Comments on: 7 Characteristics of an Ingrown Church http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/ theology. church. culture. life. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dennismitchell1 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-8801 Dennismitchell1 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:46:00 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-8801 As an elder of a local church here in chicago, i couldn't agree more.  I would like to say that one of the observations I have noticed in our incredibly ingrown church (we have been without a pastor for 16 months), is the reluctance to repent. I believe that the notion of the sovereignty of God has been misrepresented.  God's sovereignty is a position occupied by a king.  It should evoke and incredible sense of humility in the hearts of the kings subjects but what we tend to do as believers is chalk everything up to God's sovereignty.  That means that when sin causes division and there is great harm and fallout in the church that we are very often found saying "well, God is sovereign".  I must repent. I am guilty of such error.  Forgive me Lord for blaming you for what we have done.  God's sovereignty is His rightful position in a kingdom that He reigns over with grace.  My prayer for myself and my church is that I would not hide behind the sovereignty of God when I make a mistake but take responsibility for my error and give God the glory for fixing it. If God is truly sovereign, than we will obey.   With that said, I confess that the ingrownness of our church lays on mine and my fellow elders shoulders.  I cannot even blame our people.  The buck stops here.  God forgive me. As an elder of a local church here in chicago, i couldn’t agree more.  I would like to say that one of the observations I have noticed in our incredibly ingrown church (we have been without a pastor for 16 months), is the reluctance to repent. I believe that the notion of the sovereignty of God has been misrepresented.  God’s sovereignty is a position occupied by a king.  It should evoke and incredible sense of humility in the hearts of the kings subjects but what we tend to do as believers is chalk everything up to God’s sovereignty.  That means that when sin causes division and there is great harm and fallout in the church that we are very often found saying “well, God is sovereign”.  I must repent. I am guilty of such error.  Forgive me Lord for blaming you for what we have done.  God’s sovereignty is His rightful position in a kingdom that He reigns over with grace.  My prayer for myself and my church is that I would not hide behind the sovereignty of God when I make a mistake but take responsibility for my error and give God the glory for fixing it. If God is truly sovereign, than we will obey.   With that said, I confess that the ingrownness of our church lays on mine and my fellow elders shoulders.  I cannot even blame our people.  The buck stops here.  God forgive me.

]]> By: The “Ingrown Church” « Desiring the Better Country http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-8770 The “Ingrown Church” « Desiring the Better Country Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:22:28 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-8770 [...] Joe Thorn lists 7 characteristics of an “Ingrown Church.” [...] [...] Joe Thorn lists 7 characteristics of an “Ingrown Church.” [...]

]]> By: Would We Rather Have Comfort of Soul, or Know God? « Bro. Matt’s Blog http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4043 Would We Rather Have Comfort of Soul, or Know God? « Bro. Matt’s Blog Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:36:04 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4043 [...] Thorn commented on another aspect of Miller’s book dealing with seven characteristics of an ingrown churches. May we read and head as we evaluate exactly what God would have us to be as a New Testament [...] [...] Thorn commented on another aspect of Miller’s book dealing with seven characteristics of an ingrown churches. May we read and head as we evaluate exactly what God would have us to be as a New Testament [...]

]]> By: 7 Characteristics of the Ingrown Church « Vade Mecum http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4042 7 Characteristics of the Ingrown Church « Vade Mecum Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:18:03 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4042 [...] Miller’s Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. I’ve condensed what was originally posted at joethorn’s blog: 1. Tunnel Vision.ministry that can’t see beyond the on-hand resources [...] [...] Miller’s Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. I’ve condensed what was originally posted at joethorn’s blog: 1. Tunnel Vision.ministry that can’t see beyond the on-hand resources [...]

]]> By: Danny D http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4041 Danny D Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:31:02 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/02/25/7-characteristics-of-an-ingrown-church/#comment-4041 Absolutely great post. Right on the money. Great insight here. I will use this. Thanks. Absolutely great post. Right on the money. Great insight here.

I will use this.

Thanks.

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