tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post2415301639178224473..comments2023-06-01T10:52:44.280-04:00Comments on The Gospel-Driven Church: Kind of a Big DealJaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-66533512487686945882007-09-13T11:39:00.000-04:002007-09-13T11:39:00.000-04:00Churches are fixated on numbers because they canno...Churches are fixated on numbers because they cannot figure out what impact they are supposed to have. A results focus is borrowed from the business world, and it is just as damaging there as in the church. Tyranny of the numbers. Instead, church should ask what would be the impact if each member lived a life of love to its fullest potential. What would change? Answer that, and you have a clear idea of what the impact of a church should be.Ed Brenegarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036929650700370713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-80170007464041943272007-09-12T23:12:00.000-04:002007-09-12T23:12:00.000-04:00The "Fad-Driven Church".Here is a great article on...The "Fad-Driven Church".<BR/><BR/>Here is a great article on what has become of the modern church in America.<BR/><BR/>http://www.issuesetc.org/resource/archives/wilken4.htm<BR/><BR/><BR/>EricAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-58656631958339230192007-09-12T21:49:00.000-04:002007-09-12T21:49:00.000-04:00As I look for a new call I'm astounded by the numb...As I look for a new call I'm astounded by the number of positions that like "proven record of successful ministry". Many churches have messed up priorities.<BR/>When I began my first pastorate people thought it strange that I didn't want my name on the sign or letterhead. It was my subtle reminder that it is about Jesus, not me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-78459700299801333682007-09-12T15:55:00.000-04:002007-09-12T15:55:00.000-04:00Send your check or money order to . . :-pSend your check or money order to . . <BR/><BR/>:-pJaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-1135729458522692552007-09-12T15:38:00.000-04:002007-09-12T15:38:00.000-04:00I think one of the hardest crucifixions of the fle...<I>I think one of the hardest crucifixions of the flesh the church will have to commit is the relinquishing of the tyranny of "results."</I><BR/><BR/>Worth the read...one single sentence is worth the whole post...where do I pay my $750.00 for the church growth seminar?Jimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08322241868458688174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-25402489224401663322007-09-12T14:34:00.000-04:002007-09-12T14:34:00.000-04:00Completely agree with you here, Jared--and it's on...Completely agree with you here, Jared--and it's one big reason why I've never pursued a pastorate. =/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04954858993868110366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-52866975695086482052007-09-12T11:18:00.000-04:002007-09-12T11:18:00.000-04:00don't believe it's always the Pastor/ CEO's wish t...<I>don't believe it's always the Pastor/ CEO's wish to become a celebrity as much as it's the Church community's cultural training to view him as one</I><BR/><BR/>Nathan, I agree.<BR/><BR/>The temptation from idolatrous adulation can be overwhelming, particularly when it appeals to pride and self-interest, which all of us without exception have hardwired in us.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-43129128470472709162007-09-12T10:59:00.000-04:002007-09-12T10:59:00.000-04:00Celebrity is in keeping with relevance to culture....Celebrity is in keeping with relevance to culture. <BR/><BR/>I don't believe it's always the Pastor/ CEO's wish to become a celebrity as much as it's the Church community's cultural training to view him as one. Then it becomes a matter of nipping the idea in the bud or succumbing to it's alure.<BR/><BR/>I lean towards believing it's an American thing, grown in suburbia. Do seminary, get a gig, write a book, go to conventions and seminars, do book signings. It doesn't hurt to come up with a catch phrase and even slap a descriptive title behind your name... like, Author, Speaker, Catalyst for Synergy, All Around Cowboy.<BR/><BR/>The flesh is weak, but it has a strong facade sometimes.<BR/><BR/>NathanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-49648086595260446782007-09-12T10:25:00.000-04:002007-09-12T10:25:00.000-04:00Thanks, Joe!Blessings on your ministry.I am learni...Thanks, Joe!<BR/><BR/>Blessings on your ministry.<BR/><BR/>I am learning the leadership thing as I go too. It is both exhilarating and frightening, isn't it? :-)Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454966527986478217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538825134834187144.post-86512250656768118622007-09-12T10:02:00.000-04:002007-09-12T10:02:00.000-04:00jared, you're right on,,, messing with the DNA, no...jared,<BR/> you're right on,,, messing with the DNA, no doubt, but it needs to be done. I think our current problem with "spiritual consumerism" has been amplified due to church "leadership" (not just pastors) taking the so called "easy" route to "growing" a church.<BR/> <BR/>I'm a full-time worship pastor at a church in Ohio, and i really struggle with how to lead. (not just how to lead the worship service, but how to be a "leader" in my church). Over and over God has shown me that i need to be a broken, humble leader, a servant of his people. But when i look for examples around me, and just my normal human tendencies, i find myself becoming that which i don't want to be - a leader who feeds his people spiritual milk and is content to cater to spiritual consumerism so that number grow, people like me and so that i still have a job. Anyway, God is really working in my life in these areas, so your post was an encouragement to me. thanks. anyway, may church leaders begin to band together, on our knees, praying that God teach us to be humble leaders following the example of Christ.joe bylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18133888402883116179noreply@blogger.com