Disqus - Latest Comments for gwalter

Re: The Science of Retweets on Twitter

gwalter — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:00:26 -0000

Great post - great numbers - great analysis. Thank you!

Re: Depression in Pastoral Ministry

gwalter — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:20:36 -0000

Today, as I watched the flow of comments come in from your post on Facebook, I was impressed by a disturbing trend that I saw. There were many who expressed their love and appreciation for their pastors. Specifically, those who loved and appreciated the "great" man (or woman) God had placed in their church.

However, I did not see, nor have I ever heard someone say, "I don't really like the guy God sent us - but I love him with all my heart and appreciate him."

In fact, just a few days ago, I was chatting with a friend online and he mentioned how he didn't really care for the current pastor. "But it doesn't really matter," he said, "because the leaders are doing some great things in spite of him." (paraphrased)

This, I've found, is a common thread. The people of the church see the pastor as someone who is just passing through. If they like her, they'll do everything they can to hold on to her. If they don't, they'll just tolerate her until she moves on. It's their church anyway, not the pastor's - so it really doesn't matter what the pastor tries to do.

Granted there are some incompetent pastors out there. But isn't that God's responsibility? Doesn't the Bible tell us that God is responsible for all leaders and it is our responsibility to give them respect? What if God deliberately sent an incompetent pastor to your church? What if God sent someone who wasn't as warm and fuzzy as you'd like?

Shouldn't we follow those men and women, regardless of how they make us feel? Remember when Aaron and Miriam mumbled about Moses? Or worse, do you remember the rebellion of Korah and Kohath?

I asked my friend about this apparent disregard for the man sent to lead their church? He explained that there were some really good ministries happening, regardless of what the pastor was doing, or not doing. I asked him if good was good enough - or were they sacrificing the great, for the merely good?

And what about unity? And direction?

Is it possible, that despite the apparent disregard the people of this church had for his ministry, that God still sent Him to accomplish something specific? Is it possible that God knew of this man's faults and issues, but still called him to do something in that church? And how would he do that, if the people disregarded him - merely because they didn't like him, his personality, or his style?

And, as Ryan so well articulated above, why can't we love and appreciate someone, even if they wouldn't be our first choice?

Re: Book Review: Beyond Ellen White

gwalter — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:26:24 -0000

One of the reasons I like book reviews, is because there is never enough time to read all the books I would like to read. The same with movie reviews. Yet, in the latter, it has more to do with the disappointment I find in most films, but the reviews allow me to stay current with popular culture.

You are a good writer Steve and I appreciate what you've unleashed here. A few Summers ago we visited Elmshaven and I felt some of those feelings as I walked through the house with my then two-year old daughter. I have some great photos of her sitting on the back steps.

I've never been to Avondale, but I have attended three North American Adventist Universities and have had significant contact on three or four others. Several of these schools are at this crossroads also - yet, most do not recognize it.

The traditionalists, and/or fundamentalists, would like to restrict any progress (or progressive change). The so-called progressives, are often just liberals in disguise - they don't seek progress as much as they seek a liberalization of our theology, practices, creed, and direction.

I'm not an academic, and have not earned the right to speak out on academic issues. However, as a consumer of the educational system, and a constituent of the institution, I can say that I'm not content with the status quo - nor am I confident that all options are being considered.

The inertia of the status quo is great and efforts to alter this course are merely too little - too late. Unfortunately, these words probably apply to the greater Church Institution. We are likely far enough off course, that nothing but a radical re-visioning will enable us to see past the fog.

Don't get me wrong, our schools, churches, and medical facilities do a lot of good - but we often sacrifice the great, for the merely good.

Re: Reading Into Doubt?

gwalter — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:28:01 -0000

Gospel in the OT?

Good question - I'll strive for brevity here.

(you can see the longer version here: http://daddytude.com/2009/05/16/hell-part-1-fal...)

Basically - I was an agnostic at best, but most likely an atheist. Mostly because I had confused God with the Church. I had given up on the Church, and hence given up on God. (I've since learned that they are not the same thing ;) )

Anyway, I considered myself well-read, but I'd never read the Bible - I thought, at the very least, I should read it as a piece of ancient literature. So, I read Genesis.

By the time I got through Genesis, I was convinced that God is my Creator and that He does love me. While I had a long way to go, I began to pray and listen for His voice. I began to keep "a" sabbath, if not "the" Sabbath. (Just any old sixth, seventh, or eighth day worked just fine - thank you very much)

I saw the love in which God treated Adam and Eve after their sin; I saw the love towards Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. I saw the whole Great Controversy unfolding right before my eyes.

