tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.comments2013-11-18T17:59:00.026-06:00Being Perfectly HumanErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03940254651390805766noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-73761926317857652992013-11-18T17:59:00.005-06:002013-11-18T17:59:00.005-06:00This is awesome. A big Amen from me!This is awesome. A big Amen from me!Edward Hardwicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-67588024022088742972013-11-07T12:24:44.077-06:002013-11-07T12:24:44.077-06:00Good morning, Paul!
Thanks for your comment. Yes...Good morning, Paul!<br /><br /><br />Thanks for your comment. Yes, this is a common problem in all sorts of churches, and it's why we're seeing so many new completely unaffiliated churches, and many churches that are dropping their denominational names. <br /><br /><br />I'm sure you've heard countless times "Christians are...", "Baptists are..." "Church of Christers are..." to which the only short answer is, "We're not all like that." When enough people get tired of saying, we're not all like that, they generally make some sort of change in their church name. It's quite a bit easier in most denominations to be able to tell what the general attitudes will be like from the different conference and assembly affiliations. We don't have anything remotely like like that in the coC, so there's no way for people to know what a particular congregation is going to be like without attending, unless a particular one makes their positions very well known. Even trying to have some sort of conference along those lines elicits screams of "denominationalism!" from the hard-liners, along with the accusations of apostasy and threats of hell.<br /><br /><br />All of this makes church growth in the coC very difficult. Congregations typically grow only by members transferring from other congregations, oftentimes other congregations that have had a blow-up over hard-line dogmatism. A lot of those people quit the coC altogether. <br /><br /><br />The 1Tim 5 advice is sound so far as trying to come to a consensus with people who can truly be open, honest, and loving in dealing with these hard questions. When people resort to being insulting and degrading to others (and I have been that way before, and have turned away from it), then nothing we can do as people will ever change them; it's solely up to God at that point. But that doesn't mean we have to sit by in silence and and allow them to dominate the dialogue; it's our duty to let people know that we're "not all like that" and that we think we have a better and more loving way. <br /><br /><br />In Matthew, Jesus is recorded twice as admonishing the Pharisees with 'learn what this means, "I desire compassion, not sacrifice."' I think that means it's probably a pretty important concept. Is it better to sacrifice people on the altar of our own self-righteousness or to show them compassion and love that makes them desire God? We know that Godly sorrow produces repentance, so why would we impede the work of the Spirit by producing anger and resentment in people with insulting and degrading words, and by allowing those who do intentionally insult to go unchallenged? <br /><br /><br />It's definitely a problem everywhere, but I don't think that means we have to shy away from discussing difficult topics, nor leave a church that goes against how we feel the Spirit working in our own hearts.Eric Fryhttp://beingperfectlyhuman.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-17963071361873853802013-11-06T19:14:12.152-06:002013-11-06T19:14:12.152-06:00Good thoughts, Eric. I understand your frustratio...Good thoughts, Eric. I understand your frustrations keeping in mind that the problems you discuss are not exclusive to cofC. In fact, they are a part of Christianity as a whole. We can look to Gal. 2: 11ff when Paul confronts Peter--even Barnabas!<br /><br />I would encourage you to be steadfast while considering the apostle's advise to Timothy: "Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity" (1 Tim. 5: 1,2).<br /><br /><br /><br />Discerning the truth that has been revealed to us is sometimes daunting, but then persuading others to follow is to grand a task for us--I believe.<br /><br /><br />My aspirations . . . to follow the Lord's lead and let Him do the persuading/changing. The obstacles you mention are present in some form with every congregation; however, it is a true testament to the power of the gospel when believers join in worship despite our often extreme dysfunction.<br /><br /><br />Soli deo gloriaPaul Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-20811978409785414222013-11-05T19:44:15.522-06:002013-11-05T19:44:15.522-06:00No, I can't see anything unreasonable here.
