WhatNatesReading.

I appreciated the section on "Command vs. Expectation."  I think that it's important to separate our expectations of the church from Jesus' expectations of us.   Especially with the virus hitting, it's challenging to re-think what is actually commanded, instead of relying on "What we've always done.  The rethinking of the commands, like "equip & exhort one another" and "don't forsake assembling together" are a lot different in a world where face to face interaction is limited to groups of less than 10.  The expectations have drastically changed, but the commands remain.   The section on "Doing what works" is a thing that almost every pastor has wrestled with.  There is a tension between felt needs (what people want) and what we all actually need.  There has to be some recognition, and dealing with the first, even if it's just to convince people that they're wrong.  We've all heard the stories of Jonathan...

I like that Chan connects the stories of Gods judgment in ignoring the sacred to the New Testament, but it feels heavy handed. God did those things to make a point. let’s be honest, We do not understand what “sacred” means. We do rush into things we don’t understand. “THE sacred” typifies pretty much We also don’t have to stop at the sentence that you wrote, Francis. It is a great idea, but it’s not the actual words of God, and it’s not even the biggest mystery I’ve contemplated today.  That sounds a little cavalier, but the thing I dislike about Francis is that he kind of shames you because your not as blown away by his idea as he is. The repetition of the heaven being where God dwelt feels a little overstated after Jesus.  I mean, is the temple that impressive in light of God incarnate?  It doesn’t feel like it. Chan nails “A small part of an eternal plan”.  The church is the sacredness.  The body of Christ on earth, his people, his priests. That...

I committed to reading more, primarily because I need some kind of accountability to make sure that happens.  I've slid into the trap of not reading enough.  So, my goal is just pick something, and comment on a chapter a day, because that will force me to do it.    "Letter to the Church" by Francis Chan seemed to gain the most traction, so that's what I'm doing.  If you're reading along, feel free to share your thoughts, or tell me what you think of mine.   I’m glad that Francis starts out by acknowledging some of the core issues of the megachurch movement.  I appreciate when a leader has the self-awareness to see some of the flaws in the thing their moving.  While I don't  While I struggle to practice it myself, I do think that humility is important in leadership.  I'm glad that he wrestled with it.  I do think it's hilariously ironic that a celebrity pastor who built a megachurch and is basically is critiquing megach...