P & P- Journal 4
In the Foreword section of book, The Hidden Lives of Congregations, Ronald W. Richardson mentions that pastoral leadership has the capability to “influence” people. (vi) In the Introduction, the author Israel Galindo states definition of church. (12) The author argues that the basis of working of congregations is “systemic relationships.” (1) This is more elaborated in his words about congregation as “family.” (7, 8) The purpose of introducing this understanding is to help leaders know how a “congregation works” and what is the cause for it not to work. (Introduction,1) Also, another purpose is to understand how the roles of pastors are played within a congregation. (12)
Galindo points out the crucial relationship that a …show more content…
As Dr. Fowler stated in a class lecture “you go on behalf of God, and not on behalf of yourself.” (date?) I wonder if a circumstance like this conveys that the call in Allen’s life had been diminished or come to an end? I am reminded of Galindo’s earlier mention of systemic relationships. It makes me wonder why and how, humans think they can take charge of an authority that has been ordained by God? Is it because they have been given authority by the system or, do they think they can make their authority a part of the system? Also, do they not think that they are arguing against God? I believe that no one can cancel anyone’s call that has been appointed from God or none can refute God’s appointed consecration, as mentioned in Jeramiah 1. It makes me further question the absence of “reflective discernment” as was mentioned in a previous class reading. (39, Mark …show more content…
Though family for one church might hold a different perspective in comparison to another church, at the same time, Galindo mentions that churches like to pay attention to what the culture around them, in other churches is. (16) This is to encourage a feeling that is deprived of any threat. I am reminded of my Field Site, the Evanston Vineyard Church which is a non-denominational church. This church focuses on hospitality, welcome, pastoral care, hospital visits, small groups, prayer teams, Harvest Food Pantry, free clothing closet, weekly communion, preaching about Bible and the Holy Spirit, contemporary style of worship and, transformation of people’s lives. The author is referring to majority of the churches to have a similar culture at their churches so that they do not sound “irrelevant.”(16) It makes me wonder that I have not seen a similar attitude of welcome and love at other churches other than this place. They might have a common value of either having a contemporary style of worship, small groups or preaching style, but still be different to other churches. Narrating my personal experience, I can say that going to Willow Creek was not the same as attending Vineyard, or going to First UMC Evanston is not the same as going to another UMC Church in IL. Though both, Vineyard and Willow Creek have contemporary style of worship and have a lot of diversity of
In the Foreword section of book, The Hidden Lives of Congregations, Ronald W. Richardson mentions that pastoral leadership has the capability to “influence” people. (vi) In the Introduction, the author Israel Galindo states definition of church. (12) The author argues that the basis of working of congregations is “systemic relationships.” (1) This is more elaborated in his words about congregation as “family.” (7, 8) The purpose of introducing this understanding is to help leaders know how a “congregation works” and what is the cause for it not to work. (Introduction,1) Also, another purpose is to understand how the roles of pastors are played within a congregation. (12)
Galindo points out the crucial relationship that a …show more content…
As Dr. Fowler stated in a class lecture “you go on behalf of God, and not on behalf of yourself.” (date?) I wonder if a circumstance like this conveys that the call in Allen’s life had been diminished or come to an end? I am reminded of Galindo’s earlier mention of systemic relationships. It makes me wonder why and how, humans think they can take charge of an authority that has been ordained by God? Is it because they have been given authority by the system or, do they think they can make their authority a part of the system? Also, do they not think that they are arguing against God? I believe that no one can cancel anyone’s call that has been appointed from God or none can refute God’s appointed consecration, as mentioned in Jeramiah 1. It makes me further question the absence of “reflective discernment” as was mentioned in a previous class reading. (39, Mark …show more content…
Though family for one church might hold a different perspective in comparison to another church, at the same time, Galindo mentions that churches like to pay attention to what the culture around them, in other churches is. (16) This is to encourage a feeling that is deprived of any threat. I am reminded of my Field Site, the Evanston Vineyard Church which is a non-denominational church. This church focuses on hospitality, welcome, pastoral care, hospital visits, small groups, prayer teams, Harvest Food Pantry, free clothing closet, weekly communion, preaching about Bible and the Holy Spirit, contemporary style of worship and, transformation of people’s lives. The author is referring to majority of the churches to have a similar culture at their churches so that they do not sound “irrelevant.”(16) It makes me wonder that I have not seen a similar attitude of welcome and love at other churches other than this place. They might have a common value of either having a contemporary style of worship, small groups or preaching style, but still be different to other churches. Narrating my personal experience, I can say that going to Willow Creek was not the same as attending Vineyard, or going to First UMC Evanston is not the same as going to another UMC Church in IL. Though both, Vineyard and Willow Creek have contemporary style of worship and have a lot of diversity of