Comments on: Residency: Notes from Class http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/ The Blog of Donny Pauling: former porn producer, changed by Grace and Love... Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:49:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Furyan http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1888 Furyan Thu, 21 May 2009 19:29:44 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1888 I think Churches are stupid and useless to begin with unless they do provide food and shelter to the homeless, if not then they are indeed a waste of money. I am no christian and I am certainly not a believer. Do not mistake me for being one. And no I don't need your prayers, if you want to get on your knees and pray do it for the children who go blind from the lack of vitamin A or the amputees, not for my lack of faith. I think Churches are stupid and useless to begin with unless they do provide food and shelter to the homeless, if not then they are indeed a waste of money.

I am no christian and I am certainly not a believer. Do not mistake me for being one.

And no I don’t need your prayers, if you want to get on your knees and pray do it for the children who go blind from the lack of vitamin A or the amputees, not for my lack of faith.

]]> By: busone http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1887 busone Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:49:37 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1887 I am glad that you had a good experience there but my family's was much different. That church is about power not love. They subjugate women as they will not allow them to lead or teach in the presence of men (no female sun. school teachers, elders, deacons or "god forbid?" preachers!!!I guess well known author Becky Pippert is an exception. It is not a real place. I am glad that you had a good experience there but my family’s was much different. That church is about power not love. They subjugate women as they will not allow them to lead or teach in the presence of men (no female sun. school teachers, elders, deacons or “god forbid?” preachers!!!I guess well known author Becky Pippert is an exception. It is not a real place.

]]> By: robby http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1886 robby Sun, 28 Oct 2007 08:25:37 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1886 i wish i could edit my post. i grew up going to several smaller southern baptist churches and it wasn't until i was 17 and was invited by a friend to start going to southeast that i heard Christianity was more than following the rules, it was about a relationship with Christ. i was convicted that i needed more than just a "clean mouth and "clean actions." i wish i could edit my post. i grew up going to several smaller southern baptist churches and it wasn’t until i was 17 and was invited by a friend to start going to southeast that i heard Christianity was more than following the rules, it was about a relationship with Christ. i was convicted that i needed more than just a “clean mouth and “clean actions.”

]]> By: robby http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1885 robby Sun, 28 Oct 2007 08:23:49 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1885 that's awesome that you're doing the seminar at southeast. that's my home chuch where i grew up. it's grown a lot since i was there in late 90's. that’s awesome that you’re doing the seminar at southeast. that’s my home chuch where i grew up. it’s grown a lot since i was there in late 90’s.

]]> By: Dan Marvin http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1884 Dan Marvin Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:21:26 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1884 Just another resource for us all <a href="http://www.purelifeministries.org/" rel="nofollow">Pure Life</a> Just another resource for us all Pure Life

]]> By: supermannino http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1883 supermannino Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:18:52 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1883 Wow...a lot of animosity towards a building. Here's what I know...people gave all their money back in the Bible to build super-huge temples that only priests could go into. A church is a place where a ton of people can connect with God. To me, it makes more sense for that to be nicer. Anyway...that's my two cents. Go get 'em Donny. Don't worry about us Christians...you're not doing what you're doing for us. Oh, and I'm curious about that place. I mean, I've never heard of it; but the idea of a seminary that offers most of its classes on the net appeals to a guy like me too. Anyway, how did you hear about it? Wow…a lot of animosity towards a building.

Here’s what I know…people gave all their money back in the Bible to build super-huge temples that only priests could go into. A church is a place where a ton of people can connect with God. To me, it makes more sense for that to be nicer.

Anyway…that’s my two cents.

Go get ‘em Donny. Don’t worry about us Christians…you’re not doing what you’re doing for us.

Oh, and I’m curious about that place. I mean, I’ve never heard of it; but the idea of a seminary that offers most of its classes on the net appeals to a guy like me too. Anyway, how did you hear about it?

