tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post7767343548433184510..comments2023-11-16T00:38:23.751-08:00Comments on Stand Firm: A Church DividedScott Diekmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227142854778319475noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post-65859206216124435162010-02-07T01:58:44.472-08:002010-02-07T01:58:44.472-08:00How to "grow" a church? People wrestle ...How to "grow" a church? People wrestle with that question all the time. I wonder if it's really the correct question to ask, since we aren't the ones responsible for growing the Church!Scott Diekmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227142854778319475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post-50960887352594970952010-02-06T19:20:36.928-08:002010-02-06T19:20:36.928-08:00I see Dr. Hunter earned a degree from Fuller Theol...I see Dr. Hunter earned a degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, with a Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth.<br /><br />And if the church service at St. John resembles a typical service at that non-denominational church down the street, then what would motivate a non-denominational church member to visit St. Johns. He is already getting his needs met by staying put. Does traditional Lutheran doctrine also get discarded with the introduction of contemporary services.<br /><br />I don't get it. Are contemporary services the only way to "grow" a church. Can a church grow without allowing coffee in the sanctuary, light shows, praise bands in place of the altar, and video clips on the jumbo screen? Has anyone ever tried church growth methods without having to abandon the LSB in whole or in part?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post-66245194419643885062010-02-04T22:55:30.667-08:002010-02-04T22:55:30.667-08:00I didn't see that St. John's is an Ablaze!...I didn't see that St. John's is an Ablaze! church, at least not as far as mentioning it is concerned. If you'll go to the LCMS church locator page though, you'll find that Dr. Kent Hunter is a member of their staff:<br />http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/locators/nchurches/c_detail.asp?C471400Scott Diekmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227142854778319475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post-79292241270975206792010-02-02T18:24:03.192-08:002010-02-02T18:24:03.192-08:00What are the LCMS seminaries teaching their studen...What are the LCMS seminaries teaching their students? Is St. John an ABLAZE! church, by any chance? Spiritual junk food?<br /><br />Why do so many traditional LCMS churches appear to be losing members. Is the lure of contemporary worship services at other denominations in town simply irresistible? Do such people become good, faithful, lifelong members at their new church home, or are they just "passing through."<br /><br />Why do non-denominational "mega-churches" appear to be doing so well. What are the long-term survival prospects of a church that relies on contemporary worship services in order to draw the crowds? Is such growth sustainable?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728845570179741211.post-18392129015723069492010-02-02T10:24:18.511-08:002010-02-02T10:24:18.511-08:00This is called a throw-away hymn/song. It will hav...This is called a throw-away hymn/song. It will have a perceived relevance and usefulness all the way up until the day of the Superbowl and then it will die an appropriate death--to be left on the dust heap of "modern" CGM hymnody.<br />Contrast this song with the hymn "Of The Father's Love begotten" (LSB 384) written by Aurelius Prudentius Clemens in the latter part of the 4th century. Real Lutherans still sing this hymn today around Christmas and beyond. It was written in response to heretical Arian hymns that were teaching a false Christology to the Christian saints of that day. Our fight against principalities and powers continues--and we do it with solid biblical theology taught in Bible classes, preached from pulpits and sung from the pew and in the home.<br />To understand how solid Lutheran hymnody kept Lutherans firm in the faith despite catholic persecution, you can read Christopher Boyd Brown's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Gospel-Lutheran-Reformation-Historical/dp/0674017056/" rel="nofollow">Singing the Gospel: Lutheran Hymns and the Success of the Reformation</a>. Read that book and your singing and listening to those theologically shallow songs will never be the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com