Threads from Henry's Web

Author: henry

  • Christianity by Force or Manipulation

    There is very little that offends me more than the idea of manipulating people into Christian events or trying to convert them by force.

  • Choosing a New Church

    No, I’m not choosing a new church. In fact, I really like my home church, First United Methodist Church in Pensacola. But today I received an e-mail from someone who asked me to share a blog post with my readers. I get few enough such e-mails that I normally at least read them, though I’m not going to link unless I feel there’s something worthwhile.

    In this case, while I think the post makes some interesting points, I have a major problem with the entire approach. The post is 10 Tips for Finding a New Church Home.

    The points are generally valid. I have some objection to the fact that “mission” is #9. But that is only the minor point.

    My major point is that the primary thing we should consider when choosing a church congregation is how we will be able to serve through our membership in that congregation. Now all of the other points in the article may well contribute to our ability to minister. For example, if your church does not have adequate ministries for children, or if you are not challenged and convicted by the sermons, you may find it more difficult to use that congregation as a base for your own ministry.

    Christianity is about serving others. When my wife and I have changed congregations, we generally ask first about the mission of the church. In fact, I have quite a “thing” about church mission statements. Most churches have one. What I’ve found in visiting churches is that if the members in general can tell you what the focus of their church is in ministry, you’ll find you have a vibrant church. If the members in general aren’t sure what they are there for, you’ll find the church is dead.

    So while this list of tips for finding a new congregation includes many things that should characterize a good church, it looks much too much like the way I’d choose a grocery store.

    This leads to point #10: Keep trying until it feels right. I’d suggest instead a prayerful process of selection that ends when you know you will be able to carry out your personal part of the overall mission of the body of Christ as part of that congregation.

  • Aiming Your Bible

    I discuss letting the Bible convict you first in my monthly devotional post for the World Prayr devotional blog.

  • Spong vs Mohler

    I found this video interesting, even though I don’t consider Spong one of the better advocates of a liberal approach to the Bible.  From my perspective he’s slipped off the far edge of the map.  I would suggest there is a position that does not affirm biblical inerrancy, yet maintains biblical authority.

    (HT: Exploring Our Matrix)

    Michael Dowd, also debating with Dr. Mohler (who seems to be keeping busy!) claims that biblical Christianity is bankrupt. I intend to respond from my “passionate moderate” viewpoint a bit later. For now I would just note that I see problems with the definition of “biblical Christianity.”

    (Another HT to: Exploring Our Matrix)

  • On the Ground Zero Mosque

    I’ve been thinking of writing something about this for some time. The problem is that I think it’s fairly clear. First, there’s no legitimate legal reason to prevent the building of this mosque. Second, I don’t think it is appropriate, nor does it send a good message, for Christians to oppose those of another faith having their place of worship where they would like, provided they fulfill other requirements of the law, such as property ownership and zoning requirements.

    But today Dave Black went a step further, and I think he has a good point about how Christians should behave in such situations. We should always bear in mind that our kingdom is not here, and that our primary call is to be witnesses of our true kingdom.

    …What is a kingdom mindset? It’s an attitude of gentleness that affirms the values and dignity of others, even those who are different from us. It’s an attitude of humility that considers others as better than one’s self. …

    Read the rest at The Jesus Paradigm.

  • Word Ambiguities

    HT: Language Log

  • Christian Carnival CCCXL Posted

    … at The Jevlir Caravansary.  Check it out!

  • Christian Carnival Coming

    I’m hosting it at my Jevlir Caravansary blog.  Deadline is midnight tonight.

  • List of Online Lexicons

    Polycarp has a very useful list of online lexicons.

  • Gordon Fee on Reading Revelation

    … and the Bible as a whole, but with a focus on his new commentary on Revelation.

    The video  is at the Grace Communion International web site and is well worth watching.  I would probably be a bit harder on the idea of literal interpretation for the Bible overall than Dr. Fee is, but he is spot on regarding the book of Revelation.