]]> By: Elisa http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1882 Elisa Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:57:49 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1882 hey donnt, I just wantto say that I am so proud of you for going after God in whatever capacity he asks of you... big church or Starbucks, you show up for His sake, for His gory, and there's nothing I admire more in another Christian than that kind of dedication. Kudos to you, my friend! hey donnt, I just wantto say that I am so proud of you for going after God in whatever capacity he asks of you… big church or Starbucks, you show up for His sake, for His gory, and there’s nothing I admire more in another Christian than that kind of dedication. Kudos to you, my friend!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1881 Jeff Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:51:37 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1881 Check out www.light-work.com. In the October 24th blog, it tackles how the church can have a greater impact in the world today, big and small. Check out http://www.light-work.com. In the October 24th blog, it tackles how the church can have a greater impact in the world today, big and small.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1880 Kevin Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:33:38 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1880 Missed something in spell check, "...there will be growth that REFLECTS the Holy Spirit...." oops ;-) Missed something in spell check, “…there will be growth that REFLECTS the Holy Spirit….” oops ;-)

]]> By: Kevin http://www.donnypauling.com/blog/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/comment-page-1/#comment-1879 Kevin Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:27:41 +0000 http://donnysramblings.com/2007/10/22/residency-notes-from-class/#comment-1879 This thread looks like it could go into a "small church versus large church" discussion based off of most everyone's preference, but here's my two cents. God is using me and blessing me currently in what I would call a "Corporate" church. We have only a tenth of the membership (thereabouts) of Southeast, but we have three services on Sundays: two "traditional" and one "contemporary" which I take part in. As we get more and more transient in our jobs and such, the Traditional "community" churches as we knew them are being replaced by big "monster churches". It may be that they are just easier to find. I hate to put it this way, but it kind of parallels our "big box" mentality in the warehouse stores we shop in today. But as dismissive as that sounds, I believe that God comes to us where we are. There are congregations for all who seek God, and if it takes a big church to get someone in the door---then great! From a monetary standpoint, that "high-dollar" facility built under the Field of Dreams concept of "If you build it, they will come", can potentially pull in loads more money to do more good than if you just gave the 80 million dollars to someone to build a hospital. It's an investment in the Kingdom for the good of all those (church member and non-church member) living here. Mark Twain was noted to have said that, "the main problem with the human races is.... well, the human race." With all of the hate and ignorance and people without direction in their lives, the best thing we can do is try to expose them to the One who can transform their lives and heal their souls. That is our best "investment" in the Kingdom. Everybody hates to talk about religion and money, so I'll talk about stewardship. This world and everything in it was not created for us. Even most simply, if you subscribe to "evolution", relative to everything else (from the goo to the zoo to you), we were the last ones here. The world is not ours and neither is anything in it. God made us stewards of this world. While we have been placed in charge of it, it does not belong to us. When we give of time, talents, and yes, money, we are merely giving God back only SOME of what He has given us. So don't worry, a church of 18,000 members who have some basic understanding of these things can easily support the building AND do considerably more of work for the betterment of mankind than just a flat donation, in Christ's name of course. To boyz - Corporate churches aren't for everybody, but yes, when the Church is founded in the scriptures and abides in the Holy Spirit, then the church will be alive. Ever been to a concert? Imagine every Sunday, going to "The Concert of the Age where the Son of Man takes center stage and a generation stands amazed" (Phillips, Craig, and Dean). There is something wonderful in seeing all of those people worshiping together in one accord. A dress rehearsal, if you will, for the Second Coming of Christ. The connectivity to those who worshiped in the same way before you (the church of my father’s father) is also a SOLID point in favor of the more traditional size and style. I REALLY relate to that as well, as sometimes, I desperately miss my old country church family, but right now I know the Spirit is moving within me and through me at my “larger church”, so I work where I am called. In my larger church, other things must be done to achieve the level of intimacy that people experience