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If there was a church as you describe then i would definitely come along. i don't like the hypocrisy and judgement that comes from a lot of congregations. I'm always wary when people or sects/faiths promote an 'I'm ok, I'm saved… now it's my job to save you'. God wants every single person to know that they're loved (Romans 5v8), so it infuriates me when people attempt to preach a different message about God: One of intolerance and of unchanging attitude. Jesus Christ didn't say or do the things to keep himself popular with the establishment, however the way he lived, and promoted self-awareness as opposed to judging others (Matthew 7v 1-5) is an inspiration. Each and every one of us is accountable for what we've done, in light of what we know, under varying circumstances. Only God, and God alone can judge my motives and look into my heart, any day of the week and not just a Sunday morning.

For a while, I was convinced that my role as a pastor would be to teach others what to believe (with a nicer construction placed upon it than how that sentence naturally flows, of course). But that still never fully jived with me. Lately, I've come to realize that my role as a pastor when it comes to these matters isn't any different really from the role of any other Christian–to tell others what I believe, and if it's the truth (especially with a capitol T), it will shine through and stick. If it's not, it won't, and that's better anyways. I do believe that I'm not the one converting anyone, so why worry so much about it? Just be the light that God's called me to be, and let Him take it from there.

On another note, I actually think it's easier to teach kids about God than adults BECAUSE they can't fathom the deep stuff yet. It forces us to boil Christianity back down to the fundamentals and build from there. My son has a better understanding of God in some ways because he doesn't have the other things to raise more questions–God is the answer. As Jesus said, we are to see the kingdom of God as a child does.

I myself struggle with the Christian school thing. My wife and I have argued back and forth about it since we've met. I'm a child of the public school and see great value in intentionally putting my children in a place where they will encounter 'the world' for the same reasons as you–to be that light there. She, on the other hand, is a child of parochial schools and still considers it the best experience of her life growing up, citing all the ways in which it fostered and strengthened her faith. She also contends that everything I had in the public school, they had in the parochial school; the difference is the teachers and administrators. We still haven't settled on a decision there. =0/ But I do contend that someone can honor God by choosing to enroll their children in parochial schools or public schools, but certainly not all who take either option do so.

Anyways, thanks for posting. Pass our holiday love on to your girls for us, and I'll look forward to the next one.

P.S. – You spelled 'dreidel' wrong. ;-)

There is an outstanding debate on YouTube between Ken Ham and Hugh Ross. I would recommend it to anyone who has questions about this issue.

Been saying the same thing for years to those who get too wrapped up in the old/young earth debate. If we spent more time listening to God instead of trying to read between the lines of ancient religious (read theology) texts and spent more time trying to get that part right the church-at-large would be a much better organization and a better representative God's Kingdom on earth with his people as His ambassadors.

I have three things to say in response. Two are challenges to what you've said, and the other is a bit of a warning, at least from where I'm speaking it.

1) While I strongly believe that many Christians give in ways that avoid the work to which God calls us all (giving money to an organization with the intent they will use it to help those less fortunate, rather than simply work to help those people themselves, with their own efforts and abilities), that's actually not the point. The fact that most Christians' form of giving is giving to a local church is, first of all, Biblical. In the Old Testament, the firstfruits, your offerings, the tithe, was given to the temple and used there. In the New Testament, the practice remains. Even in your quote from the Book of Acts, the people brought their gifts to the church where they then decided what to do with it. The fact that churches today have voters' meetings and the like where you can speak on how it is used, doesn't nullify the fact that this still follows the Biblical example. You can say that I have a say, but in reality, those budgets are decided by a small group of people chosen to decide them (no different than in Acts). The vote by the congregation is nothing more than a formality at its worst and a means of accountability for those drafting it at its best. If anything, the only real way anyone has a say in where their money goes is with gifts designated for specific purposes.

Regarding the tax break, if that's WHY you're giving, then it's a problem. However, I fail to see how receiving a benefit from something you're already doing anyways is somehow “unGodly.” If anything, the tax break leaves even more money in my pocket to be used to help others or to provide for myself as God also intends.

Regardless, where the money goes and how it's used is NOT the point, so much as if it's given and how it's given. All through the New Testament, and Jesus' teachings, the focus is never on where you give your money to (except maybe with regard to Jesus and taxes), but on HOW you give. Do you give sacrificially? Are you giving cheerfully, without compulsion? Even your example itself about those announcing their giving isn't about whether or not your giving is tracked, but what are the motivations behind your giving? Even if it turns out that I've given to a horrible organization, it doesn't matter, so long as when I gave, in my heart, it was a genuine offering to God.

2) How do you integrate the Parable of the Dishonest Manager and the Parable of the Talents into all of these ideas? It seems to me that both speak to using the ways of worldly economics to benefit and further the kingdom of God. Essentially, it implies that the systems in which the world operates aren't necessarily sinful, and if we can, we should be using those things to accomplish the things of God. Maybe you can help me understand how those passages fit in with some of your suggestions.

3) Lastly, there seems to be a lot of judgment in here upon those who continue to plan and act smartly with their finances. Maybe it's not your intent, and I certainly don't want to read anything into what you're saying here, but it comes across rather heavy-handed. It's one thing to suggest that a way may be more in line with Christ's approach to living or “this is what I do, because I feel that it's what Christ asks of me,” another to assert that we could all stand to live our lives with a little more faithful in God and less in ourselves, but another entirely to assert that someone cannot live a life financially sound by worldly standards, and still be an incredible tool and witness to the power of God.

There is something out there called “triple-bottom-line economics” that asserts that the focus of any organization should be to do what's best for them, what's best for their client, AND what's best for the communities involved. It seems to me like this is something that you're talking about, which I fully support and believe is the approach all business should be taking.

Trust me, I'm no fan of the free market. However, it's not my place to say any who are or who support it, even in the decisions they make for their own lives and families, are somehow sinning. The danger here, as with many things, is a legalist mentality–beginning to assert that it's more about what we do with our money than the spirit in which we do it which, it seems you address in some ways, but really ignore in others.

All that being said, I'm glad that you took the time to write all this down. It's certainly given me some new things to think about, in addition to supporting other conclusions by which I, myself, try to live.

CS Lewis talked about living in that struggle between two worlds (His and ours)and I think it encompasses more than we can imagine. It's real and with us everyday. But if we don't acknowledge it, we'll soon be swept up in what our demographic is doing too.

Thanks for visiting, I hope to have more comments from you that are argued a bit deeper than just hurling insults at those different than you.

Also, it would be great if you actually logged in with your real name/identity next time. It's hard to take what you say seriously if you're too embarrassed of it to attach your real name to the ideas posted.

2) How to introduce the supernatural into mainstream? Hmm.. Like Vampires? They're hot with the teens. Maybe Mummies and Werewolves too. I've always been particular to Dragons and Unicorns. Maybe if you piggyback God on one of those it would have more mass appeal. The problem isn't with god so much as it's followers.

you talk in circles.