Comments on: Provocative, Yet Quite Compelling http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/ Chaotic yet ordered. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:06:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jill http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/#comment-511 Jill Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:16:28 +0000 http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/?p=195#comment-511 The sequel to “Pagan Christianity?” is out now. It’s called “Reimagining Church”. It picks up where “Pagan Christianity” left off and continues the conversation. (“Pagan Christianity” was never meant to be a stand alone book; it’s part one of the conversation.) “Reimagining Church” is endorsed by Leonard Sweet, Shane Claiborne, Alan Hirsch, and many others. You can read a sample chapter at http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org. It’s also available on Amazon.com. Frank is also blogging now at http://frankviola.wordpress.com/ The sequel to “Pagan Christianity?” is out now. It’s called “Reimagining Church”. It picks up where “Pagan Christianity” left off and continues the conversation. (“Pagan Christianity” was never meant to be a stand alone book; it’s part one of the conversation.) “Reimagining Church” is endorsed by Leonard Sweet, Shane Claiborne, Alan Hirsch, and many others. You can read a sample chapter at http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org. It’s also available on Amazon.com. Frank is also blogging now at http://frankviola.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Billy http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/#comment-443 Billy Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:39:11 +0000 http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/?p=195#comment-443 I'm reading the book, but will save my comments until the end. I’m reading the book, but will save my comments until the end.

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/#comment-435 Jeff Fri, 30 May 2008 14:10:46 +0000 http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/?p=195#comment-435 BTW, Bill, that sounds exciting bro. I'd love to talk with you more about that if you'd like. Call me 662.393.8733. Sounds like it may be a great opportunity!! :) Oh, and I better get my cut of the blowup steeples, which btw, steeples are addressed in detail in the book! :) Thanx for the thoughts! BTW, Bill, that sounds exciting bro. I’d love to talk with you more about that if you’d like. Call me 662.393.8733. Sounds like it may be a great opportunity!! :)

Oh, and I better get my cut of the blowup steeples, which btw, steeples are addressed in detail in the book! :)

Thanx for the thoughts!

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/#comment-434 Jeff Fri, 30 May 2008 14:09:03 +0000 http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/?p=195#comment-434 Bill is right, an open mind is a must for reading this book. I have been reading, listening, and speaking with house church practitioners for nearly two and half years now. I have read and listened to people in the emerging and missional streams of thinking. I have even been reading from guys in the "new" monastic movement. There is one thing that is crying out as a common theme: <i>institutionalism is stifling the advancement of the Kingdom</i>. I don't have the space to elaborate on that thought here, but suffice it to say that if you want to get an overview of this perspective and why many people are beginning to lean this way, <b>"Pagan Christianity?"</b> is a great place to start. Here are the Chapter titles: 1. Have We Really Been Doing It by the Book? 2. The Church Building 3. The Order of Worship 4. The Sermon 5. The Pastor 6. Sunday Morning Costumes 7. Ministers of Music 8. Tithing and Clergy Salaries 9. Baptism and the Lord's Supper 10. Christian Education 11. Reapproaching the New Testament 12. A Second Glance at the Savior Then the authors include an Afterward, Q&A Session, Summary of Origins, Key Figures in Church History, and an enormous Bibliography. I will say that I took church history in seminary and found it wanting. Yet, this book offers one of the most concise and comprehensive looks at church history I have read. I, like Bill, had questions of my own that were answered in this book. Many of the ideas I have held for years were compellingly challenged over and over. But, I would again echo, Bill, by saying we should be careful. I have seen many of the "house church" folks try to go way to far with these thoughts. I have heard traditional/institutional forms of church being accused of being in league with Satan and leading people to Hell. These types of blanket statements are ridiculous. I don't think this book does this, but you can tell they are quite passionate about their position which can come off as somewhat narrow-minded. Anyway, READ THE BOOK. It will do you good!! Bill is right, an open mind is a must for reading this book. I have been reading, listening, and speaking with house church practitioners for nearly two and half years now. I have read and listened to people in the emerging and missional streams of thinking. I have even been reading from guys in the “new” monastic movement. There is one thing that is crying out as a common theme: institutionalism is stifling the advancement of the Kingdom. I don’t have the space to elaborate on that thought here, but suffice it to say that if you want to get an overview of this perspective and why many people are beginning to lean this way, “Pagan Christianity?” is a great place to start.

Here are the Chapter titles:

1. Have We Really Been Doing It by the Book?
2. The Church Building
3. The Order of Worship
4. The Sermon
5. The Pastor
6. Sunday Morning Costumes
7. Ministers of Music
8. Tithing and Clergy Salaries
9. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
10. Christian Education
11. Reapproaching the New Testament
12. A Second Glance at the Savior

Then the authors include an Afterward, Q&A Session, Summary of Origins, Key Figures in Church History, and an enormous Bibliography.

I will say that I took church history in seminary and found it wanting. Yet, this book offers one of the most concise and comprehensive looks at church history I have read. I, like Bill, had questions of my own that were answered in this book. Many of the ideas I have held for years were compellingly challenged over and over.

But, I would again echo, Bill, by saying we should be careful. I have seen many of the “house church” folks try to go way to far with these thoughts. I have heard traditional/institutional forms of church being accused of being in league with Satan and leading people to Hell. These types of blanket statements are ridiculous. I don’t think this book does this, but you can tell they are quite passionate about their position which can come off as somewhat narrow-minded.

Anyway, READ THE BOOK. It will do you good!!

]]> By: gwberry http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/provocative-yet-quite-compelling/#comment-433 gwberry Fri, 30 May 2008 12:46:34 +0000 http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com/?p=195#comment-433 I'll take 2, that will give the apartment church that splits from ours a steeple. If I take 3 will you name one of the models the gw3000 super steeple? I’ll take 2, that will give the apartment church that splits from ours a steeple. If I take 3 will you name one of the models the gw3000 super steeple?

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