Reimagining Church Discussion

Comment by Ryan Huling on June 7, 2009 at 7:24pm

Hello Penn, I'm glad you started this. I really enjoyed the pagan c discussion and I was thinking about starting a group for this book. It's been kinda hard for me to find the time to be on here much lately. I look forward to the discussions on this book.

Comment by Cindy Skillman on June 8, 2009 at 12:09am

Hi, Pen

I read this book several months ago, and then loaned it to a friend who hasn't finished it yet, but I'll look at your descriptions and join the discussion. I've wanted for a while to discuss this book, but felt that enough people hadn't likely read it yet. Look forward to the conversation. :)

Comment by Bob Kuhn on June 8, 2009 at 10:30am

Thanks Pen. I also read Pagan first, then Reimagining. I liked the first & loved the second. I found myself resonating with most areas of Reimagining, cheering for some, questioning others, and disagreeing with a few. I may be sporadic with comments because of a very busy schedule, but will do my best to keep up.

Peace,

Bob

Comment by Gordon Brock on June 8, 2009 at 1:32pm

I 'spose I should say hi to all. I read PC about a year ago, and RC as soon as it came out. I have also read The Untold Story and Eternity to Here. My memories of RC aren't that fresh, but I will join the discussion. At times I get confused on the thoughts brought forth in all the books and can't remember which one came from which book, but I'll try to keep it straight here. :)

Comment by George E. Dunn on June 8, 2009 at 10:39pm

I will be glad to join in. However, just FYI, i have been outside of IC for over 20 years..but I must admit that it has not always been an easy or "blessed" road to travel. I have covered some of this on my blog eorgeforjesus.blogspot.com..if you are interested.

What began as a powerful new birth and spiritual walk became a polluted stream due to trading my new life in Christ for pride and legalism. Yet after being detoxed I have never been able to go back.
the truth is that once you have experienced the real presence of
of Christ in community there is no apt substitute.

frank has done a credible job and his writings have been a great blessing. i'm glad to add my two cents worth from time to time. In these last a difficult and dark times God calls us to stop doing and BE who we truly are...the extension of the life of heaven projected into a time space world. Instead of church 9a loaded word) I choose to use the term 'the community of the King."

I don't believe that our Lord's igh Priestly prayer will go unanswered but that we WILL be one as He and the Father are one so the world will Know! we are beginning a grand adventure.

Blessings

George

Comment by Howie Cruthers on June 14, 2009 at 4:40pm

Hey everyone, looking forward to a good discussion here. RC is one of my favorites, although I just read From Eternity To Here and have to say it completely blew me away. I guess we'll have another discussion group on that one later.

Comment by Gordon Brock on June 20, 2009 at 2:46am

Well, is it about time to post on the next chapter, Pen?

Comment by Bob Kuhn on July 15, 2009 at 11:58pm

OK - I think I'm ready to begin sharing some opinions about the book. I'll begin with the areas with which I most agree.

Chapter 1 introduces the central idea of church: church as an organism. Frank points out that many will say the church is an organism, but treat it like a business. I couldn't agree more. The clergy/laity distinctions as well as the hierarchical leadership structures of most churches show an organizational mindset that will stunt the growth of the body. Members need not try to hear from God on their own if they have a pastor telling them what to believe and why they should believe it. The same is true for Christian service. An organization can hire someone to perform a service; however, every member of an organism must learn to follow the dictates of the head.

Any thoughts? Is the idea of "clergy" more than unnecessary? Is it dangerous?

Comment by George E. Dunn on July 16, 2009 at 6:20am

Bob I couldn't agree more. i have never seen the "clergy/laity" distinction anywhere in scripture...except in Judiasm or in pagan 'religion". I do however see the priesthood of all believers. Dispite all the 'silly" justifications concerning "church" and "clergy"..like the idea of "covering?!"...my bible still says that if the blind lead the blind BOTH shall fall into the pit. Christianity is not "follow the leader" unless that leader is head over all things to the chrch...Jesus Christ.

Comment by Nathan Lambshead on July 16, 2009 at 12:34pm

I agree also. Does anyone have a quick, clean answer to those around me who insist that "There were pastors..." without requiring them to read the book, which even if they did would just be to discredit it? Maybe I should not bother trying to talk to them, but some are still insisting on 're-converting' me back to their church.
I find it sad and ironic, that so many think you leave church when you leave their organization. If I denounced Jesus, denounced my salvation, and maybe got a 'De-baptism' certificate (that is happening in England right now) then I would concede that I had left church. I came to realize that when the world sees a pastor or church do something wrong, and accuse all of Christianity of wrong-doing, they actually have a clearer vision of the church than we do, albeit unknowingly and for the wrong reason. It seems as if Satan lifts the 'curtain' of deception for a second, and lets them 'see' the whole church as one, but only as suits his purpose in the deception. The world looks for a reason not to be responsible for their sin and eternal destination, so they accuse the whole church as being bad, not just the guilty party. We, on the other hand, are still in the deception of 'MY church doesn't believe that" or "MY church believes this way", with a real distinction of the building, institution, and program as being 'Church'.
There is one God, one saviour, one salvation, ONE church. Actions show what a person truly believes, and when they speak words like 'The church is the people', is just lip service I am afraid.

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