Comments on: How Do We Look For the Theology of A Church? Part I http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/ Current Blog Project: Six Months With a Quaker Preacher Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:46:36 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Christian Escapism http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-71426 Christian Escapism Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:08 +0000 http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/#comment-71426 [...] am reminded of my friend Wess’ post, “How Do We Look for the Theology of a Church?“  One of his suggestions was to check out the cars in the parking lot on Sunday morning.  [...] [...] am reminded of my friend Wess’ post, “How Do We Look for the Theology of a Church?“  One of his suggestions was to check out the cars in the parking lot on Sunday morning.  [...]

]]> By: So This Is Your First Year In Seminary? Tips, Tricks and Other Advice http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-47091 So This Is Your First Year In Seminary? Tips, Tricks and Other Advice Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:16:41 +0000 http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/#comment-47091 [...] commit (or over commit to quick). Here are tips I’ve written on Church Shopping Part one, two and [...] [...] commit (or over commit to quick). Here are tips I’ve written on Church Shopping Part one, two and [...]

]]> By: Camassia http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-2635 Camassia Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:44:05 +0000 http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/#comment-2635 [...] Wess has written a three-part series on what to look for when shopping for a church: one, two, and three. Rilina is starting a series on the same subject, since she is looking for a church herself. [...] [...] Wess has written a three-part series on what to look for when shopping for a church: one, two, and three. Rilina is starting a series on the same subject, since she is looking for a church herself. [...]

]]> By: gathering in light - » How Do We Look For The Theology of A Church? Part III http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-2607 gathering in light - » How Do We Look For The Theology of A Church? Part III Mon, 04 Sep 2006 19:56:24 +0000 http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/#comment-2607 [...] – This concludes the series of posts meant to be a guide for people who are looking to find a new church or have just moved to a new area and are lots with the long list of churches in the yellow pages.  Part I – is on “How do we look for a theology of a church?â€?  and part II is on  “More questions to ask when church shopping.â€? [...]

]]> By: Joe G. http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-2602 Joe G. Mon, 04 Sep 2006 15:34:48 +0000 http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/08/28/how-do-we-look-for-the-theology-of-a-church-part-i/#comment-2602 Hey, Wess, Wow! Such reactions. I suppose I understand that some might be offended by the approach that you advocated in the post. However, I immediately recognized the methodology (participant observer) given that I've done a little of that in my studies (I was a po for a study investigating how a new program functioned compared to their mission statement. I was a part of the agency for six months while doing so.). My only caveat would be to be open to "gut reactions" as well. Sometimes everything may appear "right" (for oneself, let's say), but you still feel some significant hesitation. OTH, it may all seem "wrong" and yet one is definitely drawn to it. Go figure! Personally, I like the idea of evaluating how people live their lives by the consequences of their actions and choices - it has a strong Quaker/Anabaptist feel to it! :) I think a lot can be said about a group of people based on many different things they do or don't do. I didn't feel you were saying to make some final judgement on other people's souls; you did seem to suggest to be "wise as a serpent" in checking out a new community. Of course, it's important to be "innocent as a dove", too in the process so... :) Hey, Wess,

Wow! Such reactions. I suppose I understand that some might be offended by the approach that you advocated in the post. However, I immediately recognized the methodology (participant observer) given that I’ve done a little of that in my studies (I was a po for a study investigating how a new program functioned compared to their mission statement. I was a part of the agency for six months while doing so.).

My only caveat would be to be open to “gut reactions” as well. Sometimes everything may appear “right” (for oneself, let’s say), but you still feel some significant hesitation. OTH, it may all seem “wrong” and yet one is definitely drawn to it. Go figure!

Personally, I like the idea of evaluating how people live their lives by the consequences of their actions and choices – it has a strong Quaker/Anabaptist feel to it! :) I think a lot can be said about a group of people based on many different things they do or don’t do. I didn’t feel you were saying to make some final judgement on other people’s souls; you did seem to suggest to be “wise as a serpent” in checking out a new community. Of course, it’s important to be “innocent as a dove”, too in the process so… :)

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