Comments on: Arrested by The Word

By: Rob Lofland

Rob Lofland — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:15:58 +0000

Monk,
I am an ex-Southern Baptist and like you love much about my former home. I also miss much about what it once was so I’m a hypocrite of the worst order.
I am also not a professional minister and never will be. Your job is too hard for me. I am a coward.
My musing about your employment comes not necessarily about this post but the whole iMonk experience.
Please do not take offense. None was meant.
I would credit this site with at least being used to point me back to Him.

By: willoh

willoh — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:14:24 +0000

Anna I am so sorry that one of those, who should be safe with, hurt you. The order was “Feed the sheep”, not Flog the sheep. I praise God for your healing. In my church we have a few gentle souls hurt by priests and healing up. Now that is ecumenical, we will heal each others mistakes.

By: Anna A

Anna A — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:51:41 +0000

Willoh,

I suspect that many of us have been hurt from the pulpit. In my last Baptist church, I wasn’t hurt by a sermon, but tried to take it up privately with the pastor, to prevent other, more vulnerable women from being hurt. Our conversation about that, left me battered and broken. I, honestly, don’t know what I would have done, had I not been attending Mass, also. I may have very easily been one of those Christians without a church.

By: Mr. Grumpy Guy

Mr. Grumpy Guy — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:10:35 +0000

Is it fitting that it takes 1,314 words to say what has been said in this post?

By: Douglasah

Douglasah — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:55:23 +0000

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” is an old saying. Listeners, no matter how carefully we prepare, will “get” what their hearts are ready to hear. Often, I’ve found what lesson I’ve painstakingly worked on for Sunday School is discarded – so that our discussion can then center around something students need or are ready to learn. In this way I wonder if being a pastor is like the story of the lion tamer: find out what they need – and give it to them.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:33:10 +0000

IMonk,
Was just in conversation with another blogger about the often heard, but seldom followed, phrase of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary, use words.”

I have come back to the faith after a long absence- the Hound of Heaven just won’t let me be- but I am still very wary of how the “Good News” is communicated to people today, especially in America. This notion of silence as communication, of truly serving the Other without talking them to death, is of supreme importance if we as Christians seek to follow the will of Christ

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:19:51 +0000

I acquired the â€œlanguage of Zion,â€ and became proficient in providing the soundtrack to Christian gatherings and worship.

Oh how I relate… Jesus said if we would give a cup of cold water in his name…. How I wish I had handed out more water and kept my mouth shut more.

By: willoh

willoh — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:36:30 +0000

ScottM no way that was a homily, nope that was a sermon. wow, was that a sermon. Thanks for sharing. Now I’m gonna go listen again. Thanks

By: iMonk

iMonk — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:28:38 +0000

>I do wonder however, how you keep a job in a Baptist seminary/school. It must be a very unusual school. Would you like to elaborate on that comment a bit? (And could you include how long you've been a Southern Baptist in your response, please? Thanks)

By: Rob Lofland

Rob Lofland — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:21:53 +0000

Mr. Monk( I really like this appellation since I saw it a couple of days ago)didn’t even Paul beat himself up for not living his own preachings?
That doesn’t mean we should not still apply the words and admonitions to ourselves.
In fact, the most powerful messages I have taught have come from my own, and many, shortcomings.
Go figure. Someone else must be involved.
I do wonder however, how you keep a job in a Baptist seminary/school. It must be a very unusual school.
Thank God.