Pastors' Break Room

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Ok. I debate a LOT on here (see the post count ) and am exposed to quite a bit. I have probably seen the majority of opinions and denominations.

As for language, I can read/write and speak/understand Latin, and read Greek. My history and patristics could be improved upon however.

 

[Macrina]

Well, I can tell you that the caliber of discussion you will encounter in a formal educational context will generally be much higher than the typical conversation you'll find on CF. There are some things that the internet can't adequately substitute for.

Great about your languages. Greek was a killer for me... Hebrew came easier (although most other people tell me it was the opposite for them).

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Explain what you mean by "caliber." I definately understand that in a lot of these debates people throw around unsupported opinions, but some actually progress decently. How is seminary different?

 

[Macrina]

hmm... yes, you are right that some of the debates here are well-informed. Some, however, are not -- shall we say -- discerning in the use of scholarship. Seminary is helpful because 1) you will gain skills to help you wade through the piles of contradictory scholarship, and 2) the environment of the discussions is one which is generally more conducive to evaluating ideas and developing thought. Not that these forums aren't valuable -- quite the contrary! But I don't believe they are a substitute for a good seminary education.

In addition, a seminary class will be following the same course of study, reading the same books, and encountering the same questions at the same time. That encourages depth.

Also, think of the seminary faculty as a collection of experts in their fields. There are people who have devoted their careers to studying one particular aspect of theology, history, language, or biblical studies -- and to take a class from that person is to glean the best from their work. Knowing these folks personally, talking with them, seeing them every day, can help you understand them and their fields much better than just reading a book or two.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Ah, I see. I have 2 Bible colleges picked out, but I cannot find anything that I would consider good in the way of a seminary.

 

[Macrina]

Well, you are off to an excellent start if there are two Bible colleges you are interested in. A Bible college degree will include some of what you would be encountering in a seminary. And, you'll get a chance to explore a variety of fields. Once you are in college, you can talk to professors about what seminaries they went to, gather advice about what might be best for you, and find a direction from there. One thing I have discovered is that God tends to lead me one step at a time -- I can do a certain amount of planning ahead, but most of the time, I just trust that the Provident One will have something good in store for me. I'm sure He has a good path for you, too.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

One thing I have discovered is that God tends to lead me one step at a time -- I can do a certain amount of planning ahead, but most of the time, I just trust that the Provident One will have something good in store for me.

Quite so! I like to plan ahead, but I often forget that God has already done that for me

 

[clonenomore]

This is an area where there are a lot of churches, all very similar. Ours is slightly different in worship style -- we are more "high church" than the average southern congregation. The structure of the liturgy seems to be something that folks find particularly worshipful, and I have hopes that it might draw in people who wouldn't go to the other churches. I think we are also a place where people can ask intellectual questions without being frowned upon. I think each congregation has its own ways to reach out to the lost, and I'm still learning what that will look like for this congregation...

Macrina,

I agree with this. In another post I talked about the fact that there are different worship styles and different witnessing styles for a reason. The reason is that God wants ALL people reached, and only through different styles can that occur. The goal is the same, the way that we get there may differ.

I explained it this way. Say we were both driving from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA. You decided that the best route for you and your sports car would be to travel on the interstate all the way. I decide that the best way for me to travel in my old pick-up truck is to travel the 2-lane backroads. We will both meet people on our specific paths and invite them along on our journey. However, the people that you meet probably will be different from the people that I meet. But we all end up in Los Angeles, CA, even though we took different paths. Additionally, there are a whole lot of folks with us in Los Angeles that wouldn't have been there if we had both gone the same route.

I came from a church that was very traditional -- we had a liturgust, we sang hymns, etc. The church that I go to now is very contemporary -- loose worship service, casual atmosphere, upbeat worship music, etc. Both are good ways to worship -- for the right people. My mom and dad still go to the traditional church, and could not fit in at my church.

Just my $0.02 worth...

 

[Macrina]

CNM,

I agree with your two cents worth. Personally, I prefer a blend between high-and low-church, traditional and contemporary, but that is tough to find. I was blessed in seminary to go to a church which had a vibrant, international congregation, and combined praise choruses (with a band) with hymns (on a pipe organ). That was rare and special.

In my current church, though, we are in a place where there just isn't a lot of the structured liturgy... and I know that some people are really fed by that. While a more casual atmosphere can remind us of our intimacy with God, a more structured atmosphere can remind us of God's holiness and sovereignty. We should experience both in church, but sometimes a particular worship style will resonate with someone more than another.

I have high hopes that we will offer something special and unique to our little town.

 

[Highland Watchman]

Greetings...

(Macrina invited me from another thread, though I can't remember offhand if it was in the Singles area or the Young Adults area...)

My name is Greg (hence, "Watchman"). I'm the pastor of a small, non-denominational church in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that meets on Saturday evenings. I've been pastor here since June of 2004, though there is no official ordination in N-D churches that I am aware of. However, I was anointed and prayed over by my previous church (which I was an intern with - and that church was a Persian/Arabic/Armenian/Egyptian N-D church that is very Charismatic and lively.

