Thursday, March 23, 2006

We Need Adversity?

"We do not need success or all the calls going our way to show Christ to those around us. We need adversity and loss."

Dwight Peterson

2 comments:

Sue Densmore said...

Dear Pastor Mike -

I started looking at blogs hoping to find one like yours! I like your sharing, I like the discussion you started about church, I like how it appears you think.

Not that someone with a biblical worldview needs the approval of some stranger from New Hampshire...

We, too, are thinking about how we are "doing church." I am a member of Grace Community Church in Rochester, NH - on the worship team, teaching our new friends and members class, and on the preaching team (not meaning to open any cans of worms!)

We have been thinking, too, about Sunday Christians, as someone commented on your blog. The early church was not about doing meetings - they were about doing life. They continued to do what they normally did, with a few additions, like caring for people, rescuing abandoned children, making sure everyone in their "church" community had what they needed. Programs and presentations were not their focus. Translate that greeters and worship and preaching.

Now, I am not advocating leaving the church to meet as families. I think we come together on Sundays for covenant renewal, corporate worship, and some good teaching. But if that is the sum total of the Chrisitan experience, then why bother? There has to be more.

We have started a renewed focus on home groups, which is a start. But the thing someone said about shoveling the neighbors driveway just to do it without expecting anything in return is where it's at as far as showing what Jesus is about.

Anyway, I wax long-winded I am afraid. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I would love to visit your church sometime. my own blog is at www.lifeonthespiral.blogspot.com. Feel free to drop by...

Grace and peace -
Sue

Anonymous said...

Oh no.....yet another person that agrees with your thoughts. You're gonna get a big.....um, bigger head!
I guess this confirms that we don't have some weird hereditary genetic disorder that causes us to think the ways that we do!
Sorry, Sue. NH is a little too far to drive to shovel your driveway. Now, if it was Rochester, NY....I'd think about talking "Pastor Mike" into doing it for you :)