LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Cell Groups:Maladroit Change of Subject":
The more I have been around lay led Bible study, the more I believe the study should be led by called and ordained preachers of the Word. Even a vicar would qualify since he is called and has a much higher degree of education so that he can keep classes on course. So many times I have seen non-called, non-ordained men lead and they just are not equipped. The discussion skews and you hear conjecture and opinion and 'what it means to them'. If the text doesn't say something, then why must we feel the need to add to it? Especially when the text is plain or the study notes (if you have a good study Bible...which everyone should have) explain a seemingly hard passage. Private study should be on-going in the home everyday if possible. That is why Luther wrote the catechisms. But formal...and even the informal (which in a sense are formal)gatherings should be pastor led. That is what Sunday's are for...worship and study of God's Word by those who are qualified. Spend the rest of your week being salt and light to your neighbors, friends, acquaintances and co-workers.
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GJ - Lutherdom now suffers from seminary faculties who cannot or will not teach justification by faith. The Sausage Factory graduates despise the Book of Concord, because they have been taught that the Confessions are boring, irrelevant, and antiquated (unlike the Enthusiasm of Groeschel and Stanley?).
Therefore, it is scary enough letting those bozos (I almost wrote boozos) teach the Word. But to turn loose the laity? No one needs to predict the results. Just visit the Fox Valley circuit. They have had lay-led cell groups for decades, started by Steve Witte (Church and Change founder, president of the portable Asian seminary). Witte has his drive-by DMin from Gordon Conwell, the crown jewel in the WELS educational system.
And fill our hearts with Fuller fire.
7 comments:
Didn't St. Peter say something about Scripture not being of private interpretation? Small groups can't help but have the tendency to descend into Scripture becoming a self-help manual to have your best life now while de-emphasizing Law and Gospel.
NML,
So much for the work of the Holy Spirit, eh? Small groups or any size group for that matter, can and should search the Scriptures. Your generic comments about small groups becoming a self-help manual and de-emphasizing the Law and Gospel are baseless.
P.C. Christian
Lutherans pope and semi-pope, but liberal episcopalians and such delve into Islam:
Episcopal cleric in St. Louis tries Islamic rituals for Lent
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/article_b3a20403-96c5-5766-af26-8fd662652a13.html
This sounds so familiar.
(Alternate title: Denying that small groups can become self help groups is baseless)
Small Groups
GETTING CONNECTED WITH ONE ANOTHER LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY.
It is virtually impossible to build deep friendships, accountability, or satisfying relationships through attending church services only. There are many people attending church services who feel lonely, isolated, and marginalized. Joining a small group gives “people the ability to build friendships, be mentored in the faith, understand and discuss the truth of the Word, identify and use their spiritual gifts, and provide care for one another” (Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, Donahue, p.13).
The small group ministry at Cornerstone is dedicated to getting people connected with one another first locally and then globally.
We offer a variety of small group opportunities – men’s groups, women’s groups, couples groups, marriage groups, mixed groups, young adult groups, and self-help groups. Most groups offer an open door policy welcoming new members at any time through out the year.
http://cornerstonewestchester.com/ministry/small-groups/
bb
The question to be asked is this: Why do I go to church? I go to church because I need to hear the Law to crush my sinful Old Adam. I go to hear the Gospel, which assures me my sins are forgiven, and my faith is strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacrament.
I do not go to church to meet and "connect" with people. Have I made friends and connected with people at church? Of course I have! However, that is an additional blessing of my attendance, not why I go.
I believe the unspoken (and spoken) idea behind small groups is that people will only stay connected with the church by being connected with other people. Wrong! People only stay connected to the Word by the power of the Word in Word and Sacrament.
Scott E. Jungen
I have seen this all during my charismaniac dayz while I was pastoring an ethnic church.
Whereas at the start it might be about Jesus but later on, the social aspect takes over and it becomes a club with a little Jesus on the side.
What is specially heart breaking was that when the church had to deal with controversy, the social connections prevail over Biblical directives. In fact the Bible was not consulted at all.
LPC
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