tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377389819561437536.post1933625826945998408..comments2024-02-16T14:58:44.970-05:00Comments on I'd Laugh...But All This Happened To Me!: Two Churches, Two PathsCJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608764007763442455noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377389819561437536.post-83373920939446273532013-11-13T21:14:24.709-05:002013-11-13T21:14:24.709-05:00Thanks for your input and insights old friend. All...Thanks for your input and insights old friend. All your points are valid. However I seriously don't know the pastor's political views. Which I suppose means I don't know that I disagree with them. And that does help.CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03608764007763442455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377389819561437536.post-44434581464002704652013-11-13T20:50:59.785-05:002013-11-13T20:50:59.785-05:00For some reason I feel like weighing in...
1) In ...For some reason I feel like weighing in...<br /><br />1) In defense of the other church, we simply don't know what critical junctures may have happened along the way to derail numerical growth. We also know little about the spiritual vitality of the small congregation.<br /><br />2) Not having a denominational label is, for a set of complicated reasons that are hard to disentangle, obviously an asset. For a perspective on this, though, I recommend this blog post on why so many of the 100 largest UMC congregations "shun Methodism:" http://hackingchristianity.net/2013/07/why-do-the-top-100-umcs-shun-methodism.html<br /><br />3) I think there is tremendous value in churches having long-tenured pastors. The UM itinerant system is full of real problems. But the flip side of long-tenured pastors at the most "successful" churches is that the churches use their clout in the conference to keep their pastor there, and it turns out that some (some, not all) of the most talented, dynamic, and capable pastors share their gifts and graces with the largest and wealthiest congregations, while other churches who could benefit from the leadership of some of these "top" pastors simply never get an opportunity to have one of these pastors.<br /><br />4) I would bet a lot of money that your pastor shares your political views. Almost without exception, my experience in this area tells me that when people say "I don't know my pastor's politics," they mean "my pastor (mostly) shares my politics." When a pastor shares a parishioner's politics, the parishioner says, "S/he isn't political, s/he just preaches Jesus." But when the pastor's politics differ, the parishioner complains, "My pastor is too political." Not saying there's anything inherently good or bad about this, but in my experience it rings true. If your pastor had political views that were mostly different from your own, especially given how long s/he has been there, you'd know it.<br /><br />Just a few thoughts. Enjoyed reading about this. Saw a tweet from Bishop Carter expressing joy at this church's flourishing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15050790418399919111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377389819561437536.post-27199319414257264672013-11-13T10:18:54.906-05:002013-11-13T10:18:54.906-05:00Thankful for that too, and praying that you will f...Thankful for that too, and praying that you will find a church home that puts Jesus first!CJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03608764007763442455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377389819561437536.post-65430987645260357432013-11-13T09:47:58.074-05:002013-11-13T09:47:58.074-05:00WOW!! Really wish there was a Church #2 near me....WOW!! Really wish there was a Church #2 near me. Many of the general issues that you speak about has kept me from attending a regular service. Thankful that Jesus is in my heart!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com