(I should mention that I tend to be a systemic/big-picture sort of person - so it is easy for me to see the systems falling into place.)

After this, I was led to read Revelation. I didn't understand it, but I did realize that there was an end to the mess that Satan started in Eden. And then, amazingly, I read Ecclesiastes. Through Solomon's writings, I saw myself. It was through Ecclesiastes that I surrendered my heart, my soul, and myself to God's will. I realized that there truly is "nothing new under the Sun." I decided to let God be God.

A couple of months later, I was baptized.

Re: Reading Into Doubt?

gwalter — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:55 -0000

Hey Steve! Yeah, joining the conversation - to me, that is how we have influence.

When I first became a Christian, I walked away from my friends. I didn't know how to be around them without drinking beer, swearing, chasing women, etc. It was easier (but a lot lonelier) to just stay home. It was safer - because I didn't trust myself to be around those guys.

I've found many in the church have taken this protectionist approach. It's a good place when you're a baby Christian - and I don't fault anyone from taking this stand. (Possibly, this is where you are Ellamae?)

However, as I matured, and as the church matures, we need to get out of protectionist mode and into mighty army mode. We are called to be salt and light - and we can't do that if we don't join the conversation.

Jesus (In Luke 15:1-2), joined the conversation - in the taverns, brothels, etc. If I'm a part of the conversation - whether in Facebook, Twitter, here, in a book, a blog, or in a Starbucks, I believe that the God who dwells in my heart will protect me from falsehood and will shine out of my heart.

I am not afraid - like Nehemiah, I have a sword in one hand, and a brick in the other. They can kill my body, but they cannot kill my Spirit. I am not afraid to join the conversation.

Re: Reading Into Doubt?

gwalter — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:48:52 -0000

For me, personally, I found the Gospel in the OT - 20 years ago. It was an amazing experience.

Also, having had the opportunity to baptize over 60 people in the last few years, I've found most are influenced by relationship - more than they are by facts and polemics.

We are told that if the Church were to represent the love of Christ, there would be 100 baptisms where now there is just one.

Re: Reading Into Doubt?

gwalter — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:45 -0000

@Ellamae, it isn't the Old Testament itself that drives people away, or hurts their faith - although we are told that the Gospel is a "stumbling block" and is "offensive" to the unbeliever.

However, it is my observation that people have not been taught how to read the Bible. Stories are taken out of context, are misquoted, or are totally misconstrued. Just look at TV, Film, and other popular media - there are so many misrepresentations of the Bible, that they have become common myths.

Case in Point: There were not only two of every animal in the Ark. (Genesis 7:2, 3 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice,s and take one pair of each of the others. Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood.)

When the OT is taken in context, as seen through the eyes of a Great Controversy - these events, coupled with the failures of the men and women involved, begin to make more sense.

Re: We Are Sabbath, Part II: An Event Worth Celebrating

gwalter — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:54:44 -0000

Ellamae, we invite our readers to submit any of our content anywhere, anytime. Were we to submit this, it might seem somewhat self-promoting. However, if you have "connections" we invite you to let them know of our content here.

Re: We Are Sabbath, Part II: An Event Worth Celebrating

gwalter — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:53:12 -0000

Getting back to the core of our understanding of God is far more important than following the mere traditions we've allowed to overtake us. It's not just that the traditions are bad - in fact, many of them are quite good. But we should never settle for the merely good - we must always pursue the great!

Re: Reading Into Doubt?

gwalter — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:51:05 -0000

Nice quote Tony - thanks!

Re: Worshiping the Sabbath vs Worshiping on the Sabbath

gwalter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:44:58 -0000

Go for it Travis!

Also, did you get my note about posting your latest Facebook musing?

G

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2006/04/qualifying-this-blog-for-adventists.html

gwalter — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:44:29 -0000

Thank you Jeff!

Re: Worshiping the Sabbath vs Worshiping on the Sabbath

gwalter — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:26:45 -0000

Travis - this is really an eye-opening revelation. So simple, yet so relevant. Thank you for sharing it with us!

For others, you'll find a rousing discussion on Travis' Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=152972...

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2009/10/abominable-blister-beetle.html

gwalter — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:32:18 -0000

You are welcome! And, thank you!

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2009/10/abominable-blister-beetle.html

gwalter — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:19:25 -0000

Wow - this is well articulated - and so very similar to my own perspective.

Several years ago I was speaking at a Singles Retreat/Conference in British Columbia. No sooner had I arrived and sat down to eat, then someone approached me to ask me some esoteric, yet inane, theological question. I gave this person the same answer I share with my congregations:

"I'm not a theologian - I'm a coach, a mentor, someone God has called to help others know Him better. You should probably ask someone else that question, because I just don't know."

