tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14708322.post116052780483216997..comments2008-09-30T18:34:04.495-05:00Daniel Bergquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13657831105245014506noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14708322.post-1160666466465469202006-10-12T10:21:00.000-05:002006-10-12T10:21:00.000-05:002006-10-12T10:21:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, both spirit and truth were noted by Jesus to the woman at the well. So, I guess we're both right!!Seriously, I went to a conservative Bible school, I am conservative theologically and Truth is at the top of my list as a pastor,I also know after 17 years and 5 churches served, that the most theologically correct congregations can and often do ignore the Bible they claim to hold so dear.

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04575877692579455490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14708322.post-1160611129896803122006-10-11T18:58:00.000-05:002006-10-11T18:58:00.000-05:002006-10-11T18:58:00.000-05:00

Pastor K -Those are pretty much the criteria I have been working with. But what about things that are more subtle to the outsider, but important? For example I have known pastors who have at one time of their lives served in churches with major problems of getting along with each other or apathy towards supporting the pastor. For one pastor it was bad enough that it nearly drove him to quit the

Daniel Bergquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13657831105245014506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14708322.post-1160591620625678212006-10-11T13:33:00.000-05:002006-10-11T13:33:00.000-05:002006-10-11T13:33:00.000-05:00

I'm not Lutheran so anything I say will be summarily dismissed. I walk in, notice closed communion, I head for the door.I try to sense the spirit of the people - both leading worship and in the pew. Very subjective but too many churches have all of their t's crossed and i's dotted but lack a certain intangible essence - the Presence of God.

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04575877692579455490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14708322.post-1160579422039762202006-10-11T10:10:00.000-05:002006-10-11T10:10:00.000-05:002006-10-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

You walk in the door and visit. If it feels like church, that's a point. If they use the liturgy, that's another point. If the pastor preaches instead of giving a pep talk that's a point. If there is Law and Gospel in the sermon, give a few points. If there is closed communion, give them a couple of points. If there is closed communion AND you get questioned by the pastor before you can commune -

Scot K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11543608689358793158noreply@blogger.com