Comments on: The State of the Church Address http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140 Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:40:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rose Austin http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-8602 Rose Austin Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:08:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-8602 check out: <a HREF="http://www.normism.org" rel="nofollow">objectivism definition</A> check out: objectivism definition

]]> By: Herobill http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3173 Herobill Sat, 28 May 2005 00:27:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3173 Dear Mike: Spiritual life support, indeed. What if the institution itself is the iron lung? What if Pastors themselves are the plug? If so... how many professional ministers do you think would be willing to abandon their anemic (to whatever degree) congregations (of MANY sincere believers) FOR THE HOPE of deeper intimacy and experience with other christians in a more Biblical setting? I happen to think Pastors and the "Institutional System" are unscritprual and hinder the moving of the spirit among the body of Christ... but as for you, I do appreciate your heart, in this post. Thanks for Blogging. Dear Mike:

Spiritual life support, indeed. What if the institution itself is the iron lung? What if Pastors themselves are the plug? If so… how many professional ministers do you think would be willing to abandon their anemic (to whatever degree) congregations (of MANY sincere believers) FOR THE HOPE of deeper intimacy and experience with other christians in a more Biblical setting?

I happen to think Pastors and the “Institutional System” are unscritprual and hinder the moving of the spirit among the body of Christ…

but as for you, I do appreciate your heart, in this post. Thanks for Blogging.

]]> By: EBC http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3172 EBC Tue, 01 Mar 2005 16:08:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3172 Such a powerful message. As someone who has tricked myself for years into thining I am doing enough for the Kingdom, I take this as a personal challenge. In the business world there is a saying that activity = results. I doubt there are any differences when it comes to allowing God to work through me. I should always be striving to study His Word, but cannot overlook sharing that Good News. It's hard to sow seeds with my nose in a book. Such a powerful message. As someone who has tricked myself for years into thining I am doing enough for the Kingdom, I take this as a personal challenge.

In the business world there is a saying that activity = results. I doubt there are any differences when it comes to allowing God to work through me. I should always be striving to study His Word, but cannot overlook sharing that Good News. It’s hard to sow seeds with my nose in a book.

]]> By: Steve Jr. http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3171 Steve Jr. Tue, 01 Mar 2005 15:44:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3171 Praise God, Eric! Keep searching. Praise God, Eric! Keep searching.

]]> By: Eric http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3170 Eric Tue, 01 Mar 2005 15:09:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3170 One of the many hats I wear at my new church home in suburban Detroit is to work with the youth ministry. I recently set up a blog for the teens and asked them what it is that we have as Christians that our friends need. The first response was from a 13 year old girl. She concluded her comment by writing, "I think that what I have to give my friends is my faith in God and all I can do is help them discover their faith." From the moment I read that, I was amazed, challenged, and convicted. I think it fits well with the heart of this blog thread. Jesus called people to follow him, to discover the way of discipleship by walking the journey of life and faith with him. The North American church has tended toward an isolationism that keeps us from reaching out to the lives of others. As a minister, I can become so consumed with simple maintenance of the church family that I find it hard to even name people I know who are not yet Christian. As a church family, we are currently in the process of discussing what it means to be the church here in our community. And here we are being led by a 13 year old. If we can rethink what it means to partake in the mission of God, we might find ourselves in some very disconcerting and uncomfortable friendships that allow us to help those who are not yet Christians to witness our faith and discover theirs. One of the many hats I wear at my new church home in suburban Detroit is to work with the youth ministry. I recently set up a blog for the teens and asked them what it is that we have as Christians that our friends need. The first response was from a 13 year old girl. She concluded her comment by writing, “I think that what I have to give my friends is my faith in God and all I can do is help them discover their faith.”
From the moment I read that, I was amazed, challenged, and convicted. I think it fits well with the heart of this blog thread.
Jesus called people to follow him, to discover the way of discipleship by walking the journey of life and faith with him.
The North American church has tended toward an isolationism that keeps us from reaching out to the lives of others. As a minister, I can become so consumed with simple maintenance of the church family that I find it hard to even name people I know who are not yet Christian.
As a church family, we are currently in the process of discussing what it means to be the church here in our community. And here we are being led by a 13 year old.
If we can rethink what it means to partake in the mission of God, we might find ourselves in some very disconcerting and uncomfortable friendships that allow us to help those who are not yet Christians to witness our faith and discover theirs.

