The title of my course is CHURCH GROWTH. The instructor is Terry Forrest. I will be watching three DVDs this week. The title of my book is SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM THE UNCHURCHED. The author is Thom S. Rainer. I will be reading one chapter this week.
The first DVD was really good. There was a special guest speaker in the class. His name was Rev. Ryan Johnston. He was there to give an overview of his church's sunday school plan. He asked everyone to invite and held them accountable for what they said they would do. He also had regular meetings with the teachers to help keep them encouraged.
I have been having a rough couple of weeks at work. Last week, I was in Benton, Ky all week. I just got home from Paris, TN tonight. I have to go back tomorrow and Thursday. Nest week, I have to go to Kennett, Mo. Pleas pray for safe trips with all the driving that I have to do. Thanks, guys and God bless.
My course this round is a book titled "The New Testament: Its Background & Message" by Thomas Lea & David Black. I will do 3 chapters a week. They are as follow: Ch 13- The Role of Paul in the Spread of Christianity Ch 14- An Overview of Paul's Life Ch 15- Paul's 1st Writings (A Survey of Galatians and 1 & 2 Thess.)
Ch 13 is about Paul and his ministries. It is starting from Acts and gives a little general info where he started and what epistles were written when and where. It takes each spereate instance and discusees it briefly.
Thanks for your posts. Tyler, sound like you are going the extra mile. Sorry, no pun intended when I first started this post.
Hopefully Corey and Roger may be able to get back with us this week.
So, tyler, you don't have to answer since this will take up your time with a social post, but do you have a new job? Is it still with the same company?
I've always liked the Psalms, most music comes from them. But I remember after I was first saved a woman named Thelma that would pray and would quote Psalms sometimes when she was praying. You could feel the power in them. I beleive there's a psalm for every circumstance we face and it lets me know that someone else has been where I've been. Have you ever had a psalm relate to something you're facing and it help you?
Yes, I go on vacation next Thursday and will be back on the 12th. This year I wont be able to post while I'm there because I dont have an air card that I can take. But I hope to get some reading done.
In ch 13 it talks about the 3 missionary trips and the various hurdles Paul faced in each one. It says he had somewhat of a formula he would follow. He would go to the synagouges and speak. Eventually the jews that would oppose him would seek to have him punished. He would then focus on the gentiles. Then he would move on.
Also in this chapter they bring up the fact that we hear Pauls testimony 3 times. Its one of my favorite things in Acts. I imagine Paul told that story at every stop. It reminds me of how powerful our testimony is as well. We should never tire in sharing it. I can picture Paul saying to someone in a prison, "Let me tell you what happened to me on the way to Damascus....."
Hey guys, help me out I have forgotten what I'm suppose to do. Well I am reading the book "The Man God Uses,by Henry and Tom Blackaby", and I will try to catch up on things so this week I will be reading and reporting on chapters three, four, and five, and they are as follows: Chapter 3: God's Refining Process Chapter 4: The Godly Man's Response to God Chapter 5: Made for Times of Crisis
Chapter three talks about God's Refining Process, and we have all read where our faith and works will be tried as a refiner of precious metals refines his metals "by fire". In refining a man God gets the impurities out and leaves the good in, then with the good God does something supernatural, this is done only through complete surrender to the will of God. There were a lot of men God used in his plans for humankind but there were a lot that he didn't use simply because through the refining process they stepped out of the will of God. They mistakenly took the process the wrong way and went against what God was preparing them for. I know in my short christian walk of several who could not endure the refining process, sad to say. God Bless you all this week!!
Hey Corey, what do you think of the Psalms? Do you get any inspirations from them? I know that when I used to try to read them they sounded so repetitive (is that a word) over and over. But since I read that book I have come to a new love of reading them and trying to apply them in my life and you know what, it works! God Bless
Hey Tyler, when your study talks about the "unchurched" is it people whom have no church experience at all or people who have a church background but are out of church? Sorry if this question has already been asked.
Hey Sean, Paul was a pretty amazing fellow, and a man sure of his calling, although it would be hard to mistake Jesus speaking to you directly. Does your study give any insight to Paul's youth or anything prior to his introduction in the Book of Acts?
It can be both of those people, Roger. The study was about the formerly unchurched. They are classified as either never been in church before or out of church for at least ten years. They are people who have recently became active members of evangelical churches.
It does talk alittle of Paul's youth. I think its a little speculative because they dont say for sure how he had Roman citizenship. They did mention his father being a Pharisee. And they didnt know his marital status but assumed he was married and figured his wife might have died.
We had a yard sale for our Relay for Life team. It was very hot but we had a good time with each other. I am so thankful for good christian friends that we can spend time with. I think we did very well considering the heat.
