter he comes across as a hard-core Liberal, and his latest “victim” is MP Marilyn Gladu. Mr. Earle seems distressed our MP is not a Liberal but a member of the Opposition Progressive Conservative Party.
He accuses Ms. Gladu of making Trump-like comments, but in his letters, all I hear is Mr. Trump coming through loud and clear.
I agree with Peter Clarke’s letter of July 19 that Ms. Gladu is looking out for the interests of our riding. We are all human, and in her comments on people from Mexico, her words may have come across entirely different than what she intended. However, even the most naïve person should find it difficult to deny Mexico has a crime problem, and that we need to protect our borders from an influx of unsavoury elements from all countries.
Don McClintock
Sarnia