tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post524604397041980109..comments2023-09-25T04:24:45.407-05:00Comments on The M Blog: What can Stateside churches learn from their Ecuadorian counterparts?J. Guy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-25191695924041378772006-11-28T16:04:00.000-05:002006-11-28T16:04:00.000-05:00Guy,
The issues you mention are what I thought yo...Guy,<br /><br />The issues you mention are what I thought you were talking about. They are so "off the track" to what God wants to do that I try not to even bother entering those discussions, but here is my thoughts. The baptism stuff (only certain people can baptize, etc.), in my opinion, is antibiblical and from a practical standpoint, can only hurt the move of God. The private prayer language issue is a non-essential to me. I think we should just be excited people are praying. Personally, I don't have a PPL, but I don't see it as anti-biblical (and I do realize the caution of extremity). I'm surprised you didn't bring up the women in ministry subject (smiles)...that is another one the enemy uses to get people arguing. By the way, thanks for pointing out what you did on my blog...i hadn't noticed that.TKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171163114189367328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-17023611386128275142006-11-28T10:56:00.000-05:002006-11-28T10:56:00.000-05:00Tim,
Indeed many fellow believers balk at the ide...Tim,<br /><br />Indeed many fellow believers balk at the idea of setting evangelism goals, of winning a certain number, etc. But we have found if we don't have a goal we are praying for and working towards, we usually end up doing next to nothing. And the years keep rolling by...J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-84168772154949342872006-11-28T09:55:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:55:00.000-05:00Brother Guy,
Great insight into the clear teachin...Brother Guy,<br /><br />Great insight into the clear teaching of Scripture. I was in a pastor's meeting once and suggested that we schedule an evangelism project as an association. One pastor said his church would not participate because he does not teach them to do evangelism that way. He said he taught his church members that the Bible teaches "as you go" to evangelize. I agree with his assessment, but I have seen this used by many Christians and even pastors to rid themselves of the responsibility for sharing the Gospel.<br /><br />Great concept to strive for 4 souls in a year. I will be using that before long.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTim Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02909751217844312917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-7395568434676698882006-11-27T22:14:00.000-05:002006-11-27T22:14:00.000-05:00Alan,
Thanks for your visit. I saw your comment o...Alan,<br /><br />Thanks for your visit. I saw your comment on my other post as well. Yes, I would have to include myself in the same category of needing to improve my relationships with unbelievers. That is something I admire about those we work with, they DO maintain and have good relationships with those outside the family of faith. That is why they are winning so many to Christ!<br /><br />Travis,<br /><br />You ask about some of the issues USA churches have? I was referring to many of the discussions on the various SBC blogs out there concerning various and sundry theological issues (eg. private prayer language, who has the authority to baptize, Landmarkism, etc.) As I mention in my post, we have plenty of issues ourselves but they are more along practical lines of ministry and service, rather than theological.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-84776963952469152462006-11-27T21:40:00.000-05:002006-11-27T21:40:00.000-05:00Guy,
Being that I have been working at a hospital...Guy,<br /><br />Being that I have been working at a hospital part time and just where we are at as a church, we have dealing with questions about healing. Actually, we are just trying to live out healing. God has healed people in the midst of our meetings (one last night...baby had fever and sick...we prayed over him and he was healed), but we have yet to see healing fruit in evangelism which seems to have been the MO of Jesus. I guess I'm learning to believe that God actually wants to heal as I've had to de-progam some of my religious past.<br /><br />We're also learning that church is family and trying to live that out. By the way, what do you think are some of the issues that American churches are having? I'm curious...I guess we are just putting our heads down and working for the King and the Kingdom that we are somewhat blinded, purposely, to some of these issues that I think you are talking about.TKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171163114189367328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-60670593163224669412006-11-27T19:18:00.000-05:002006-11-27T19:18:00.000-05:00If I can add something to #7 above: many American ...If I can add something to #7 above: many American Christians (at least the ones that I know) submerge themselves in a Christian sub-culture and separate themselves almost completely from the lost. This is something that I'm working hard to correct in my own life.<br />- AlanAlan Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-85991273877776454662006-11-27T12:06:00.000-05:002006-11-27T12:06:00.000-05:00Darrell,
Thanks for the kind words. I confess thi...Darrell,<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. I confess things look a lot prettier on paper, than the actual working out of them in real life, nevertheless, we continue to live and learn. We too long for the day when ALL our people are as committed as those whom we write about. We are a long way from anything close to ideal on this, so we too struggle. But God is at work here, as He is in many parts of the world (including the USA), and we rejoice to see His Name lifted higher and glorified amongst the nations.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-34227082914499320672006-11-27T11:11:00.000-05:002006-11-27T11:11:00.000-05:00Thanks for the love brother! I pray for the churc...Thanks for the love brother! I pray for the church here that she will wake-up! God has been warning us in many different ways and from many different people that if things do not change the little that remains will be gone. Thus far my experience in warning Christians of the realties of where we are headed is greeted with a yawn. May God have mercy on us! If anyone wants more insight into the real state of the church in the USA I found a very helpful web-site: http://www.theamericanchurch.org/<br /><br />For the last two years I have realized what you are saying and have done everything I can to not just learn from the courageous Christians in Guayaquil and elsewhere, but do what they do. What is extremely cool is to see that it works here! God is doing wonderful things as we have applied the principles you and others are working with. <br /><br />So thanks for everything you write! I look forward to checking your Blog everyday. I always wonder what God will teach me today!<br /><br />Blessings Brother! Rock ON!Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11148108676901767654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-39922715970679084162006-11-27T08:24:00.000-05:002006-11-27T08:24:00.000-05:00Travis,
God is indeed doing many wonderful things...Travis,<br /><br />God is indeed doing many wonderful things around the world today. This includes the USA. We can all learn from one another, hence my sharing. I am encouraged that you guys are dealing with some of the same issues in your midst. Share with us what you learn as well so that we might benefit. I often share with our team things I have picked up from others and many times these ideas/concepts are incorporated into our work.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-47175902942541671432006-11-27T00:19:00.000-05:002006-11-27T00:19:00.000-05:00There is no doubt that we have much to learn from ...There is no doubt that we have much to learn from work around the world. It is time for the American Church to start taking notes from what God is doing in other places. Although, be encouraged that there are some here in the USA (like us) that are dealing with exactly the same issues you are dealing with. I am encouraged to "see" something further along than we are...blessings to God's work among you.TKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171163114189367328noreply@blogger.com