Home-centered church

"Some may think it too early to say, but I’m convinced these changes announced by the Brethren as the result of revelation received from the Lord are nothing but good.  In fact, I don’t think the word good does them justice.  I think they’re outstandingly amazing."

It’s been almost six months since the Brethren have announced the sweeping changes in our Sabbath schedule and almost three months that we’ve been practicing those changes.  With another General Conference not that far away, now is a good opportunity for us to step back and ask how we’re doing.

Is the new meeting schedule working?  What improvements have we seen from emphasizing a greater effort to study the gospel in the home?  And have we lost anything along the way with implementing these new changes?

Some may think it too early to say, but I’m convinced these changes announced by the Brethren as the result of revelation received from the Lord are nothing but good.  In fact, I don’t think the word good does them justice.  I think they’re outstandingly amazing.

Embrace more effective meetings

First, I have to say I love two-hour church!  I wish I had this growing up, on my mission, and in college.  But better late than never.

Elder Bednar encouraged us to see beyond the superficial logistical changes in the meeting schedule, and I do see this change as providing more than an “extra” free hour on the Sabbath.  Perhaps the most immediate effect I’ve seen thus far is a greater attention to make the most of that second hour.  Whether it’s Sunday School or my quorum meeting, I’ve seen my leaders be more intentional about using what time they have, if for no other reason than that they have less of it.

And that’s great.  Living with intention precedes joyful living.  It’s the antithesis of the living on autopilot which most people practice, a habit leading to mediocrity and a lackluster life.  I’ve truly enjoyed my meetings more now that the time spent in them is more precious.  That has translated into a closer and deeper interaction with the Spirit, which is part of the reason why we meet together to begin with.

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Feel the Spirit more

Now, I don’t know this from personal experience because I don’t have my own family yet, but I’ve heard other ward members testify of greater unity in their family and the joy they’ve felt in fielding questions from their children regarding gospel principles.  The Church has always been about strengthening families, and this move in that direction is truly inspired.

Not having my own family, I have an “extra” hour on Sundays, which I typically use in extended personal scripture study.  I don’t follow the Sunday School study schedule because I felt prompted to travel a different road.  But my life has been blessed as I’ve used this “extra” hour for my own study.

I’ve also heard of singles who have been blessed by gathering together in their own groups to study what their married friends are studying in their homes with their families.  I’m not a member of such a group (though I might be if I knew of one that met weekly), but I can imagine the blessings that would come to singles who have that arrangement in their life.  They could enjoy the same closeness with the Spirit and to one another that families experience among themselves.

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Change in the culture

For me, however, the most exciting change from home-centered church has yet to be seen fully.  I believe a cultural change is in the works that will benefit LDS singles everywhere.  This change has already been ongoing, but the practice of home-centered church will greatly accelerate it.

Traditionally, LDS culture has centered around Sunday meetings in general membership wards.  The mark of belonging has been being married with kids, and so many singles openly display their lack of belonging just by showing up without a significant other.  Of course, different wards are more accepting than others, but that’s been the general reality over the past few decades, if not longer.

Enter home-centered church.  By centering the worship experience in the home, the Church has effectively marginalized the differences between singles and marrieds that were once glaringly apparent.  Now that church has become about supporting what’s done in the home, we’ll now see a change in the mark of belonging within the culture to one centered on Christ and our willingness to make and keep as many covenants with Him as we can.  This is great news for LDS singles, because every single can belong in that culture.

The changes announced by the Brethren regarding home-centered church are outstandingly amazing.  Many glorious days lie ahead of us.  As we follow the counsel of the Brethren to adopt the changes revealed by revelation, the Lord will bless our lives with an outpouring of His Spirit.  Our culture will become more inclusive, and we’ll become more united as a people.  And that will bring more joy in our journey.

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You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode.