Comments on: Review: Life After Church by Brian Sanders

By: anus

anus — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:43:02 +0000

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By: anus

anus — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:40:03 +0000

hallo slot face i thouaght u were a good writer but now were i saw this crap i think u suck. son of a bitch i think u came out of ur mamas cock sucking dick !!! LOL please write back cock sucker if u do not i now were ur mama lives

By: Max

Max — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:31:36 +0000

Greetings, lads. (my assumption, since the anonymous poster’s gender is unspecified)

I am presently half-way through this book and have found it to be the initial of multiple books/sources that are literally an answer to years of prayer for something more from “church”. I appreciate Sander’s thoughtfulness in exhorting “leavers” to be careful to not just leave, but to “go to” the more genuine community that is lacking in the western ritual denominational systems. The key being to “go to” and towards a deeper walk with God in the Spirit. And, if it doesn’t exist in our areas, to be willing to do whatever it takes to create it. This is the baton that I am taking and running with in this race.

By: anonymous too

anonymous too — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:01:47 +0000

Tom
In reference to an earlier post you made, I think you are being unfair. The sentitment of the book has nothing to be with being spoiled but with having a deep desire to see people who have left the church because they want to be more outwardly focused not loose connection with the bride, Christ’s church. The author seems to offer great encouragement for them to find ways to offer themselves to the work of the Kingdom through some kind of church, even if it means a different kind of church than before. Spoiled is a harsh word towards a brother trying to draw “leavers” back or deeper into the work of the kindgom.

I don’t think the author claims to have a universal answer but rather writes to a very specific audience. I love the church and I’m not afraid to admit that the current church has many blind sides. I’m glad someone is writing with such care about the topic.

By: Tom Huguenot

Tom Huguenot — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:06:46 +0000

To David,

I’m not denying that Brian Sanders is trying to help people and to address a real problem. I’m just saying that THIS problem is not universal. And I make a huge difference between those who leave the church because they’ve been spiritually abused and those who leave a community or fellowship because the programs are not good enough or because there is no Sunday school for their kids.

To xyz123,

Do not worry, our small parish still exists. I was just in an “if one day…” mode. My ministry experience has led me to work with all denominations existing in my country, I think. As for the Brethren, it seems to me that there are different shades of them. And, yes, there is an ultra-conservative branch among them. But they’re usually the ones that run away when they see you coming!

By: xyz123

xyz123 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:45:45 +0000

Tom,
As someone who was in such a group, my advice is: Stay away from the Darbyites. They have very high teachings, but they will also control your life. Run, run away! I’m not an Assemblies of God type person, but my impression is that they have much more love for people.
I’m sure there are Brethren groups out there that are different than what I observed, but the consensus from ex-members of restorationist-type groups (i.e. “we’re the only true church from the Book of Acts until now”) is that staying in such a place does more harm than good. Pride is an ugly thing.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:47:36 +0000

When Sanders talks about the church of the New Testament and all its awesomely amazing characteristics, ministries and priorities, I find myself turning some pages. What New Testament church are we talking about? Corinth? Revelation 2-3?

A Mythical Idealized New Testament Church, Perfect in Every Way. And we’ve got to get ourselves back to that Garden.

Like Salafi Islam, except Christian.

By: David Wierzbicki

David Wierzbicki — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:24:17 +0000

Tom,
Brian Sanders book is not about sewing seeds of discontent and yuppy angst. The book addresses the real truth that people leave. It looks into the reasons and admits that while some people leave for necessary reasons there are equally those who leave for petty reasons.

The book is to be a help for those who are in this mess to guide them to not give up on the church thing, but to continue to be active in the work of God, and to hopefully continue their interaction with the body in some/any form of church in the future.

That’s a rough summation.

By: Grub

Grub — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:06:22 +0000

“Now, I DO care about theology (a lot!!) but comes a time where you need to put some things aside and stop ecclesial hair-splitting.”

Like when there is precious little alternative. THere’s a saying about how you ‘don’t get to pick your family’…The same can be said in some ways of the Church catholic. SOmetimes you’ve just got to put up with crazy uncle Harry because to do otherwisde would be a lack of love…

By: Tom Huguenot

Tom Huguenot — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:40:11 +0000

Grub,

I’m sure you guys had fun!! Too bad there was no Calvinist in your group though, it would have made it more “complete”.

I belong to a Lutheran parish, but I know that if one day our family has to go elsewhere, our only choice in terms of decent churches will be between a Brethren (Darby-type) assembly and an Assemblies of God Church.
Those are the only places where we could find Bible-believing Christians in a 20 mile radius.

Now, I DO care about theology (a lot!!) but comes a time where you need to put some things aside and stop ecclesial hair-splitting.