Comments on: Churches that Give the Middle Finger http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/ Trying to be strategic. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Adam Weitz.com » Blog Archive » Middle Fingers and Complacency http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-24076 Adam Weitz.com » Blog Archive » Middle Fingers and Complacency Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:57:03 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-24076 [...] I was going through Tony Morgan’s website and came across a post he had in March. [...] [...] I was going through Tony Morgan’s website and came across a post he had in March. [...]

]]> By: Jim Gray http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10339 Jim Gray Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:05:03 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10339 smirking about that middle finger and country-club comment. smirking about that middle finger and country-club comment.

]]> By: John Hobbs http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10312 John Hobbs Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:06:13 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10312 The phrase "word and deed" come to mind. I don't think the world cares about our labels. What they do care about is when our labels and our actions don't add up. If all we have are labels then labeled is all we'll get. We have to become an expression of authenticity. Paul said he did not come with clever words of man, but rather a demonstration of the Spirit. When our labels and our actions as the church become an authentic loving expression of the Spirit then people will be transformed. We worry too much about what everybody else is doing. Embrace the part of the body that you are and let your deeds be done in such a way that they line up with your words(labels) and people will glorify God, not the type of label you wear. And, we are not more authentic simply by not having labels. The phrase “word and deed” come to mind. I don’t think the world cares about our labels. What they do care about is when our labels and our actions don’t add up. If all we have are labels then labeled is all we’ll get. We have to become an expression of authenticity. Paul said he did not come with clever words of man, but rather a demonstration of the Spirit. When our labels and our actions as the church become an authentic loving expression of the Spirit then people will be transformed. We worry too much about what everybody else is doing. Embrace the part of the body that you are and let your deeds be done in such a way that they line up with your words(labels) and people will glorify God, not the type of label you wear. And, we are not more authentic simply by not having labels.

]]> By: Scott Hobbs http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10282 Scott Hobbs Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:52:43 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10282 I think a lot of the resolution to the perception those outside of the church have garnered is to get the butts (including mine) that have been in our pews/chairs for a long time to get their butts outside of the church and live a real life of service. To many of us just attended services instead of being servants. I think a lot of the resolution to the perception those outside of the church have garnered is to get the butts (including mine) that have been in our pews/chairs for a long time to get their butts outside of the church and live a real life of service. To many of us just attended services instead of being servants.

]]> By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10276 Rich Kirkpatrick Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:43:42 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10276 The only problem I have is that there are no steeples out here in the west coast that I can find other than the mormon temple... but, the middle finger thing still holds true. Our steeple out here is big media outlets that brainwash Christians into thinking its all about them and that they should be against the world. So, we might have more fruit and nuts, but believe it or not the Christian sub-culture warriors fight militantly those who try to reach people with methods that we use on the mission field every place else. Go figure. The only problem I have is that there are no steeples out here in the west coast that I can find other than the mormon temple… but, the middle finger thing still holds true. Our steeple out here is big media outlets that brainwash Christians into thinking its all about them and that they should be against the world. So, we might have more fruit and nuts, but believe it or not the Christian sub-culture warriors fight militantly those who try to reach people with methods that we use on the mission field every place else. Go figure.

]]> By: Stewart http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10234 Stewart Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:07:59 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10234 I should say upfront that we don't have a steeple. And the steeple line is definitely funny. My problem is that it seems to say that ALL churches with Steeples are giving the middle finger to the world. Seems to me that many are doing great ministry and work for God. I thought one of Perry's soapboxes was that traditional church critics should leave NewSpring alone. I whole heartedly agree. NewSpring is doing great stuff. But why shouldn't the moratorium on criticism go both ways? There are some people who will only be reached by the gospel in a church with a steeple (as crazy as it sounds). Just my two cents. Keep up the great work for the kingdom. I should say upfront that we don’t have a steeple. And the steeple line is definitely funny.

My problem is that it seems to say that ALL churches with Steeples are giving the middle finger to the world. Seems to me that many are doing great ministry and work for God.

I thought one of Perry’s soapboxes was that traditional church critics should leave NewSpring alone. I whole heartedly agree. NewSpring is doing great stuff. But why shouldn’t the moratorium on criticism go both ways? There are some people who will only be reached by the gospel in a church with a steeple (as crazy as it sounds).

Just my two cents. Keep up the great work for the kingdom.

]]> By: jason http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10216 jason Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:08:27 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10216 I enjoyed that post too. Perry's awesome. Although he stereotypes missional as being limited to social justice with little mention of Jesus. Most missional minds I know believe it's advancing the gospel and making Jesus famous wherever God has placed us. Both bringing good news and being good news (like NewSpring). It's good to keep banging the missional drum to remind us of our great cause. I enjoyed that post too. Perry’s awesome.

Although he stereotypes missional as being limited to social justice with little mention of Jesus. Most missional minds I know believe it’s advancing the gospel and making Jesus famous wherever God has placed us. Both bringing good news and being good news (like NewSpring).

It’s good to keep banging the missional drum to remind us of our great cause.

]]> By: Kenyon http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10211 Kenyon Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:11:10 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10211 So if everyone hates you then why does anyone go to your church? So if everyone hates you then why does anyone go to your church?

]]> By: Rod Arnold http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10209 Rod Arnold Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:50:53 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10209 I love the attitude and the authenticity. To Jeremy's point above, I think it's possible--and more effective--to differentiate your church using language that real people in your city use. How many un-churched or de-churched people are looking for an "emerging" or "missional" or "purpose-driven" church. No, they're looking for a church that can address real needs in their lives, so a church should use their everyday language to communicate with them. I love the attitude and the authenticity. To Jeremy’s point above, I think it’s possible–and more effective–to differentiate your church using language that real people in your city use. How many un-churched or de-churched people are looking for an “emerging” or “missional” or “purpose-driven” church. No, they’re looking for a church that can address real needs in their lives, so a church should use their everyday language to communicate with them.

]]> By: Jason Housley http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/03/17/churches-that-give-the-middle-finger/#comment-10208 Jason Housley Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:41:18 +0000 http://tonymorganlive.com/?p=3451#comment-10208 Great definition of what the church should be. Its time that we stop enjoying our comfortable environments and go out and reach the lost instead of condemning. Be a movement, not a mud hole. Great definition of what the church should be. Its time that we stop enjoying our comfortable environments and go out and reach the lost instead of condemning. Be a movement, not a mud hole.

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