Comments for Christian Standard http://christianstandard.com Resourcing Christian Churches Wed, 16 May 2012 16:07:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Seven Ways We Keep Church Hoppers from Staying at Our Church by Keith http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/seven-ways-we-keep-church-hoppers-from-staying-at-our-church/comment-page-1/#comment-4825 Keith Wed, 16 May 2012 16:07:48 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17204#comment-4825 Thanks Brian for reminding us to use our time wisely. Those who don't know Jesus yet must be a priority. Time is short. Thanks Brian for reminding us to use our time wisely.
Those who don’t know Jesus yet must be a priority.
Time is short.

]]> Comment on Together and Thriving by Joel http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/together-and-thriving/comment-page-1/#comment-4819 Joel Tue, 15 May 2012 17:34:57 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17273#comment-4819 Paul, thank you for your love of Christian camping! Paul, thank you for your love of Christian camping!

]]> Comment on Seven Ways We Keep Church Hoppers from Staying at Our Church by Dave http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/seven-ways-we-keep-church-hoppers-from-staying-at-our-church/comment-page-1/#comment-4815 Dave Mon, 14 May 2012 14:20:22 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17204#comment-4815 While I agree with the overall premise of this article, there were some things that concerned me. Primarily the use of secular music in a 'worship' service that is dedicated to God, which is a debate that encompasses much more than just 'church hoppers'. I can honestly say, if I attempted such an approach to a service my chief complainers would be from the long-time members, not the church hoppers (of course I serve an established, traditional church). Another concern is the insider language. While I agree that there are some terms in the churchianity lexicon that probably should be abandoned, I think we should spend more time defining Biblical terms rather than coming up with new words. 'Leader' does not convey the absolute Lordship of Christ and 'forgiver' only conveys one aspect of our salvation. Let's define rather than re-word the Scriptures. Finally, and perhaps my foremost concern, is the assumption that the assembly is primarily for the lost, not for the saved. While I am all in favor of services that welcome and relate to the lost, the assembly is also meant for the edification and encouragement of those who are already saved, and yes, this requires sermons and teaching that are more expository in nature. Yes, mature Christians should be feeding themselves, but they also need to be fed, especially if they are living a lifestyle of service. Even the deepest reservoir will run dry if it is not periodically replenished. While I agree with the overall premise of this article, there were some things that concerned me. Primarily the use of secular music in a ‘worship’ service that is dedicated to God, which is a debate that encompasses much more than just ‘church hoppers’. I can honestly say, if I attempted such an approach to a service my chief complainers would be from the long-time members, not the church hoppers (of course I serve an established, traditional church). Another concern is the insider language. While I agree that there are some terms in the churchianity lexicon that probably should be abandoned, I think we should spend more time defining Biblical terms rather than coming up with new words. ‘Leader’ does not convey the absolute Lordship of Christ and ‘forgiver’ only conveys one aspect of our salvation. Let’s define rather than re-word the Scriptures. Finally, and perhaps my foremost concern, is the assumption that the assembly is primarily for the lost, not for the saved. While I am all in favor of services that welcome and relate to the lost, the assembly is also meant for the edification and encouragement of those who are already saved, and yes, this requires sermons and teaching that are more expository in nature. Yes, mature Christians should be feeding themselves, but they also need to be fed, especially if they are living a lifestyle of service. Even the deepest reservoir will run dry if it is not periodically replenished.

]]> Comment on Policy Governance: Adapt, Don’t Adopt by Caroline Oliver http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/policy-governance-adapt-don%e2%80%99t-adopt/comment-page-1/#comment-4804 Caroline Oliver Sat, 12 May 2012 12:15:06 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17191#comment-4804 I would like to suggest that faith based organizations might find value in considering that they are dealing with two dimensions of governance and looking at each one separately. The first dimension is governance of "the word" as owned by God. The second dimension is governance of the operating organization that spreads the word which is owned by the faithful. Governance of the word needs to be done by people who can interpret the word and shepherd, mentor and equip its followers. Governance of the operating organization needs to be done by people who have the skills and interests needed to run a sustainable vehicle, in accordance with Christian values, through which people can be brought together so that the word can be spread. In other words, I believe Policy Governance can help faith based organizations fulfill their missions by bringing an entirely new level of clarity to their governance. I would like to suggest that faith based organizations might find value in considering that they are dealing with two dimensions of governance and looking at each one separately.

The first dimension is governance of “the word” as owned by God.

The second dimension is governance of the operating organization that spreads the word which is owned by the faithful.

Governance of the word needs to be done by people who can interpret the word and shepherd, mentor and equip its followers.

Governance of the operating organization needs to be done by people who have the skills and interests needed to run a sustainable vehicle, in accordance with Christian values, through which people can be brought together so that the word can be spread.

In other words, I believe Policy Governance can help faith based organizations fulfill their missions by bringing an entirely new level of clarity to their governance.

]]> Comment on Elder Governance: Everybody’s Concern by Reggie Hundley http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/elder-governance-everybody%e2%80%99s-concern/comment-page-1/#comment-4793 Reggie Hundley Wed, 09 May 2012 20:40:41 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17253#comment-4793 Mark, Thanks for providing these two articles and your thoughts! May congregations wherever CS and its website touch catch the glimpse of the potential. I pray that we may equip and empower myriads of individuals for ministry...just as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2. God will be the one who receives the glory. Lives, cities, neighborhoods and suburbs will be changed as a result. Mark, Thanks for providing these two articles and your thoughts! May congregations wherever CS and its website touch catch the glimpse of the potential. I pray that we may equip and empower myriads of individuals for ministry…just as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2. God will be the one who receives the glory. Lives, cities, neighborhoods and suburbs will be changed as a result.

