Comments for Purity Presbyterian Church

Comment on Apostle’s Creed by Mike

Mike — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:09:10 +0000

What I find most meaningful about saying the Nicene and the Apostle’s Creeds is that it makes me feel connected to Christians throughout the ages who have professed the same beliefs. I’m kind of a history nerd and I’ve always been disappointed that we don’t study more about the history, especially the early history, of the Christian Church. The Christians of the first 300 years of the Church managed to convert the most powerful empire in the world while facing persecutions and difficulties that we can barely imagine.

I grew up in the United Methodist Church and I’m now obviously in the PCUSA. I know it’s a gross generalization but, in my experience, if we ever discuss church history at all, it goes something like this: 1. Jesus 2. The Book of Acts (maybe) and 3. The Protestant Reformation. I think we are missing a lot by not delving into the often heroic examples set by the saints and martyrs of the early church.

Comment on Don’t Swallow a Camel by admin

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:31:56 +0000

done!

Comment on Don’t Swallow a Camel by Mike

Mike — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:52:10 +0000

I love the blog. Thanks for doing this. Hopefully, the longer it is around the more it will become a forum for discussion. There have been many times that I wanted to say something to you about a scripture passage or some point you made in a sermon but were unable to get a chance to speak to you in the crush that happens as soon as church is over. The same with several things raised on Wednesday nights.

One petty complaint/suggestion: Is there any way to have the comments appear in the order that they were made rather than having the most recent appear first? I have blogged in the past and was able to adjust this in the settings. I used blogspot rather than wordpress but I would assume wordpress could adjust this also. Of course, it may be that you just prefer to have the most recent comment appear first and, if so, it’s your blog and I defer to your preferences.

Comment on The Future of the Church in America by pastor

pastor — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:08:08 +0000

I put “Resident Aliens” on my reading list.

Comment on Don’t Swallow a Camel by pastor

pastor — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:04:24 +0000

Love him!

Comment on The Future of the Church in America by Mike

Mike — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:29:16 +0000

I think the “spiritual but not religious” phenomenon is less a result of the problems the church in North America finds itself in but more a product of human nature. We are all created in God’s image and so it is natural that all human beings feel a pull toward the Divine. Where we have failed as a church is in not answering that need that all humans have for a relationship with God and a place in a community of worshipers. (I’m using the term church in a broad sense and not referring specifically to Purity, though we share some of these problems too.) The story of the young graduate student who comes to church to find an argument about color schemes is very believable to me.

I think we need to work on how we make disciples. I like many of the ideas in books Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon and After Christendom which Hauerwas wrote by himself. They tackle the idea of how Christians and the Church need to function is a post-Christian society like modern America. And much of that begins with the way we make Christian disciples. In one of the books (I can’t remember which) there is a great comparison between how someone becomes a bricklayer and how someone joins most Christian churches. (At least Protestant ones.)

I don’t believe they’re saying we need to make it difficult to join the church but we need to realize that the process of making disciples is a serious one and needs lots of attention and effort from all involved especially if we expect those disciple to endure when confronted by a culture that is often hostile to their faith. The church of the first two or three centuries often had a long initiation process with much training and mentoring for new Christians. And that was the Church that converted the most powerful empire in the world despite persecutions that would make our complaints about how Christians are treated seem tremendously petty by comparison.

Comment on Don’t Swallow a Camel by Mickey

Mickey — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:51:25 +0000

Yea – what about that camel? What to do?

Comment on The Pastor’s Ponderings (Welcome) by Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:18:34 +0000

Trey,
I think this is so wonderful and having been out of church for the last month with our new little blessing, it is nice to find a way to feel connected. I had just told Wayne that I was missing church and feeling very out of touch and that I couldn’t wait to be back! Keep up the good work! We are so blessed to have found you!

Comment on Photos from Fun Day @ the state park. by Mickey

Mickey — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:48:30 +0000

GREAT photos – thanks for sharing!

Comment on The Pastor’s Ponderings (Welcome) by Anne

Anne — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:36:16 +0000

Trey – I believe that our communications will be growing among our members and in the community at large. How much better way to spread Purity’s message of love and service!