House Church Chat: Recent Comments

Comment on Does the Journey of St. Clair County really need to exist?

2009-09-09T22:10:09Z

Quite honestly, I never think about the name, "The Journey, etc." I just think of my group of Christian friends. In fact, I only use the title when I have to fill out forms for programs that ask what church affiliation we have (like Awana forms that the local Baptist church want filled out). I end up listing the Journey as the church name and Greg as the pastor, even though I view the church as where Jesus is, and each of us as friends of Jesus. I use the title so rarely that I usually have to look it up online to get the name right.

I do, however, think that establishing an individual organization tends to separate and divide instead of bringing together. I wish it were easier to explain what we all are trying to do, but there is is.

"Half-way house" is an interesting concept. I like where Kathryn is heading with that thought. I don't want to say that we should get rid of the organization because it can be used as a forum for thoughts and ideas. But we do not necessarily need an organization to do that.

Comment on Matthew Chapter 16

2009-08-04T17:57:33Z

Greatly written indeed… I really enjoyed your article and found it to be very informative, keep up the good work

Comment on Matthew Chapter 15

2009-07-28T15:27:33Z

Cool site, i have bookmarked it for future referrence

I love your blog. You have a great way of presenting your topic.

Comment on Does the Journey of St. Clair County really need to exist?

2009-07-04T15:53:36Z

I was driving south on 159 and saw a church sign that said something to the effect of "There are many great churches in the Metro-East. Join one today" or attend one today, or something along those lines. And I thought, No, there's only ONE church in the Metro-East, and it's the same church as that in the greater St. Louis area, the same church as that in Los Angeles, or Boise, or Poughkeepsie, or Vienna, or Brisbane.

And then thinking about this, the term "halfway house" came to mind w/regard to The Journey of St. Clair County.

As much as we'd like for all Christians to start practicing pure organic, simple church, it's a process, and it's a process for me as well. Maybe the JofSCC can become not a Christian group per se, but an educational, networking resource.

Just a few thoughts here and there, so I don't forget to bring them up the next time we all meet.

Comment on Does the Journey of St. Clair County really need to exist?

2009-07-04T15:33:30Z

These are some of the questions that Andy and I have had over the past year or so in our prayers and discussions about the direction of our group here. With each group there is a time to nurture, water and prune. Perhaps we do need to sit down and discuss what changes we need to make to truly serve God in the manner that He desires. I do not know what that will mean or look like, but where we gather, God will meet us and direct us. Perhaps our next "big church" meeting should center on these questions where we can pray and talk together about this.

Comment on Does the Journey of St. Clair County really need to exist?

2009-07-04T15:24:46Z

I think having a name and identity hurts more than it helps - there is only one name or identity as far as I'm concerned and that is Jesus Christ.

Honestly I've always been more interested in what Jesus is doing rather than what the Journey is doing -- such as when Jesus built a couple of houses in Juarez.

We are ambassadors of Christ - not ambassadors of a denomination.

Comment on The Desert

2009-03-27T16:51:14Z

It was in the desert that the people of Israel saw the goodness of God as their clothes did not wear out, they were fed each day, and God led the way for them every where they went. It was in the desert that they found a cleansing.

Comment on A Book Discussion RE: Pagan Christianity

2008-12-10T02:04:56Z

It has been three years this coming January since we stepped away from the institutional church. We have found that being the church is so much more freeing. We are still learning what it means and sometimes having to let go of thoughts of the institution.

The biggest challenge was coming to an understanding of what it means to worship. We came from a place that had a nearly professional band with hearts that were pure and gave their all as to God. So you tend to miss that if you connect to God through music or singing.

Making the transition though has been worth it for us.

Comment on Workers

2008-12-09T22:21:37Z

I agree with you, and might I add for so long I have hated feeling like I was selling someone a used car when trying to talk to them about Christ. Jesus didn't call me to wow people and butter them up to Jesus, He called me to love people and be His image to them. Often we are condescending when we talk to others who have not been born-again, why on earth would someone want to come to a saviour who is condescending?

Comment on A Book Discussion RE: Pagan Christianity

2008-12-09T22:12:53Z

I read this book and am currently working through it a second time. Talk about breaking down walls I had built up over a long time in the institutional church, my wife and I have not quite made an exodus from the institutional church but we are just waiting on God to give us the release and direction. The book Pagan Christianity abounds with information for the honest seeker of true Church practice and bodylife. Who would think the first-century church knew what they were doing, correction, God knows what He's doing.