Comments for Holy Soup

Comment on How Church Makes People Happy (It’s Not What You Think) by Rob

Rob — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32:53 +0000

I think you are right on when it comes to relationships making a real impact. I am a little concerned though when it comes to conversations in the service. I have been involved in the shaking hands bit occasionally and find that some people don’t want to be engaged at all but much prefer to just be left alone. There are a certain number of fringe people that are very happy to just be ld something like this scare them away? Otherwise I like what you said.

Thanks Thom,

Rob

Comment on How Church Makes People Happy (It’s Not What You Think) by Pat Pope

Pat Pope — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:14:18 +0000

“Provide times–during the worship hour–for meaningful conversation. Let people talk with one another about how God is working in their lives. Pose thoughtful questions for people to respond to with two or three others around them. Encourage interaction”

And encourage people to get out of their cliques and actually meet some new people. Cliques are one of the pitfalls and downfalls of some churches. And when those cliques spill over into leadership, it’s even worse. If not careful, some people will turn their local church into little more than a social club, which ultimately alienates people.

Comment on How Church Makes People Happy (It’s Not What You Think) by TC Avey

TC Avey — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:55:36 +0000

I have to admit, I don’t like the 60 seconds of “meet and greet”. for one, it’s not enough time to actually do anything noteworthy and for two, most people sit in the same pews and only shake the hands of those around them- people they already know.

Comment on How Church Makes People Happy (It’s Not What You Think) by rosie4949

rosie4949 — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:51:38 +0000

Great blog , thanks for sharing

Comment on No Time for God by TC Avey

TC Avey — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:03:34 +0000

Found your blog through Wednesday’s Rambling Round Up.

I’m glad you brought up this important topic- over the years I’ve noticed churches scheduling everything and leaving little time for God to move! It’s sad and this issue needs to be addressed.

Comment on The Trouble With Youth Ministry by Keck

Keck — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:41:27 +0000

Tom,

Insightful and true. I just returned from a confirmation retreat with 12 youth. I introduced them to the practice of Care Cards which I learned at Group Workcamps. We connected this to Jesus Christ and his loving relationship with us. They really seemed to understand this. Building and strengthening relationships to each other and God are absolutely essential.

Another item I would like to add is the concept of eco-systems. A lot has been made of the Apple eco-system and how consumers “live” inside the suite of products that Apple creates and relationally integrates. It is a unified experience which reinforces the connection of the consumer to Apple. If we turn this thinking toward faith communities we see that they have historically created cultural eco-systems that reinforces connections and relationships, resulting in a distinct “environment”.

I believe that our youth live in a radically different “eco-system” than that of the traditional church. It is not that they are “lossing their religion” as much as “lossing their eco-system”. In exile the Israelites created their own eco-system to build and sustain their community and faith. Minority groups have always had to create their own eco-systems.

For generations, Protestant Americans have depended upon a generally reinforcing cultural eco-system. As it disappears what is the church to do? Relationships are built and sustained by reinforcing eco-systems. Personally, I believe that the problem with youth and adults leaving all faith communities is due to a loss of relationship building eco-systems.

When youth leave the church after high school, how do they retain their faith in a foreign land (i.e., eco-system)?

Comment on No Time for God by Sheila Halasz

Sheila Halasz — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:33:31 +0000

Five minutes after I read your article, I stopped to get some fuel. I was trying to spend a few moments at the fuel pump in silence. The darn pump started talking to me with a video screen. It must have been much easier for Jesus to find places to be silent.
Even if we try and plan quiet God time, we can be overcome by 2012.

Comment on No Time for God by Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:30:24 +0000

There are times when I pray that I sense the Holy Spirit telling me “hush…” In the quiet moment that follows, I’m overwhelmed with His embrace and I remain still, knowing that all of me is under his tender care.

Comment on No Time for God by Johnie

Johnie — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:52:21 +0000

This reminds me of the YWAM teams and their wonderful testimonials of answered prayers and specific guidance. Thanks for reminding me to stop and WAIT on God

Comment on No Time for God by Thom Schultz

Thom Schultz — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:25:15 +0000

Great insight, Pat. People are unaccustomed to listening for God. It’s important to prepare them. We need to help them get comfortable, clear their minds, get quiet, and “be still and know that I am God.” Then we need to help them be open to however the Holy Spirit may interact. He may send a thought, a word, a phrase, a picture, a nudge. Or, he may send nothing at all at that time–and that’s okay too. Then we need to help people know what to do with a communication from God.