]]> By: Matt Elliott http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3169 Matt Elliott Mon, 28 Feb 2005 21:53:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3169 What a talented young writer! I wonder who taught his 9th grade Bible class at his high school? Oh, wait! [blushes] It was me, me! But seriously -- I **love** it when the next generation of spiritual leaders begins to assert itself and challenges the comforts of the establishment. I know I need this kind of shake-up. What a talented young writer! I wonder who taught his 9th grade Bible class at his high school? Oh, wait! [blushes] It was me, me!

But seriously –

I **love** it when the next generation of spiritual leaders begins to assert itself and challenges the comforts of the establishment. I know I need this kind of shake-up.

]]> By: R Debenport http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3168 R Debenport Mon, 28 Feb 2005 08:35:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3168 Thanks for your thoughts Mike. As for young ministers who are reaching out for Jesus, I have am learning a lot from Ryan Binkley. He's doing his "field work" for ministry here in Thailand and is learning what it means to make disciples in a non-Christian environment. Check his story at www.churchplant.info/thailand God bless. -Russ Thanks for your thoughts Mike. As for young ministers who are reaching out for Jesus, I have am learning a lot from Ryan Binkley. He’s doing his “field work” for ministry here in Thailand and is learning what it means to make disciples in a non-Christian environment. Check his story at http://www.churchplant.info/thailand
God bless. -Russ

]]> By: Heather A http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3167 Heather A Mon, 28 Feb 2005 04:45:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3167 Thanks so much for continuing to challenge us with these ideas. We talked about the washing of the feet at 9:00 tonight and what that is supposed to mean for us as ministers and servants. Jesus sure left us some pretty big shoes to fill! I also thought you might be interested in reading a couple of my recent posts. Come check out my blog if you have a minute. Thanks so much for continuing to challenge us with these ideas. We talked about the washing of the feet at 9:00 tonight and what that is supposed to mean for us as ministers and servants. Jesus sure left us some pretty big shoes to fill!

I also thought you might be interested in reading a couple of my recent posts. Come check out my blog if you have a minute.

]]> By: Dwiggy444 http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3166 Dwiggy444 Mon, 28 Feb 2005 04:40:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3166 Mike, it is amazing how the Spirit diseminates His message throughout His people! My wife and close friends here in <a HREF="http://www.nschurch.org/" rel="nofollow">our</A> little corner of the church have been talking a LOT about these same ideas lately and we're just as concerned as you are. When will we realize that it's not about us? When will we realize that God chose us to be His hands and feet in action and not to simply sit at His feet and enjoy His touch? What will it take for us to open our eyes and look outside of our comfortable little circles and <B>GO</B> to serve the people around us? Let's keep talking. And if anyone has any ideas on HOW we can change and what we can DO, please feel free to share. Mike, it is amazing how the Spirit diseminates His message throughout His people! My wife and close friends here in our little corner of the church have been talking a LOT about these same ideas lately and we’re just as concerned as you are.

When will we realize that it’s not about us? When will we realize that God chose us to be His hands and feet in action and not to simply sit at His feet and enjoy His touch? What will it take for us to open our eyes and look outside of our comfortable little circles and GO to serve the people around us?

Let’s keep talking. And if anyone has any ideas on HOW we can change and what we can DO, please feel free to share.

]]> By: JDrake http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3165 JDrake Mon, 28 Feb 2005 01:12:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3165 After baptizing, we do miss the boat on the "making disciples" part. I've seen and heard so many people working in inner-city ministries that are at a loss what to do after they lead someone to the water. I have been one to sit in my comfy little pew and God has really been after me to GO!! GO Mike and GO church! After baptizing, we do miss the boat on the “making disciples” part. I’ve seen and heard so many people working in inner-city ministries that are at a loss what to do after they lead someone to the water.

I have been one to sit in my comfy little pew and God has really been after me to GO!! GO Mike and GO church!

