9.9.19 chapter 1
A Theology of the Congregation
starts out talking about theology & budget/economics
This chapter starts setting the theology of the congregation
Times were different in the early church (1-2 centuries)
had 3 concerns;
1. kerygma: refers to the gospel & to worship. Lead the holy life, create a Christlike lifestyle in the community
2. koinonia is Gods imitative to establish a community with humankind by the power of the holy spirit. This is to create a sense of fellowship (table of friendship). Christians love one another. Now came the Gentiles. Did they have a accept elements of Jewish Law?. Conflict solved by co nfussion of faith and baptism. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DON’T FOLLOW JESUS? dO WE ASK FOR FORGIVNESS?
3. diakonia is pledged for service and for healing, reconciling and feeding. Also big on collection and distribution
Most churches use all three
9.10.19
Christians have a pattern of selfless service
in the earlier years, Roman empire (4th century), the Chrisrtqin community and citizenship status started to diminish
Christ wanted disciples of all nations. To do this two (2) tasks are needed:
1. formation of Christian identity
faithfulness to the mission of the gospel
2. Mission is the second task
without mission, are we a social club? (comfort and security with members)
worship is the most important things congregations do.
Congregations must follow: (for identity formation)
1. prayer life
2. Teaching ministry
3. Life in community
4. Stewardship
For mission
1. evangelizing
2. making global connections
3. Building ecumenical partnership
4. engagement of social mission
Each congregation applies these components differently
Need to be “grounded” to the living God.
Above all; the starting point is the worship life
9.11.19
each component exists with a relationship to the other????
talk of “entertains evangelism”
this book strives on the historic liturgy!
this liturgy goes back to the /bible
the book says 4 bible passages needs to be read each Sunday
We need to inform the congregation what God is doing through us as we worship
“what is happening to us when we worship?”
Discussion Questions (talking points)
1. God is working in our church: (3 items)
adapt a plot
meeting area for the community
Beccas closet
2. we have gospel readings every Sunday
we support the community group
prayer chains
3. Our church need to be more pro-active and start doing “stuff”
4. In worship it doesn’t seem apparent if it’s us or God who gets focused on?
5. Other churches uses an alternative style to attack more people.
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (Chapter 2)
9.13.19
1. Gods parables shows His involvement in everyday life
As a congregation we need to discover what the kingdom is
God is near and also merciful
2. Jesus Christ is here to meet us when we worship
3. the Gospel is paraenesis; a life live in correlation to Jesus Christ (A life lived in Christ)
Is the kingdom Gods interaction with human life?
talk about the dream of God or his culture
does the kingdom relate o success and power?
Kingdom refers to your activity
the kingdom is the single most important reality determining human kife
As per Luke 17, are we in the midst of Gods kingdom?
9.14.19
God is the origin of mercy?????
two central convictions:
a. God is near
b. God is merciful
don’t understand by saying Abba brings God closer???
God invites sinners
9.21.19
Three groups of people
respectable
hard living
desperate poor
going to church and loving your country is important for the cycle off life
Cultures can be divided up in:
successful
strivers
conflicted
importance to have a job.
Jesus taught God’s kingdom
God gave the Holy Spirit to the church so it could “follow the way”
Our mission is to share the good news with others.
seek people throughout the globe
be generous and peacemakers
The church responds to bad world deeds??? WHO?
Discussion
1. fell more “involved (looking into the speakers eyes)
2. financial issues
3. re-organized budget
4. clothing and food needs
5. difficult question??? As a business (church) we need to limit spending, but as a member thinking back to the parable of talents (are we hiding some of these talents?)
