Theological issues play very little into why a family chooses one church over another. So the surveys tell us. Instead of its beliefs, a church is chosen for its youth program, its overall vitality, music, the kinds of expectations it will or won’t place on members, and so on.
Puts Friends in a pretty strange position, doesn’t it? What committee do you want to serve on?
On the other hand, our existence as a “do-it-yourself” congregation requires us, personally and as a group, to draw out individuals and families and engage in their daily lives. One of our strengths is that Quaker meeting allows room for spiritual growth over the years, within a wide range of activity, while maintaining an intimate connection. Our small size, in an era of mega-churches, presents us with advantages, especially in knowing one another authentically. Besides, worship is quite distinct from entertainment.
Now, how do we roll out this welcome mat? Maybe I would remind folks that our place of worship is a house, first and foremost. Come on in and get comfortable. And then be fed. Be sure, of course, to lend a hand with the dishes.
Jnana's Red Barn 
Reblogged this on Good Morning and commented:
And what is your church like? Nice post Jnana.
Because the Friends are so small as to be almost non-existent where I am, I need to ask – do you mean you actually meet in people’s homes? Or that your church buildings are meant to be first and foremost a domus ecclesiae?
Many of the smaller meetings (congregations) do in fact meet in individual’s homes. In the past, they were informally referred to as “parlor meetings.”
But in the larger usage, our buildings are usually called “meetinghouses,” while “church” refers to the body of believers. “Domus ecclesiae,” indeed, rather than “basilica,” in the formal view.
(Having said that, I should point out that in many places, Friends use “church” to mean the building, too, just so other folks have an idea where they gather.)
I chose to attend the church i go to many years ago, the church teachings have always been ones i have cherished through the ups and downs of life, but sometimes the people forget to help with the dishes! You get what i mean?
Oh, definitely. And if it were only the dishes, I’d be relieved. But that’s a lot like a family, too, right? And not a bad place for learning to work and play together.
We could begin quoting Scripture here, but I think other folks are getting the picture.
Enough said!