]]> By: Matt http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3164 Matt Sun, 27 Feb 2005 20:40:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3164 I've been eavesdropping on the public dialog about ministry and "church" in the post-modern world for several months now. Every time I come back to the subject, I am more and more staggered by the implications of it all. In some ways it is disconcerting, because it makes takes away the comfortable, "churchy" things that I'm used to. But in other ways, it is profoundly liberating to anticipate being a part of a fresh, authentic brand of discipleship. Guys like Steve, who are ready to shed all pretense of "church as usual" and go into the world in the name of Jesus, inspire me. When I grow up, I want to be like him. I’ve been eavesdropping on the public dialog about ministry and “church” in the post-modern world for several months now. Every time I come back to the subject, I am more and more staggered by the implications of it all. In some ways it is disconcerting, because it makes takes away the comfortable, “churchy” things that I’m used to. But in other ways, it is profoundly liberating to anticipate being a part of a fresh, authentic brand of discipleship.

Guys like Steve, who are ready to shed all pretense of “church as usual” and go into the world in the name of Jesus, inspire me.

When I grow up, I want to be like him.

]]> By: Niki http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3163 Niki Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:34:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3163 I read this on Steve's blog a couple of days ago. It's great and I'm glad you posted it here today. Keep talking Mike. Keep encouraging the messiness that is ministry. One of the basic reasons Jesus washed the disciple's feet was they were dirty! They had been GOing to do ministry. They weren't neat and clean sitting in the temple waiting for the lost to come to them to be saved. How comfortable do you think the disciples were to leave their homes to walk with Jesus, hang out with tax collectors and prostitutes, and wonder how to beat the overwhelming persecution of their people? I'm convivnced that we're not supposed to be comfortable. Not much happens in the land of comfortable. I read this on Steve’s blog a couple of days ago. It’s great and I’m glad you posted it here today.

Keep talking Mike. Keep encouraging the messiness that is ministry. One of the basic reasons Jesus washed the disciple’s feet was they were dirty! They had been GOing to do ministry. They weren’t neat and clean sitting in the temple waiting for the lost to come to them to be saved. How comfortable do you think the disciples were to leave their homes to walk with Jesus, hang out with tax collectors and prostitutes, and wonder how to beat the overwhelming persecution of their people? I’m convivnced that we’re not supposed to be comfortable. Not much happens in the land of comfortable.

]]> By: David U http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3162 David U Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:29:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3162 Our flagship has never been discipleship. Instead, it seems it was "church". Our flagship has never been discipleship. Instead, it seems it was “church”.

]]> By: David http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-3161 David Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-3161 Great message! I do think that care should be taken about being too judgemental about churches over the past 25 years who have reached out to the unchurched through contemporary methodology. I have been amazed recently at Willow Creek's Bill Hybles' emails about his current work around the world ministering to church leaders. Yes, there are "slumbering" churches, but there are also those who woke up years ago and continue to be on the cutting edge. These churches and leaders know how important it is to be contantly and consistently methodologically evolving to connect with a contemporary culture. Great message! I do think that care should be taken about being too judgemental about churches over the past 25 years who have reached out to the unchurched through contemporary methodology. I have been amazed recently at Willow Creek’s Bill Hybles’ emails about his current work around the world ministering to church leaders.

Yes, there are “slumbering” churches, but there are also those who woke up years ago and continue to be on the cutting edge. These churches and leaders know how important it is to be contantly and consistently methodologically evolving to connect with a contemporary culture.

]]> By: David Michael http://preachermike.com/2005/02/27/110936778247665140#comment-8601 David Michael Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/?p=447#comment-8601 Great message! I do think that care should be taken about being too judgemental about churches over the past 25 years who have reached out to the unchurched through contemporary methodology. I have been amazed recently at Willow Creek's Bill Hybles' emails about his current work around the world ministering to church leaders. Yes, there are "slumbering" churches, but there are also those who woke up years ago and continue to be on the cutting edge. These churches and leaders know how important it is to be contantly and consistently methodologically evolving to connect with a contemporary culture. Great message! I do think that care should be taken about being too judgemental about churches over the past 25 years who have reached out to the unchurched through contemporary methodology. I have been amazed recently at Willow Creek’s Bill Hybles’ emails about his current work around the world ministering to church leaders.

Yes, there are “slumbering” churches, but there are also those who woke up years ago and continue to be on the cutting edge. These churches and leaders know how important it is to be contantly and consistently methodologically evolving to connect with a contemporary culture.

]]>