Comments for Holy Soup

Comment on 5 Keys to Share Faith–Without Being a Jerk by Larry Shallenberger

Larry Shallenberger — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:31:47 +0000

God Space is a fantastic book. The appendix of questions that build faith-building conversations is worth the price of the book.

Comment on 5 Keys to Share Faith–Without Being a Jerk by Rob Nedbalek

Rob Nedbalek — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:09:40 +0000

Thom,
Years ago, at the seminary, they allowed me to write a J-term class with a couple of friends. It was intended to be a cross cultural immersion type of experience. We set about being “Christian” friends to people from what were deemed, by DHS, to be needy families/individuals who had also indicated that they were unchurched. I remain convinced that REAL Evangelization efforts take place, not between those “preaching” and those being “Preached AT”, but between friends.
Robby

Comment on 5 Keys to Share Faith–Without Being a Jerk by Rob

Rob — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:57:30 +0000

Very well said Thom. You are spot on. It is so much more effective when it comes out of a natural conversation that God has provided for us. Your idea of allowing environments for people to learn to swim is excellent. Thanks again!

Comment on 5 Keys to Share Faith–Without Being a Jerk by Cheri Gabriel

Cheri Gabriel — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:58:45 +0000

Absolutely right on piece! I just had a conversation with a friend in ministry and we talked about how it’s “preached” to go out and share your faith with others but what does that really mean? What does that look like? I have personally had more conversations about God in coffee shops than anywhere else and those moments have impacted my life and the lives of the people who have asked the questions.

Comment on 5 Wishes for Worship by Bratsmom

Bratsmom — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:18:57 +0000

I do wish we would always siing, Just As I Am as the invitational song. Trying to sing a song we don’t know well, is distrating. To me, not a time to be looking for the right note to sing, but to be reverent or prayerful for those who might be dealing with the Holy Spirit.

Comment on Anti-Missional Language by rhysharper

rhysharper — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:39:46 +0000

Oh my gosh… “Christianese!” I love it!

My personal pet peeve: “the churched” or “the unchurched.”

I know I’m a little late to the game, but I stumbled across this and had to add it to the list. Hah.

Comment on Selling the Church to a Skeptical Public by Sherry

Sherry — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:50:44 +0000

It’s always a fine line between wanting excellence and getting out there and just loving people into relationship with Jesus. It’s not wrong to advertise if you are also willing to spend the time and do the work. Ads can be slick, but let’s face it: people and relationships are kind of messy. So, let them know who and where you are, but be prepared to get into relating to them (with love and care) when they come. Loved people will come back for more and will eventually love the One that you love.

Comment on Selling the Church to a Skeptical Public by Rob

Rob — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

Thanks again Thom,

The first step to making sure that our churches line up with what we broadcast to the world is making sure that our personal lives as leaders lines up with what we preach. This is my first challenge.

Thanks again,

Rob

Comment on Selling the Church to a Skeptical Public by Rob

Rob — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:27:34 +0000

Hello Brenda,

WOW!! How many pastors do you know and how long have you had this chip?

Rob

Comment on Selling the Church to a Skeptical Public by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:31:04 +0000

Amen! The last church I served I tried warning against this very thing: “the ad campaigns’ dreamy images don’t resemble what the people actually find at First Church on the corner. So they don’t return.” What I kept emphasizing is that we needed to work on building leaders and discipleship, but since the church had success with a particular person who led previous churchwide campaigns, the same old tack was used, hoping for the success of previous years. Some people have to go down the same old paths to find out that what may have worked 10 or 20 years ago, doesn’t work anymore since times change and so do people. A slick ad campaign won’t get it, if you’re not authentic and not presenting an authentic picture of your church.