Comments on: When Changing the Church… http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/ Thoughts & Sidenotes Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:32:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: admin http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-30 admin Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:19:55 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-30 <p>Thank you, Pastor Arden. It's good to hear that the restlessness and pursuit of the authentic Christian life isn't something we are destined to "grow-out-of". I know that many of us share the pursuit. I'm glad that you we share it with you. I think that the real challenge with all of this is actually taking a step into the deconstruction process. Churches are inclined to add programs and activities because the process of adding is seen as constructive and affirming and progressive. We've shied away from deconstruction because it might give the impression that we had a bad idea, or that something good has run its course. Plus, people, for the most part, prefer the familiar. Deconstructing means that the familiar is pulled out from under us. Even if it is good for us and the Kingdom, we resist it and react against it. It would be interesting to start with one thing. What would be one thing that we could responsibly deconstruct that would put us on a truer path? Let's tear away one thing and see where it leads. </p> Thank you, Pastor Arden. It’s good to hear that the restlessness and pursuit of the authentic Christian life isn’t something we are destined to “grow-out-of”. I know that many of us share the pursuit. I’m glad that you we share it with you. I think that the real challenge with all of this is actually taking a step into the deconstruction process. Churches are inclined to add programs and activities because the process of adding is seen as constructive and affirming and progressive. We’ve shied away from deconstruction because it might give the impression that we had a bad idea, or that something good has run its course. Plus, people, for the most part, prefer the familiar. Deconstructing means that the familiar is pulled out from under us. Even if it is good for us and the Kingdom, we resist it and react against it. It would be interesting to start with one thing. What would be one thing that we could responsibly deconstruct that would put us on a truer path? Let’s tear away one thing and see where it leads.

]]> By: AEG http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-29 AEG Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:01:32 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-29 You are wonderfully insightful in what you've written. I'm even older, but I'm restless too. While this restlessness may be more pronounced among twenty-somethings, I think the Holy Spirit is placing it in the heart of everyone who is no longer content with just doing church. Instead, they want to be the church, the body of Jesus, his hands and feet, sharing his love and grace, treating all people as he treated them. To do this, much of the institutional church will need to deconstruct--not just its structures but its people's values, attitudes and behaviors. To do so, we'll need the discernment of the Holy Spirit so as not to throw out the baby with the bath water. In some instances, the new wine will be in old wineskins. When the old wineskins burst, I hope that the new wine that burst them won't be lost. In other instances, there will be new wineskins for the new wine. You are wonderfully insightful in what you’ve written.

I’m even older, but I’m restless too. While this restlessness may be more pronounced among twenty-somethings, I think the Holy Spirit is placing it in the heart of everyone who is no longer content with just doing church. Instead, they want to be the church, the body of Jesus, his hands and feet, sharing his love and grace, treating all people as he treated them.

To do this, much of the institutional church will need to deconstruct–not just its structures but its people’s values, attitudes and behaviors. To do so, we’ll need the discernment of the Holy Spirit so as not to throw out the baby with the bath water. In some instances, the new wine will be in old wineskins. When the old wineskins burst, I hope that the new wine that burst them won’t be lost. In other instances, there will be new wineskins for the new wine.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Dawn Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:38:31 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-28 Admin (is that you, Doug?) is right on track, I believe. God has definitely been stirring hearts and the unrest I feel is an answer to a long and often uttered prayer that God would draw me to Himself. I'm excited by what I sense is happening! Admin (is that you, Doug?) is right on track, I believe. God has definitely been stirring hearts and the unrest I feel is an answer to a long and often uttered prayer that God would draw me to Himself. I’m excited by what I sense is happening!

]]> By: admin http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-27 admin Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:14:36 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-27 Ummmm...50? that's within a decade of being right. So funny... Our church has been praying for a "Deep Change of Heart". I have a sense that our prayer is being answered and a symptom is this spiritual unrest. I think that the question our church should ponder is not how to bring about a deep change of heart, but how to move with the change of heart that God has already begun. It is also my opinion that it is time to bring twenty-somethings into an "official" conversation about the direction of our church. Ummmm…50? that’s within a decade of being right. So funny…

Our church has been praying for a “Deep Change of Heart”. I have a sense that our prayer is being answered and a symptom is this spiritual unrest. I think that the question our church should ponder is not how to bring about a deep change of heart, but how to move with the change of heart that God has already begun. It is also my opinion that it is time to bring twenty-somethings into an “official” conversation about the direction of our church.

]]> By: Wende http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Wende Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:56:49 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-26 Jenn (previous comment) and I are about the same age (let's call it 39+). Doug (author of this blog), you're what -- 50? :) I had a conversation about this same issue with our senior pastor (who's even older than I am) this morning. And at this week's conference, many voices of various ages echoed this same unrest. So... I think it's safe to say that, although this holy discontent may be more prevalent among 20-somethings, it definitely doesn't stop there. The 20-somethings may be bolder and more outspoken... but it's time for the rest of us to join them and, together, step outward and forward in faith. We all know it's the right thing to do. Jenn (previous comment) and I are about the same age (let’s call it 39+). Doug (author of this blog), you’re what — 50? :) I had a conversation about this same issue with our senior pastor (who’s even older than I am) this morning. And at this week’s conference, many voices of various ages echoed this same unrest. So… I think it’s safe to say that, although this holy discontent may be more prevalent among 20-somethings, it definitely doesn’t stop there. The 20-somethings may be bolder and more outspoken… but it’s time for the rest of us to join them and, together, step outward and forward in faith. We all know it’s the right thing to do.

]]> By: Jenn Pinto (Thomas) http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/discuss/2007/07/when-changing-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Jenn Pinto (Thomas) Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:42:16 +0000 http://www.luminusnetwork.com/blog/?p=13#comment-25 AMEN BROTHER!!!! I agree full heartedly! I could not have said it better myself! I am excited when so many young people are at this stage. That can only mean something BIG is about to happen and I am ready to JUMP in to encourage,cheer on,and even be apart of this new and EXCITING time. I am here to serve Ashland how ever GOD calls me to serve. AMEN BROTHER!!!!
I agree full heartedly! I could not have said it better myself! I am excited when so many young people are at this stage. That can only mean something BIG is about to happen and I am ready to JUMP in to encourage,cheer on,and even be apart of this new and EXCITING time. I am here to serve Ashland how ever GOD calls me to serve.

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