Monthly Archives: May 2007

I Snapped

Posted on by
32

I don't have very high standards and I hate moderating the comments on this blog, but I just deleted all of Scheindt1's comments and categorized his future comments as spam.

I know some people loved arguing with him, and if the community here thinks I did the wrong thing, then I'll let him back on. But to me, he was hijacking every thread with annoying, harrassing comments, and I couldn't take it anymore.

I don't mind the occassional troll here and there, but I was beginning to think this guy was ruining every single discussion.

What do you all think? Good idea or bad?

Congratulations CCS

Posted on by
22

This is from CBC's bulletin from April 29th:

We are pleased to announce that our own City Christian School has received accreditation from the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. This is the highest level of accreditation possible in the Northwest and we want to thank our principal Ed Mason and his staff for all their hard work to make this possible.

I can't imagine this was a very easy task to accomplish. I know when I attended the school it seemed they were a long way away from accreditation. So, congratulations Principal Mason and company, you have done a great thing.

I do wonder now…does that mean a CCHS diploma is now worth more than a PBC degree?

Regardless…good job City Christian Schools.

Woe Frankie

Posted on by
42

I've been thinking about the often-asked question:

How many people have you led to Christ?

And I started to wonder what the Bible says about leading people to Christ. Admittedly, I have not done any book studies on the subject, nor have I taken a class on it, but I can't seem to think of any instances where the Bible gives out special kudos to individual people for leading others to Christ. From my limited understanding the "Scripture" says something more along the line of:

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." I Corinthians 3:6-7

So, if those that "lead people to Christ" (plant and water the seed) are nothing according to the Bible why the big ta-da in Christian circles today? If "leading" were that important, shouldn't there be a scripture saying:

These are the special children of God for they have done my work:

Luke from Cyprus for leading 15 unto the Lord…

Stephen from Jerusalem for bringing forth 207 unto the Lord…

and Ed from Lower Manhattan for scaring 10,000 upon the alter of thy God…

but it doesn't say that does it? No, it says they are nothing. Nothing. All that hard work and the Apostle Paul just goes and ruins it. "You are nothing"…actually he said "I am nothing"…such humility…he wouldn't make much of an apostle today, would he?

I can, however, come up with Scriptures that discuss individual people leading others away from Christ.

Scriptures such as: Mathew 23:15

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

So, I wonder…what is the big deal with "leading people to Christ"? Shouldn't the real question be "How many people have you led AWAY from Christ"?

Does anyone want us to start a list of people that the pastors of City Bible Church and The City Church Seattle have led away from Christ???

Just Thinking.

I prefer Mr. It

Posted on by
12

David Mackin submits the following:

Feeling like an "It" in Church…  
 
Does your Christian community make you feel like a real person (a "You"),  or does it make you feel like an object (an "It")? Do you feel like you are able to encounter the leaders of your community in an "I-You" (or, "I-thou") relationship, or do you feel that your relationship with them is more like an "I-it" kind of relationship with them being the "I" and you being the "It?"
 
The grace of Jesus has called us to experience the satisfaction of enjoying an "I-You" relationship with God by removing all intermediaries. He has also graced every Christian with the opportunity of experiencing a fulfilling "I-You" relationship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. When Christians are in an "I-it" kind of relation, however, they feel like an object; something used, manipulated, spoken-down to, or controlled. But, when they're in healthy and fulfilling "I-You" relations, they feel like they can be themselves and express their thoughts, feelings and even their questions. In an "I-You" relationship, the people are not treated as external objects; they are treated as real persons in whom the Spirit of God dwells.  In your own Christian experience, which of the following "Its" have you ever felt like – in or out of the IC? (For more on "I-You" and "I-It" relationships, see the book: I and Thou by Martin Buber.)
 
I am the paid minister…You are the tither.
 
I am the leader…You are the member.
 
I am the organizer…You are the attendee.
 
I am the bishop…You are the non-questioner.
 
I am the ruler… You are the follower.
 
I am the head…You are the support.
 
I am the teacher…You are the pupil.
 
I am the builder…You are the brick.  
 
I am the star…You are the trophy.
 
I am the speaker…You are the listener.
 
I am the worship leader…You are the hand-clapper.
 
I am the preacher…You are the audience.
 
I am the simulcast screen…You are the chair.