Comments for 8 Talents http://8talents.org/blog Reflections on My Life Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:14:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Being the Church by Chris http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-70 Chris Mon, 12 May 2008 03:32:11 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-70 Jeremy, thanks for stopping in and reading my ramblings. Jeremy, thanks for stopping in and reading my ramblings.

]]> Comment on Being the Church by Jeremy http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-69 Jeremy Mon, 12 May 2008 01:49:24 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-69 Thanks for the link and thoughts here. Thanks for the link and thoughts here.

]]> Comment on Being the Church by Kevin http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-67 Kevin Wed, 07 May 2008 20:47:04 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-67 "It's not as if we weren't doing good things.... It's just that we need to be a people that model who God is and it's not really done very well through programs." "Pastor and elders need to be equipping members for ministry - not doing it all themselves." "We weren't helping people, we were making them more busy with religious activity." These are key. As one who has often found himself overwhelmed by doing church things but having to look pretty hard to find God in any of it. It's overwhelming sometimes. And the Church should be a lot of things - but certainly not burdensome. I really like these ideas. Not a few hard working leaders. But leaders who equip others who do the work. And it's not program oriented, but rather lifestyle oriented. As I read the Scriptures, that's what I see. Being the Church is a way of life, not a weekly activity with scattered programs and "ministries" thrown in there to make us feel good. There's a relevant quote from a guy named J B Phillips from the book "Your God Is Too Small" that I like. It goes like this: "There are doubtless many reasons for the degeneration of Christianity into churchiness, and the narrowing of the Gospels for all mankind into a set of approved beliefs; but the cheif cause must be the worship of an inadequate God, a cramped and regulated God who is a "good churchman" according to the formulas of the worshipper. For the actual behavior infallibly betrays the real object of a man's worship." I think it's important as a church to take a look at our behavior. What we do reflects what we value. And mostly I find, that the church is spending her time on is a lot different that what Jesus did with His. “It’s not as if we weren’t doing good things…. It’s just that we need to be a people that model who God is and it’s not really done very well through programs.”

“Pastor and elders need to be equipping members for ministry - not doing it all themselves.”

“We weren’t helping people, we were making them more busy with religious activity.”

These are key. As one who has often found himself overwhelmed by doing church things but having to look pretty hard to find God in any of it. It’s overwhelming sometimes. And the Church should be a lot of things - but certainly not burdensome.

I really like these ideas. Not a few hard working leaders. But leaders who equip others who do the work. And it’s not program oriented, but rather lifestyle oriented. As I read the Scriptures, that’s what I see. Being the Church is a way of life, not a weekly activity with scattered programs and “ministries” thrown in there to make us feel good.

There’s a relevant quote from a guy named J B Phillips from the book “Your God Is Too Small” that I like. It goes like this:

“There are doubtless many reasons for the degeneration of Christianity into churchiness, and the narrowing of the Gospels for all mankind into a set of approved beliefs; but the cheif cause must be the worship of an inadequate God, a cramped and regulated God who is a “good churchman” according to the formulas of the worshipper. For the actual behavior infallibly betrays the real object of a man’s worship.”

I think it’s important as a church to take a look at our behavior. What we do reflects what we value. And mostly I find, that the church is spending her time on is a lot different that what Jesus did with His.

]]> Comment on Being the Church by Kevin http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-66 Kevin Wed, 07 May 2008 20:31:38 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-66 Actually. Mozilla. I'm not sure which version offhand. However, at home on my Mac it works like a champ. Further evidence that Mac is in fact king. Actually. Mozilla. I’m not sure which version offhand. However, at home on my Mac it works like a champ. Further evidence that Mac is in fact king.

]]> Comment on Being the Church by Chris http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-65 Chris Wed, 07 May 2008 19:13:52 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-65 Thanks for the comment Kevin. I have read simple church and I agree with you assessment of it. The idea of it is very refreshing. As far as the formatting goes, let me guess, you are using Internet explorer 6 at work? getfirefox.com :) Thanks for the comment Kevin. I have read simple church and I agree with you assessment of it. The idea of it is very refreshing.

