Comments on: The Reluctant Christian http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/ let's activate something Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:14:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Wayne Loper http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-15082 Wayne Loper Mon, 12 May 2008 16:01:52 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-15082 I am interested in locating the entire article quoted by Simon on Feb. 16. I have part of a handwritten copy that is faded and would much like to locate the original source. I am interested in locating the entire article quoted by Simon on Feb. 16. I have part of a handwritten copy that is faded and would much like to locate the original source.

]]> By: Jason J http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-11275 Jason J Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:48:58 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-11275 My wife and I moved out of Bmore 2 years ago to help take care of her mother and we have missed it ever since. We are feeling called to move back there (or possibly to Philly since she's a native there) We are looking into moving into Christian community somewhere in West Baltimore, but I don't really even know where to start. Hopefully our paths can cross sometime in the future. My wife and I moved out of Bmore 2 years ago to help take care of her mother and we have missed it ever since. We are feeling called to move back there (or possibly to Philly since she’s a native there)

We are looking into moving into Christian community somewhere in West Baltimore, but I don’t really even know where to start. Hopefully our paths can cross sometime in the future.

]]> By: The Unexpected Pastor (To Be) » Young Anabaptist Radicals http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-10202 The Unexpected Pastor (To Be) » Young Anabaptist Radicals Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:54:49 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-10202 [...] So recently YAR has had introductions from the The Reluctant Christian and The Impossible Anabaptist. So in the spirit of things, allow me to introduce myself as The Unexpected Pastor (To Be). I say “unexpected” because I never expected that I eventually would work on my MDiv at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. I never expected that I would want to be pastor. And in the darkest days of my disbelief and disorientation, I never thought I would want to be a Christian. However, since I graduated from Goshen College six years ago, I’ve had these quiet tugs pull me into this direction. Is this God? Is this insanity? Is this proof that God has a sense of humor? [...] […] So recently YAR has had introductions from the The Reluctant Christian and The Impossible Anabaptist. So in the spirit of things, allow me to introduce myself as The Unexpected Pastor (To Be). I say “unexpected” because I never expected that I eventually would work on my MDiv at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. I never expected that I would want to be pastor. And in the darkest days of my disbelief and disorientation, I never thought I would want to be a Christian. However, since I graduated from Goshen College six years ago, I’ve had these quiet tugs pull me into this direction. Is this God? Is this insanity? Is this proof that God has a sense of humor? […]

]]> By: Somasoul http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9938 Somasoul Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:47:43 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9938 .on my cell........ simon. i think you have a point. i dont want to be critical of the church. for too long i have been asking "what are we doing wrong?". instead i should be asking "what are we doing right?" thats a less critical outlook. j.....ill try to make it out sometime. .on my cell……..

simon. i think you have a point. i dont want to be critical of the church. for too long i have been asking “what are we doing wrong?”. instead i should be asking “what are we doing right?” thats a less critical outlook. j…..ill try to make it out sometime.

]]> By: jdaniel http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9908 jdaniel Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:00:44 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9908 hey! i live in baltimore city too. you should come to a coffee house we have on saturday mornings (9-12) at <a rel="nofollow" title="ANFC" href="http://members.tripod.com/anewfaithcommunity/" rel="nofollow">A New Faith Community</a> (unfortunately the info on the site is not all up to date, but the address is correct). hey! i live in baltimore city too. you should come to a coffee house we have on saturday mornings (9-12) at A New Faith Community (unfortunately the info on the site is not all up to date, but the address is correct).

]]> By: simon http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9846 simon Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:15:29 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9846 Here is a very good reading I came across recently- quote " If You don't become a reconciler of the lost, you will become an evaluator of the saved.There is something inherent in our new nature that wants to see people get right with God, and if we don't direct it at the lost, we will direct it at the saved.Than, instead of pusuing sinners, we will spen our time policing the saints." unquote.I think thats why we tend to fight so much in churches, we aren't busy enough reaching out to the lost. Here is a very good reading I came across recently- quote ” If You don’t become a reconciler of the lost, you will become an evaluator of the saved.There is something inherent in our new nature that wants to see people get right with God, and if we don’t direct it at the lost, we will direct it at the saved.Than, instead of pusuing sinners, we will spen our time policing the saints.” unquote.I think thats why we tend to fight so much in churches, we aren’t busy enough reaching out to the lost.

]]> By: somasoul http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9800 somasoul Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:43:12 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9800 "Love the one you're with" Now that, sir, is cheesy. “Love the one you’re with”

Now that, sir, is cheesy.

