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Impact of religion in society
Background to church history
Impact of religion in society
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Introduction Being a member of a non-denominational church for over a decade, and a church-hopper several years before, I chose to interview Pastor Ruben, a twelve year Baptist pastor at the local church. During the interview, he provided insight into the church’s history, the church’s core values, the church’s beliefs as well as some of his own beliefs. In addition to this, we also discussed some of the problems and concerns of the church’s role within a modern day setting.
Defining a Baptist
Pastor Ruben describes the role of a Baptist pastor as one who is concerned about the relationship between mankind and Jesus Christ as well as the relationship between mankind and the Godhead. He said, “As a baptist, not just a pastor, it is my responsibility to share the message of Jesus Christ and proclaim the works of the living God among the people.” As one who grew up in the faith, he continued to say, “From a child, I was taught that a personal relationship with Christ is necessary so that we can live godly as well as draw people to the faith.” Pastor Ruben then clarified the church’s definition of a Baptist. He said that, the Baptist community’s core beliefs lies in the fact there is one God, who is the Father of Jesus Christ who was born from a virgin. They also believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as well as the Great Commission
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For example, for the past several weeks, the pastor says that the church had been conducting a winter preparation drive and food pantry for those in need. Each weekend, people who do not belong to a church, are invited to attend the services as well as meet with a member the staff afterwards to discuss that person’s physical and spiritual
N.T. Wright: During my first semester at Northwestern College, I was assigned the book, “The Challenge of Jesus” by N.T. Wright for one of my Biblical Studies courses. This book and every other book Tom Wright has written has dramatically impacted my Christian faith. Dr. Wright has not only defended the basic tenants of the Christian faith, but also has shown how an academically-minded pastor ought to love and care for his or her congregants. N.T. Wright was previously the Bishop of Durham and pastored some of the poorest in the United Kingdom. His pastoral ministry has helped shape his understanding of God’s kingdom-vision which he is diagramming within his magnum opus “Christian Origins and the Question of God”. This series has instructed myself and countless other pastors to be for God’s kingdom as we eagerly await Christ’s return. Additionally, I have had the privilege of meeting with N.T. Wright one-on-one on numerous occasions to discuss faith, the Church, and his research. I firmly believe Tom Wright is the greatest New Testament scholar of our generation and he is the primary reason why I feel called into ministry.
The thesis of the book Deep and Wide by Adam Stanley is simply put as making a church that the unchurched can’t resist to attend. This book may cause controversy in some Christian circles by leaving a traditional church view of the church’s purpose being for the churched, however, in this paradigm shift Stanley presents that the church’s purpose should be to reach the unchurched in order for people to receive the Gospel that would never step foot into a traditional church. Stanley has shown results with this mission and method by North Point Churches growth from its start with him as a church planter and senior pastor. Deep and Wide challenges the pastor to refocus and seriously convict them
Parishioners often ask me if there is really any difference between United Methodist and the Baptists down the road. The answer, “quite a lot,” generally surprises them. When they ask me to explain, I often point them in the direction of our polity and the theology it reflects.
This concept boils down to the idea that even though they are a church, they are all still individuals. This is based upon the idea that every single person is created in the image of God. Due to this idea, Baptists are known as some of their individualism (p. 24). This idea of individualism is present even from the beginning of ones walk with a Christian. Saving faith is something that is personal to Baptist, not impersonal. This was an idea that was borrowed from the early reformers, most notably Martin Luther. The Baptist would agree with him in saying that salvation is between the individual and God (p. 25). Some would understand this to mean that this idea of individualism is one of human self-sufficiency, or man being able to save himself. This is far from the truth, we are saved by God’s grace; however, we are saved individual by individual and person by person. We are personally save. We are personally called to ministry or to join a church. And, we are personally called to the baptism and the Lord’s Supper along with being personally called to many other things (p. 26). The Christian walk, to Baptists, is one that is between God and an individual first and
In his book Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology, John S. Hammett, professor of systematic theology at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, attempts to provide a biblical and distinctively Baptist ecclesiology that is relevant for the Church’s contemporary setting.
