tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566026416214601282.post7705619694612649835..comments2023-03-17T06:10:42.146-07:00Comments on Jacob's Café: Liturgical v. Contemporary Church, Part 2Josh Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17796695523851847714noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566026416214601282.post-15329669399602266242010-02-11T03:16:37.146-08:002010-02-11T03:16:37.146-08:00I have seen it all come together but it's rare...I have seen it all come together but it's rare. When I was pastoring in Glendale (CA) a number of years ago I became close friends and prayer partners with the head pastor of a neighboring church that was both "mainline" and evangelical (Glendale Presbyterian Church). When I would visit the church I found a combination of inspiring worship and sermons that were profoundly Biblical, passionately Christ centered, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally moving. It was, at that time (and I have no idea what it's like now) a church that defied labels and offered a glimpse of something I will always long for and never forget. Churches (like pastors and people in general) are "earthen vessels." None of them are perfect. But what I experienced there continues to inspire me many years later and give me at least a glimpse of what church can be when it isn't stuffed safely into some neat little box with a stick-on label. At least I know what's possible. <br /><br />One thing I appreciate about the emerging church movement is the commitment to ongoing conversation and to keeping the dream of authentic church alive. It probably won't reinvent church and, like all movements, it will have a "life-cycle." But it may help all of us ask the right questions and think about what we can do to allow the Spirit to breathe life into existing churches. Some things I've gleaned both from churches like GPC and from the emerging church movement at least allow me to travel hopefully even if they don't mean that I've "arrived." <br /><br />CalCal Thomsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567992817992228344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566026416214601282.post-37785615690980247992010-02-10T09:31:35.734-08:002010-02-10T09:31:35.734-08:00This is a great post! I think that everyone can t...This is a great post! I think that everyone can take something away from this. I have the feeling that some of the churches now are putting up too much of a show to gain members. I do not go to church anymore, mainly because I have felt forced to all my life. I grew up in the traditional setting with hymns and such, and i feel there is no right way for it to be done, however I do not enjoy the churches that are only "recruiting centers" for their congregation, I enjoy the ones that actually teach and show you an objective opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com