Comments on: Getting to the Heart of the Matter http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/ Random discussions about various topics, with an emphasis on simple church and other out-of-the-box thoughts. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:20:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Josiah http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9543 Josiah Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:14:39 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9543 thanks for the help thanks for the help

]]> By: Trish http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9498 Trish Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:37:01 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9498 *sigh* As usual, your blogging is over my head, so no thoughts worth sharing there. :) Just wanted to thank you for the comment on my blog and for the clarification. I knew the truth, but it really wasn't clear to all was it? Thanks and blessings to you and your dear wife. *sigh*
As usual, your blogging is over my head, so no thoughts worth sharing there. :)

Just wanted to thank you for the comment on my blog and for the clarification. I knew the truth, but it really wasn’t clear to all was it?

Thanks and blessings to you and your dear wife.

]]> By: jadasgigi http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9275 jadasgigi Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:09:35 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9275 well I haven't stopped by in a while but glad I did today..all I can say is a hearty AMEN! well I haven’t stopped by in a while but glad I did today..all I can say is a hearty AMEN!

]]> By: Another Good Case for Simple Church « Rev22: Whoever is thirsty, let him come http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9268 Another Good Case for Simple Church « Rev22: Whoever is thirsty, let him come Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:38:32 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9268 [...] Theological Musings: Phil Hawkins has been doing some excellent commenting here on this blog of late. And sometimes [...] [...] Theological Musings: Phil Hawkins has been doing some excellent commenting here on this blog of late. And sometimes [...]

]]> By: Rev22: Whoever Is Thirsty, Let Him Come » Another Good Case for Simple Church http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9267 Rev22: Whoever Is Thirsty, Let Him Come » Another Good Case for Simple Church Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:37:33 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9267 [...] Theological Musings: Phil Hawkins has been doing some excellent commenting here on this blog of late. And sometimes [...] [...] Theological Musings: Phil Hawkins has been doing some excellent commenting here on this blog of late. And sometimes [...]

]]> By: Craig V. http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9265 Craig V. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:48:51 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9265 Josiah, Go to the top of the comments and on the first comment you can click on Phil's name. Or, you can just click <a href="http://postmodernredneck.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">here.</a> Josiah,

Go to the top of the comments and on the first comment you can click on Phil’s name. Or, you can just click here.

]]> By: Josiah http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9258 Josiah Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:15:27 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9258 Phil, You are certainly right about the majority nature of the Amercian church. In fact, I attend a traditional Babtist with some at risk youth, but often feel they get more negative than positive; ie the Pastor shares Scripture and my heart soars. He brings interpreatation once again 'help in the nursery, pay your tithe, show up, pay your tithe, so and so has an attitude about being taken outof the chorus' and inwardly I struggle. While optimism is wise for our God is able, and 2 can put 10,000 to flight, I fear. With so many crying out in repentance and seeking the living God to help America, if the culture again hardens its heart: rather than renewal we may find judgement. Though this to would be a blessing as it would seperate the wheat from the chaff. I am new to blogs and in fact have owned a computer for less than six months so it is I am having a hard time finding the connection to your blog at the top of the 'thread'. Please help. Phil,

You are certainly right about the majority nature of the Amercian church. In fact, I attend a traditional Babtist with some at risk youth, but often feel they get more negative than positive; ie the Pastor shares Scripture and my heart soars. He brings interpreatation once again ‘help in the nursery, pay your tithe, show up, pay your tithe, so and so has an attitude about being taken outof the chorus’ and inwardly I struggle.

While optimism is wise for our God is able, and 2 can put 10,000 to flight,
I fear. With so many crying out in repentance and seeking the living God to help America, if the culture again hardens its heart: rather than renewal we may find judgement. Though this to would be a blessing as it would seperate the wheat from the chaff.

I am new to blogs and in fact have owned a computer for less than six months so it is I am having a hard time finding the connection to your blog at the top of the ‘thread’. Please help.