Rainer, Thom S. I am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference. Nashville, TN.: B&H Pub. Group, 2013.
I was very surprised at a few facets as I ventured my way through these job descriptions. One of the first things I noticed is how few full time positions there were on this list. I had always figured a church position would be a full time job because that is the kind of church I grew up in. However, to see that a worship pastor’s position was only a 10 hour a week commitment was quite surprising, but that makes sense in a smaller church. Thus, it has caused me to think about new opportunities for other part time work outside of the church. I suppose I’ve never really thought of a back up plan because I was so sure I would be in a full time pastor position.
“The call is something that is an indescribable joy and an indefinable burden at the same time.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 32). There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a congregation of the redeemed moving forward in their faith. However exciting this may be, it is usually not the thrill that propels the pastor in his service. It is the burden placed on the pastor by God that compels him in his work. The pastor understands that he is largely responsible for the work of God being accomplished by his faithfulness to his calling. “All through the Word of God and down through the annals of history, when God has moved it has almost always been attended by the preaching of the Word.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 31)
“Reaching Out without Dumbing Down” seems to be constructed for the church leader, elder, or pastor who is considering altering their current, historic worship style for a more modern one that may attract greater numbers of unsaved people. She provides excellent standards to help Pastors and Worship Leaders plan, execute, and evaluate worship services. These same standards provide a great opportunity to educate the church family on the reasons behind the use of certain worship elements. Although written for church leadership, the everyday church member would also benefit from understanding the very concepts that Dawn is directing at God-empowered leaders.
Thanks Dr. Mahan for your comments and question. To answer your question, the church values did line up with the members values. However, the traditional aspect of the church is somehow different because some members believe in traditional worship where others are hoping to move to more Contemporal style of worship. Yes, it seems like the leadership team has been ready for change for a long time and they are still working toward transitioning certain activities in the church. From what I gather in the interview process from the five members, it appears that majority of them believe that God is working in the lives of their children and members in the church through the word of God.
In a careful examination of the author’s non-denominational church’s understanding and statements on ordained ministry, evidence shows an acknowledgement is before a community of believers. The acknowledgement is that a person has been called into ministry for the Lord. The process proceeds into a time spent in prayer and mentoring with the presiding Pastor. It is during these times a person’s calling is subject to be tested, fostered, confirmed, or its understanding modified. One can consider this challenge a part of training in the service to God.
When it comes to religious beliefs, people have opinions that can be very conservative, to people who have extremist opinions. It is nearly impossible to say whose opinions are correct, but one thing that can be found in their opinions is a middle ground. From religion to religion, people tend to have some degree of similarities in their beliefs or practices. I saw something parallel to this during my interviews. I interviewed four very different people, from different generations, and different religions, yet I found similarities within many of their answers.
His church is a “good sized” suburban church that has been around for 295 years. He describes the parishioners as having a “broad tent” of theological views. This congregation is open to new ideas and re-visiting the old. They appear to be carrying out intentional missional work in their community
For my observation trip, I decided to visit St. Ignatius Church in Oregon, Ohio. I visited a mass at 11:30 on Sunday November 19. I decided to visit a catholic church because my family has no religious background whatsoever, and I decided that I could go with one of my good friends that way if I need to ask questions, she was there to answer them for me.
Jesus served as example for all of humanity. His life work was to solve the fundamental problem of humanities sin and to provide eternal life with the Father. Jesus Christ demonstrated the way humans should live. He modeled behavior to the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, women, tax collector, to His friends. He came to set the example of the way to live for Christians. Basically, Jesus life was an outline of how to live your own life. Jesus confirmed that you should love your neighbor as yourself. That you should love your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. This was demonstrated on a daily bases. Jesus verified that although humans are prone to sin, one can make a choice to not sin. When tempted by Satan, Jesus refrained from sin and turned to God the Father for strength to turn away from the temptation. Jesus was the teacher of complete, true knowledge.