Comments on: 10 Ways Your Church Can Be Good News to the Neighborhood http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/ Wed, 23 May 2012 16:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: 15 Things. « Tsmith0095's Blog http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-10776 15 Things. « Tsmith0095's Blog Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:00:50 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-10776 [...] Adam Mclane’s “10 Ways to Be Good News to Your Neighborhood” [...] [...] Adam Mclane’s “10 Ways to Be Good News to Your Neighborhood” [...]

]]> By: Steven Dale http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-9158 Steven Dale Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:05:02 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-9158 One thing we found works is to pick up litter in your neighbourhood. Organise a 'litter pick' day and you will find yourselves getting into interesting conversations. Another one is to hold a cafe in the church and have newspapers and free coffee & cakes available. Put on a range of activities for all ages and get your members to just sit and chat and generally be friendly. One thing we found works is to pick up litter in your neighbourhood. Organise a ‘litter pick’ day and you will find yourselves getting into interesting conversations. Another one is to hold a cafe in the church and have newspapers and free coffee & cakes available. Put on a range of activities for all ages and get your members to just sit and chat and generally be friendly.

]]> By: Community Impact : Phil's Blogs http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7899 Community Impact : Phil's Blogs Sat, 01 May 2010 03:49:44 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7899 [...] friend Adam shared some great ideas yesterday for churches (could also apply to other organizations) to become [...] [...] friend Adam shared some great ideas yesterday for churches (could also apply to other organizations) to become [...]

]]> By: Cathy Rape http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7845 Cathy Rape Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:41:03 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7845 Respectfully and in love: Adam: "I have a fervent belief that if we want to reach a post-Christian society, we have to be Good News before someone will listen to Good News." Q: Why would someone want to listen to good news (redemption) unless they are convinced of the bad news (their lostness)? A "warm shower" may be good news if you are dirty and your water has been turned off, but it is not the good news of the gospel. Adam: "Here are 10 ways you can begin transforming your church into a place where Good News flows from:" Q: A church cannot be "transformed" by works. You are suggesting a system of works. If by Good News you mean salvation by grace, it must be first taught in order to flow from the church. Respectfully and in love:

Adam: “I have a fervent belief that if we want to reach a post-Christian society, we have to be Good News before someone will listen to Good News.”
Q: Why would someone want to listen to good news (redemption) unless they are convinced of the bad news (their lostness)? A “warm shower” may be good news if you are dirty and your water has been turned off, but it is not the good news of the gospel.

Adam: “Here are 10 ways you can begin transforming your church into a place where Good News flows from:”
Q: A church cannot be “transformed” by works. You are suggesting a system of works. If by Good News you mean salvation by grace, it must be first taught in order to flow from the church.

]]> By: adam mclane http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7843 adam mclane Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:17:57 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7843 Just like some of what I'm reading is "neo-fundamentalism," what I am suggesting is really not a "neo-social Gospel." In fact, most of what I've suggested in the list are things that the church has traditionally done. It's only in the last years we've started worrying more about liability and locking doors than we have about loving our neighbors. (Which, by my count is 1 of the 2 more important things Jesus commanded.) Just like some of what I’m reading is “neo-fundamentalism,” what I am suggesting is really not a “neo-social Gospel.” In fact, most of what I’ve suggested in the list are things that the church has traditionally done. It’s only in the last years we’ve started worrying more about liability and locking doors than we have about loving our neighbors. (Which, by my count is 1 of the 2 more important things Jesus commanded.)