My family and I went to Meramec Caverns yesterday. It was the first time that my daughter has ever been there. She really liked the beautiful formations in the cave. We then went to the zoo. I just thank God for my family that He has blessed me with.
My uncle by marriage, George Flanagan passed away yesterday. His funeral will be at Mt. Zion, on Monday morning at 11:00. Visitation will be at 10:00. His pastor from South Carolina will be here to preach the service. Tomorrow will mark the Sunday that my aunt June will have been in Sunday school for 73 consecutive years. I don't know if that is a world record, but it is certainly remarkable. George had encouraged her to go ahead and go to Sunday school on that day, no matter what happened.
Good afternoon to you all, Bro. Randy I am deeply sorry for the passing of your uncle my sympathy and prayers are wuth you and Sis. June and your families. I am trying to catch up a little on my studies, I fell behind because I tried out a new job, it was a midnight shift job and I thought I could work both(how stupid) I know enough about God to know when you don't have time to read his word that somrthing is going to change. Well I'm reading the book " The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blacksby". I was to post on chapters 3,4 and 5 this week, I will have to include chapter 5 on next weeks study,however chapter 4 is titled,"The Godly Mans Response to God",and talks about just that. How does a godly man respond to God. He responds in 7 ways and they are as follows: 1. Fear of God. 2. Sovereighty of God. 3. Total Obedience in Faith. 4. Accountability. 5. Joy. 6. Humility. 7. Encuragement to others.
The next DVD talks about the two things that churches can do to help with church growth. They are Sunday School and visitation programs. Most churches try a visitation program at some time or another. There are three reasons why visitation programs tend to fail. 1- unrealistic expectaions 2- they don't keep to specific times 3-lack of a prospect list
It was a good camp meeting this afternoon. Bro. Kevin brought a good word to us. It was very encouraging. I hope we are all excited about camp. Let's keep praying for all the campers and volunteers. I hope this is the best camp that we have ever had!
Ch 14 is a general overview of Pauls life. It gives their views on how Paul believed on subjects as the church, ressurection, and eschaolgy. They said some thought thru his writings that he may changed his views on the end of time. But nothing positive to be sure.
Also on ch 13, it spent a lot of time discussing views on who actually authored the NT. I guess back in those days people used writers to record their thoughts & letters. They conclude that Paul used close sources or people he trusted to not add or take away too much from his sayings. It lets you know how rigorous the process was on what was cannonized and not.
I agree that one of the most important things in responding to God is the Fear of God. I've often wondered what that really meant. I think if you have it, it can cover the rest of the list. To me its hard to describe the Fear of the Lord in a word. I've been told it means to be reverent, or respectful, but that doesnt seem to cover it all to me. Anybody have any thoughts on the Fear of God?
Well at first he decided to go to a mountain environment and read some psalms every morning. At first he enjoyed it and thought the change in environment was good. Then he ran into the 'cursing psalms' and began to get angry at them.
Well the experiment was a failure, and, I believe, it actually made him hate psalms more. But then he tryed something he called 'reading over someones shoulders' or looking at what others say about psalms. After this his view of psalms changed
He explains how important psalms are later on, and how they can help ones faith. Even the cursing psalms. It does so by showing you that sometimes you should let God 'know'(basically tell him) that your angry about something.
Then he compares psalms to every day life. It being messy and disordered. If you have ever read the psalms you can understand, because its not like all the 'good ole' psalms are all together, and the 'cursing psalms' are all together, rather they are placed in every which area like it has no order.
Then he explains that the psalms also show such a child like awe many times in it. And how many times today we don't see the awe wondering universe that it is. Intstead we say 'its nothing new' which may be true but it doesnt change its magnificence
He also explains how psalms can be like 'soul therapy'. It does so by showing us that we aren't the only ones that felt like God has abandoned us. Even the big guys like David have felt that way as well.
You will notice some posts below that relate to various topics of discussion by our online community of preachers.
One of the purposes of Preachers' Meeting is to provide a place for young ministers or those recently called to preach to interact around the principles in a course of study recommended by our local group of preachers in the Southern Illinois area.
We invite you to look in on our conversations. If you would like to add comments as a guest, you are welcome to do so. If this looks interesting to you, you may join us as we start a new session. You can look in the side bar (or sometimes it is moved to right below this post) to see the weekly requirements. We start new courses every 8 or 9 weeks. As already mentioned, you are welcome to comment as a guest before that time.
Below these posts, you will see the word, "comments." Just click on it, and you will see a box on the right side of the screen where you may add your comments.
Look around. Enjoy yourself, and come back often!
