Comments on: Programs, Preaching and the Rest of Us (part 1) http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/ Reforming Fundamentalism (IFB) through Reformed Theology Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:35:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: fundyreformed http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-6098 fundyreformed Sun, 22 Oct 2006 05:37:35 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/#comment-6098 Dave, I should let you write a post on this for me! Thanks for giving us your excellent comments here. And for my readers, know that Dave is just my little (and blog-less) brother! God bless you richly in Christ. May He direct you to the right church where you can receive and take part in such one-another ministry during the time God has you in North Canton, OH. Your brother, Bob Dave,

I should let you write a post on this for me! Thanks for giving us your excellent comments here. And for my readers, know that Dave is just my little (and blog-less) brother!

God bless you richly in Christ. May He direct you to the right church where you can receive and take part in such one-another ministry during the time God has you in North Canton, OH.

Your brother,

Bob

]]> By: Dave http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-6099 Dave Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:39:19 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/#comment-6099 Bob, I think these are excellent thoughts that you are expressing here. They also seem rather basic, don't they? I mean, where at all in Scripture do we find any basis for any kind of "one-man-show" thing? And, after pastoring an average-sized congregation for two years, I would venture to say that over 90% of the "ministry" that actually took place was a "one-man" operation. Interestingly, in their case, most folks seemed very comfortable with such a format and proved rather resistant to Biblically-based change. The same folks, in my estimation, were spiritually immature or even dead. Therefore, I no longer look lightly (as I once did) upon the matter of church-structure. I see a significant relationship between the God-ordained health of the flock and the God-ordained means to it (intentional, regular one-another ministry). Such means are systematically and categorically undermined, if not altogether obliterated within the "one man show" context. While I may be overstating the case, I do wonder if we (Protestantism) have merely regurgatated Catholicism's clergy/laity error, but in more subtle and culture-savvy ways (i.e., the consumerism mentality). I fear that too many of us use the inactivity/annonymity of today's church scene as one more shield to hide behind. I fear that fear has gotten the best of us (fear on the part of the "clergy" and fear on the part of the "laity"). May God have much mercy upon us for Jesus' sake, and may we find (in Him) the courage and the wisdom to not only diagnose the disease, but actively seek its cure. For the Church's sake, Bob, keep up the good work; keep sounding the alarm on corporate and intentional one-another ministry. Bob,

I think these are excellent thoughts that you are expressing here. They also seem rather basic, don’t they? I mean, where at all in Scripture do we find any basis for any kind of “one-man-show” thing? And, after pastoring an average-sized congregation for two years, I would venture to say that over 90% of the “ministry” that actually took place was a “one-man” operation.

Interestingly, in their case, most folks seemed very comfortable with such a format and proved rather resistant to Biblically-based change. The same folks, in my estimation, were spiritually immature or even dead. Therefore, I no longer look lightly (as I once did) upon the matter of church-structure. I see a significant relationship between the God-ordained health of the flock and the God-ordained means to it (intentional, regular one-another ministry). Such means are systematically and categorically undermined, if not altogether obliterated within the “one man show” context.

While I may be overstating the case, I do wonder if we (Protestantism) have merely regurgatated Catholicism’s clergy/laity error, but in more subtle and culture-savvy ways (i.e., the consumerism mentality). I fear that too many of us use the inactivity/annonymity of today’s church scene as one more shield to hide behind. I fear that fear has gotten the best of us (fear on the part of the “clergy” and fear on the part of the “laity”).

May God have much mercy upon us for Jesus’ sake, and may we find (in Him) the courage and the wisdom to not only diagnose the disease, but actively seek its cure. For the Church’s sake, Bob, keep up the good work; keep sounding the alarm on corporate and intentional one-another ministry.

]]> By: Don Fields http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-6097 Don Fields Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:10:24 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/2006/10/21/programs-preaching-and-the-rest-of-us-part-1/#comment-6097 Finally! Excellent stuff! I completely agree that our understanding of "preaching" isn't always in line with the Bible's use of the the word "preach" or "proclaim". I teach a Sunday School class for those 20-35. They love the interaction of teaching! They participate and disagree. They ask questions and we spend a lot of time discussing. One man told me last week that he couldn't believe the hour was up. He wanted to stay longer! In participatory teaching the engagement of the student and teacher leads to much greater retention and application! Last Sunday as I finished leading the corporate worship part of the service (I am the worship pastor) I was thinking, "This didn't go long enough! I'm just beginning to worship! It just seems way to short!" But the scheduled program had been completed and it was time for the message. Was anyone else thinking the same things? I don't know. But I am yearning for longer and more paticipatory worship. I've begun to include a lot more Scripture reading into the service. Sometimes I have a verse or two before every song. It is just a small step, but people are actually beginning to notice. I have some other thoughts, but I will wait to see what you have to say and then comment. Finally! Excellent stuff! I completely agree that our understanding of “preaching” isn’t always in line with the Bible’s use of the the word “preach” or “proclaim”. I teach a Sunday School class for those 20-35. They love the interaction of teaching! They participate and disagree. They ask questions and we spend a lot of time discussing. One man told me last week that he couldn’t believe the hour was up. He wanted to stay longer! In participatory teaching the engagement of the student and teacher leads to much greater retention and application!

Last Sunday as I finished leading the corporate worship part of the service (I am the worship pastor) I was thinking, “This didn’t go long enough! I’m just beginning to worship! It just seems way to short!” But the scheduled program had been completed and it was time for the message. Was anyone else thinking the same things? I don’t know. But I am yearning for longer and more paticipatory worship. I’ve begun to include a lot more Scripture reading into the service. Sometimes I have a verse or two before every song. It is just a small step, but people are actually beginning to notice. I have some other thoughts, but I will wait to see what you have to say and then comment.

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