1. Andy writes: “Every church should be a church irreligious people love to attend” (page 12). How do you feel about that statement?
- At first, I didn't like it, but then once you think about it, it seems like it should be this way.
27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
1 Timothy 1
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
I think that I have to fight against the notion of church being a place that only I am comfortable with. Was Jesus comfortable with Zacchaeus?
- He was comfortable because He loved Zacchaeus, but Zacchaeus was not living the way that Jesus wanted him to live.
- I don't think Jesus would have been comfortable at Simon the Pharisee's table in Luke 7.
- Jesus knows what this woman's lifestyle has been.
- Simon knows and is doubting Jesus's claim of being a prophet.
- Yet Jesus allows her to anoint His feet.
So, the question to me is this, "What are ways that we could--without compromising Scripture--make our church a place that irreligious people love to attend? 1 Corinthians 9 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
2. Do you think a survey like the one in Appendix A could be helpful to your church?
- Personally, I think this might be the answer to the "survey" question I had a few weeks ago. No wrong agendas or motives.
- I do not think serious comparisons are being made.
- We should follow the command of Scripture and no compare ourselves with each other.
- 2 Corinthians 10 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
- Don't ignore them.
- Keep talking especially when uncomfortable.
- This is something I'm learning from CA--not to ignore it.
- I was raised to ignore, suppress, and walk away--we all have seen how well that works.
- If we truly love our church that Christ has placed us in, then love will cause us--even force us--to seek out that person that we have a conflict with.
- Yesterday was a perfect illustration of two good people--sincere people--desiring the best for each other, getting bent.
- But because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5) we were able to deal and see each other's side and heart.
- I think people just want to know that they are being heard, and validate their feelings.
- Even the people that aggravate us the most.
- "Beginning emptyhanded and alone frightens the best of men. It also speaks volumes of just how sure they are that God is with them."
- "Lord, this was not my idea. You got me into this. I'm trusting You to see me through it."
