tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post6570029082271070174..comments2023-10-18T09:53:16.634-05:00Comments on Loving God and Life: ChurchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-21058991743015528122007-05-01T15:31:00.000-05:002007-05-01T15:31:00.000-05:00Hey, get busy and write a new post!Hey, get busy and write a new post!Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03458110831930610293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-38125345592331402892007-04-26T02:29:00.000-05:002007-04-26T02:29:00.000-05:00Interesting post! I agree. We as members of the ...Interesting post! I agree. We as members of the body are the church, and the pastoral staff in is here to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, but some have become social clubs, some are like cemetaries, some are resistant to change. I agree the American Church needs a change. <BR/><BR/>We know the problem, what is the solution? Personal revival? I hope I can affect someone every day to want to know Christ, to see something in me that is different, that draws them to Him. I am not sure what the total answer is, but maybe I can play a small part by striving to be more and more like Him.Live, Love, Laughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03888736764866973600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-47715713053072853302007-04-24T14:03:00.000-05:002007-04-24T14:03:00.000-05:00I would take it further and say the church was nev...I would take it further and say the church was never designed to draw the lost, but to actually be poured out as salt ON them. Church is about a people who live in the reality of the Kingdom of God and move forward to collide and transform the kingdoms of this world--translating truth--redeeming life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497257928824520554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-34468107665912857102007-04-24T06:31:00.000-05:002007-04-24T06:31:00.000-05:00Good post Barry. The older you are the more resis...Good post Barry. The older you are the more resistant to change you become - you just want what "was" comfortable to you. There are churches that minister to that need, the desire to keep things as they always were, but I don't see alot of growth or newly saved in that environment. I guess there is room for everyone, but I think that if you're going to draw the lost and not just please a few, you need to meet more needs. Though lifestyles and times change - the word of God remains unchanging. We must be mindful not to become so user friendly that we no longer see the cross, but that the cross is what draws us.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03458110831930610293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-87661892483609078332007-04-24T00:23:00.000-05:002007-04-24T00:23:00.000-05:00This is a thougt provoking entry ... Good job Barr...This is a thougt provoking entry ... Good job Barry for shedding some light on today's sad state of the American church. We attend a very large church that has lots of youth and recovery type programs ... first time for me being is such a large church ... but to get connected, small groups are necessary. They offer a class for my special needs child on Sunday morning ... also, my newly married daughter and her hubby attend ... and I want to encourage them in their walk ... church is definately different that when I grew up in the Catholic "religion" and sang in the children's choir ... (in Latin). Change in church is Ok ... as long as God's Word remains the same.Mrs. Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644129213141875138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-83388992971253825552007-04-23T23:06:00.000-05:002007-04-23T23:06:00.000-05:00Very thought provoking Debra! You are so right.Very thought provoking Debra! You are so right.Arlene - BY HIS STRIPES!!!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10276171013370764842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-23831702609344610872007-04-23T09:50:00.000-05:002007-04-23T09:50:00.000-05:00Part of the change that is needed is in how we und...Part of the change that is needed is in how we understand/see the church. There is a renewing in the spirit of the mind that is needed. What is the attitude of the mind concerning church? Do we see(understand) the church as an organization with a building as the Pharisees, Sadducees, religious crowd did when Jesus walked upon the earth? Or do we see(understand) the church to be an organizm, a living, breathing creation of God our Father, created, birthed through His Son, Jesus? Do we understand that church is the body of Christ with Jesus being the Head of it? Do we understand that each child of God, born again by His Spirit, is a part of His body, each having his or hers own unique calling and function within His body? Do we understand that we are members of His body individually and together make up the whole body of Christ? Do we understand that when one member of the body suffers, we all suffer, when one member of the body rejoices, we all rejoice? Do we understand that the church is about relationship and that our labor is to come out of the relationship and return again to relationship? Do we understand that relationship is where the fruit is and that fruit is what the Father looks for? Do we understand that we all have gifts and talents given to us by God our Father that orperate whether we are walking according to the dictates of the flesh or are walking according to the Spirit? Do we understand that gifts are given and are to be used, are to be developed as part of who we are but fruit is grown? Do we understand that fruit is the product of relationship with Him, that comes through abiding with Him on a day by day, moment by moment, 24/7 living with Him? Do we understand that fruit is the product of growth, where we are continually being changed into His image? Do we understand that there are stages of growth in our relationship with Him? Do we understand that we begin as newborn babes and grow to maturity? Do we understand that we go from faith to faith, strength to strength, glory to glory? Do we understand who we belong to and are in Christ? Do we understand that In Him is Life and that Life is the Light of men? Do we understand that man looks at the outward things but God looks at the heart? Do we understand that He calls us to follow Him, to die to self daily? Do we understand that it's not organized church with all it's religious ways and words that we seek for, commune with, co-labor with, but a person who is alive.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10936453872071206380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-69336485032086595472007-04-23T08:19:00.000-05:002007-04-23T08:19:00.000-05:00Thanks Sara, can't wait to read yours tomorrow!Thanks Sara, can't wait to read yours tomorrow!Arlene - BY HIS STRIPES!!!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10276171013370764842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488519095093890895.post-38130049244848872792007-04-23T04:49:00.000-05:002007-04-23T04:49:00.000-05:00i think you guys know my thoughts on this; my blog...i think you guys know my thoughts on this; my blog tomorrow is already written and it kind of attaches on to this one. it begs the question; does the church exist to please the christian or to draw the lost? and should not the drawing of the lost please the christian? even if your favorite song isn't sung by your favorite singer and in your favorite style? it's something i continually check myself on. if we are to be salt and light, i think the church has become too bland. great thoughts barry.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205424721749375943noreply@blogger.com