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 3)
9.27.19
first we must pay attention to Jesus. and develop self understanding of Jesus
God is near and merciful
second, find the real presence of the Word and Sacrament
third, life lived in a community to the way of Jesus (Christ is the cornerstone)
is the kingdom the dream of God?
does the kingdom show Gods activity?
fairness yieldsto mercy in the kingdom
Two thoughts:
God is near
God inmerciful
Jesus had a life of prayer
is wealth a sign of Gods favor
is wealth a sign of Gods favor?
or is poverty a sign of divine absence?
religion seeks purity
in the kingdom true wealth comes from
the trust of God
the greatest must be servants to all
after Jesus died:
the rich got richer
poor poorer
axes to Caesar
Sin is broken by the love from God
we don’t seek Gods favor
being recreated by Jesus Christ
Show the weight of the Holy Spirit in Baptism
bread and wine represent the body and blood of Jesus
If you commune, you are reassuring Gods forgiveness, but not forgiveness from the community!
It shows that God is the most important actor
Now is Baptism the “golden ticket” to heaven?
We are not free from sin, ujt through baptism we are then abled to be “transformed”
discussion questions
1, be good to one another. Save the Earth protest this weekend
2. trouble could come from heat, transportation, and security
3. Do what I so (or did)
4. caring for the community of the west side of Rockford
5. ????, the Holy Spirit keeps me motivated to keep working on the WLFSGwebsite
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 4)
10.2.2019
chapter 4
Is imagination more important than knowledge?
do we change with our dreams?
two elements of faith:
1. trust
2. belief
for truth we rely on Gods goodness
third is faith and it’s imagination
Is imagination the lost dimension of faith? ((for the kingdom of God)
When we come to church on Sunday morning we must “imaginate” the kingdom of God
our lives are full of rituals…like table prayer, bedtime prayer…(Questions???)
is imagination a ritual?
relation: que
structure-communities-rituals-ordinary world
liturgy is the work of the people
is imagination missing from worship?
we need to serve all people
For the bread at the common table, Jesus will forgive
remember the poor and keep sharing the good news
be ready for the interruption of the spirit
10.3.2019
do we need hymns to corelate to imagination?
it’s not a matter of what we do, it’s all about what God has done!
Christ is for:
1. forgiveness
2. Hope
3. wholeness
Worships important for Christian identity
is baptism our passport from church to everyday life? I don’t think so!
Humanity is the ability to live “together” in a community as family
the church domesticates the volatile wisdom of Jesus
FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY
forgive as you have been forgiven
Worship makes us evangelists…spread the good word
worship activates social ministry
look at the way things are to what things could be
through worship we receive our identity and mission
discussion question:
1. Just Cause & accident
b. Importance & reality
2. what you would like to see happen
b. designed an electric car, nano information
3. Not that I can remember
4. Reading the new/old testament led to BRFTD posts
5. Following the “golden rule”
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 6)
under construction
11 October 2019
What about the promises made during baptism?
make disciple all nations (Mat. 28:19-20
this need falls on all the Christian congregation
we need to see how this faith works in daily life
Author is saying the Christianity is not a common denominator (WHAT????? p.70)
I THINK PEOPLE WANT “SHOW ME”
The collapse of the Christian paradigm ( 71)
talk of missionary churches
Christianity and culture
Is our Christian faith declining?
We ll need to participate in Christain education
Study listed teo factors:
1. help out neighbor
2. deep personal relationship with God
Christian education is a life long course
words need to be put into practice
these classes will help you develop more in your daith
On P. 73 it talks about the difficulty of faith in this “modern culture”
talk of defining new boundaries?
Three words summaries Christian education:
1. learn
2. think
3. Live
(1st processible stories show Gods mercy to the world
(2nd process is to think through the story ((much interpretation!)
TALK OF THE BIG BANG TTHEROY
does this Christian story tell the truth?
NEEDTO THINL THROUGH YOUR FAITH????? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
We need to be living the faith
saints feed on imagination How? Like the promised LAND?
God has remained faithful to us???
ONGOING INCARNATION OF FAITH. HAH?
CHRISTIAN FAITH AND ON-GOING LIFE HAS BROKEN
is the author folding his cars?
Need to address this gap in our education means
FOR REFLEXTION AND DISCUSSION
1. PASSOM THE SPARK THROUGH BECCA’S CLOSET
2. LACK OF INTEEST/UNDERSTANDING OF CHRISTIANITY
3. some OF THE YOUTHCOOKING
4. SAINT PETER….KEYS TO THEKINGDOM
5. THE CHURCH IS A GOOD MEETINGPLACE
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 7)
10.14.2019
under construction
10.15.19
Does loving one another a criteria to be a disciple?