]]> By: SteveK http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9798 SteveK Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:18:19 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9798 It's only cheesy because it so true of all of us. I didn't think you were looking for the perfect church. but sometimes we need to "love the one you're with". STeve K It’s only cheesy because it so true of all of us.

I didn’t think you were looking for the perfect church. but sometimes we need to “love the one you’re with”.

STeve K

]]> By: somasoul http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9770 somasoul Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:59:28 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9770 Dan, Mennonites are starting to get into some heavy church planting. They want to grow. My fear is losing the cultural and spiritual identity they've held for so long. Steve, Sorry if I sounded like I don't want things more than I want things in a church. I don't believe that to be the case. I think there are many things I want in church. And it may sound cheesy but if there was a perfect church I wouldn't be allowed to go. Dan,

Mennonites are starting to get into some heavy church planting. They want to grow. My fear is losing the cultural and spiritual identity they’ve held for so long.

Steve,

Sorry if I sounded like I don’t want things more than I want things in a church. I don’t believe that to be the case. I think there are many things I want in church. And it may sound cheesy but if there was a perfect church I wouldn’t be allowed to go.

]]> By: Daniel http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9719 Daniel Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:36:02 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9719 We do seem to run into each other many different places don't we? Believe it or not I have talked to the Virginia Mennonites about planting a church here in Richmond for a while now. Since then we've connected with another already started church and are still in communication with the Mennonites about possible affiliations. Small world. We do seem to run into each other many different places don’t we?

Believe it or not I have talked to the Virginia Mennonites about planting a church here in Richmond for a while now. Since then we’ve connected with another already started church and are still in communication with the Mennonites about possible affiliations. Small world.

]]> By: SteveK http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9707 SteveK Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:38:55 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9707 Wow. Scary looking ostrich. Welcome! It is always possible to begin a new congregation, but two pieces of advics: a. It is not enough to know what you DON'T want in a congregation, you also have to see what you do want. What would be ideal in your congregation? What do you want to see, both spiritually and culturally? And how would you acheive it? b. You also have to recognize that no congregation is perfect, and almost every congregation has both those who are only superficially following Jesus and those who are seriously following Jesus in their own way. Sometimes we have to look hard for those truly following Jesus, but they are there. Jesus has left a witness among them. Every congregation has cultural blindness to some cultual sins, as well. But if God has called you to a congregation, then He has called you to find a way to gently communicate the failings you see and He has called you to listen to others when they show you your failings. That's part of what fellowship is about. Steve K Wow. Scary looking ostrich.

Welcome!

It is always possible to begin a new congregation, but two pieces of advics:

a. It is not enough to know what you DON’T want in a congregation, you also have to see what you do want. What would be ideal in your congregation? What do you want to see, both spiritually and culturally? And how would you acheive it?

b. You also have to recognize that no congregation is perfect, and almost every congregation has both those who are only superficially following Jesus and those who are seriously following Jesus in their own way. Sometimes we have to look hard for those truly following Jesus, but they are there. Jesus has left a witness among them. Every congregation has cultural blindness to some cultual sins, as well. But if God has called you to a congregation, then He has called you to find a way to gently communicate the failings you see and He has called you to listen to others when they show you your failings. That’s part of what fellowship is about.

Steve K

]]> By: Rhonna http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9645 Rhonna Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:52:05 +0000 http://young.anabaptistradicals.org/2008/02/13/the-reluctant-christian/#comment-9645 I was also turned off for many years by the power struggles in churches. The primary problem with churches is that they are filled with human beings. We're all flawed. I'm not sure I have an answer for you, but when we are frustrated with other Christians I think it's healthy to wonder in what ways we, ourselves, are frustrating and grant others the grace that we would hope they would give to us. My pastor had a great sermon a few weeks ago on the subject. Click on the following link and choose Jan 13. Best wishes on your journey. http://www.manhattan.ks.us.mennonite.net/Worship I was also turned off for many years by the power struggles in churches. The primary problem with churches is that they are filled with human beings. We’re all flawed. I’m not sure I have an answer for you, but when we are frustrated with other Christians I think it’s healthy to wonder in what ways we, ourselves, are frustrating and grant others the grace that we would hope they would give to us. My pastor had a great sermon a few weeks ago on the subject. Click on the following link and choose Jan 13. Best wishes on your journey. http://www.manhattan.ks.us.mennonite.net/Worship

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