Comments on: When You Can’t Tell The Difference http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/ Let's give the Commission back to the church. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:25:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: David Rogers http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-1034 David Rogers Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:29:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/#comment-1034 Yes, I believe it comes from our Big B Baptist heritage, which is a legacy from the Landmark movement of the late 1800s.<br/><br/>I believe it is, in general, a good thing that, as Baptists, we are not subject to church hierarchies, at least, theoretically, on an inter-congregational level. <br/><br/>But we have done an overkill on being autonomous and independent. I think 'interdependent' is a more biblical way to think of the relationship between different congregations. Yes, I believe it comes from our Big B Baptist heritage, which is a legacy from the Landmark movement of the late 1800s.

I believe it is, in general, a good thing that, as Baptists, we are not subject to church hierarchies, at least, theoretically, on an inter-congregational level.

But we have done an overkill on being autonomous and independent. I think ‘interdependent’ is a more biblical way to think of the relationship between different congregations.

]]> By: stepchild http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-1033 stepchild Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:44:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/#comment-1033 Okay, so slightly off topic, where does this <i>over</i> emphasis on the local church come from? Is it our heritage of lip service to the autonomy concept? <br/><br/>I've always wondered about this. It seems that focus on the church as a local body only has led to many problems: <br/>-Landmarkism<br/>-Shirking social responsibilities<br/>-The CEO Pastor<br/>-Turf Wars between churches<br/>-Members plotting to oust leadership<br/>-Building programs<br/><br/>And the list goes on... Okay, so slightly off topic, where does this over emphasis on the local church come from? Is it our heritage of lip service to the autonomy concept?

I’ve always wondered about this. It seems that focus on the church as a local body only has led to many problems:
-Landmarkism
-Shirking social responsibilities
-The CEO Pastor
-Turf Wars between churches
-Members plotting to oust leadership
-Building programs

And the list goes on…

]]> By: David Rogers http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-1032 David Rogers Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:07:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/#comment-1032 I think perhaps it has something to do with the conception of the church as only local congregations. Which leads us to view those who are not in our particular congregation as people we don't need to be concerned about. Thus, white, suburban, middle-class congregations will send white, suburban, middle-class missionaries. And poor congregations will have a much harder time sending their own missionaries. I think perhaps it has something to do with the conception of the church as only local congregations. Which leads us to view those who are not in our particular congregation as people we don’t need to be concerned about. Thus, white, suburban, middle-class congregations will send white, suburban, middle-class missionaries. And poor congregations will have a much harder time sending their own missionaries.

]]> By: stepchild http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-1031 stepchild Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:35:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/#comment-1031 David,<br/>Exactly. I guess I was thinking of ways for churches to connect locally and globally. It seems to me that Americans might be slightly more inclined to "send" people that they may see on a regular basis (i.e.: the "poor" people from the inner city). <br/><br/>Why is it always a tough sell to get people on board with sending people who are not like "us?" <br/><br/>Especially when there are willing people who are better suited for the job? David,
Exactly. I guess I was thinking of ways for churches to connect locally and globally. It seems to me that Americans might be slightly more inclined to “send” people that they may see on a regular basis (i.e.: the “poor” people from the inner city).

Why is it always a tough sell to get people on board with sending people who are not like “us?”

Especially when there are willing people who are better suited for the job?

]]> By: David Rogers http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-1030 David Rogers Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:03:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/01/25/when-you-cant-tell-the-difference/#comment-1030 Or how about helping believers from a comparatively reached 3rd world context minister in a comparatively unreached 3rd world context? Or how about helping believers from a comparatively reached 3rd world context minister in a comparatively unreached 3rd world context?

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