tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post8388096101805076086..comments2023-03-28T15:30:45.255-04:00Comments on Hammer and Nail: Church Reform - PurposeErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-53372375642439262512008-01-10T20:38:00.000-05:002008-01-10T20:38:00.000-05:00Joe,It seems that when churches suffer from divisi...Joe,<BR/><BR/>It seems that when churches suffer from division it is because they are focused on self. When they focus on God first and others second, things go much better. It is a simple formula; why do so many churches ignore it?Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-23951556869432689612008-01-10T20:35:00.000-05:002008-01-10T20:35:00.000-05:00Jeff,Thank you for the link.I agree with you that ...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the link.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you that we have made church much more complicated that the writers of scripture intended. Getting off the "machine" is something we all probably need to do to one degree or another.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-46661402479654402802008-01-10T19:02:00.000-05:002008-01-10T19:02:00.000-05:00EricNo big deal about the prior comment. Thanks f...Eric<BR/><BR/>No big deal about the prior comment. Thanks for the add. I think the thoughts you have about thinking about church were spot on. I think the more we focus on giving glory to God we will find that we are less inclined to think about ourselves and our preferences.Joe Blackmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609279285784683781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-11553224066198556842008-01-10T14:58:00.000-05:002008-01-10T14:58:00.000-05:00I just wanted to let you know that I linked this a...I just wanted to let you know that I linked this article from my latest post: The E Word.<BR/><BR/>I really think that we have made the church concept way to complicated and I have been part of the machine. I am trying to get off of it.Thoughts From Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11658741692973255432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-59279806558931960162008-01-10T00:28:00.000-05:002008-01-10T00:28:00.000-05:00Joe,I had to post your comment briefly in order to...Joe,<BR/><BR/>I had to post your comment briefly in order to figure out how to get to your blog. After I found it, I deleted the comment.<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to reading your blog. It is always good when people blog through scripture such as you are doing.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-56070518365409993832008-01-09T23:14:00.000-05:002008-01-09T23:14:00.000-05:00Brian, I like your statement because it sounds act...Brian, <BR/><BR/>I like your statement because it sounds active. Also, it focuses on Christ and the needs of others.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-16474890564432788272008-01-09T23:11:00.000-05:002008-01-09T23:11:00.000-05:00Rhea,You are correct in pointing out this problem....Rhea,<BR/><BR/>You are correct in pointing out this problem. Most churches have it all backwards. They act as if people get saved while the church gathers. <BR/><BR/>In the bible, as you say, the church gathers for edification and encouragement, and then goes forth into the world to proclaim the gospel.<BR/><BR/>We can try to change this by speaking the truth and then living it out.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your input.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-24357337029488534152008-01-09T23:07:00.000-05:002008-01-09T23:07:00.000-05:00Jeff,Thanks for your kind words. If you have any ...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your kind words. If you have any feedback or ideas about the church, please let me know.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-83083158598239597362008-01-09T23:06:00.000-05:002008-01-09T23:06:00.000-05:00Alan,Thanks for those two verses. They really spe...Alan,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for those two verses. They really speak to the heart of this issue. Thanks also for your encouragement.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-43181188148498826502008-01-09T15:01:00.000-05:002008-01-09T15:01:00.000-05:00It is still in process since we've only been here ...It is still in process since we've only been here three months so far, but visit our church website and let me know what you think of the mission statement: www.grandcayonassembly.orgBrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11912653730884160224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-90086867719525820002008-01-09T14:07:00.000-05:002008-01-09T14:07:00.000-05:00Regarding the purpose of church, I've noticed some...Regarding the purpose of church, I've noticed something recently that I think is a bad trend among many churches. I'd like to start off by saying that I think that the churches that are doing this are VERY well meaning....they're trying to do what they think is right, but I think that ultimately when you look at scripture, they're missing the boat.<BR/><BR/>What I'm talking about is churches that seem to think that the entire Sunday morning meeting is all about lost people coming to church and getting saved. I don't know of any scriptural basis for this. What I see in the NT is believers (the church) gathering together....when they do, they exhort each other....they encourage each other....they correct each other when necessary. The point of them meeting is to help the BELIEVERS, not see lost people come to faith in Jesus. When I read the NT, I see that the believers WENT OUT and preached the good news. The Book of Acts has believers going out telling everyone and their Grandmother about Jesus.<BR/><BR/>I think that so many times Sunday morning meetings have become all about lost people coming to faith in Jesus b/c MOST Christians are not "going out" and sharing their faith. Most Christians expect their pastor/preacher to do all the work. Most Christians don't seem to want to do anything more than invite their neighbor to church with them, if even that. Now, why is this? I think that part of the reason is something that you mentioned in your last post regarding doctrine. Too many people who claim to be Christians simple do not know anything about Christianity....they are so ignorant of what the Bible says about EVERYTHING, that they feel unable to share their faith with others (and in truth, they probably ARE unable).00https://www.blogger.com/profile/05537409519473805118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-55775551640493402382008-01-09T13:41:00.000-05:002008-01-09T13:41:00.000-05:00Have a great trip. I am looking forward to dwellin...Have a great trip. I am looking forward to dwelling through your blog and learning from you through some of your insights.Thoughts From Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11658741692973255432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-52595399503999438322008-01-09T10:50:00.000-05:002008-01-09T10:50:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Joe Blackmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609279285784683781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354626964012460623.post-1160706466601906792008-01-09T09:56:00.000-05:002008-01-09T09:56:00.000-05:00Eric,You said: "Regularly remind the body that the...Eric,<BR/><BR/>You said: "Regularly remind the body that the vision is accomplished most readily when the body lives out the 'one-anothers' stated in the bible." I agree with this statement completely. However, I know many who believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God, but they disagree with this statement. However, I think 1 Peter 4:10-11 speaks specifically to this issue: God is glorified when we serve one another.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for another great post!<BR/><BR/>-AlanAlan Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.com