in smaller "traditional" churches via dinner groups, Sunday school, Bible studies, and other programs that can break down the whole into smaller, more intimate groups. Either way- a church that is full of the Holy Spirit, bearing fruit, and carrying out the great commission, will be growing. Whether there are additions to the current location or all new locations built, there will be growth that reflests the Holy Spirit working in that Church. Congregations have to figure out all the hows and whys and what-fors according to the direction that the Spirit leads them to go. Not every Christian is the same in his/ her ways of coming to God. Those who are truly seeking God will find Him where they look. That may be in a building, big or small, or maybe out in the middle of a field, or in someone's basement. Wherever two or more are gathered in His name, there He will be also. Grace, Peace, and Love in Christ, Kevin This thread looks like it could go into a “small church versus large church” discussion based off of most everyone’s preference, but here’s my two cents. God is using me and blessing me currently in what I would call a “Corporate” church. We have only a tenth of the membership (thereabouts) of Southeast, but we have three services on Sundays: two “traditional” and one “contemporary” which I take part in. As we get more and more transient in our jobs and such, the Traditional “community” churches as we knew them are being replaced by big “monster churches”. It may be that they are just easier to find. I hate to put it this way, but it kind of parallels our “big box” mentality in the warehouse stores we shop in today. But as dismissive as that sounds, I believe that God comes to us where we are. There are congregations for all who seek God, and if it takes a big church to get someone in the door—then great!
From a monetary standpoint, that “high-dollar” facility built under the Field of Dreams concept of “If you build it, they will come”, can potentially pull in loads more money to do more good than if you just gave the 80 million dollars to someone to build a hospital. It’s an investment in the Kingdom for the good of all those (church member and non-church member) living here.
Mark Twain was noted to have said that, “the main problem with the human races is…. well, the human race.” With all of the hate and ignorance and people without direction in their lives, the best thing we can do is try to expose them to the One who can transform their lives and heal their souls. That is our best “investment” in the Kingdom.
Everybody hates to talk about religion and money, so I’ll talk about stewardship. This world and everything in it was not created for us. Even most simply, if you subscribe to “evolution”, relative to everything else (from the goo to the zoo to you), we were the last ones here. The world is not ours and neither is anything in it.
God made us stewards of this world. While we have been placed in charge of it, it does not belong to us. When we give of time, talents, and yes, money, we are merely giving God back only SOME of what He has given us. So don’t worry, a church of 18,000 members who have some basic understanding of these things can easily support the building AND do considerably more of work for the betterment of mankind than just a flat donation, in Christ’s name of course.
To boyz – Corporate churches aren’t for everybody, but yes, when the Church is founded in the scriptures and abides in the Holy Spirit, then the church will be alive. Ever been to a concert? Imagine every Sunday, going to “The Concert of the Age where the Son of Man takes center stage and a generation stands amazed” (Phillips, Craig, and Dean). There is something wonderful in seeing all of those people worshiping together in one accord. A dress rehearsal, if you will, for the Second Coming of Christ.
The connectivity to those who worshiped in the same way before you (the church of my father’s father) is also a SOLID point in favor of the more traditional size and style. I REALLY relate to that as well, as sometimes, I desperately miss my old country church family, but right now I know the Spirit is moving within me and through me at my “larger church”, so I work where I am called.
In my larger church, other things must be done to achieve the level of intimacy that people experience in smaller “traditional” churches via dinner groups, Sunday school, Bible studies, and other programs that can break down the whole into smaller, more intimate groups.
Either way- a church that is full of the Holy Spirit, bearing fruit, and carrying out the great commission, will be growing. Whether there are additions to the current location or all new locations built, there will be growth that reflests the Holy Spirit working in that Church. Congregations have to figure out all the hows and whys and what-fors according to the direction that the Spirit leads them to go. Not every Christian is the same in his/ her ways of coming to God. Those who are truly seeking God will find Him where they look. That may be in a building, big or small, or maybe out in the middle of a field, or in someone’s basement. Wherever two or more are gathered in His name, there He will be also.
Grace, Peace, and Love in Christ,
Kevin

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