Archive for January, 2009
Friday, January 30th, 2009
When the whole “Transforming Congregations” process came up in my congregation, I started to get “church envy.” I saw a congregation like Lutheran Church of Our Savior that is an Issues, Etc. 300 Club member and had many of parishioners who signed the Save Issues online-petition. I thought, “I bet those guys aren’t flirting with this stuff.” And it’s actually half the distance to get there from our home. Since that time, I have had more interactions with my pastor and have come to a more profound respect and appreciation for this deeply confessional man. And I’ve had a glimpse of why God has placed my family in this congregation.
In the past couple of weeks at Bible study there has been some very serious discussion on close(d) communion. People questioning how loving it is? Are we breaking unity in the church (catholic)? What about people who have a Lutheran understanding, but belong to non-denominational churches? My pastor had all the answers that derive from scripture and the confessions. I was greatly comforted by his unwavering stance.
I’ve also recently read a paper he wrote on the LCMS practice of adult baptism after complete instruction in the catechism. He argued very well from scripture that basic instruction in the faith before baptism was the biblical norm. No mention of the Table of Duties or the Lord’s Supper as a necessity to receive baptism. He also wrote an article in the church news letter about the appropriateness of crucifixes. Really great stuff.
I have even come to understand his stance on the “contemporary service.” My insight came when we were discussing sprinkling vs. emersion in baptism. He preferred emersion and its symbolism, but has no problem with sprinkling as it deters those who would claim that emersion is the only correct form. Much as Titus wasn’t circumcised as a deterrent to those that believed you must be to be saved. I believe part of his reasoning for the “contemporary service” is as a guard against those who would say the liturgy is the only way to have a church service. I can see the point, but I still believe the liturgy is the better expression of faith and so the contemporary service remains a “last resort” option for my family.
On a somewhat depressing note, the elders unanimously agreed to continue the “Transforming Congregations” process with the understanding that the “Accountable Leadership Governance” model (pastor as CEO) was a non-starter. I guess the idea that something different must be done is just too strong.
Finally, I’m simply thankful for my pastor and the many like him who struggle against the world, attempt to teach us, the laity, what the Bible really says, preach the Word, and administer the sacraments. Thanks be to Christ.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009
I never thought that sitting through a church service would be a milestone, but as the father of a toddler, I wanted to celebrate getting through an entire service without having to take my daughter out to the narthex. I do remember getting through a few services when she was immobile. But since she became mobile and found here voice it’s been a battle.
I’m sure we’ll have some setbacks, and we’re a ways from sitting and paying attention, but I just wanted to celebrate this event.
Posted in Christian, Father | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
In an effort to “… keep my enemies closer,” I occasionally read marketing books and blogs. For who are holding out hope that the two can be married, I hope this post will bury that notion forever.
Seth Godin
Seth Godin is one of the bright lights of marketing especially to those on the cutting edge. He’s written a lot of books and his blog is one that I follow. In his book, “Small Is the New Big” there is one very telling quote:
Marketing is now officially about wants, not needs. That’s what your entire day should be about. Your church, your company, your restaurant, your blog, it doesn’t matter. Give me what I want or I’m out of here.
Do people want to hear about their sin? Do people want to hear about how helpless they are? People need the Gospel but that’s not what marketing is anymore.
Church Marketing Sucks
Church Marketing Sucks is a site that attempts to help churches with their marketing. They recently had a couple posts (“Jesus is not a Brand: The Good” and “Jesus is not a Brand: The Bad“) responding to a Christianity Today article entitled, “Jesus is not a Brand.” Here are a some choice quotes:
I realize it seems callous, but the gospel is a lifestyle with a cost.
For the purposes of marketing, the only difference between the gospel and a product is that the gospel is a lifestyle rather than a good or service.
Sometimes that [communicating the entire gospel] looks like public relations in the form of good deeds. Sometimes it looks like a brand that communicates excitement or simplicity.
But the church succeeds when the world is changed by Christ-followers…
Their understanding of the Gospel and the purpose of the church are quite deficient. “Gospel as lifestyle” is a new one for me. The thing that struck me is that the Gospel is this super life and world changing thing, but nobody wants to tell you what it is. The Gospel isn’t the good news of Christ’s death for sinners, it’s just the thing that the church dispenses. These guys want to talk about the gospel and what it can do, but never get around to actually proclaiming it.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
Here is the segment where I was Jeff’s pick for blog of the week. Jeff starts reading my post at about 3:30.
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