Is their safety concerns about washing other peoples feet?
Don’t really understand the authors meaning of friendship (p. 84)
is it Christo logically?
10.16.2019
you’re Jesus fiend if you follow his word
what about personnel needs?
are we all friends? even if someone who hurts and steals from you?
what is this “visionary dream”?
Jesus declare that he will be with you and two or three other people worshipping His name.
I LIKE THIS: Members of the congregation don’t have to like each other but still have to love one another through Christ.
love is a daily challenge?
church is like a family (brothers & sisters)
we learn Christian community through the liturgy? HOW?
10.17.2019
community of Jesus is a motley crew???
we need to promote the common good
definition on a friend is “wasting time”
we need to welcome the outsiders (they become to familiar with one another) THATS ME!!
Pastor is in charge of friendship in the community huh????
pastoring is a vocation Gods representative
with the friendship of God there is always hope!
QUESTION: WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK ABOUT PASTORIAL VISITS?
10.18.2019
pastor can help sustain us in challenging hours
email or phones (Gods communication tools?) for friendship
is the youth group more like a social club? (p. 92)
& youth is not the future
Do we need “Youth Sunday?”
Songs that kids enjoy should be sung by the whole congregation
have youngsters as greeters!
have young people in the governing council
pastor needs spiritual support to help sustain God’s friendship (pp. 95)
Do we need a healthy prayer life?
For Reflection & Discussion
1. washing a neighbors feet shows compassion
2. Christian friendship revolves around God
3. ???
4. youth is acolytes and ushers
a. establish a working group for the youth
5. work in the churches community
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 8)
10.26.19
God owns everything
So what is the desire to gather possession’s?
Looking at ownership as a key issue? CAPITALISM?
Tithing a means to check ones idolatry?
DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT SHARING WITH ALL…..DO THESE PEOPLE NEED OR WANT?
Thus, I’m judging them by “MY” values.
in Jesus time the disciples were to depend on the hospitality of others.
Do we need to focus on Gods kingdom?
is he talking about the needs for earth itself? electric mower/blower
how do we find those most in need?
Stewardship is not an all-encompassing approach to life.
we need to surrender to God
10.27.19
keep your eyes on the kingdom
look at pressing needs for your neighbor
help restore Gods kingdom
use your bounty, frim God, on others
Surrender all to God
economic value between every day life and the kingdom?
with stewardship, doesn’t the current economic status a concern?
Being a steward…does this mean it’s like having a reformation Sunday regularly?
money serves as our greatest idol
Money and heart? Mark 6:19-22
create a money autobiography
this auto bio. could help spawn fruit in you life
this will invite the Holy Spirit to work in this endeavor.
Tithing is the first step to combat the idolatry of money
Yeah!!! tithing doesn’t help
Is a tithe a spiritual practice?
How is this money going to be used in the Kingdom
it’s all about the attitude of the gracefulness of God
tithe doesn’t mean to the church…it could be to a charity
QUESTION:
What’s the purpose of a tithe?
10.28.19
caring is the growth and development of others
As Gods steward we are called to care for others
caring for the earth and its endangered ecosystems (p. 107)
Worship reinforces “the kingdom”
prayer, education, life in community, & stewardship
You need to tithe, care, & lead generous lives
FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. “God knows everything” which means that God control the results of your personal choice. He knows what’s going to happen, but gives you the opportunity to do “the right thing”.
10.29.19
2. Halves and halves not
help people understand it’s all God’s
3. Stewardship; is caring for others and the planet
can help teach this by giving some actual examples
4. To me tithing does not work. It’s like buying you way to Gods grace. Shouldn’t be a set limit. My own personal experience has strengthen my spiritual awareness. I have an agreement with God with some of my activities I do.
5. People in the congregation can set examples following Christian life. Like:
-generosity
-time
-participation
-support
with these works, the steward ship of Gods caring should inspire other to help out too.
