Comments on: The local church changing the world http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/ reformed spirituality and missional church Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:14:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Siu Fung http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/#comment-6454 Siu Fung Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:06:31 +0000 http://timchester.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-6454 Thank you, Tim. (I am from Australia. I sometimes I teach at theological colleges on justice and poverty issues. Students really like your book Good News to the Poor! Thank you!) Indeed the role of churches is important, I think. There is a tendency for some people to think that the church should look after the spiritual matters, and a development agency should look after the physical needs of the poor. But I think this is a manifestation of our Western worldview in which we separate the spiritual and the material world. But the ancient Jews and the apostle Paul did not think like that. In practice the development agency and the church will be using their own gifts, skills and abilities according to the specific (cultural, social and historical) context in which they operate. Sometimes the chuch finds itself in a good position to meet the material needs of the poor. But at other times it is the development agency which is in the best position to do that task. I hope it all makes sense. Thank you, Tim. (I am from Australia. I sometimes I teach at theological colleges on justice and poverty issues. Students really like your book Good News to the Poor! Thank you!)

Indeed the role of churches is important, I think. There is a tendency for some people to think that the church should look after the spiritual matters, and a development agency should look after the physical needs of the poor. But I think this is a manifestation of our Western worldview in which we separate the spiritual and the material world. But the ancient Jews and the apostle Paul did not think like that.

In practice the development agency and the church will be using their own gifts, skills and abilities according to the specific (cultural, social and historical) context in which they operate. Sometimes the chuch finds itself in a good position to meet the material needs of the poor. But at other times it is the development agency which is in the best position to do that task.

I hope it all makes sense.

]]> By: Joe Miller http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/#comment-6449 Joe Miller Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:30:38 +0000 http://timchester.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-6449 Hi, my name is Joe Miller. I am a church planter in the USA near Seattle, WA doing my Doctoral studies in building self-replicating teams for church planting. I have been sitting on an old quote from one of your blogs since last november. I just <a href="http://www.morethancake.org/2009/07/a-positive-vision-for-church.html" rel="nofollow">posted it</a>, and it gave me the chance to actually sit down and read through some of your website. I am really impressed with your perception and insight into many topics. I added you to my blogroll and look forward to following along with your writings. God bless brother! Hi, my name is Joe Miller. I am a church planter in the USA near Seattle, WA doing my Doctoral studies in building self-replicating teams for church planting.

I have been sitting on an old quote from one of your blogs since last november. I just posted it, and it gave me the chance to actually sit down and read through some of your website. I am really impressed with your perception and insight into many topics.

I added you to my blogroll and look forward to following along with your writings. God bless brother!

]]> By: Tim Chester http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/#comment-6447 Tim Chester Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:48:49 +0000 http://timchester.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-6447 Hi Stephen, no, I'm afraid not. Tim Hi Stephen, no, I’m afraid not. Tim

]]> By: Stephen Dunning http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/#comment-6444 Stephen Dunning Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:36:32 +0000 http://timchester.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-6444 Off topic question (I can't find another way to contact you). Is there a DVD to go with the study course "The World we all Want"? Thanks. Off topic question (I can’t find another way to contact you).

Is there a DVD to go with the study course “The World we all Want”?

Thanks.

]]> By: Jason Kovacs http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-local-church-changing-the-world/#comment-6441 Jason Kovacs Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:52:26 +0000 http://timchester.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-6441 Amen! I work for a ministry promoting adoption and orphan care and have experienced the same response to the role of the local church. I love how you have articulated the importance and relationship of the church as the "primary agent of change in the world." I would love to hear more of your thoughts on the relationship between Christian non-profits and churches and how to work effectively together so that the church is really equipped to do the work. I ask because I also see the place for non-profits and many churches are themselves starting non-profits to do work. I'd love to explore the pros-cons of this. Thanks again Tim! Amen! I work for a ministry promoting adoption and orphan care and have experienced the same response to the role of the local church. I love how you have articulated the importance and relationship of the church as the “primary agent of change in the world.” I would love to hear more of your thoughts on the relationship between Christian non-profits and churches and how to work effectively together so that the church is really equipped to do the work. I ask because I also see the place for non-profits and many churches are themselves starting non-profits to do work. I’d love to explore the pros-cons of this. Thanks again Tim!

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