Weekly Requirements
Here is a review of the general requirements for each week.
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be the name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or make comments about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 12:00 a.m. on Friday morning (that would be before midnight on Thursday).
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
Thoughts on Application
Roger gave some good thoughts on application:
"Chapter 75, titled: 'Apply Within' is a lesson in application. The writer explains why it is sometimes difficult applying a sermon to real life situations. I will list some of the reasons application is not applied to our lives.
"First it is "hard work", it is hard to find application to every situation in the congregation,
"second, is wrong assumptions, assuming the audience is able to apply any and all biblical truths is totally a wrong assumption,
"third, is fear, fear of being to deep or to simplistic in the text and failing at application, and then there is training or lack thereof,
"many preachers know the text, and the history and the order of things but are totally untrained in application. One gentleman said it this way," how can you be a good football player when you can pass the ball, or when you can kick the ball, or when you can run with the ball but you don't know the rules of the game."
If you live in the souther Illinois area, we would like to invite you to a Couples' Marriage Enrichment Seminar on Saturday, February 27. It starts at 6:00 p.m and will run to 9:00 p.m.
After the welcome, there will be a dinner. Then there will be an opening session, followed by two breakout sessions, then a short closing.
The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Randy Carney (That's me :)!) and Roger and Janet Dutton will be speaking during the breakout sessions (That's Roger, who is commenting on this blog during this term!). Randy and Rhonda (my wife!) Carney will also have a breakout session discussing "Keys to Marital Bliss."
The Keynote Address will be on the topic of "The Way to a Successful Marriage: The Shocking and Surprising Truth."
Roger and Janet will be talking about "Hope for Restoring your marriage."
The cost is $15.00 per couple and that includes a dinner and all seminar materials. A nursery and childcare will be available. (Please indicate that you need these services when you register.) A book table with resources from Handfuls on Purpose Christian Bookstore will be available.
The seminar is for couples of all ages, ranging from newlyweds to marriage veterans!
To register, call 618-627-2228 to let the church know how may will be attending. Payment can be made at the event. (Make checks to TFBC.) For more information, call the church at 618-627-2228.
The Greatest Love
Since Valentine's Day falls on Sunday this year, I imagine there will be a ton of sermons going out on the topic of love.
Paul talked about love and respect in marriage (Ephesians 5), but he was really saying that that was an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the church.
Christ
Left Heaven to come to this earth.
He
Overcame adversity while here. He even conquered death!
He
Valued mankind so much that He gave Himself on the cross.
He desires fellowship with us. He reconciled the world to Himself, so that people could have an
Intimate realtionship with Him.
He meets all of our
Needs.
He is the supreme example of
Giving.
Do you see the word, LOVING, there? That is what He is--our LOVING Savior! Because of that, we should love one another.
Course 11 Week 4
Scroll down to the week 4 area to begin commenting.
Dealing with the Closed American Mind
One of the chapters Roger is reading is entitled, (something like) "Dealing with the Closed American Mind." I don't know if it is mentioned in the chapter, but I suspect that if you tak about something where a person has a felt need, you can gain their hearing somewhat.
What are your thoughts?
You may scroll down and comment in the week 3 comments area. Visitors are welcome to comment also.
Connecting with Postmoderns
This is something most preachers do every Sunday. If you have young unchurched visitors in your church, you will be trying to reach postmoderns. Even some of your church youth are more influenced by postmodernism than by their previous Sunday school teaching.
Here is my reply to one of Roger's posts:
"Roger, what tips stand out to you for commecting with postmoderns? I think the term modern referred to an age in history that related to new thoughts in science, etc. (If I am off base, refresh my memory.) Post modern refers to the time following that era. Connecting with postmoderns is something you have to do, whether you realize it or not, almost every time you preach."
I will post some of his answers here if he sees the question in time.
Preaching--Proclamation of God's Word
Preaching, by one definition, is the proclamation of God's Word. As such, a person, can take the Scriptural passage and find some of its main points and emphasize those points.
While I believe we should learn all we can about the grammatical construction of the words of Scripture, and that we should learn all we can about the historical setting for when those words were originally spoken; the nice thing about proclaiming the Word is that you can just take what the text says and emphasize it. Then the Word will not return void.
People with all different types of backgrounds have been called to preach throughout the centuries. Some very "unlearned" (as the world would put it) men have had great results by simply taking the main ideas of Scripture and simply emphasizing them. As long as we do not twist the meaning, this simply shows the amazing power of the Word of God.
New Format
I am going to try putting my comments for each day in this left sidebar. The comments areas for the remaining weeks are displayed to the right. That is where you will place your comments for each week.
