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| What are we getting right? |
| Thursday, 24 April 2008 | |
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Like I mentioned before... some great discussion going on here and so I thought I'd toss this one out. It's simple. But since I don't know how to word it in one question I'll throw down a few for your consideration... What is the Church doing right? What do you love about the Church? What's good in the Church? And give examples at the local church level... Hopefully this one will be as long if not longer than our previous run. Sidenote: Spread the love and get others involved on here. It could be a lot of fun. Also, I think it's funny how the "controversial" (don't mean for them to be) posts get lots of comment love but the non-commital posts like here and here get nothin'. I only mention this because I'm trying to do better at interacting with everyone as opposed to just tossing stuff out there. I'll explain more in a later post entitled... "Why I blog..." Much love. Tags: church
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written by Garrett , April 24, 2008 After school programs, equal rights movements and providing housing are probably the things I see that intrigue me and I enjoy the most. I believe we are at our best when we are not seeking to share our message to share our love. When the church shares love with no hidden agenda, it creates a great relationship that allows us to share our lives.
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written by Jess , April 24, 2008 Well, if you think about it, the Church is kind of responsible for all these discussions. I mean, how do we all know each other? We all met through church. On an even deeper level, look at where Dan, Cory, and John met their wives. Where Tyler and Cory's parents met. And look at why their parents are in Ireland to begin with. It's amazing.
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written by Haiza , April 24, 2008 I was thinking along the same lines Jess. The church provides a place where people from all walks of life come together with a common purpose. It provides opportunity for people to build bonds outside the norm.
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written by Jess , April 25, 2008 I think on a local level, one of the things that stands out to me the most about the church I go to now is the Mifflin Street clean-up that I mentioned in the previous discussion. It's interesting though, one of the pastors at our church spoke recently about how a lot of people who move away write to them and say how they haven't been able to find a church like Blackhawk, so they don't go to church anymore. It's an interesting problem to have, but I remember this pastor being pretty upset because there really isn't much that can be done to solve that problem.
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written by tyler sayre , April 25, 2008 i like jess's thought about the relationships... literally we are apart of this universal body.... you can go anywhere and have family. also think about the opportunities being apart of this community gives. i have been playing music in front of people sense i was 11 because of church, thats why a lot of great musicians come from church backgrounds, thats not necesarily the best thing about church, but i think its interesting, church is a place where people flourish... theres an awesome place in psalms where it says something like 'planted in the house of the lord they will grow like the cedars of lebanon' ... everything great in my life has come through the body, the church.
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written by Cory S. , April 25, 2008 look at the joy that come from being a part of gods family; the relationships that can change things. its like networking. most of the people who are of like mind are in one place. and its easy to openly talk about things with people who feel the same about things. like we are doing now. its easy to find heroes. people to follow. leadership is so readily available its like, "hey i think ill go to church today and get fed." its that kind of place with that kind of purpose. and im not only talking about your church that you attend. but just being a part of that church networks you with he rest of the body around the world. woo hoo!
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written by Ang , April 25, 2008 “Opportunity everywhere” was one person’s description of master’s commission my second year and I would have to say that it is for sure my perception of the body, the church. Is it any wonder why some get so addicted to the ministry? I’m not trying to sway the topic toward ministry it was just the first thing I thought of when reading everyone’s comments on how we are all united and that our lives are all linked because of it. There’s amazing opportunity in the body in EVERY aspect of life, because the foundation is life giving, uh something like that.
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written by Dan , April 25, 2008 I was talking with Cory last night and we were watching Rich Mullins' last concert on YouTube and he made an incredible statement. He was talking about churches or people out there that he maybe didn't agree with and said, "They're not bad people... they're just wrong on some things." Nowhere will you find a perfect church but I truly believe that although we get some things wrong, at the end of the day, we truly want to do what is right. And as Jess mentioned before, there are a lot of churches out there that are doing incredible things. One of the blogs I RSS (tonymorganlive.com) has a growing list of "churches on his radar." I've by no means clicked every link and I'm not endorsing the churches. But, everyone that I did click seems to be very missional in it's approach to "doing church." I think that's a good thing. It's very encouraging to see a new breed of local church rising up... even here in America.
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written by Jamie , April 26, 2008 Okay, I'm late commenting, but that doesn't stop me from having an opinion. Growing up in a very active and wonderful youth group, full of opportunities to fellowship and nurture relationships, that is what I have missed most about being a 'grown up.' I find it harder to make and maintain good friends. So, when my pastor said, "If you don't have unsaved friends, you are doing something wrong" the other day, I almost breathed a sigh of relief!! I mean, when I'm in Publix in sweats, with greasy hair, and a spit up stain on my shirt, and the women at the checkout beside me smiles sympathetically at me as I threaten my children for the upteenth time, it's easier to find common ground there sometimes than in the hallowed halls of the church. I think it's funny that for some reason, pastor making that statement has resonated for me so deeply. Like permission... I don't know.
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written by Garrett , April 26, 2008 I am listening to some old school Audio A and a great song kind of brought some of this home for me. I was thinking about listening to it on the way to Pinecrest (praying the bus made it). The song, "Good People" got me thinking that my frustrations aren't so much with the "lay" people of the church, but with leadership. My life is what it is today because of "Good People" who took care of me, mentored me and loved me as an "orphan." There are alot of good people in the local body and that means there are alof of good things about it.
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written by Dan , April 27, 2008 I'll give you my prime example... Andrew McCourt and Cornerstone City Fellowship in Derry, Northern Ireland reached out to me and my family during a time of great pain and proved so much. They bolstered us, encouraged us, provided for us, and they also gave us an opportunity to contribute in what God is doing in another country. Their friendship and provision has been invaluable and it's God's hand through them. It's a perfect example of Paul's metaphor of the stronger parts of the Body coming alongside the weaker to strengthen. If we choose... in our darkest days, we are not alone. I could spend all day listing names like Jess Potter, Tyler Sayre, Wade Neller, Steven Lambert, Jim Rudolph, Andrew McCourt, Gary Garcia... and they would all be what's good about the Church not just the "big names..."
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written by Dan , April 27, 2008 BTW, thanks so much Jamie for stopping by. ?You always have something to add and it's always good to see you on here with "the regulars."
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written by Mike , April 29, 2008 Been reading, read the whole "controversial post too. wont weigh in yet though. From an observation perspective i will say it seems very hard for people to post without letting emotions get in the way one way or the other, I dont know that i could be above that either when i do weigh in. Just an observation. All of this seems so personally tied to each of our individual experiences. I miss everyone. Hope all is well. There love Write comment
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