Yesterday we went to two churches - mother and daughter. The daughter, currently about 100 in attendance, was an interesting mix of casual and formal. The pastor spoke on the paradox of God choosing us even as we are called to choose him. (Very reformed.)
This church, which I thought was emerging (more on that later) was, by the pastor's definition missional (more on that too in coming blogs). The service was similar to our 947 but quieter and brighter. They even did communion in the same way.
The mother church was about our size, had two services, one very formal the other a blend. This particular blend seemed to be in conflict with itself. So which one was better. In both, the people were worshiping. In both they were fellowshipping. (The daughter church encouraged everyone to stay for coffee and doughnuts, the mother church encouraged folks to stay for water ice.) Perhaps the biggest difference was the message, it was really much more biblically based in the daughter church. But that had very little to do with style. Now I am prejudiced, but I suspect the key to worship, at least for me, is just that - faithfully hearing from God.
About Me
- Pastor Bob
- I am the senior pastor of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Sinking Spring, PA.
Number
Journey to the Promised Land
8 comments:
PB wrote: "The pastor spoke on the paradox of God choosing us even as we are called to choose him. (Very reformed.)"
Isn't the idea of the paradox between God's sovereignty and our choice actually a very balanced view rather than a reformed view?
Bob, you got to watch out for her.
Good catch Nan.
Hi, Pastor Bob,
I don;t hav emuch experience with Blog spots, so I checked your sight. Thanks fo rhte updates. This gives a good instight to what you are thinking about.
Christar has 25 new candidates, and also 11 who are almost ready to go to the field (some raised support in less than 6 months and were at new personnel orientation in January 2007.
wow! Pastor Bob Sloan has a blog spot! How cool is that?! Its actually a great idea. Wonder why I didn't think of this first? Next on the list, we have to get you on myspace. "Everyone's doing it!" No pressure though.
Sounds like you are having an incredible summer. Of course Nan is going to be watching your words. Don't worry, I'm not that educated...yet. Have a great week.
Wow!! Nan was right! This isn't so hard typing on someone's blog! My kids will be so impressed I am entering the 21st century!
Anyway, I look forward to hearing more about what God is showing you Pastor Bob, as you visit different places where God is working. I am excited to see what He will do with the Biblical info that you learn at Calvary. I really like the setting at Rob's where people feel accepted and loved unconditionally. Reminds me of the house churches talked about in the early New Testament!
Hey Nan, i really need you to edit.
The Pastor is a student at Biblical under our favorite theology prof. and considered this his Barth sermon. Regarding his previous sermon, I haven't heard it. Good guy, planning to get together for more conversation sometime soon.
Nah--you don't need any editing. This is a blog, and you're doing fantastic.
Any thoughts about the emerging church in among mainline groups? Does it exist? How is it different from those that come from more evangelical backgrounds?
Emerging and mainline - I'll get to that I suppose later. But since you asked, it seems when this trend began it was evangelical. The move toward Barth and a more culturally directed interpretation of scripture - ie. it can mean anything it all depends on the culture (may be overstated) opened the door for the mainline churches. For some it removed the division that was created during the fundamentalist /modernist controversies back in the 1920's.
I have heard it said - Dave Dunbar I think - that today the movement is about 50/50 evangelicals and mainline.
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