I'm no theologian, but wanted to say thank you for the reminder that Jesus's way "is a direct contradiction to the way of this world." Trying to live that contradictory life is hard - even (especially) in a church with other spirit lead people. The world's "rational" point of view overtakes our thoughts so easily and influences how we act and advise others to act. So, thank you again for the reminder!
Interesting thanks Matt. Some years ago, we made a conscious decision not to use the title "senior pastor." We chose "pastoral leader" instead. I recently heard Scot McKnight encouraging churches not to use the title "leader". What do you think?
Thanks Matt. I have been challenged to reassess what I consider to be "church" because my reo Māori class ticks more of the boxes for church than the place I call by that name. Can my reo class be church?
Interesting to ponder your questions in relation to my reo class - we could easily answer "ae" for most of them. It is led by Godly kaiako for whom it is mahi aroha - an unpaid service of love to a small group of mostly believers who don't have the means to pay to get their own language back. We have no idea what denomination people are and no one cares because Jesus is the centre, scripture is unpacked, karakia, whakamoemiti, everyone speaks and is listened to, koha is whatever you can contribute (time to set up etc or a packet of biscuits, whatever) and all gifts and abilities are appreciated and encouraged to be extended towards growing others and the Kingdom - yeah, it's definitely church eh!
Would that my other church were more like my reo church.
I'm no theologian, but wanted to say thank you for the reminder that Jesus's way "is a direct contradiction to the way of this world." Trying to live that contradictory life is hard - even (especially) in a church with other spirit lead people. The world's "rational" point of view overtakes our thoughts so easily and influences how we act and advise others to act. So, thank you again for the reminder!
Interesting thanks Matt. Some years ago, we made a conscious decision not to use the title "senior pastor." We chose "pastoral leader" instead. I recently heard Scot McKnight encouraging churches not to use the title "leader". What do you think?
Thanks Matt. I have been challenged to reassess what I consider to be "church" because my reo Māori class ticks more of the boxes for church than the place I call by that name. Can my reo class be church?
Interesting to ponder your questions in relation to my reo class - we could easily answer "ae" for most of them. It is led by Godly kaiako for whom it is mahi aroha - an unpaid service of love to a small group of mostly believers who don't have the means to pay to get their own language back. We have no idea what denomination people are and no one cares because Jesus is the centre, scripture is unpacked, karakia, whakamoemiti, everyone speaks and is listened to, koha is whatever you can contribute (time to set up etc or a packet of biscuits, whatever) and all gifts and abilities are appreciated and encouraged to be extended towards growing others and the Kingdom - yeah, it's definitely church eh!
Would that my other church were more like my reo church.