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (chapter 8)
10.26.19
God owns everything
So what is the desire to gather possession’s?
Looking at ownership as a key issue? CAPITALISM?
Tithing a means to check ones idolatry?
DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT SHARING WITH ALL…..DO THESE PEOPLE NEED OR WANT?
Thus, I’m judging them by “MY” values.
in Jesus time the disciples were to depend on the hospitality of others.
Do we need to focus on Gods kingdom?
is he talking about the needs for earth itself? electric mower/blower
how do we find those most in need?
Stewardship is not an all-encompassing approach to life.
we need to surrender to God
10.27.19
keep your eyes on the kingdom
look at pressing needs for your neighbor
help restore Gods kingdom
use your bounty, frim God, on others
Surrender all to God
economic value between every day life and the kingdom?
with stewardship, doesn’t the current economic status a concern?
Being a steward…does this mean it’s like having a reformation Sunday regularly?
money serves as our greatest idol
Money and heart? Mark 6:19-22
create a money autobiography
this auto bio. could help spawn fruit in you life
this will invite the Holy Spirit to work in this endeavor.
Tithing is the first step to combat the idolatry of money
Yeah!!! tithing doesn’t help
Is a tithe a spiritual practice?
How is this money going to be used in the Kingdom
it’s all about the attitude of the gracefulness of God
tithe doesn’t mean to the church…it could be to a charity
QUESTION:
What’s the purpose of a tithe?
10.28.19
caring is the growth and development of others
As Gods steward we are called to care for others
caring for the earth and its endangered ecosystems (p. 107)
Worship reinforces “the kingdom”
prayer, education, life in community, & stewardship
You need to tithe, care, & lead generous lives
FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. “God knows everything” which means that God control the results of your personal choice. He knows what’s going to happen, but gives you the opportunity to do “the right thing”.
10.29.19
2. Halves and halves not
help people understand it’s all God’s
3. Stewardship; is caring for others and the planet
can help teach this by giving some actual examples
4. To me tithing does not work. It’s like buying you way to Gods grace. Shouldn’t be a set limit. My own personal experience has strengthen my spiritual awareness. I have an agreement with God with some of my activities I do.
5. People in the congregation can set examples following Christian life. Like:
-generosity
-time
-participation
-support
with these works, the steward ship of Gods caring should inspire other to help out too.
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (Part Three: Mission/chapter 9)
A Christian congregation needs to be a mediator of the salvation of God through Jesus Christ which is brought to all people.
create a “right relationship” with not only God, but others.
We need to learn how the speak the gospel
help the world (global)
Be part of social ministry: help the hungry, and those oppressed by working in peace.
Speaking the Kingdom:
The Holy Trinity is NOT a mathematical improvability
the world was created for divine pleasure and love
first person of Trinity – God creating the world is a mission (the Father)
second person is the son whose purpose (mission) was for recomciliation Jesus came to save us sinners
the third person is the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the energy to restore the relationship with God
God’s mission is to bring the Kingdom to its fullest
church has like a haven for immigrants
do we want to appeal to those who “feel right” at Good Shephard?
talk of the culture shock
after reading some of the text…It’s like it’s from Debbie Downer!
Do we need to provide social services to immigrants?
Does Good Shephard members want “other” people to be like us?
Be ready to be changed by others
G.S. needs to be more hospital able
A new person to worship: one in twenty-two years
Evangelism is declaring the Good News to others
you need to listen hard, ponder their thoughts, and don’t give quick responses
Second factor is sharing our own faith
Is G.S. an evangelizing church or not?
I don’t understand why the author talks about the baptized so often?
How do we speak the Truth of Jesus Christ without offending others?
