http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/ Thoughts on faith and culture from the community of NewLife Christian Fellowship, Glastonbury, CT Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:53:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Adam W. Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:53:18 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/#comment-45 It's called let go (of our way) and let God. Death to (sinful) self. The original Christian idea! It’s called let go (of our way) and let God. Death to (sinful) self. The original Christian idea!

]]> http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Eric Stillman Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:48:04 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/#comment-42 Wow, Adam... now if only we could find a way to stop screwing it all up so that God actually could do this. Lord, please, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! Wow, Adam… now if only we could find a way to stop screwing it all up so that God actually could do this. Lord, please, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!

]]> http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Adam W. Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:52:55 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2007/02/13/scaring-people-into-the-kingdom-pt-ii/#comment-40 Rock on Eric! The Kingdom IS motivation enough. Sadly, since many churches aren't experiencing it, they have to resort to other secondary tactics such as fear, manipulation, etc. But when the kingdom really does draw near (sick healed, dead raised and captives released) it IS irresistible and people FLOCK to it, just as in Jesus' day. This reflects some of what your church and others are trying to do -- help people experience newer, richer, fuller lives! Not making converts for the sake of numbers or creating religious robots, but releasing people into an abundant, exciting and real adventure, something the world is searching for and lost without. That is our calling and our destiny, not numbers, percentages and the like. Those evangelism questions have some value, but there's so much that needs to come after (and often before). Can't wait for the next installment, since as I read the Scriptures, it's the religious leaders of the day who get the most "hell talk" from Jesus! Rock on Eric! The Kingdom IS motivation enough. Sadly, since many churches aren’t experiencing it, they have to resort to other secondary tactics such as fear, manipulation, etc. But when the kingdom really does draw near (sick healed, dead raised and captives released) it IS irresistible and people FLOCK to it, just as in Jesus’ day. This reflects some of what your church and others are trying to do — help people experience newer, richer, fuller lives! Not making converts for the sake of numbers or creating religious robots, but releasing people into an abundant, exciting and real adventure, something the world is searching for and lost without. That is our calling and our destiny, not numbers, percentages and the like. Those evangelism questions have some value, but there’s so much that needs to come after (and often before). Can’t wait for the next installment, since as I read the Scriptures, it’s the religious leaders of the day who get the most “hell talk” from Jesus!

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