About my own church (which is my first pastorate - or bishopric, as the good Impirator has been so apt to call it, btw), it is an N-D church with about 15 people. The worship style is contemporary, though the church is a rather reserved bunch (as they came out of a Mennonite Brethren mega-church in the area). Age-wise, everyone else is 35-80, with me pulling the average age down a bit wink. The "purpose" for the church is to reach out to the area where we're in, which is a richer subdivision which has been going up over the past 5 years or so. The church was planted a year ago by someone else, and I was brought on in June... long story there, trust me! The ironic part is that even though this is the stated mission of the church, most of the people come from all over... So, one of the challenges (among many) that I have is to get over the age thing.

My eventual goal is to preach at other churches. Thus far, I managed to get one appointment for this thursday, but it's in the form of a public apology for the blunder of contradicting the church's pastor in an open air prayer meeting... Note to the wise... Guard what you say, and to all that you can to keep from being a stumbling block for believers...

My passions? Well, for one, it is my passion and desire for the church (especially here in Canada, and to an extent in the States and around the world) to turn back to God. I don't mean to abandon contemporariness, but rather to have the life of our Father flowing through them, whether young or old... and to have that increase in love and discernment. Like you, Bizzle, I can get rather impassioned about certain issues, and I definitely have that prophetic fervor... I guess I also have a passion for the church to come together in true love and unity (not unity for it's own sake, but in understanding and forgiveness of one another... For what kind of an army would we be if we are too busy fighting one another over minor issues? But that's just getting off onto a tangent.

*he takes a powder, jelly filled donut and sits down, munching on it contentedly*

 

[Macrina]

Welcome, Greg! I'm glad you stopped in.

re: ordination, it sounds to me like you are ordained. It doesn't have to be a formal thing, in my book, with paperwork and what-have-you. It's a matter of the faith community recognizing an individual's calling from God.

well, I am headed to bed right now... I have an all-day presbytery meeting tomorrow. But I will stop back soon. I'm glad to hear about your ministry!

 

[clonenomore]

...I guess I also have a passion for the church to come together in true love and unity (not unity for it's own sake, but in understanding and forgiveness of one another... For what kind of an army would we be if we are too busy fighting one another over minor issues? But that's just getting off onto a tangent.

HW, first of all, welcome!

Second, your last sentence said that this was just getting off on a tangent, but I think that this is an important tangent to go look at. Denominations tend to forget that we are one universal church. Many of the theological arguments are over minor things -- by this, I mean that the arguments really have no bearing on salvation, even though many argue as if they do. Debate is one thing, but all-out argument is another. When we do this, the argument tends to confuse and send non-believers packing. I know, I was one of those turned off by the (seemingly) constant bickering among denominations.

Again, welcome!

 

[Macrina]

Second, your last sentence said that this was just getting off on a tangent, but I think that this is an important tangent to go look at. Denominations tend to forget that we are one universal church. Many of the theological arguments are over minor things -- by this, I mean that the arguments really have no bearing on salvation, even though many argue as if they do. Debate is one thing, but all-out argument is another. When we do this, the argument tends to confuse and send non-believers packing. I know, I was one of those turned off by the (seemingly) constant bickering among denominations.

so true! why don't more people realize that?

by the way, I am the young 'un in my congregation, too... it presents some problems. I have one elder who calls me their "little pastor."

 

[clonenomore]

....I have one elder who calls me their "little pastor."

*ROFL*

Sorry, *wiping tears from eyes*, that's not really funny.

*Continues ROFL*


I'll get back in my chair now...

 

[Macrina]

yeah, thanks for understanding, clone.

How are you doing today?

I am off to a slow start, myself... kind of dragging...

 

[clonenomore]

yeah, thanks for understanding, clone.

How are you doing today?

I am off to a slow start, myself... kind of dragging...

Things are GREAT here in the sunny south! I have put the finishing touches on a class that I have to present on Friday. I completed the logo and core values for the new church plant. I got a start on putting the strategic plan together.

But, best of all, my son's school let out early today, and we are about to go play! It is a beeeee-you-teeeee-fullll day!

But, enough about me -- I'm sorry to hear that you are dragging. Is it just that kind of day?

 

[Highland Watchman]

HW, first of all, welcome!

Second, your last sentence said that this was just getting off on a tangent, but I think that this is an important tangent to go look at. Denominations tend to forget that we are one universal church. Many of the theological arguments are over minor things -- by this, I mean that the arguments really have no bearing on salvation, even though many argue as if they do. Debate is one thing, but all-out argument is another. When we do this, the argument tends to confuse and send non-believers packing. I know, I was one of those turned off by the (seemingly) constant bickering among denominations.

Again, welcome!

Hey clone.

Yeah. I know I tend to go off on tangents from time to time. I just sometimes have so much to say and it kind of explodes out, sometimes without my initially thinking of whether or not it is relevant to the topic at hand.

But yeah. Thanks for the welcome, and sorry for not getting back to you sooner...

 

[Macrina]

Things are GREAT here in the sunny south!

hey, where in the south are you? I'm in Mississippi!

 

[Macrina]

I just had a long day. You know, trying to please everybody all the time.

*puts feet up, picks up the funny pages, and relaxes...*

 

[clonenomore]

hey, where in the south are you? I'm in Mississippi!

I am in Georgia, about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta.

What part of Mississippi are you in? I spent a great deal of time in Mississippi when I was traveling doing medical sales. I found one of the alltime great steakhouses in Greenville, MS -- Doerun's, I think it was...You could cut the steak with a fork.

And if you know anything about us Methodists, you know that we like our eatin' meetins!