N...No, I can't see anything unreasonable here. <br />No, I don't think you should not shut up or stop writing. <br />Yes, I think that you should continue to go along with your business as usual and continue to work to bring positive change.<br />Yes, I know that you should continue to live as best as you can.<br />As for stepping away from institutional churches or not I can't say for sure. I think that may or may not be something to consider but I would continue to pray and meditate on this matter before taking action. I enjoyed reading this.Lancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-41616335628999552512013-06-09T01:06:12.579-05:002013-06-09T01:06:12.579-05:00The church is a place full of suspicion and hate. ...The church is a place full of suspicion and hate. Everyone suspects the others are heretics. "Why I'll bet the guy in the next pew is trusting in some works" the Calvinist is thinking throughout the whole service. When they shake hands in the back "I'll bet this guy doesn't really believe in the Trinity." Oh hi sister so and so (I'll bet she's been fornicating!) It doesn't make for a good social network.Descriptive Gracenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-64314587712625906032013-05-02T09:57:04.088-05:002013-05-02T09:57:04.088-05:00Nice post. I'm also a fan of Rollins. If you&#...Nice post. I'm also a fan of Rollins. If you're interested in exploring radical theology (a/theology), I stumbled across this link the other day. It's a good read. http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=537&C=587irreverancehttp://www.evolvingchristianfaith.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-44315786001560095642013-03-29T02:46:03.260-05:002013-03-29T02:46:03.260-05:00Its interesting how progressive churches are bigge...Its interesting how progressive churches are bigger on liturgy that a lot of conservative evangelical ones.Lanahttp://www.wideopenground.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-5825925806710510742013-03-25T11:30:35.212-05:002013-03-25T11:30:35.212-05:00Great message!!! Thank you...Great message!!! Thank you...Les Ferguson, Jr.http://twitter.com/les_fergusonJrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-53010104682490013182013-03-07T10:28:56.656-06:002013-03-07T10:28:56.656-06:00Thanks Eric. For the kind words, for the link, for...Thanks Eric. For the kind words, for the link, for the comments, and for sharing. I greatly appreciate it.Les Ferguson, Jr.http://twitter.com/les_fergusonJrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-70832681283530774812013-03-04T04:28:37.890-06:002013-03-04T04:28:37.890-06:00With 206 bones and more than 600 muscles in the hu...With 206 bones and more than 600 muscles in the human body, along with an intricate network of blood vessels, nerves and other integrated systems,<br /> the human body is a complex organism. Anatomy is the study of form and physiology the study of function.<br /> As form and function are connected, the study of both anatomy and physiology are intrinsically linked, and therefore studied together.<br />do visit my blog <a href="http://humananatomyphysiologystudycourse.com" rel="nofollow">human anatomy physiology study course</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mov9.info" rel="nofollow">free movie downloads</a>lorisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-36526898283858141832012-12-21T07:03:56.384-06:002012-12-21T07:03:56.384-06:00I wish everyone could read this and understand it....I wish everyone could read this and understand it. Agape.Ed Hardwicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-71474647197880267252012-07-08T18:37:52.997-05:002012-07-08T18:37:52.997-05:00Thanks you so much for taking to visit and comment...Thanks you so much for taking to visit and comment, Arleen! I've been finding some very interesting writing on your blog. Keep up the great workErichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03940254651390805766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-29091085510516495052012-07-02T22:00:25.306-05:002012-07-02T22:00:25.306-05:00And also, re: "We, the Church, were made to b...And also, re: "We, the Church, were made to be the ultimate social network," ...AMEN.Arleen Spenceleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10491697393912488934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-2566665997849693562012-07-02T21:58:44.875-05:002012-07-02T21:58:44.875-05:00I love this vid! I don't text anymore (I had t...I love this vid! I don't text anymore (I had the service shut off in 2007 and haven't looked back), but when I did, I totally texted at a funeral. :-/<br /><br />Great stuff. Stumbled upon your blog via a comment you left on Rachel Held Evan's blog today. Looking forward to exploring it some more!Arleen Spenceleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10491697393912488934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-64808988325781244112012-03-25T20:50:05.627-05:002012-03-25T20:50:05.627-05:00Great thoughts. I guess I've always supposed t...Great thoughts. I guess I've always supposed that part of the reason was for Jesus to feel what we feel. Knowing everything as God, I guess He already knew, but somehow it just doesn't seem the same as His actually going through it in the flesh. Thanks for a great post. :)Cindy Skillmanhttp://www.journeyintotheson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-10346909123921171002012-02-06T23:48:10.720-06:002012-02-06T23:48:10.720-06:00Beautiful thoughts, Eric. Thank you for sharing yo...Beautiful thoughts, Eric. Thank you for sharing your photograph and your writing.Margaret Maatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-34384350594112560802012-02-06T14:40:34.551-06:002012-02-06T14:40:34.551-06:00thanks so much, Eric. Your depth of reflection is...thanks so much, Eric. Your depth of reflection is such a blessing...peace, MindyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-84041692417004721122012-02-02T10:11:24.607-06:002012-02-02T10:11:24.607-06:00Resonates within me - so beautiful, so true!Resonates within me - so beautiful, so true!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474600951736686059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-6697758091170354942012-02-02T08:01:58.691-06:002012-02-02T08:01:58.691-06:00Beautifully put to words, Eric. Thank you for your...Beautifully put to words, Eric. Thank you for your writing. And your perceptive insights.Margarethttp://www.forwardfocusinc.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-75842062004676955042012-02-01T21:57:52.456-06:002012-02-01T21:57:52.456-06:00Amen. :)Amen. :)Mindynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-16073907709195369782012-01-27T22:57:55.513-06:002012-01-27T22:57:55.513-06:00Great piece, Eric!Great piece, Eric!SweetWilliamLeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243321191050636933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-18736071380617992552012-01-27T21:16:10.465-06:002012-01-27T21:16:10.465-06:00Ahhhhh...Ahhhhh...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474600951736686059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-88414718442412109222012-01-24T21:30:59.544-06:002012-01-24T21:30:59.544-06:00Lovely, eternal words.Lovely, eternal words.Mellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-17236702361270855172012-01-24T21:30:00.227-06:002012-01-24T21:30:00.227-06:00John 16:33John 16:33Mellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901049708735541507.post-16682407196941957952012-01-24T13:49:45.861-06:002012-01-24T13:49:45.861-06:00This is beautiful. Thank you for capturing and art...This is beautiful. Thank you for capturing and articulating some of the thoughts rambling around in my head since Sunday. What a God. What grace.Lindy Nelson-Paryaghttp://www.alwaysgrace-lindynelson.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com