tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19736311.post8446737406547577853..comments2023-09-03T07:25:45.078-07:00Comments on Gaffney Journal: The Church and Story Part 2Gaffneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18293658542211510275noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19736311.post-12301294452569474912009-08-03T09:36:34.025-07:002009-08-03T09:36:34.025-07:00I'm a bit slow here -- how does Revelation 4:1...I'm a bit slow here -- how does Revelation 4:11 apply?Gaffneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18293658542211510275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19736311.post-46080462254097361142009-07-31T10:45:59.409-07:002009-07-31T10:45:59.409-07:00If the original argument was against *story* and n...If the original argument was against *story* and not *drama*, I wonder where the *testimony* falls since testimony is essentially a story of God's faithfulness.<br /><br />I always like to throw Revelation 4:11 into the mix.gilliebeanhttp://clubfritch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19736311.post-76999964929436966072009-07-31T09:54:34.915-07:002009-07-31T09:54:34.915-07:00There are dramatic/comedic pieces, that, if left s...There are dramatic/comedic pieces, that, if left standing on their own will leave the congregation confused, even if entertained. Some are designed not to teach, but to set up the pastors teaching. Willow Creek comes to mind as a place that lets the sketch set up the problem, then allows the pastor to come forward to present the solution.Robert J Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09914933919411542830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19736311.post-84770133679460301992009-07-31T06:47:47.099-07:002009-07-31T06:47:47.099-07:00Sean,
You raise a vital point in that much of th...Sean, <br /><br />You raise a vital point in that much of the challenge is discerning what rituals and spiritual activities can connect the broadest audience.<br /><br />Since each of us is our own unique context, how God expresses Himself through us is likewise unique.<br /><br />For example, some of my most intense spiritual experiences have come while listening to Christian hard rock music. But it will be a hot day in Heaven before I hear Disciple or POD used as a recessional hymn in my parish.<br /><br />When we come together to worship, there's always a spirit of compromise involved. We give up a little of our uniqueness in order to promote community.<br /><br />The danger is that if a church becomes too rigid in what it allows to be incorporated into its liturgies, people may not feel their individual spirituality is allowed to be reflected in it. But if you allow too much individuality, you risk a splintering of the church and a balkanization of churches and forms of worship.<br /><br />It's like a rubber band. If it lacks elasticity, it can snap when it is stretched beyond its narrow limits. But if it has too much elasticity it is no longer able to hold anything together.David Gouletnoreply@blogger.com