Your chance...

A Chance to Add Your Voice...

For centuries reading the bible alone was practically unheard of. Ancient peoples only heard the scriptures read aloud in groups of people. Sometimes there was only one copy of the bible (or portion of the bible) in an entire village/town. It was unheard of to study the scriptures in isolation.

Because of the oral nature of the scriptures, the ancient/near east mindset saw themselves as part of a discussion that has gone on for thousands of years. Community, community, community. TOGETHER wrestling and searching and engaging the scriptures as a people hungry to know God in order to follow God.

The printing press changed everything.

Now, pastors study the bible alone, stand on stage and deliver the message alone, and (alone) receive e-mails and phone calls from individuals who agree, don't agree or have a great idea for the message that came in a day too late.

I’D LIKE TO PROPOSE SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
I want to provide places (this is just one place) that people can contribute to the conversation about the scriptures. Someone once said. "God has spoken, the rest is conversation".  So I'd like to have a conversation...

1. Right here on this site I will post general thoughts and ideas about messages that I'd like to present during our Sunday gatherings. I will include the scriptures, basic outline and direction we’re taking. Ideally, I'll tell you what each Sunday's topic is 6 weeks in advance.

2. YOU will come here and read our posts... then you will comment on them.  You may give your opinion about the topic or scripture.   You may share how you’ve dealt with this issue .You may make a suggestion to me or the Creative Team. You may give us some leads on articles or books that will help us craft the best presentations of the Gospel on any given Sunday.

** You may also tell me about a past experience with the topic... (i.e. ANGER - you can tell us how God has helped you deal with your anger) but to keep confidentiality we’ll ask that you e-mail me that sort of info.

3. Be sure to leave your name (and contact info if I don't already have it) .  If we use anything personal we will ASK YOU for permission first. Actually, I’d prefer to have YOU (or a videotape of you) present your story or inspiration but if that’s uncomfortable for you – could we read what you wrote?

Hopefully, this is as clear as..NJ politics?????

question? e-mail me at randy@discoverychurchnj.com

---Randy

Comments

[Brad B.]

Great -- now you've gone and shattered the ideal I had built up in my mind that God spoke to you directly in 35-minute increments and you just passed it on verbatim every Sunday. ;-)

In all seriousness -- this is a great idea. Getting more perspectives/stories/ideas from different peopple with different experiences will make the services all the more relevant on Sundays.

[Ann Boyle]

Great idea, Randy! I'll probably be a frequent visitor, like it or not!
Oh, look, Ma! I' blogging!

[Ann Boyle]

Okay, as promised, I'm back.

I presume this is the spot to share ideas for possible series to present at Discovery? If not, just edit me out. Otherwise, here's a thought: Maybe you could do a series on Prayer and Communication and base it on those oh-so-popular Verizon commercials (i.e. "Can you hear me now?"--God can hear you anywhere, anytime), possibly drawing upon the ideas of how to get a "connection," (i.e. a real relationship with God will give you 24 hour access, with no roaming fees!) avoid "dropped calls," (i.e. how our sin causes static on the line) and how the right connection also gives us a great support network (i.e. our church and community).

I've only been in Discovery a year, so I'm not sure if you did anything like that yet.

[Jan G]

Wahoo, it's great! Ready for your first thought!