</h1> <article> <h1>Comment on One More Step Along The World I Go by denise</h1> <p>denise — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:24:31 +0000</p> <p>Thank you for putting your services on here, I have a hard time making it to church lately. I have to have surgery next Friday, so not sure what that will bring as far as recovery time. I enjoy being able to come here and listen to Gods message.<br /> Thank you</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on Like This! by Carrie</h1> <p>Carrie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:58:58 +0000</p> <p>I love Facebook, too, Craig. It’s a great way for a stay-at-home mom to stay in touch with friends during the day without taking a ton of time. Plus I appreciate all the news updates and articles like yours that I read as time permits. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; so true!</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on On The Record – Pastor Chad by Ben Duff</h1> <p>Ben Duff — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:07:47 +0000</p> <p>Chad, i don’t the think the camera is the only thing that contributed to that 20 lbs.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on On The Record – Pastor Chad by Chad McDonald</h1> <p>Chad McDonald — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:04:08 +0000</p> <p>I think the camera adds at least 20 pounds to a person.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on On The Record – Pastor Chad by Chad McDonald</h1> <p>Chad McDonald — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:01:20 +0000</p> <p>Thanks Carl for your thoughts. I can see this has been a frustration for you and let you on a little secret, I think the root of your comments are a frustration for all, including many pastors and denominational leaders. I think the problem that many of share is the frustrations that the church has become so institutionalized that we have lost sight of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission that Christ gave His church. A few thoughts I have.<br /> 1. This is not a “Wesleyan” thing but we see this in all church denominations and non-denominations.<br /> 2. Talking with some of our particular denominational leaders there is a great desire to make some major changes to get back to our calling.<br /> 3. I think reports are good. I didn’t say I enjoy filling them out but I think they have a place.<br /> a. I think we need a way of measurement. How are we doing? Are we making progress? See the victories and defeats.<br /> b. Accountability. I think we, as pastors and churches, need some accountability. I see way too many Christian “social clubs” instead of churches. I believe growth is a natural part of the God’s plan for the church. I’m not saying every church is called to be a mega-church (another discussion on another day) but there should be some signs that the church and pastor are doing their job. My great problem, and I have shared this with the powers to be, is do we use this information for that purpose? I like the idea that if my church is in decline for a few years running that the denomination will come alongside me and help, nudge and maybe even give me a kick in the pants. This only works if it happens.<br /> c. Stats do appear in the Bible.<br /> d. They make me evaluate myself and the church I serve. Here are the questions I have to ask myself:<br /> 1. Am I using this information to look at my job performance?<br /> 2. Is the church?<br /> 3. What do I need to change?<br /> 4. Am I more interested in the numbers and other data on this report than I am about the people behind that data?</p> <p>With all that aside I think the main point you are saying is that you are desiring churches to be churches and not play church. God has called us to amazing things. As a pastor of this church, I am so excited to do my part in leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. In every area we want to see that vision become real–worship, discipleship, ushering, A/V, youth ministry, nursery, and even in administration. </p> <p>Carl, you are right! It is time for pastor’s to stand up for the vision God has given. It is time for the people to stand up for the vision God has given. Will this make people upset? Oh yes! Will some people leave our churches? Oh yes! </p> <p>Thanks for your passion to see the real church step forward.</p> <p>Chad.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on On The Record – Pastor Chad by Carl McPherson</h1> <p>Carl McPherson — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:34:59 +0000</p> <p>I don’t have to worry about what the superintendent is going to say because I don’t go to your church… but I went to the Wesleyan church from age 12 to age 40-ish (a few years in the middle on/off.. but mostly on).</p> <p>Reports:<br /> This is where you count how many baptisms you had that year.<br /> This is where you count how many people came to Christ that year.<br /> This is where you count how many weddings you had that year.<br /> This is where you count…….</p> <p>on and on and on and on. Each year a full reckoning of exactly every tiny little itty bitt OCD statistic possible.</p> <p>I don’t know if this comment will be left up or if it will be removed. I tend to purposefully speak my mind for the purpose of fixing messed up things in the world.. and this is one of those that I know seriously concerns many many many Wesleyan pastors.. but it’s part of a system that has been done for decades and people are scared to say it’s messed up or should be changed, because they are scared of the management hierarchy of their church leaders.</p> <p>My points:<br /> Rather than being able to concentrate on what the church needs, what the community needs, how best to lead those members of the church into deeper commitment to Christ, more fully allowing Christ to get into every bad habit or poor choice and truly help me change as a person… all things I would continue to still attempt….<br /> but how much more could I do for Christ if in the back of my mind when I was planning a baptism service I wasn’t thinking (good, that’s 8 more on the reports, my superintendent will be happy).<br /> I wonder how God works in this world? Is it always the same or does life seem to change and adjust around us and seem confusing. Why did God move in the lives of 6 people this year and 10 the next and only 2 the next year? Is it our fault? The statistics create a mood of fault and guilt. If you run up your numbers for the year and they are less than the one before you feel like you need to justify why you aren’t doing what God wants you to do.</p> <p>I’m sorry.. I’ve said since I was about 14 years old. If it wasn’t for the people in Church, it would be amazing.</p> <p>What I mean by that is.. when people stop concentrating on God and start looking at their own rules, their own traditions, their own statistics.. they’re creating a governmental bureaucracy that is a layer between a lost soul and God.</p> <p>How does a Pastor (and I’m not saying all this is Pastor Chad’s beliefs).. but how does a pastor tell his bosses that he thinks their off track? That they’re concentrating on things God doesn’t even care about? That they’re putting pressure on pastors and distracting them.. making them less effective. They’re actually causing a situation that is against God.</p> <p>How do you spell Pharocy?</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on Partnership by Carl</h1> <p>Carl — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:40:13 +0000</p> <p>This idea really sank in with the point about how we wouldn’t trade money for time with our family. How we need to remember that God want’s obedience rather than sacrifice. (1 Sam. 15:22)</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on Thoughts of the week by Jackie</h1> <p>Jackie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:22:13 +0000</p> <p>greatest hope for our church is to have our own home bldg to worship in, fellowhip together and grow/plan for community.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Comment on Guatemala Update – June 2nd by Chad McDonald</h1> <p>Chad McDonald — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:19:30 +0000</p> <p>Praying for Guatemala!</p> </article> </main></body></html>