tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post1975417391994424018..comments2023-10-01T08:40:34.503-07:00Comments on Episcopal Journey of Hope: A Move Forward Dynamic SpiritualityAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05776475116127746642noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-10626822893272849922013-02-01T15:33:11.915-08:002013-02-01T15:33:11.915-08:00 Church is such a boring waste of time. Church is such a boring waste of time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-71958209907698517372013-01-14T07:51:08.575-08:002013-01-14T07:51:08.575-08:00Everyday we have to get up and start swimming. If...Everyday we have to get up and start swimming. If we don't, we die. The shark metaphor fits the needs of the church today in terms of endurance and perserverence. Spiritually the church is swimming the pretty dark waters, not knowing where its going or whether or not it will survive. However, to live courageously through this darkness while we return to God (repentence)is the modus operandi of our present generation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05776475116127746642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-4533612679698215342013-01-13T16:33:47.152-08:002013-01-13T16:33:47.152-08:00Ed, again for your fine response, thank you for be...Ed, again for your fine response, thank you for being so thoughtful. Re. your last idea of finding a single key for the message of Christ as a paradigm in today's world, wow, if you had!!;)) We are all together in this quest, and Bill's image of the constantly moving shark is for me the pilgrimage for us to discover Christ in each other and our journey, during which we occasionally take a moment to celebrate in thanksgiving of Love together.Ron Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18152111587171163605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-60057362330513645922013-01-13T15:00:18.064-08:002013-01-13T15:00:18.064-08:00I'm learning so much since reading these blogs...I'm learning so much since reading these blogs! I find myself wanting, as a layman, to help address the problem of declining membership. A frustrating and challenging proposition. Recognizing the superior theological education of the writers, and commenters here, I've been compelled to do some reading I otherwise would not. I appreciate recommendations. I have Leonel L. Mitchell's "The Meaning of Ritual." (for me to consider the relevance of ritual to today's average person) and a few others to bring me up to date... Byron D Stuhlman's "Eucharistic Celebration 1789-1979" (as I observe celebration of the Eucharistic is the one almost universal participation point in the service, know that observance rules were changed in 1979, and I have set in Church wondering if there were something to make it more meaningful to a layperson not accustomed to thinking in an allegorical sense) and I thought maybe Carl F. George's "Prepare Your Church for the Future." (as the Meta-Church concept seems to incorporate forward thinking principles.) I still have to study them. <br /><br />Now to address this thought-provoking piece:<br />Of course, Ron is right that the last paragraph is an excellent summary, and Tony is right that Shark is "an apt metaphor" however I think the statement that we must continue "to move forward with a message of encouragement." is the real key. <br /><br />And Bill, you write that we must pull "others along with us." I understand this in the context of shark aggression, but wonder if compelling others to WANT to move along with us isn't a little different. I think of such songs from Jesus Christ Superstar as "I don't know how to love him," and Judas song "Heaven on Their Minds." Both addressing doubt and the difficulty of embracing the message. I think many today find the concept of accepting the message of salvation on "blind" faith to be difficult. They understand deductive reasoning and the scientific method, but need a compelling path to follow. I know addressing music is being successful to draw some members, and I know supplying other needs (day care, satisfying activities through mission work, and personal improvement through yoga and educational classes) are also attracting members, but still can't put my mind on to a single key to making the message of Christ an attractive paradigm for many in today's world. Ed Leonardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-8037272035996964502013-01-13T14:45:12.553-08:002013-01-13T14:45:12.553-08:00Tony, I thought that Jeremiah and Mark were biblic...Tony, I thought that Jeremiah and Mark were biblical. What do you mean by biblical spirtuality? I sense that we may have a false dichotomy. By the way, diminishing numbers are not necessarily a sign of a lack of spirituality.Bill McVeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15174427416489886274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-72301359938887027102013-01-13T11:39:38.331-08:002013-01-13T11:39:38.331-08:00Shark is an apt metaphor given pecusa's litigi...Shark is an apt metaphor given pecusa's litigious nature. I would think that given the diminishing numbers within pecusa that a biblical spirituality might be better than an earthy one.Tony Seelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751662054424993371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-12797021776513582312013-01-13T11:11:07.260-08:002013-01-13T11:11:07.260-08:00Just great. Thanks. Just great. Thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127977175298485373.post-41713959394675243252013-01-12T18:23:16.027-08:002013-01-12T18:23:16.027-08:00The last paragraph says it all. Thanks.The last paragraph says it all. Thanks.Ron Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18152111587171163605noreply@blogger.com