Comments on: The Condition of the Church in America - Key Statistics http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/ where God's previous working meets our present response Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:35:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Steve http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1238 Steve Mon, 26 May 2008 15:16:23 +0000 http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1238 I think it's way overboard to say our decline is because the church is "totally without biblical basis." The church has always been incarnational, "Word made flesh," the mysterious presence of the Body of Christ in a cultural situation. On the other hand, what I found most promising about the statistics is it causes you to see the declining numbers of a denomination in a larger light. It is not enough to ask what we should do to turn around decline of the Methodist church. That is small thinking, because no answer about our decline will be thoughtful unless it explains why ALL mainline denominations are declining in number. Perhaps Larry is right, though, in that this could mean we are heading toward a crisis that is in effect taking up the cross, letting aspects of our institutionality die in order to be reborn. I often say the only uniquely Christian form of transformation involves a cross and resurrection, not doing more or working harder. I think it’s way overboard to say our decline is because the church is “totally without biblical basis.” The church has always been incarnational, “Word made flesh,” the mysterious presence of the Body of Christ in a cultural situation. On the other hand, what I found most promising about the statistics is it causes you to see the declining numbers of a denomination in a larger light. It is not enough to ask what we should do to turn around decline of the Methodist church. That is small thinking, because no answer about our decline will be thoughtful unless it explains why ALL mainline denominations are declining in number. Perhaps Larry is right, though, in that this could mean we are heading toward a crisis that is in effect taking up the cross, letting aspects of our institutionality die in order to be reborn. I often say the only uniquely Christian form of transformation involves a cross and resurrection, not doing more or working harder.

]]> By: Allen http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1227 Allen Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:16:35 +0000 http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1227 hmmm.... I guess that's one way to look at it. And I can certainly agree with what you say the church should be. hmmm….
I guess that’s one way to look at it.

And I can certainly agree with what you say the church should be.

]]> By: Larry http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1226 Larry Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:33:37 +0000 http://methodistcorner.net/2008/01/02/the-condition-of-the-church-in-america-key-statistics/#comment-1226 What you're missing is all these statistics refer to a man-made earthly organization that is nearly totally without biblical basis. Brick and mortar, ceo's called Pastors, boards called, well, boards, clergy, laity, one man show, democratic rule, and on and on and on.Instead of the church being a functioning group of believers who really are members of one another, not members of some man made "denomination," where all contribute for the edification of the body using their god given spiritual gift(s)so that the whole body grows and matures and become ONE. I'm sorry, but to see the decline of an unbiblical, unspiritual, growth stunting purely earthly institution gives me hope that nowthat the substitute is being removed, perhaps the true church, revealing the nature purpose and power of God will emerge. What you’re missing is all these statistics refer to a man-made earthly organization that is nearly totally without biblical basis. Brick and mortar, ceo’s called Pastors, boards called, well, boards, clergy, laity, one man show, democratic rule, and on and on and on.Instead of the church being a functioning group of believers who really are members of one another, not members of some man made “denomination,” where all contribute for the edification of the body using their god given spiritual gift(s)so that the whole body grows and matures and become ONE.
I’m sorry, but to see the decline of an unbiblical, unspiritual, growth stunting purely earthly institution gives me hope that nowthat the substitute is being removed, perhaps the true church, revealing the nature purpose and power of God will emerge.

]]>