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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gee on November 8, 2005, at 21:26:45
What do you all know about Seminary schools? I've been thinking a lot about it for quite some time
Posted by Dena on November 11, 2005, at 11:34:03
In reply to Seminary schools, posted by Gee on November 8, 2005, at 21:26:45
Well, they're *quite* diverse... each has it's uniqueness and focus.
My husband went to seminary, over 10 years ago now, and then served in a liturgical/charismatic/evangelical church (yeah, they exist) for 9 years...
And, when it was apparent that the church had become very legalistic (heavy-handed leadership - people lording over others, against the teachings of Jesus), we left... or, really, God got us rather dramatically (& painfully) kicked out.
After a year and a half search for a new church "home", God has led me, oddly enough, to a new understanding of the institutional church (not to be confused with The Church - which is relational -- made up of those who love and follow Him... not aligned with any particular building, organization, or institutuion).
Anywho, this is a link to what I've started learning -- I commend it to you in your understanding of Him, and His plan for His Church:
Here's the list of articles: http://www.ptmin.org/articles.htm
Here's one entitled, "The Pastor: Where Did He Come From": http://www.ptmin.org/thepastor.htm
I'm telling you, it's rocking my world, as well as my husband's... but we can't deny what we're reading and learning... nor can we deny where God is leading.
I'm up for a discussion if anyone else is interested...!
Shalom, Dena
Posted by greenhornet on November 18, 2005, at 19:48:42
In reply to Re: Seminary schools » Gee, posted by Dena on November 11, 2005, at 11:34:03
> Well, they're *quite* diverse... each has it's uniqueness and focus.
>
> My husband went to seminary, over 10 years ago now, and then served in a liturgical/charismatic/evangelical church (yeah, they exist) for 9 years...
>
> And, when it was apparent that the church had become very legalistic (heavy-handed leadership - people lording over others, against the teachings of Jesus), we left... or, really, God got us rather dramatically (& painfully) kicked out.
>
> After a year and a half search for a new church "home", God has led me, oddly enough, to a new understanding of the institutional church (not to be confused with The Church - which is relational -- made up of those who love and follow Him... not aligned with any particular building, organization, or institutuion).
>
> Anywho, this is a link to what I've started learning -- I commend it to you in your understanding of Him, and His plan for His Church:
>
> Here's the list of articles: http://www.ptmin.org/articles.htm
>
> Here's one entitled, "The Pastor: Where Did He Come From": http://www.ptmin.org/thepastor.htm
>
> I'm telling you, it's rocking my world, as well as my husband's... but we can't deny what we're reading and learning... nor can we deny where God is leading.
>
> I'm up for a discussion if anyone else is interested...!
>
> Shalom, Dena------------------
Dena,
There is no question that you and I are basically coming from the same point of view. However, I have read over the site you mention. Much of it is good. But finding the simplicity/faith/power of the 1st Century Church is a myth; we honestly have nothing to go on except what was affirmed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Century Church.
I will gladly engage in discussion with you, but perhaps private e-mail would be more appropriate.
I recommend reading "By What Authority?", Mark Shea.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879738510/drbobsvirte00-20
GH
Posted by Gee on November 18, 2005, at 22:17:03
In reply to Re: Seminary schools » Dena, posted by greenhornet on November 18, 2005, at 19:48:42
The sight looks interesting. Thanks. I'll have to look over it in some more detale... I'm suppose to be studying for an exam right now.
I feel like I might possibly be being lead towards the church. I've been raised Anglican, so that's where I would probably start. I know I have to get a degree before I can go to seminary, I'm just so unsure.
How did you know where God was leading you?
Posted by Dena on November 19, 2005, at 13:01:27
In reply to Re: Seminary schools, posted by Gee on November 18, 2005, at 22:17:03
Thanks for the link -- I read that book a couple of years ago, when my former church was "going catholic".
I've left the Institutional/traditional church (IC)... as a follower of Christ, I AM (along with the rest who follow Him) The Church.
While I believe that the IC is founded on many errors, I don't despise it, nor the people who go there.
I'm no longer about "going" to church... (I no longer understand church to be a building, or an institution, or a system).