]]> By: Phil Hawkins http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9233 Phil Hawkins Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:59:22 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9233 Josiah, I am aware of points of light in a lot of places around the US; a few I've been privileged to be part of, most I've only heard of. I do try to keep my ear to the ground. On the other hand, I am unfortunately aware of places where the churchgoers not only have no clue that any such things are going on, if they do find out about them, they strongly disapprove! (Check out some of the "heresy hunters" websites and see what they say about some of the things you're involved in.) My father-in-law is a retired pastor. My wife and I dislike visiting their church; for us it feels like a trip back to the mid-1970s. But right after he retired he did some supply preaching, and came back muttering about this church that he felt was stuck back in the 1950s! As far as my having "too much" Christian experience--I didn't set out to get it, it just ended up that way. Some of it I would call "church" experience rather than dignify it by calling it "Christian." We never left the church, unlike a lot of Boomers; but the Lord led us through some unusual places along the way. As far as (b) eliminating (a), personally, I'd love to see it; but in terms of what is, out of some 200,000 Protestant churches in this country (George Barna's number, as I recall it) I'd guess that 75% are primarily (a), and many of those are not even aware that (b) is an option or even desirable. (Including the pastors as well as the members). Click on the link to my blog at the top of this thread and you'll find a post I wrote on Sunday about things that happened in the area we lived in about 12 years ago. I've had online discussions with people who reject most of what is currently happening--including some Lutherans who seem to think there hasn't been any decent worship music written since 1700. Josiah, I am aware of points of light in a lot of places around the US; a few I’ve been privileged to be part of, most I’ve only heard of. I do try to keep my ear to the ground. On the other hand, I am unfortunately aware of places where the churchgoers not only have no clue that any such things are going on, if they do find out about them, they strongly disapprove! (Check out some of the “heresy hunters” websites and see what they say about some of the things you’re involved in.)

My father-in-law is a retired pastor. My wife and I dislike visiting their church; for us it feels like a trip back to the mid-1970s. But right after he retired he did some supply preaching, and came back muttering about this church that he felt was stuck back in the 1950s!

As far as my having “too much” Christian experience–I didn’t set out to get it, it just ended up that way. Some of it I would call “church” experience rather than dignify it by calling it “Christian.” We never left the church, unlike a lot of Boomers; but the Lord led us through some unusual places along the way.

As far as (b) eliminating (a), personally, I’d love to see it; but in terms of what is, out of some 200,000 Protestant churches in this country (George Barna’s number, as I recall it) I’d guess that 75% are primarily (a), and many of those are not even aware that (b) is an option or even desirable. (Including the pastors as well as the members). Click on the link to my blog at the top of this thread and you’ll find a post I wrote on Sunday about things that happened in the area we lived in about 12 years ago. I’ve had online discussions with people who reject most of what is currently happening–including some Lutherans who seem to think there hasn’t been any decent worship music written since 1700.

]]> By: Josiah http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9209 Josiah Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:07:10 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9209 I would like to add that Phil's post was an excellent depiction of far too mauch Christian experience. But rather than having (a) eliminate (b) lets consider God in our midst and (b) eliminating (a) I would like to add that Phil’s post was an excellent depiction of far too mauch Christian experience. But rather than having (a) eliminate (b) lets consider God in our midst and (b) eliminating (a)

]]> By: Josiah http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/comment-page-1/#comment-9208 Josiah Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:00:38 +0000 http://www.theologicalmusingsblog.com/2007/09/02/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/#comment-9208 The vineyard is an interesing example in light of the consideration of the plight of North American cities. The vineyard sounds to be like a city on a hill in Ohio. I am saying the situation in the American church is not, (a) has eliminated (b). Or take the Call for another example, a ministry partnering denominations and generations to fast and pray for America. After gathering 70,000+ to fast in Nashville these brethren are joining with the Las echurch to "take the city" with massive prayer and fasting to the point of changing the city's name so that it will no longer be called "sin city" This type of spiritual action is not coming from a stagnated institution but a vibrant organism. I believe we are in the midst of major transformation in America's experience of church. Part of this the movement out of (a) but I dont think we will find (b)only in homes. The vineyard is an interesing example in light of the consideration of the plight of North American cities. The vineyard sounds to be like a city on a hill in Ohio. I am saying the situation in the American church is not, (a) has eliminated (b). Or take the Call for another example, a ministry partnering denominations and generations to fast and pray for America. After gathering 70,000+ to fast in Nashville these brethren are joining with the Las echurch to “take the city” with massive prayer and fasting to the point of changing the city’s name so that it will no longer be called “sin city” This type of spiritual action is not coming from a stagnated institution but a vibrant organism. I believe we are in the midst of major transformation in America’s experience of church. Part of this the movement out of (a) but I dont think we will find (b)only in homes.

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