]]> By: Chris http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7842 Chris Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:21:30 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7842 If y'all will excuse me for being a buttinsky, this is exactly what we talked about last Sunday at my church. Sin has had many effects on many levels. On an individual level, we are broken, prideful, selfish, we follow and believe in lies, etc. On a societal level, we have injustice, hunger, poverty, and slavery. The Gospel addresses sin, and all of its effects on all levels - the individual level (sanctification) and the societal level. As the Kingdom of God comes to us, we are changed inwardly, and we are used by God to change the things around us, because sin and its effects, on any level, have no place in the Kingdom of God. The people on Facebook are of course missing the most important issue. Poverty and injustice are only symptoms of the foundational problem, and addressing the symptoms won't fix the illness, which can only be addressed by Christ, the cross, and the empty tomb. We Christians also have to avoid the tendency to take up social issues but divorce them from Christ. "Social Gospel" without the Truth of Christ isn't the gospel. If y’all will excuse me for being a buttinsky, this is exactly what we talked about last Sunday at my church. Sin has had many effects on many levels. On an individual level, we are broken, prideful, selfish, we follow and believe in lies, etc. On a societal level, we have injustice, hunger, poverty, and slavery. The Gospel addresses sin, and all of its effects on all levels – the individual level (sanctification) and the societal level. As the Kingdom of God comes to us, we are changed inwardly, and we are used by God to change the things around us, because sin and its effects, on any level, have no place in the Kingdom of God.

The people on Facebook are of course missing the most important issue. Poverty and injustice are only symptoms of the foundational problem, and addressing the symptoms won’t fix the illness, which can only be addressed by Christ, the cross, and the empty tomb. We Christians also have to avoid the tendency to take up social issues but divorce them from Christ. “Social Gospel” without the Truth of Christ isn’t the gospel.

]]> By: Cathy Rape http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7841 Cathy Rape Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:59:53 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7841 Adam and Brit, Thank you dear brothers for your kind replies to me. I appreciate that you responded in christian love to what must have felt confrontational. I'd like to apologize to you Adam for quoting you out of context. I came across your article on Facebook. It (and the additional quote in isolation) were posted there in the context of a discussion thread started by a non-Christian. The thread drifted toward the conclusion that the world doesn't need the Christian church for such simple acts of kindness, and that any person or business can and should do the same. Many Do! One individual hailed the arrival of a post-christian society where the church was irrelevant. It was all very sad. I don't feel at liberty to "teach" the staff members of another church. I can only EARNESTLY IMPLORE you to listen to the messages given at the T4G conference. I was once a founding member of a "Willow Creek model" church and embraced the "seeker sensitive" movement, so I know where you stand, and I know you have a compassionate heart. I stand in wholehearted agreement with you that Christians should be the most charitable people on earth and should reach out to the community. As a matter of fact, I am going with a group from our church Friday to a local college to do just that. However, kindness and charity are the "fruit" and not the "root". Unless the whole council of the word of God is preached INSIDE the church, there will be no root and the fruit will rot. Adam and Brit,

Thank you dear brothers for your kind replies to me. I appreciate that you responded in christian love to what must have felt confrontational.

I’d like to apologize to you Adam for quoting you out of context. I came across your article on Facebook. It (and the additional quote in isolation) were posted there in the context of a discussion thread started by a non-Christian. The thread drifted toward the conclusion that the world doesn’t need the Christian church for such simple acts of kindness, and that any person or business can and should do the same. Many Do! One individual hailed the arrival of a post-christian society where the church was irrelevant. It was all very sad.

I don’t feel at liberty to “teach” the staff members of another church. I can only EARNESTLY IMPLORE you to listen to the messages given at the T4G conference. I was once a founding member of a “Willow Creek model” church and embraced the “seeker sensitive” movement, so I know where you stand, and I know you have a compassionate heart.

I stand in wholehearted agreement with you that Christians should be the most charitable people on earth and should reach out to the community. As a matter of fact, I am going with a group from our church Friday to a local college to do just that. However, kindness and charity are the “fruit” and not the “root”. Unless the whole council of the word of God is preached INSIDE the church, there will be no root and the fruit will rot.

]]> By: Imagine our cities if all churches tried these ideas… : Glenn’s Journey http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7838 Imagine our cities if all churches tried these ideas… : Glenn’s Journey Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:56:50 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7838 [...] Over on this blog was a recent post with some thought-provoking ideas for all churches. I’m listing the points here for my own reference, but check out the original post for some interesting discussion in the comments: 10 Ways Your Church Can Be Good News to the Neighborhood… [...] [...] Over on this blog was a recent post with some thought-provoking ideas for all churches. I’m listing the points here for my own reference, but check out the original post for some interesting discussion in the comments: 10 Ways Your Church Can Be Good News to the Neighborhood… [...]