38 comments:
The title of my course is CHURCH GROWTH. The instructor is Terry Forrest. I will be watching three DVDs this week. The title of my book is SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM THE UNCHURCHED. The author is Thom S. Rainer. I will be reading one chapter this week.
8. What Makes These Leaders Tick?
The first DVD was really good. There was a special guest speaker in the class. His name was Rev. Ryan Johnston. He was there to give an overview of his church's sunday school plan. He asked everyone to invite and held them accountable for what they said they would do. He also had regular meetings with the teachers to help keep them encouraged.
I have been having a rough couple of weeks at work. Last week, I was in Benton, Ky all week. I just got home from Paris, TN tonight. I have to go back tomorrow and Thursday. Nest week, I have to go to Kennett, Mo. Pleas pray for safe trips with all the driving that I have to do. Thanks, guys and God bless.
My course this round is a book titled "The New Testament: Its Background & Message" by Thomas Lea & David Black. I will do 3 chapters a week. They are as follow:
Ch 13- The Role of Paul in the Spread of Christianity
Ch 14- An Overview of Paul's Life
Ch 15- Paul's 1st Writings (A Survey of Galatians and 1 & 2 Thess.)
Ch 13 is about Paul and his ministries. It is starting from Acts and gives a little general info where he started and what epistles were written when and where. It takes each spereate instance and discusees it briefly.
Hey Guys,
Thanks for your posts. Tyler, sound like you are going the extra mile. Sorry, no pun intended when I first started this post.
Hopefully Corey and Roger may be able to get back with us this week.
So, tyler, you don't have to answer since this will take up your time with a social post, but do you have a new job? Is it still with the same company?
Anyway, good job, Tyler, with all of the traveling you are doing.
Sean, are you going on vacation soon?
My book is called 'The Bible Jesus Read'. The author is Philip Yancey. I'll be reading chapter 4 Psalms: Spirituality in Every Key.
He starts talking about how he used to hate psalms. He said it made him angry. At the end of the section he explains his view of psalms was wrong.
I've always liked the Psalms, most music comes from them. But I remember after I was first saved a woman named Thelma that would pray and would quote Psalms sometimes when she was praying. You could feel the power in them. I beleive there's a psalm for every circumstance we face and it lets me know that someone else has been where I've been. Have you ever had a psalm relate to something you're facing and it help you?
Yes, I go on vacation next Thursday and will be back on the 12th. This year I wont be able to post while I'm there because I dont have an air card that I can take. But I hope to get some reading done.
In ch 13 it talks about the 3 missionary trips and the various hurdles Paul faced in each one. It says he had somewhat of a formula he would follow. He would go to the synagouges and speak. Eventually the jews that would oppose him would seek to have him punished. He would then focus on the gentiles. Then he would move on.
Also in this chapter they bring up the fact that we hear Pauls testimony 3 times. Its one of my favorite things in Acts. I imagine Paul told that story at every stop. It reminds me of how powerful our testimony is as well. We should never tire in sharing it. I can picture Paul saying to someone in a prison, "Let me tell you what happened to me on the way to Damascus....."
Hey guys, help me out I have forgotten what I'm suppose to do. Well I am reading the book "The Man God Uses,by Henry and Tom Blackaby", and I will try to catch up on things so this week I will be reading and reporting on chapters three, four, and five, and they are as follows:
Chapter 3: God's Refining Process
Chapter 4: The Godly Man's Response to God
Chapter 5: Made for Times of Crisis
Chapter three talks about God's Refining Process, and we have all read where our faith and works will be tried as a refiner of precious metals refines his metals "by fire". In refining a man God gets the impurities out and leaves the good in, then with the good God does something supernatural, this is done only through complete surrender to the will of God. There were a lot of men God used in his plans for humankind but there were a lot that he didn't use simply because through the refining process they stepped out of the will of God. They mistakenly took the process the wrong way and went against what God was preparing them for. I know in my short christian walk of several who could not endure the refining process, sad to say. God Bless you all this week!!
Hey Corey, what do you think of the Psalms? Do you get any inspirations from them? I know that when I used to try to read them they sounded so repetitive (is that a word) over and over. But since I read that book I have come to a new love of reading them and trying to apply them in my life and you know what, it works! God Bless
Hey Tyler, when your study talks about the "unchurched" is it people whom have no church experience at all or people who have a church background but are out of church? Sorry if this question has already been asked.
Hey Sean, Paul was a pretty amazing fellow, and a man sure of his calling, although it would be hard to mistake Jesus speaking to you directly. Does your study give any insight to Paul's youth or anything prior to his introduction in the Book of Acts?
Roger and Corey,
Good to have you back.
