Comments on: Innovating church

By: Jim Hester

Jim Hester — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:27:16 +0000

Just a gentle observation: I am troubled that the first three items on your list are essentially self-centered, assuming that you mean that worship should make God “real”–I’m not quite sure what you mean by that word–to me. It seems to me that the Biblical witness is that we find identity in community, meaning in relationship to others. I would argue that authentic worship comes first in pragmatic response to the Spirit and then in reflection on it.

By: fwschmidt

fwschmidt — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:39:27 +0000

Debbie, I think that you are right. I know you and I have talked about the surprise that people register when someone suggests that a sense of the presence of God and the ability to respond to God might somehow be central to “doing” church. Many reasons for that — big “M” materialism that stresses the importance of the senses and finds it difficult to acknowledge the presence of the Holy; seminary educations that fail to cultivate a desire for God; and institutional structures that can drive the energy of a church in so many other directions. What do you think might say to people who enters the church’s door — this IS about an encounter with God?

By: Debbie Chisolm

Debbie Chisolm — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:21:56 +0000

For those who have experienced the Immediate presence of God, that becomes essential. But what I continue to find is the “customer” is looking for community and opportunity to minister to their community more than seeking Presence or direction. BUT….. if they EVER experience the Holy…