Missional Churches Redefining Original Definition

amyline »

Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:31 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Here, here, Jessephillips! I´m frustrated to find this article did nothing more than blow out of proportion an unnamed church´s over-eager use of baptism. Where's the proof across the board? And why are we worried about this in the first place. Somebody, somewhere is going to misuse a term or practice of the church, it happens to Jesus All The Time. Let's spend more time getting our churches to actually BE more organically missional than worrying about who's using our terminology.

Should Evangelicals Embrace Barack Obama?

amyline »

Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:21 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Karla, can I first say thank you for sharing your story. It broke my heart and I pray that God is healing yours.

Second of all, I got excited when I saw the title of the article because I am an evanglical wondering if Barack Obama should be my candidate of choice. Unfortunately, this article didn't offer much in the way of reasoned argument. Instead I was amazed at the exaggeration and inflammatory statements that Dr. Beam's used to try and deter us from Obama, instead of reasoning through the issues. Why call Obama a "nightmare" or declare his "entire movement" to be based on "emotion and adrenaline". These are obviously not completely true statements, and because Dr. Beam chose to mix what could be a kernal of truth with exageration and emotion, I'm turned off by his arguments. Suggesting that Obama has something in common with a snake-oil salesman or guru? That's just name calling. In fact your level of rude just makes me desire a gentleman's politics even more. If we don't have that to offer, why call ourselves Christians?

I did like the comparison to the Beatles, because that analogy has a nice surprise ending--they were the best band ever! Perhaps you are actually prophecying that Obama will turn out to the be real thing! But comparing Obama to Marx and Castro, which you insinuated by saying his "change" might turn out to be their kind of "change", is a silly, fearmongering, low blow.

Dr. Beam says that "Yet, some Evangelicals are flocking to Obama as if he the words he speaks are on par with Holy Writ." Again, how rude! I am guessing that he is simply trying to say some evangelicals are attracted to Obama, yet he denigrates our interest in Obama by exaggerating our response. Of course I do not believe Obama's words are on par with the Bible. Who would ever believe that? Can Dr. Beam make a point without attacking the person he are trying to convince? If not, then maybe political apologetics isn't the best fit for him.

Unfortunately the points he did try to make without offensive rhetoric, that Obama voted for an anti-hate crimes bill (like I would!) and against the death tax (again I agree) and border-security legislation to help with immigrant reform (the only Christlike option in my book)...well these all make me feel like perhaps Obama IS my candidate.

So perhaps I'm not the person you are writing to convince (although I am an evangelical Christian), but if you do feel it is your role to help me think through these issues, I'd appreciate a real article with real reasoning instead of this radio-talk-show-host-like hype. Then we could actually hear your concerns and make an informed decision.

Republicans Continue to Search for a Soul

amyline »

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:44 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

BECAUSE...I am a moral conservative who is NOT OPPOSED "to big government and big taxes;" I DON'T believe we are handling "border security and the enforcement of immigration laws" correctly"; I think the Republican party should stop boasting of having "Evangelicals at its base" and the only way I will vote Republican in November is IF you DO "anoint Senator John McCain as [your] standard bearer". Because you and I are so different and we both belong to the Republican party (or at least I used to) is why.

More Evangelicals Value Lent Disciplines

amyline »

Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:37 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

It's nice to hear reporting on this, as I've been observing Advent, Lent and the Easter vigil for years as a run-of-the-mill follower of Christ, but Iusually have to seek out an Episcopalian (at least) church. :) Rev. McGregor's comment jumped out at me as part of the reason some my shy away from ritual: Someone like myself does not believe there is a division between the Word and ritual. If there were, I would choose the Word and not the ritual. But my experience is that, with wisdom and God's guidance, "rituals", like the one we are discussing here, dig us deeper into the Word. Experiencing with all of my senses the heartbreaking ritual of Ash Wednesday and bathing in penitential Scripture, brings me closer to Christ's grief over my sin, sadness at the approaching offering of His life 2,000 years ago, and a richer appreciation of God's free gift of life and love and grace. You might want to find an evangelical church doing this "ritual" so you aren't offended by other doctrinal issues, but I encourage you to look for one!