tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529014531135465772011-11-27T16:33:53.353-08:00Hosanna Family Church of Pawtuckethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545106588235744623noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-652901453113546577.post-86495624977652795412008-12-01T22:32:00.000-08:002009-02-04T13:10:34.969-08:00Hi, welcome to my online journal.<br /><br />Let me get right to it. I am grieved by the lack of spiritual sobriety in many twenty-first century churches. I believe Protestants must get back to simpler approaches to "doing church" by (1) returning to sound doctrine, (2) getting the gospel right and passionately sharing it, (3) making strong disciples of new converts, (4) bringing back a sense of awe and reverence in worship, and (5) enforcing <a href="http://www.nanc.org/Theological_Considerations/Church_Discipline.aspx">church discipline</a> consistently and uniformly as outlined in sacred Scripture.<br /><br />For many generations, <em>experience</em> has been a weighty factor for many Christians as to whether or not they join a local assembly. The superficial emphasis of the post modern American Christian is not just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">discouraging, but </span>downright annoying. Entertainment driven people seem to have an extremely difficult time enduring sound doctrine. They need commercial breaks, props, and stories. To the expository preacher, these folks are a real <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">challenge</span> (I know).<br /><br />Frankly, I'm finding it increasingly difficult locating Christians (even pastors) with an appetite for strong doctrine. Most seem disturbingly content with leaving rich theological discussions to bible scholars to pontificate in the halls of seminaries. No! Wrong answer! WAKE UP! Delving into the deep things of God is the responsibility of "all" the elect, not just for those with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IQ's</span></span> above 160, or those called to full time ministry.<br /><br />I am troubled by a generation of Christians who know more about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ipods</span></span> than theology, more about emotionalism than truth, more about Joel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Olsteen</span></span> than St. Augustine, and more about their favorite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">celebrates</span> private life than their own eternal life.<br /><br />May God shake the foundation of the church, so we can once again take our roles as light and salt seriously. We need a worldwide revival soon and badly! We need to return to a Christ-centered <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hermeneutic</span>, especially in areas of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">soteriology</span></span> and eschatology.<br /><br />I'll talk to you soon (Lord willing). Thoughts?<br /><br />Pastor Tory<br /><a href="http://www.hosannafamily.com/">http://www.hosannafamily.com/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/652901453113546577-8649562497765279541?l=hosannafamilychurchri.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hosanna Family Church of Pawtuckethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545106588235744623noreply@blogger.com2