]]> Comment on Why Churches Should Euthanize Small Groups by Banks Corl http://christianstandard.com/2011/01/why-churches-should-euthanize-small-groups/comment-page-2/#comment-4792 Banks Corl Wed, 09 May 2012 20:05:08 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=11990#comment-4792 Our experience has been completely different from yours. Our experience has been completely different from yours.

]]> Comment on Reimagining Youth Ministry by Jason Schneider http://christianstandard.com/2008/06/cs_article-909/comment-page-1/#comment-4789 Jason Schneider Wed, 09 May 2012 15:46:12 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?=909#comment-4789 I agree there are some definite things that can be addressed in the Youth Ministry. I think that there are churches that are challenging students Biblically and in their relationship with God. I also think that there are churches that lack in this effort. I feel that Youth Ministry is always the one that needs or is being asked to reinvent itself or make itself better, and like I said there is a need for this. Is connection and relationships with students and sponsors really that bad? I think not, I think that if these things can connect a student to the ministry and they will keep coming back because of it, then we are doing something right. When that same student graduates and moves to the “big church” and does not feel this connection or valued in the adult ministry, then maybe we need to reinvent the adult ministry. Maybe the adult worship service needs to have more connection and more places to use their talents and more opportunities to be mentored by those who have experienced life. Maybe the adult worship service, in some areas, need to reinvent themselves and become more like the youth ministry. Think about it this way. Youth minsters are required/encouraged or simple just want to go to lunches at the school, games after school and FCA before school. When was the last time your Senior Minister showed up at you work place and sat with you at lunch or prayed with you before work? Students have a connection to Youth ministers and their sponsors because they put themselves out there for the students. How can we implement this in our adult services? Maybe then those students that drop out after High School will feel connected and will become engaged in the adult ministry side. I agree there are some definite things that can be addressed in the Youth Ministry. I think that there are churches that are challenging students Biblically and in their relationship with God. I also think that there are churches that lack in this effort. I feel that Youth Ministry is always the one that needs or is being asked to reinvent itself or make itself better, and like I said there is a need for this.
Is connection and relationships with students and sponsors really that bad? I think not, I think that if these things can connect a student to the ministry and they will keep coming back because of it, then we are doing something right. When that same student graduates and moves to the “big church” and does not feel this connection or valued in the adult ministry, then maybe we need to reinvent the adult ministry. Maybe the adult worship service needs to have more connection and more places to use their talents and more opportunities to be mentored by those who have experienced life. Maybe the adult worship service, in some areas, need to reinvent themselves and become more like the youth ministry.
Think about it this way. Youth minsters are required/encouraged or simple just want to go to lunches at the school, games after school and FCA before school. When was the last time your Senior Minister showed up at you work place and sat with you at lunch or prayed with you before work? Students have a connection to Youth ministers and their sponsors because they put themselves out there for the students. How can we implement this in our adult services? Maybe then those students that drop out after High School will feel connected and will become engaged in the adult ministry side.

]]> Comment on Elders, Submission, and the Rebel in Me! by Don Hensley http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/elders-submission-and-the-rebel-in-me/comment-page-1/#comment-4762 Don Hensley Sat, 05 May 2012 02:12:51 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17182#comment-4762 I am not sure why some ministers have moved away from the Biblical model of eldership. I believe the Lord knew what He was doing when He directed the church to appoint elders to shepherd and provide leadership for the church. The Lord understood the reason for a plurality of elders to direct the affairs of the church so no one man would assume that responsiblity. I have been privileged to work under the leadership of many fine men who provided counsel for me and for the churches where I served during 41 years of ministry. If we step away from this biblilcal model, we may just step away from other important teachings from the Lord. I am not sure why some ministers have moved away from the Biblical model of eldership. I believe the Lord knew what He was doing when He directed the church to appoint elders to shepherd and provide leadership for the church. The Lord understood the reason for a plurality of elders to direct the affairs of the church so no one man would assume that responsiblity. I have been privileged to work under the leadership of many fine men who provided counsel for me and for the churches where I served during 41 years of ministry. If we step away from this biblilcal model, we may just step away from other important teachings from the Lord.

]]> Comment on Elders, Submission, and the Rebel in Me! by Robbie Sevilla http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/elders-submission-and-the-rebel-in-me/comment-page-1/#comment-4759 Robbie Sevilla Thu, 03 May 2012 13:17:54 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17182#comment-4759 A great article for all to read! A great article for all to read!

]]> Comment on Elders, Submission, and the Rebel in Me! by Edmund Lucido http://christianstandard.com/2012/05/elders-submission-and-the-rebel-in-me/comment-page-1/#comment-4756 Edmund Lucido Wed, 02 May 2012 22:31:47 +0000 http://christianstandard.com/?p=17182#comment-4756 A useful article for all men who are involved in church leadership. The careful timing and selection of elders will be critical and prior to that a deliberate and well thought of discipleship and training of potential elders will be vital to the success of the minister-elders relationship when elders are finally appointed in office. After which the building and maintaining of trust, accountability and close communication will further enhance the relationship between the two sides. Thank you Christian Standard for covering this topic. A useful article for all men who are involved in church leadership. The careful timing and selection of elders will be critical and prior to that a deliberate and well thought of discipleship and training of potential elders will be vital to the success of the minister-elders relationship when elders are finally appointed in office. After which the building and maintaining of trust, accountability and close communication will further enhance the relationship between the two sides.
Thank you Christian Standard for covering this topic.

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