Comments on: Are you experiencing real community? http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/ Exploring the freedom & simplicity of relational Christianity Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:03:25 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Christine Sine http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23860 Christine Sine Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:11:45 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23860 Bill, Great articles on your website - I have been looking for resources on community so was drawn to this article then realized that you were quoting my husband! Hmm maybe I need to look closer to home for the resources. Anyhow would appreciate suggestions on good books to read. Blessings on all you do Bill,
Great articles on your website – I have been looking for resources on community so was drawn to this article then realized that you were quoting my husband! Hmm maybe I need to look closer to home for the resources. Anyhow would appreciate suggestions on good books to read.
Blessings on all you do

]]> By: Jeff http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23717 Jeff Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:47:26 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23717 Bill, It's been awhile since I've ventured on your blog...staying extremely busy here stateside. I actually wrote about this very issue a few months ago. Would love for you to check them out. Here's the first link: http://recapturedpassion.blogspot.com/2008/08/authentic-christian-community.html, and here's the second link: http://recapturedpassion.blogspot.com/2008/08/is-this-your-experience.html, Have a great one, Jeff Bill,
It’s been awhile since I’ve ventured on your blog…staying extremely busy here stateside. I actually wrote about this very issue a few months ago. Would love for you to check them out. Here’s the first link: http://recapturedpassion.blogspot.com/2008/08/authentic-christian-community.html,
and here’s the second link: http://recapturedpassion.blogspot.com/2008/08/is-this-your-experience.html,

Have a great one,
Jeff

]]> By: Greg Alford http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23675 Greg Alford Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:39:18 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23675 Bill, I have learned over the years that there is much wisdom in your words… “we belong to one another, not to a non-profit corporation,” This is a truth that, if understood, would be a great blessing to all those believers in the state where I live (Florida) that belong to one of those non-profit corporations. Speaking of those non-profit corporations; they cannot be found anywhere in the Bible, so are they Unbiblical? I have come to believe that loyalty to them above loyalty to the Word alone is the very reason why many Churches in America are in the sad shape they are now in. I just wonder how these Churches (and Christians) would treat one another if these non-profit corporations just vanished? I’m betting much better than they do now. Anyway, it sure is good to chat with you again my Brother. Grace Always, Bill,

I have learned over the years that there is much wisdom in your words… “we belong to one another, not to a non-profit corporation,”

This is a truth that, if understood, would be a great blessing to all those believers in the state where I live (Florida) that belong to one of those non-profit corporations.

Speaking of those non-profit corporations; they cannot be found anywhere in the Bible, so are they Unbiblical? I have come to believe that loyalty to them above loyalty to the Word alone is the very reason why many Churches in America are in the sad shape they are now in. I just wonder how these Churches (and Christians) would treat one another if these non-profit corporations just vanished? I’m betting much better than they do now.

Anyway, it sure is good to chat with you again my Brother.

Grace Always,

]]> By: Bill Lollar http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23672 Bill Lollar Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:22:38 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23672 <b>Greg:</b> I'm not sure why you're so uncomfortable with my statement about the "brothers and sisters" that live close by. If they are not genuine believers, they would not be my brothers and sisters, would they? Paul met one group in his journeys that was really "way out there" (they had not yet heard of the Holy Spirit) and yet he considered them members of the body of Christ. See, that's the real sense of belonging that I'm talking about: we belong to one another, not to a non-profit corporation, when we become followers of Jesus Christ. Greg: I’m not sure why you’re so uncomfortable with my statement about the “brothers and sisters” that live close by. If they are not genuine believers, they would not be my brothers and sisters, would they? Paul met one group in his journeys that was really “way out there” (they had not yet heard of the Holy Spirit) and yet he considered them members of the body of Christ. See, that’s the real sense of belonging that I’m talking about: we belong to one another, not to a non-profit corporation, when we become followers of Jesus Christ.

]]> By: Tom M. http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23669 Tom M. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:50:31 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23669 I've found that Christians that I meet now since I "cut the cord" and participate in house church are very skeptical when I suggest cooperation. I think that they see house church as somewhat subversive, and IMHO for good reason. That said, I do think that traditional congregations of Christians that have buildings, paid staff, etc. have a lot to offer 'us' and vice versa, and spend a lot of time thinking of how to cooperate. If only I'd spend less time thinking and more time doing something. Oh well. I’ve found that Christians that I meet now since I “cut the cord” and participate in house church are very skeptical when I suggest cooperation. I think that they see house church as somewhat subversive, and IMHO for good reason. That said, I do think that traditional congregations of Christians that have buildings, paid staff, etc. have a lot to offer ‘us’ and vice versa, and spend a lot of time thinking of how to cooperate. If only I’d spend less time thinking and more time doing something. Oh well.

]]> By: Greg Alford http://thin-edge.org/2008/10/09/are-you-experiencing-real-community/comment-page-1/#comment-23667 Greg Alford Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:17:48 +0000 http://thin-edge.org/?p=478#comment-23667 Bill, I agree with much of what you say… and I can, and do, fellowship with many Christians in my community that belong to a different Church than I belong to. Brother, I have come to realize that most of the things that divide us are indeed not the essentials of the faith. However, I am very uncomfortable with saying: “I have no right to write off my brothers and sisters who live in close proximity to my house, no matter what church they attend on Sunday.” Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is in truth a Christian… I am talking about some of the way-out-their groups… However having been excluded from fellowship by my local Baptist Association because I am a Calvinist has taught me to be very careful about excluding others, but we must draw the line somewhere. Grace Always, Bill,

I agree with much of what you say… and I can, and do, fellowship with many Christians in my community that belong to a different Church than I belong to. Brother, I have come to realize that most of the things that divide us are indeed not the essentials of the faith.

However, I am very uncomfortable with saying: “I have no right to write off my brothers and sisters who live in close proximity to my house, no matter what church they attend on Sunday.”

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is in truth a Christian… I am talking about some of the way-out-their groups… However having been excluded from fellowship by my local Baptist Association because I am a Calvinist has taught me to be very careful about excluding others, but we must draw the line somewhere.

Grace Always,

]]>