]]> By: Brit Windel http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7837 Brit Windel Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:28:57 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7837 Love it Adam, Very challenged and somethings we were even talking about today in staff about how the 'stewardship' of our space also reflects the generosity of our hearts. If we are stingy and are not thinking and being proactive in our backyard how can we expect any of the 'neighbor kids' to want to come in our yard to play...which leads me to Cathy's comment @Cathy, I don't disagree with you that some churches it seems have lost focus in a more favorable social outreach not 'Soul-cial outreach' (No one take this...its mine). But there is a fine line and one i argue with lots of churches that we are called into action into our society to be reaching out in love. How can we expect people to come and hear the truth if we aren't out there in their world hearing, smelling, tasting, buying, living in the lies that they struggle with. Its impersonal and detached. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.~ John 13.35 When you feed the poor and needy you have done it to me~Matthew 25.34-45 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.~ James 1.27 Jesus was ALL ABOUT OUTREACH... he wasn't accepted in church (synagogue) because of his outreach techniques. "yeah lets feed all these people with the NOTHING WE HAVE! But Jesus we only have enough to keep our lights on today..." Anyways great stuff, i need to head to bed, i have a root canal surgery tomorrow from a local dentist :-D. He goes to our church and still charging this youth and family pastor an arm and a leg knowing i have no health care and im' getting married in August... love my dear brother :-) Love it Adam, Very challenged and somethings we were even talking about today in staff about how the ‘stewardship’ of our space also reflects the generosity of our hearts. If we are stingy and are not thinking and being proactive in our backyard how can we expect any of the ‘neighbor kids’ to want to come in our yard to play…which leads me to Cathy’s comment

@Cathy, I don’t disagree with you that some churches it seems have lost focus in a more favorable social outreach not ‘Soul-cial outreach’ (No one take this…its mine). But there is a fine line and one i argue with lots of churches that we are called into action into our society to be reaching out in love. How can we expect people to come and hear the truth if we aren’t out there in their world hearing, smelling, tasting, buying, living in the lies that they struggle with. Its impersonal and detached.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.~ John 13.35

When you feed the poor and needy you have done it to me~Matthew 25.34-45

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.~ James 1.27

Jesus was ALL ABOUT OUTREACH… he wasn’t accepted in church (synagogue) because of his outreach techniques. “yeah lets feed all these people with the NOTHING WE HAVE! But Jesus we only have enough to keep our lights on today…”

Anyways great stuff, i need to head to bed, i have a root canal surgery tomorrow from a local dentist :-D . He goes to our church and still charging this youth and family pastor an arm and a leg knowing i have no health care and im’ getting married in August… love my dear brother :-)

]]> By: adam mclane http://adammclane.com/2010/04/15/10-ways-your-church-can-be-good-news-to-the-neighborhood/#comment-7835 adam mclane Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:27:50 +0000 http://adammclane.com/?p=6039#comment-7835 @cathy- First and foremost. Welcome to adammclane.com. I thank you for your comment as well as contacting me via email. I do find it interesting that you lifted a quote from a private email, but forget to mention the point of the paragraph. What you bring up is what the religious establishment always brings up... "if people would just come and listen to us, we'd tell them something important!" But, like I said in the email I sent you, I can guarantee you that more than 90% of the people in your neighborhood ignore church altogether because you are so worried about preaching "the unedited, unaltered, unashamed Gospel" (as you've chosen to define it) Did Jesus or the Apostles preach exclusively to religious people in the Temple? Not in my Bible. What am I missing? @cathy- First and foremost. Welcome to adammclane.com. I thank you for your comment as well as contacting me via email. I do find it interesting that you lifted a quote from a private email, but forget to mention the point of the paragraph.

What you bring up is what the religious establishment always brings up… “if people would just come and listen to us, we’d tell them something important!” But, like I said in the email I sent you, I can guarantee you that more than 90% of the people in your neighborhood ignore church altogether because you are so worried about preaching “the unedited, unaltered, unashamed Gospel” (as you’ve chosen to define it)

Did Jesus or the Apostles preach exclusively to religious people in the Temple? Not in my Bible.

What am I missing?

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