Comments on: Renewing Our Worship: Change

By: Jay Guin

Jay Guin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:59:29 +0000

Pat,

I don't see how.

You know, Jesus often used agricultural images to refer to his followers — we are wheat, we are grapevines, we are lilies of the field. And there's one thing all plants have in common. Either they're growing or they're dead.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:37:18 +0000

Can there be any growth in all of life without change?

By: mark

mark — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:21:37 +0000

Jay
said
"I’ve seen God break some of the worst legalists by traumatic experiences —"

May explain why the Apostle Paul wrote so much of NT.

By: Joe Baggett

Joe Baggett — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:21:55 +0000

Jay it is good to see I am not the only one up early on Sarurday morning. Yes I think that there are thousands quietly questioning in pews. When you get them by their selves where they feel safe many people open up to changing their beleifs.

By: Jay Guin

Jay Guin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:38:35 +0000

Joe,

You're right. And I've seen God break some of the worst legalists by traumatic experiences — such as the revelation of a dark sin or a divorce in their family. It brings them to grace, but what a terrible way to have to learn the lesson!

On the other hand, there are those who are seeking a better answer, knowing in their hearts that the preacher is wrong but not knowing how to answer his "logic." They just need a little help to find the truth, and when they find it, they quickly accept it.

By: Joe Baggett

Joe Baggett — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:25:27 +0000

I have worked all over the world with top notch organizations in a manufacturing environment. I will tell you that changing one's beliefs is the most difficult thing some can do. It is scary for one to admit that something that they have held to so strongly for so long may not be true. Usually only a traumatic experience or significant change in paradigms can lead someone to change their most deeply held beliefs.

By: Dwayne Phillips

Dwayne Phillips — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:07:49 +0000

"…most of the members have already figured it out. They just need someone to give them permission to say it."

Yes! Permission!

Somehow we find ourselves bound by rules. Our parents or grandparents or some older person we respected as a kid told us something. We burned it in our hearts and minds. We cannot possibly change that rule, unless someone gives us permission.

This is a big deal. I don't know how many times in my conversing with others that I gave them permission to do something they wanted to do and they knew was right. I don't know how many times I have caught myself abiding by some rule that I knew didn't make any sense.

I eventually learned to give myself permission. That is a lesson we should teach – we can give ourselves permission.