tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post9213306583943083452..comments2022-11-17T02:45:05.042-06:00Comments on emergingumc: End Spiritual Infant MortalityTaylor W Burton Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00963804209682220712noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-71013572290245261072010-12-06T16:24:10.490-06:002010-12-06T16:24:10.490-06:00Mike,
Broadway is unusual in part because it has,...Mike,<br /><br />Broadway is unusual in part because it has, what, about a 20 year history of pastors (you and Phil Amerson) who both reminded them of what God was doing in their midst AND through such reminders (voluminous correspondence) expecting them to do something with that... that is, in fact, holding them accountable.<br /><br />That's just not the case at all in most other places. You're exactly right that there is too much "negative motivation" going on, which of course generally ends up being very demotivating. <br /><br />Actually growing up is the result of positive motivation. <br /><br />What you've been up to (and Phil before you) and what Covenant Discipleship Groups do at their best is precisely such positive motivation. <br /><br />Peace in Christ,<br /><br />TaylorTaylor W Burton Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00963804209682220712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-27768475447115971352010-12-05T20:02:10.424-06:002010-12-05T20:02:10.424-06:00I don't know that the folks are either a) dead...I don't know that the folks are either a) dead, or b) dormant, or c) both. I kinda feel like they are spiritually alive and we just miss it all the time. We don't celebrate it where it is real and present. Instead we crab at them about how they are failing. So much of what we pass off as spiritual maturity is connected to things we "do." Maybe y'all are right and maybe I've got the most unusual congregation this side of Jerusalem...but my challenge is less reviving the dormant and the dead (I agree with you Taylor that God raises the dead - doesn't need my help on that) -- and more celebrating the actual fact that the people in front of me are in fact not only raised from the dead, but overflowing with and in the grace of God. If I can see it and name it - then perhaps they will then be able to see it as well. It's what I try to do with my voluminous correspondence with 'em and with our prayer time together and with worship on Sunday morning...but the overwhelming message is "grow up" not "my God what God is doing in and through you is the most amazing thing I've ever seen..."Mike Matherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16235028237943894027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-51219252615737752612010-11-18T13:55:25.118-06:002010-11-18T13:55:25.118-06:00Almost forgot, my clergy covenant group is the cov...Almost forgot, my clergy covenant group is the covenant discipleship group for me. They are helping me to grow in walk with Jesus and are keeping me alive and growing.edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01614698770399225927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-49419481963614867852010-11-18T13:53:44.441-06:002010-11-18T13:53:44.441-06:00I beginning a new appointment on January 1 (how ap...I beginning a new appointment on January 1 (how appropriate). This will be a perfect time for me to start looking for those who are dormant and others looking to come to life. Then I can begin to partner with the Holy Spirit to bring new life and maturation to these disciples. Thanks John and Taylor.edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01614698770399225927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-21701226405734526372010-11-17T21:50:09.730-06:002010-11-17T21:50:09.730-06:00John,
I'm with David. Shock paddles won't...John,<br /><br />I'm with David. Shock paddles won't usually get it. Our God raises the dead. God's kindness leads to repentance and even new life.<br /><br />Meanwhile, not all who appear dead are dead all the way. And not all in most congregations actually are dead or even that close to it-- more like dormant. Look for those whose eyes light up-- or tear up-- when you describe close encounters with God and the life of discipleship to Jesus. Go talk to them, one on one, to find out what that was about. Learn from that conversation where and whether they are ready to go deeper. Then help them get there. <br /><br />Consider yourself-- and perhaps a few others there-- allies in this work of finding the living among the dead, and finding the spark of life in that which may otherwise appear dead, and nurturing this to strength. The incubators come in here-- after the spark (not a shock!) has been ratified. <br /><br />Peace in Christ,<br /><br />TaylorTaylor W Burton Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00963804209682220712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-52455086476904031242010-11-17T16:14:12.230-06:002010-11-17T16:14:12.230-06:00Taylor, I get a different sense of what the Willow...Taylor, I get a different sense of what the Willow Creek REVEAL study indicates - I'm wondering what you mean by "churn" in context.<br /><br />John - in my schema for a developmental approach to spirituality, the "infant" level of spiritual development is where appx 83% of church attenders remain. I believe this "failure to thrive" is caused by the lack of appropriate nurture - which would be the opposite of the shock paddle approach.<br /><br />I believe that failure to thrive is a natural result from an institutional approach to providing spiritual nurture. (An example: http://www.disciplewalk.com/parable_Orphanage_M.html)David Oliver Kuekerhttp://www.disciplewalk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-86381847947841747502010-11-17T14:28:47.273-06:002010-11-17T14:28:47.273-06:00Great post, Taylor.
Here's the situation I en...Great post, Taylor.<br /><br />Here's the situation I encounter more. We have a congregation full of spiritually dead babies. Back a long time ago, and incubator would have helped, but now they are long dead and cold. (But it's more like The Princess Bride - they are mostly dead.)<br /><br />Does sticking them into an incubator at this point work? Or do we need the spiritual shock paddles to restart their hearts?<br /><br />Sorry to abuse the metaphor, but I hope the serious question underneath is clear.John Meunierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15640046073453219165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21720499.post-58441961272656479202010-11-17T10:12:25.482-06:002010-11-17T10:12:25.482-06:00Love is a powerful and until people learn to love ...Love is a powerful and until people learn to love one other will infant mortality cease.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com