I'm "being" the Church -- the organic Body of Christ... with only Him as Head, only Him as High Priest, no go-betweeners... no distinction of clergy/laity.
No... I'm not being called into the Catholic church, nor any Protestant church, nor the Orthodox church, or any other sort of church.
God is calling me (& my family... and many others) into understanding what being His Church is all about -- a more simple thing -- meeting in homes, living relationally, loving God and loving neighbor, letting the Holy Spirit lead, operating as a fully-participatory Body (no passive laity watching an active clergy)... going deeper into Him, deeper with one another, fellowshipping in truth and transparency, as HE leads, with no agenda other than following His lead.
So... are we still "on the same page"?
I can't presume to know how He's calling you -- I can only listen to His voice, and follow how He's leading me.
As far as HOW I follow? HOW I know it's Him...? I test it against Scripture, I pray, and I seek Him with all my heart. He promises that those who seek after Him with all their heart WILL find Him. He made me - He knows how to get my attention -- in a myriad of creative ways!
It's about relationship -- first with Him, and then with others.
Not religion. Not ritual. Not structure.. just relationship.
That's where I am -- I'm excited, trepidatious, and eager to follow!
Shalom, Dena
Posted by Gee on November 20, 2005, at 0:24:58
In reply to Re: Seminary schools, posted by Dena on November 19, 2005, at 13:01:27
Yes, we're on the same page
You are so brave. Maybe I'm just not there yet, but at times I feel like I'm meant to do something other than what I'm doing now, but others I feel like I'm in the right spot for the moment.
I know what God's told me so clearly so many times, I guess I just get scared
Posted by Dena on November 20, 2005, at 1:03:31
In reply to Re: Seminary schools, posted by Gee on November 20, 2005, at 0:24:58
> Yes, we're on the same page
>
> You are so brave.<<<Brave? No, my friend. Just scared of NOT living my life authentically, and missing the point for which I was created. I'm desperate to be real. To KNOW Him as He is, without any of man's skewed perspectives in the way.
I'm just hungry for Him, and genuine connections with others, and I'm not willing to settle for less than going deep.
>>> Maybe I'm just not there yet, but at times I feel like I'm meant to do something other than what I'm doing now, but others I feel like I'm in the right spot for the moment.
>
> I know what God's told me so clearly so many times, I guess I just get scared<<< Can you share that? Can you talk about what God has told you clearly, and what it is that you're scared about?
Shalom, Dena
Posted by Gee on November 22, 2005, at 22:01:05
In reply to Re: Seminary schools » Gee, posted by Dena on November 20, 2005, at 1:03:31
I'm scared of not doing it right, or that he didn't tell me it, I just kinda imagined it or something...
Way back when (like 4 years)... he told me to become a priest. And then I stopped believing for a while, and then last year, when I was trying to decide where to go, the message came back clearly. And then again this year, just a few weeks ago.
I love where I am right now, and I love what I'm studying, but like I've never taken any religion classes, or even been to a bible study group. I was part of a youth group once, but when our leader left, and we got knew one who wanted to make it all churchy, we left.
I'm just so confused!!!!
Posted by Dena on November 22, 2005, at 22:41:14
In reply to Re: Seminary schools, posted by Gee on November 22, 2005, at 22:01:05
Peace, brother... peace.
He knows your heart, knows His plan for your life, and won't play games with you...
Sometimes He only leads one small step at a time... like a series of motion detector lights... you have to take the next step before you get enough light for the next, and so on, and so on...
Got a little story to share with you -- an online book that's not quite finished ... but it's changing my life, and so I'll dare to share it:
http://www.jakecolsen.com/jakefront.html
The working title is, "So, You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore".
If you'd like to discuss it, or anything else: brehmites@aol.com
I'll be praying for His direction in your life... and that you WILL experience His peace that passes all understanding.
Shalom, Dena
Posted by Gee on November 23, 2005, at 11:13:31
In reply to Re: Seminary schools » Gee, posted by Dena on November 22, 2005, at 22:41:14
thanks Dena, I'll e-mail you in a bit... I gotta run to class really soon
This is the end of the thread.
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