Roger, asking each one a question is great. That gives them something to interact with too.
Corey,
Glad you got your computer fixed. You, and your mom, owe Cody big time. :)
It can be both of those people, Roger. The study was about the formerly unchurched. They are classified as either never been in church before or out of church for at least ten years. They are people who have recently became active members of evangelical churches.
It does talk alittle of Paul's youth. I think its a little speculative because they dont say for sure how he had Roman citizenship. They did mention his father being a Pharisee. And they didnt know his marital status but assumed he was married and figured his wife might have died.
We had a yard sale for our Relay for Life team. It was very hot but we had a good time with each other. I am so thankful for good christian friends that we can spend time with. I think we did very well considering the heat.
My family and I went to Meramec Caverns yesterday. It was the first time that my daughter has ever been there. She really liked the beautiful formations in the cave. We then went to the zoo. I just thank God for my family that He has blessed me with.
My uncle by marriage, George Flanagan passed away yesterday. His funeral will be at Mt. Zion, on Monday morning at 11:00. Visitation will be at 10:00. His pastor from South Carolina will be here to preach the service. Tomorrow will mark the Sunday that my aunt June will have been in Sunday school for 73 consecutive years. I don't know if that is a world record, but it is certainly remarkable. George had encouraged her to go ahead and go to Sunday school on that day, no matter what happened.
Good afternoon to you all, Bro. Randy I am deeply sorry for the passing of your uncle my sympathy and prayers are wuth you and Sis. June and your families. I am trying to catch up a little on my studies, I fell behind because I tried out a new job, it was a midnight shift job and I thought I could work both(how stupid) I know enough about God to know when you don't have time to read his word that somrthing is going to change. Well I'm reading the book " The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blacksby". I was to post on chapters 3,4 and 5 this week, I will have to include chapter 5 on next weeks study,however chapter 4 is titled,"The Godly Mans Response to God",and talks about just that. How does a godly man respond to God. He responds in 7 ways and they are as follows:
1. Fear of God.
2. Sovereighty of God.
3. Total Obedience in Faith.
4. Accountability.
5. Joy.
6. Humility.
7. Encuragement to others.
The next DVD talks about the two things that churches can do to help with church growth. They are Sunday School and visitation programs. Most churches try a visitation program at some time or another. There are three reasons why visitation programs tend to fail.
1- unrealistic expectaions
2- they don't keep to specific times
3-lack of a prospect list
It was a good camp meeting this afternoon. Bro. Kevin brought a good word to us. It was very encouraging. I hope we are all excited about camp. Let's keep praying for all the campers and volunteers. I hope this is the best camp that we have ever had!
Ch 14 is a general overview of Pauls life. It gives their views on how Paul believed on subjects as the church, ressurection, and eschaolgy. They said some thought thru his writings that he may changed his views on the end of time. But nothing positive to be sure.
Also on ch 13, it spent a lot of time discussing views on who actually authored the NT. I guess back in those days people used writers to record their thoughts & letters. They conclude that Paul used close sources or people he trusted to not add or take away too much from his sayings. It lets you know how rigorous the process was on what was cannonized and not.
I agree that one of the most important things in responding to God is the Fear of God. I've often wondered what that really meant. I think if you have it, it can cover the rest of the list. To me its hard to describe the Fear of the Lord in a word. I've been told it means to be reverent, or respectful, but that doesnt seem to cover it all to me. Anybody have any thoughts on the Fear of God?
Well at first he decided to go to a mountain environment and read some psalms every morning. At first he enjoyed it and thought the change in environment was good. Then he ran into the 'cursing psalms' and began to get angry at them.
Well the experiment was a failure, and, I believe, it actually made him hate psalms more. But then he tryed something he called 'reading over someones shoulders' or looking at what others say about psalms. After this his view of psalms changed
He explains how important psalms are later on, and how they can help ones faith. Even the cursing psalms. It does so by showing you that sometimes you should let God 'know'(basically tell him) that your angry about something.
Then he compares psalms to every day life. It being messy and disordered. If you have ever read the psalms you can understand, because its not like all the 'good ole' psalms are all together, and the 'cursing psalms' are all together, rather they are placed in every which area like it has no order.
Then he explains that the psalms also show such a child like awe many times in it. And how many times today we don't see the awe wondering universe that it is. Intstead we say 'its nothing new' which may be true but it doesnt change its magnificence
He also explains how psalms can be like 'soul therapy'. It does so by showing us that we aren't the only ones that felt like God has abandoned us. Even the big guys like David have felt that way as well.
And even though sometimes we can feel that way. It doesn't change the fact he is there. As also proven through other psalms.
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