As far as the formatting goes, let me guess, you are using Internet explorer 6 at work?

getfirefox.com :)

]]> Comment on Being the Church by Kevin http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-64 Kevin Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:31 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=355#comment-64 Chris, I'm mulling over much of the same thoughts with Dave Robinson. You should ask him to borrow a book called "Simple Church." Super quick, super easy read. I love it because it's not a church model like every other book every written about the church. It also doesn't approach the church from a business standpoint. Also, it uses hard, irrefutable data to back up it's claims. I'm sure DR would let you use it. I'll give that video a more thoughtful viewing when I've got a bit more time and address it later. Blessings, Kevin PS - The formating on your blog seems to be off just a bit. Or at least on my dumpy work computer. You might check it out when you've got a free minute. Work-able but a it hard to read the bottom of post/your widgets on the sidebar. Chris,

I’m mulling over much of the same thoughts with Dave Robinson. You should ask him to borrow a book called “Simple Church.” Super quick, super easy read.

I love it because it’s not a church model like every other book every written about the church. It also doesn’t approach the church from a business standpoint.

Also, it uses hard, irrefutable data to back up it’s claims. I’m sure DR would let you use it.

I’ll give that video a more thoughtful viewing when I’ve got a bit more time and address it later.

Blessings,
Kevin

PS - The formating on your blog seems to be off just a bit. Or at least on my dumpy work computer. You might check it out when you’ve got a free minute. Work-able but a it hard to read the bottom of post/your widgets on the sidebar.

]]> Comment on Road to Chicago by Maya http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-47 Maya Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:44:34 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-47 OHHH AMYYYYYY!!!!!! You did it:) I am sooo PROUD of you. I remember you training in college and am so glad that you had this chance to run in Chicago. Way to be persistant and courageous!!! You truely are a ROCKSTAR! Way to live it up! I can't wait to hear about it:) Much much love, Maya OHHH AMYYYYYY!!!!!! You did it:) I am sooo PROUD of you. I remember you training in college and am so glad that you had this chance to run in Chicago. Way to be persistant and courageous!!! You truely are a ROCKSTAR!

Way to live it up! I can’t wait to hear about it:)

Much much love,
Maya

]]> Comment on Road to Chicago by Karlene http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-46 Karlene Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:37:42 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-46 Way to go Amy!!!! I heard about the race yesterday on the news and thought of you. I am so glad to hear that you finished. What an awesome accomplishment. Will talk with you later! Karlene Way to go Amy!!!! I heard about the race yesterday on the news and thought of you. I am so glad to hear that you finished. What an awesome accomplishment. Will talk with you later!
Karlene

]]> Comment on Road to Chicago by Marcia http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-45 Marcia Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:00:45 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-45 Way to go!!!! You did it! I AM IMPRESSED! You stuck with it and finished the race. What an accomplishment! Can't wait to hear all about it... Marcia Way to go!!!! You did it! I AM IMPRESSED! You stuck with it and finished the race. What an accomplishment!

Can’t wait to hear all about it…
Marcia

]]> Comment on Road to Chicago by Chris http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-44 Chris Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:15:31 +0000 http://8talents.org/blog/?p=309#comment-44 Again thanks for all the support. Amy did an amazing job. They "canceled" the race at half way and tried to force everyone to walk, due to the heat. That worked long enough to extend Amy's time past 5 hours but then many runners rebelled and Amy kicked back into her pace and finished strong. Her official time is 5:02:20. But due to the circumstances and what we think is a wrong starting time it should probably be around 4:45-50ish. I will write a full report shortly (next couple of days). Again thanks for all the support. Amy did an amazing job. They “canceled” the race at half way and tried to force everyone to walk, due to the heat. That worked long enough to extend Amy’s time past 5 hours but then many runners rebelled and Amy kicked back into her pace and finished strong. Her official time is 5:02:20. But due to the circumstances and what we think is a wrong starting time it should probably be around 4:45-50ish. I will write a full report shortly (next couple of days).

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