tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post1337508367791220436..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Small and static versus larger and growing: opening thoughtsPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-6304690724697757512016-01-01T07:44:23.017-08:002016-01-01T07:44:23.017-08:00I find an interesting thing happening in our churc...I find an interesting thing happening in our church. We are kind of a group of refugees from other churches, I think. Our area has a lot of unhealthy churches that teach incorrectly. Eventually, people start to leave. Some land in a healthy church. Our church is one of those, people have been landing there. So, we're growing. We are also producing couples who marry and have children, and who stay in our church. So, for now, it's growing. There's a need, people are hearing the truth preached, telling their friends, and so it goes. But, there are also churches where truth is preached and no one finds it, no one joins the very small congregations. I do not know why this is. I do know our church has chosen to plant a few churches in other nearby communities, and has thinned out our congregation a bit so some could go to these plants (which happen to be near by where these people live, so it's a win for them in terms of having a church closer to their home). That is one way growth happens and ebbs, and happens again as well. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-27884890009256568542015-12-31T12:22:32.161-08:002015-12-31T12:22:32.161-08:00Regarding Edwards' popularity, apparently he h...Regarding Edwards' popularity, apparently he had some fans. I happen to be reading <i>Thoughts on Public Prayer</i> by Samuel Miller and saw this passage that begins on page 206:<br /><br /><br />There is a tradition that the following circumstances once occurred in the life of the elder President Edwards. He had engaged to preach on a certain Sabbath for a neighbouring pastor. When the day arrived, the<br />pastor went to his pulpit at the appointed time, but did not find Mr. Edwards there. He waited as long as he thought proper, and Mr. Edwards still not appearing, he began the service. In the course of the prayer which usually precedes the sermon, Mr. Edwards, who had been retarded by an unexpected occurrence, entered the church; and, being remarkably gentle and quiet in all his movements, he came into the house, made his way to the pulpit, and placed himself by the side of the pastor without being observed. The pastor, in his prayer, taking for granted that Mr. Edwards was still absent, had allowed himself to express regret that he had failed to come, and that the congregation was to be disappointed : He also launched out in expressions of profound respect for the talents, learning and piety of Mr. Edwards, thanking God that he had raised up so eminent an instrument for doing good, and that he had been enabled to accomplish so much by his learned and able works; and praying that his important life might be spared, and his usefulness extended to the remotest parts of the land. At the close of his prayer, to his astonishment, he found Mr. Edwards standing by his side, and ready to perform the service which had been expected of him. "With some little embarrassment he said, *' Sir, I did not know that you were present if I had known it, I should not have prayed as I did." But feeling as if it might do good to throw into the scale something to balance his compliments, he added—"But after all, they do say that your wife has more piety than<br />you."Rob Steelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09232124026732892112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-71285578252739082502015-12-30T04:53:47.261-08:002015-12-30T04:53:47.261-08:00Dan,
I'd like to suggest the answer is Paul&...Dan, <br /><br />I'd like to suggest the answer is Paul's doctrine of ecclesiastical schism, taught in 1 Cor. 1:10-13, 11:17-20, 12:24-27.<br /><br />Blessings, TedTed Bigelowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558474337614839545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-30533958593339164532015-12-30T04:49:11.463-08:002015-12-30T04:49:11.463-08:00Great, this is a subject that interests me. I’ve b...Great, this is a subject that interests me. I’ve been involved in a few church plants, so I too have a bias for the small. On the other hand, my favorite teacher preaches at a mega church (which are really kilo churches, but I digress). <br /><br />I was curious about what the fruits of really good gospel centered preaching at a large church would be, what would that congregation be like? So I visited a couple of times and I liked what I saw. I came away thinking that It’s more than the preaching, though the preaching was important, there was something more to it. I’m thinking that polity plays a big role in the outcome, though the biggest role is always God working.<br /><br />Looking forward to your conclusions.JackWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384160992033491748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-52623880931694666922015-12-29T22:54:58.838-08:002015-12-29T22:54:58.838-08:00Whether we did business till He comes will matter ...Whether we did business till He comes will matter more than how many minas we had received.Biju Ittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530346097578706672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-82575020975708251342015-12-29T17:39:45.515-08:002015-12-29T17:39:45.515-08:00I forgot to say, excellent and very well said thou...I forgot to say, excellent and very well said thoughts, as usual my brother. A bit deep for my C- brain. Yet i was blessed, and you always give me/us something with depth to contemplate. And that helps the mind and heart to be edified in our Savior's truth. <br /><br />BTW, I know you know; 'Chicago' finally in. About time.<br /><br />"If you don't hear it you can tell us<br />If it's good you can tell us all<br />Or you can smile, that's alright my friend<br />It could be so nice, you know<br />If only you would listen."<br /><br />donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-82485114449404296942015-12-29T17:24:53.472-08:002015-12-29T17:24:53.472-08:00Just wanted say Merry Christmas; a tad late. And a...Just wanted say Merry Christmas; a tad late. And a blessed 2016 in our Savior's awesome grace and love. J. C. Ryle says, "if your foundation is upon your love for the Lord, you are standing on sand. But if your foundation is on your Lord's love for you, you are standing on a rock."donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-64094376444769809232015-12-29T11:22:44.659-08:002015-12-29T11:22:44.659-08:00We tend to think the fruits of a good ministry are...We tend to think the fruits of a good ministry are in the numbers. But the fruits of a good ministry aren't quantitative - they're qualitative.<br /><br />There should be the expectation that if you are evangelizing faithfully, that some will come to Christ. Often this is the case. Sometimes it doesn't happen. Make sure the message of the Gospel is true and complete. That's primary. But secondly, do the best you can according to the gifts and resources God has provided to explain it strategically and effectively. That strategy involves including them in your church after they come to faith. You have to expect it. You shouldn't be winning them to a particular way of doing church, but you are winning them with a Gospel that involves a meaningful fellowship where they can grow and contribute to the spiritual development of the other members of the local church. That means that they will necessarily bring some kind of change, small or great, with them.<br /><br />This was a point I taught this past year in our church in Venezuela and again in our church here in the States from Dr. MacArthur's The Master's Plan for the Church. (I don't have the book in front of me and I don't recall the page number.) A healthy church is not averse to change.<br /><br />For those who come to faith, they may not join your church, but may join a church that's closer to them. They may join the church of a family member who is already a Christian. Ideally, many will join your church. Somebody needs to slide over and give them some pew space.Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.com