Do we have to share are ethnic traditions?
we need to be more multicultural”
G.S. needs a culture change
we need to:
1. Conversationally speak the faith in daily living
(talk about Gods love in your daily life) Be ready to give references
2. Be part of a small group & living a Christian life day by day
3. Become a mentor for a newer religious person
(sharing daily struggles between day by day and religious principles
4. Practice testimony at worship (experience in their own lives)
Faith comes from what has been heard
God and Jesus must be active in your own life
Are w in the post Christian culture?
we need to strengthen Gods connection
FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. Trinity is broken down to the three aspects needed in missionary purposes
2. Attendance at churches, violence, set an example!
3. continue my current journey
4. Many students while I was teaching Sunday School
5. We need to have a time (like once a month) for someone to share
Edit
“Beyond Maintenance to
Beyond Maintenance to Mission (Global Connections: chapter 10)
Only one catholic church
only one baptism???
our church needs to have global connections
Baptism is being formed into one body so what if you do astray?
Pentecost is the churches birthday
on page 130, what is true Christianity? (ref: Rome and then spreading westward) leading to the Reformation.
Christianity is a missionary religion? (faith in Christ?)
Nationalism in states in the past decade has turned down the bible because of reasons of free speech and human reason to influence human affairs.
IS THIS ALSOA HISTORY LESSON? P.132
past to centuries have show that nation-state arbiters of global power Like in Impeachment!
Does God have loyalty in our nation
We need to practice social ministry
Question: Does my loyalty go the my nation-state or to my religious beliefs (one body of Christ)?
Common baptism is brought up again
Talk about Civil Disobedience (like in Hong Kong)
Jesus Christ transcends all national boundaries
Again: Thoughts of music and worship, and use if art work
maybe exchange art with different churches (maybe global)
we need the opportunity to start a conversation with others
do we want to link up with another church in s foreign country?
Christians in other parts of this world need our prayers and encouragement. (who’s making this call?)
baptism brought up again
Diplomacy of Jesus Christ….for peaceful response to conflicts
Global response…what about the mission envelopes?
REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. Need to have a series of temple talks discussing being Lutheran is not the only way.
2. it focuses on the principle of Christianity
3. Yes…”America First”. b. By setting the example by your works
4. When I was in Panama (military) I viewed a colored Jesus.
5. I think the global barnyard is a good interaction.
Beyond Maintenance to Mission, chapter 11-12
Ecumenism: all will be one
does the mission of the church mean to “all be in one”?
how is the Eucharist a sign of oneness?
more talk about baptism
the one body has become many domination
the gospel writers were in four different “environments”
Differences in denominations can be rooted back to the interpretation of the new testament
Each domination “focuses” on different themes like: sacrifice, holy spirit, extra gifts (p. 143)
these themes will lead to a different theological path
baptism brought up again!:(
do we need baptism for another denomination?
Jesus supper is for forgiveness
Reason for confirmation classes and exclusion thoughts?
Is the Reformation the cause of different denominations?
ARE LUTHERANS GOING “BRIDGE” TO GAP?
erosion of Christian influence
We need to find out what all churches believe in common
Three talking points:
Baptism
Eucharist
ministry
human values in relationships are built through the ecumenical movement
Relationships between churches needs to go on for a long period of time
meeting need to focus on how the two different churches can get along, not for a social activity
Reflection and discussion
1. for the catholic church
2. Difference in baptism, communion, and the holy Spirit
3. when we shared our church
4. Helping a soup kitchens
5. Film night, or sporting attraction (live TV sports)
Chapter12
I like the “Activity” of meal son wheels to help feed the hungryon the /n
3 Priorities
1. offering gifts to God
2. feed your neighbors
3. passing the peace within your community
thoughts of nationalist views to justify acts of violence?
Do we find scape goats to avoid conflict?
Our church need to solve the cause of Christ
several factors are:
1. capacity to complete the gift
2. analyze the community
3. Don’t rob recipients of their dignity
4. devise a manageable scope
5. Have a long term view
shared a couple resources on p.166
Reflection and Discussions
1. Sermon of the Mount..by a way of finding compassion
2. one is a person service where the other is for the community
3. helping food banks and the Jesse tree
4. We need to help those who need help
5. Maybe some food service(s)
Synopsis of the book:
I was very neutral about ready the book. Not only am I a number guys, I’m also an action guy too. It would have been nice if the author would have used some current examples.
I give it out of five
Spiritual Growth 