I don't think I have nice words for this lady *shakes head emphatically!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
I don't know what to take this guy as. He contrasts himself from his liberal friend, then says the word "ass," I don't know if this was a serious thing or if this is oddly strong satire?!
Am I the only one who picks out that he exclaims that Kids shouldn't be put in a position to have to read anything that challenges what they believe? ....cause, isn't that what he's a proponent of? His proposal is only the same strategy only bettering his point of view instead. "But hang on... Isn't he proposing a good thing for Christianity?" I really don't think that that would be a good thing for Christianity at all... And I'm sorry to insult this guys community college education (thats truth actually) but all throughout history the church flourishes most under persecution, not organized-well intentioned brain washing. IF the bible is truth, and I believe it is, that truth speaks louder than theory and I can in good conscience allow apposing views around impressionable minds.
Am I the only one who picks out that he exclaims that Kids shouldn't be put in a position to have to read anything that challenges what they believe? ....cause, isn't that what he's a proponent of? His proposal is only the same strategy only bettering his point of view instead. "But hang on... Isn't he proposing a good thing for Christianity?" I really don't think that that would be a good thing for Christianity at all... And I'm sorry to insult this guys community college education (thats truth actually) but all throughout history the church flourishes most under persecution, not organized-well intentioned brain washing. IF the bible is truth, and I believe it is, that truth speaks louder than theory and I can in good conscience allow apposing views around impressionable minds.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Thoughts from 32thousand feet,
I want to propose an idea, something I was thinking about the other day about churches. I hear different things from many small, usually old (in this case for sure, you’ll see why in a minute) churches. Every church as it gets a generation or two from its inception has a tension in it to stay contemporary, applicable to a world and culture that is changing all around them. There are some different ways to strategies away this tension: Youth specific (isolated) programs, Adding a “contemporary” service to your weekend. Some hire a new pastor to help the church “stay relevant,” Some take off their tie’s (those of us with no vertically distinguishable neck thank you) Maybe start wearing their Levi’s to church. Some change the music styles, or the church logo in the bulletin. Updated a web site lately anyone? Add a website for the first time, maybe?(welcome to 1990 btw) One popular way is to start adding into every sermon how far corrupt the world is, and is taking every church, except that one of course, away from the right path.
I’m a musician, and work heavily with churches. I’ve turned down a few positions of churches looking for a worship pastor (my bank account thinks those were all stupid things to turn down, but oh well) I turned these down not because I don’t like the idea of being a worship pastor, what musician doesn’t want a salary gig holding a guitar, where you don’t have to say, “Welcome to guitar center” every day? I turned them down because I sensed that I was being hired as an agent of change in their church. I was the push that was going to move their congregation to at least 1995 standards (modern was a far cry from possible really) I’ve seen this method used before, with some unfortunate success. Because what usually happens is, a split in the church, some people resist the change and are either left to complain or vacate.
The question I want to pose in all this, and sorry its taken so long to get to this part, is; Why is our goal to sustain a church? there is a famous “fundy” pastor that brags often how his church is something like 123 years old, and hasn’t changed the way they do church since its founding. (*Claps hands)... “well good for you “Pastor Schaap”...oh my bad was that supposed to be “Reverend Schaap?” I never remember.
Why is our biggest goal to make a church last a long time? Is that the point of a church, just to be around for a long time? To be traditionalists? When I look at this from the 32,000 foot view, I don’t see churches dying out as a bad thing, maybe its even a beautiful thing. “Do you even love Jesus?” you ask.
So here’s the idea that I want to throw out there for people to chew on. A group of Christians plant a church, they hire a pastor, and start “doing church” whatever flavor they prefer. (not universalism, just preferences) Many of their friendships are centered there, their kids are raised there. The pastor walks them through their lives, shepherding them as newlyweds, a young family, a “mature” adult, all they way to gray old and dead. The pastor in his youth went through, and did life with you. Matured in his role along with you. The church then dies with its members as their lives come to a close. Not a sad story, the church has a life much liken to its own members. And overlapping this story is a near identical tail of a church planted by their children one generation behind the chapters of this story. The churches may look as different as the generations themselves look at a family reunion. Are they so dissimilar? Can they be seen as the same thing still? Why should we fight for grandma to ware toms and learn to Dougie? Why subject your kids to the beauty and reverence of boredom and wooden pews? Things you love in church your allowed to love! Don’t miss that. Your culture exists strongly for you. And thats ok to bring into your church and express your worship through to the same God that I do. Feel free to express some feedback below, I’de like to know what people think...
I’m a musician, and work heavily with churches. I’ve turned down a few positions of churches looking for a worship pastor (my bank account thinks those were all stupid things to turn down, but oh well) I turned these down not because I don’t like the idea of being a worship pastor, what musician doesn’t want a salary gig holding a guitar, where you don’t have to say, “Welcome to guitar center” every day? I turned them down because I sensed that I was being hired as an agent of change in their church. I was the push that was going to move their congregation to at least 1995 standards (modern was a far cry from possible really) I’ve seen this method used before, with some unfortunate success. Because what usually happens is, a split in the church, some people resist the change and are either left to complain or vacate.
The question I want to pose in all this, and sorry its taken so long to get to this part, is; Why is our goal to sustain a church? there is a famous “fundy” pastor that brags often how his church is something like 123 years old, and hasn’t changed the way they do church since its founding. (*Claps hands)... “well good for you “Pastor Schaap”...oh my bad was that supposed to be “Reverend Schaap?” I never remember.
Why is our biggest goal to make a church last a long time? Is that the point of a church, just to be around for a long time? To be traditionalists? When I look at this from the 32,000 foot view, I don’t see churches dying out as a bad thing, maybe its even a beautiful thing. “Do you even love Jesus?” you ask.
So here’s the idea that I want to throw out there for people to chew on. A group of Christians plant a church, they hire a pastor, and start “doing church” whatever flavor they prefer. (not universalism, just preferences) Many of their friendships are centered there, their kids are raised there. The pastor walks them through their lives, shepherding them as newlyweds, a young family, a “mature” adult, all they way to gray old and dead. The pastor in his youth went through, and did life with you. Matured in his role along with you. The church then dies with its members as their lives come to a close. Not a sad story, the church has a life much liken to its own members. And overlapping this story is a near identical tail of a church planted by their children one generation behind the chapters of this story. The churches may look as different as the generations themselves look at a family reunion. Are they so dissimilar? Can they be seen as the same thing still? Why should we fight for grandma to ware toms and learn to Dougie? Why subject your kids to the beauty and reverence of boredom and wooden pews? Things you love in church your allowed to love! Don’t miss that. Your culture exists strongly for you. And thats ok to bring into your church and express your worship through to the same God that I do. Feel free to express some feedback below, I’de like to know what people think...
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Updating perhaps? lol (couldn't resist)
I speculate if this was for a youth gathering or something. Thinking what it would be like to be a high schooler in that crowd as they become "culturally relevant" ... I don't really know what this video was from so I'll just let it speak simply for itself I suppose...Enjoy!
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