What I leave unpoken is this:

"...nor do I care. It just doesn't matter in the bigger schema. I, and most of us, are just trying to live one day at a time - and those question just don't help me discover how to get through today."

In other words, So what?

Re: Egocentric mission or exclusivist gospel?

gwalter — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:01:33 -0000

Thanks for your perspective Glenn. You're right, there is nothing wrong with bringing people to the church - but the attitude of why. That is a really good question to ask.

I might add however, that Christ asked us to take His good news, the Gospel, to people, not people to Him or the church. "Go!" He said - not bring. (Matthew 28) It's a subtle difference, but one we, as the Church, have not fully grasped.

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply!

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2007/05/rap-session-greg-and-shasta-nelson.html

gwalter — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:28:22 -0000

To the best of my knowledge, Dan is not working as a pastor. He was in Seminary with me, and is a friend, but, like all of us, he is growing. Last I heard he was working as a Radio DJ in an college town in Iowa.

Re: Relevance, Part 3

gwalter — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:59:36 -0000

Thanks Chris!

Re: Multi-Generational Church Leadership

gwalter — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:43:16 -0000

If the generational strata operated along the lines that John wrote about - where the old men taught and led the young men - we wouldn't have the hierarchy issues. Instead we'd have more of a multi-generational family system - based on benevolence, not power and authority.

I completely agree with your analogy on a wartime mentality though. This is exactly where I wrestle with the common church attender. Most see church as a fellowship (navel-gazers?), but I see church as standing armies ready to do battle against the gates of Hell.

Vision and purpose inspire excellence. The clearer the vision, the better the values, the more defined mission, and the integrity of purpose will better enable people to drop their pretenses and join the cause.

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2009/10/abominable-blister-beetle.html

gwalter — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:31:32 -0000

If you're right Brent, then I'm all about possibilities. Modernity has been trying to put God in a box since the days of the enlightenment. The problem is that an infinite God is just not that easy to explain.

I maintain that there will be a whole lot of forehead slapping at the Second Coming - when we will "behold" and be changed in the "twinkling of an eye.". Who knows? We might need 1000 years in Heaven just to sanely adjust to new present truths...

Re: http://reinventingsdawheel.blogspot.com/2009/10/abominable-blister-beetle.html

gwalter — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:54:40 -0000

Andy, great story, but I'm a little confused. What is this third choice you offer? I'm usually pretty good about connecting invisible dots, but I'm missing this one... Can you help a brother out?

Re: Multi-Generational Church Leadership

gwalter — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:17:21 -0000

Well written article my friend, and I agree completely. In fact, we wrote this core value statement about six or seven years ago:

"We know that the healthiest communities are intergenerational and child-friendly. Age diversity matures everyone and creates a strong, safe family. It is the mix of generations, cultures, and social groups that enables learning and growth. (Exodus 20:12, Mark 10:14, 1 John 2:12-14)"

You can find it here:
http://www.mycommonground.org/whoweare/808294:P...

Re: It’s Really All About God

gwalter — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:58:25 -0000

Thank you Nathan for the review. (If I had any money, I would have bought the book already, but I'm just not at that place in my journey right now) However, I've been dying to see what's in the book!

I met Samir about 10 years ago and hit it off right away. He spoke at the first re:church gathering and expressed many of the same thoughts I read here and in another review (http://anewsabbathschool.blogspot.com/2009/07/r...) I read a month or so ago.

I really like the inclusiveness feel that I'm hearing.

Thanks again Nathan for the quick report!

Re: Exporting Adventism

gwalter — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:45:17 -0000

Interesting observations Ellamae. I agree that it is important to have openness and integrity. I'll have to dwell on that for awhile.

However, I must say that if your husband is not interested in organized religion, then it doesn't really matter who baptizes him - as long as he is sincere in his desire to give his life to Christ. There is no biblical mandate as to who must baptize whom.

I'm sorry you encountered such dysfunction in your career at the GC. Please remember that all organizations, denominational, or not, are staffed with broken people. Often, those most representative of Christ's character are overlooked - but, He is still in charge. Unfortunately Satan gains more ground all the time - this is within God's will to reveal sin for what it really is... Evil.

Re: INTRODUCTION - MISSION/VISION

gwalter — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:21:29 -0000

For too long, the grace-oriented Adventists have lurked in the shadows, giving a vocal minority the floor. It is time to step forward and proclaim the grace, that is Christ. I'm glad this spoke to you Chris!