Comments for A Blog for the Church

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Cheryl Kaster

Cheryl Kaster — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:52:33 +0000

Aloha John,

Wanted to jump in here just to say that I was under the impression that the ichthus displayed among the early church was more as a means of identifying one another…those who were already part of the Body of Christ, rather than an attempt to attract unbelievers. Perhaps I am mistaken in my assumption. Have you a different understanding?

Cheryl

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Rick Garner

Rick Garner — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:10:27 +0000

It’s all about relevancy. Take a small town anywhere…or a Southern town regardless of the size…everyone knows where every denomination of church is located. Why? Because in a small town, community is king. And in the South, sorry to sound stereotypical, but church-life is more integrated than other parts of the U.S.

In both cases, the issue is relevancy. If a church is relevant to a community, people know where it’s located. If a church is relevant to members, they’ll share what’s happening in their lives because of the fellowship and spread the word.

However, in a world that’s becoming more “introverted” and “politically correct,” there’s not a great deal of sharing – so it seems – about what’s going on in our lives…often because we’re too distracted by the World’s offerings.

The challenge for us is to keep loving our neighbors.

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by John Ramsey

John Ramsey — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:26:35 +0000

The early church displayed an ichthus. Were they wrong to advertise in this way?

I’m not sure hanging a sign is any different than posting or tweeting in today’s culture. The purpose is to be noticed by those with whom we might engage a discussion.

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Ken Eastburn

Ken Eastburn — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:43:36 +0000

Thanks for commenting, Simon! It is a great thing to know that what we’re doing here resonates with you and I hope that you’ll stick around and interact.

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Simon

Simon — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:51:47 +0000

It actually does make sense to have a church sign…until you realize that you’re playing the world’s games, competing in a market where your church sign message stands among millions of other messages, and so fails to stand out.

This insight has caught my attention. It’s gone into me and I resonate with it, but still not fully clear why I resonate with it.

Keora (Hello in Maori)! My name is Simon. I’m from Whakatane, New Zealand and should be asleep but was working on a powerpoint slide for youth group when I stumbled over this website. Wow what a challenge to ‘leave your building’. This brings up hidden ties I have to traditional church, this is surely terain my mind has not explored before.

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Ken Eastburn

Ken Eastburn — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:00:49 +0000

Hey akaGaGa,

I’m not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if this blog is under the marketing category? I think so, but before I answer, I want to make sure.

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by akaGaGa

akaGaGa — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:37:02 +0000

I agree that worldly methods and marketing should not be part of the church, but I have to ask: What category does this blog come under?

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by Ken Eastburn

Ken Eastburn — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:24:48 +0000

Heh…interesting comment!

I’d love to hear more about what you’re thinking, stephy!

Comment on Why Am I Doing This? by stephy

stephy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:18:53 +0000

Hmm, interesting…

Comment on What Does it Mean to “Leave the Building?” by Cheryl Kaster

Cheryl Kaster — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:50:35 +0000

I know this is really “late” since your entry was made in January, but your assessment and description about the lack of true fellowship is also what we saw. We belonged to a church for over two years and even though we attended faithfully (service sunday morning and bible study sunday evening) there was rarely, if ever any “fellowship” beyond the superficial and most very “worldly,” leaving me to wonder if I was in the right place…ultimately answered that with a “no” and came to the conclusion we can better follow Jesus and His leading in a group more like what is described in the organic/house/simple church models.

One small group we attended at another church even acknowledged what was supposed to be going on (the fellowship, the confessing, the exhorting, the praying, etc.) but didn’t do it. Very sad but it is definitely worth it when you do finally find those who are like minded, not necessarily about house church but about being a disciple of Jesus Christ and the part we, as the family, should play in each others lives.