Beaverton Grace Bible Church is a church with a very strong emphasis on evangelism. It is one of the primary reasons why my husband wanted to start attending. We had evangelism classes for two hours each Sunday at "Grace Bible Institute". Groups of people went out evangelizing on Friday nights to malls, canvassing neighborhoods, Portland… Continue reading Evangelize When it Looks Good
Month: April 2012
Guest Poster: The Whole Bible . . . really?
** I've copied two excellent comments from Friday's post here. Looking at the posting time, it's likely they are from the same anonymous commenter. My comments are in blue. Thank you, Anonymous, this is good stuff! Beaverton Grace Bible Church Motto: Our Motto is the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible! (Isa.… Continue reading Guest Poster: The Whole Bible . . . really?
Lawsuit Update!!
** I was notified by my (our) attorney that the motion has been filed with the court and is public. I guess anyone can get a copy. I'm not sure how one goes about that. It's a 54-page honkin' document. Whoa. I just got my copy. Check out how thick it is. 54-page motion Normally,… Continue reading Lawsuit Update!!
Baptism: Was It Genuine or for Show?
Baptism is an act of obedience in which a Believer publicly proclaims his faith and commitment to Christ. Being immersed in water symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, so in essence a Christian is saying that they died with Christ and will rise with Him again. It is a beautiful step in a… Continue reading Baptism: Was It Genuine or for Show?
The Walls are Crumbling
This last week there have been a lot of wonderful things happening behind the scenes. The walls are crumbling. Former BGBC congregants have reached out to people they have shunned for over 3 years and relationships are slowly being restored. I haven't been told details - I don't need to know details - the idea… Continue reading The Walls are Crumbling
For Real?
** I try to live life as normal - do the homeschool mom thing, volunteer daily at the high school as accompanist and "choir mom", laundry, cooking, connect with my FB buddies, taxi mom - you know the busy mom gig. Every once in a while, I get this flash in my mind: you… Continue reading For Real?
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
** This post will wrap up the Korah series. Earlier, I highlighted some "Korah" comments in the comment section. The commenter identified as "Korah" and I made light of the Korah reference. I want to give a little background to that situation. I know who "Korah" is and know what this particular family experienced. When… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here, Part 4
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3
** We are currently in Part 3 of the Korah theme. In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert the pastor's "imagined" authority over people. Part 2, the issue of "do not question authority" was discussed. In Part 3, we will continue to discuss the pattern… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 3
I am No Luther
http://peculiarpilgrim.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/95-theses.jpgI'm certainly no Luther, but this post cracked me up in light of my current legal predicament. It comes from a commenter "Friendly Observer" on the SGMSurvivors blog - a blog dealing with the abuses that past and current that members have suffered over the years at Sovereign Grace Ministries' churches under the leadership of… Continue reading I am No Luther
A Milestone
We've reached 10,000 blog hits. Ideally, there should be no blog like this, period. But there is. And there are readers. And people who once were silenced are being given the opportunity to speak. They are commenting and telling their stories. They are reliving my story and your story. This is all part of the healing process and moving forward. For that, … Continue reading A Milestone
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2
** This is Part 2 of the Korah series. In Part 1 we discussed pastoral authority and how the Korah scripture was used to exert imagined pastoral authority over people. Another pattern I saw when the Korah scripture was used (or abused) is: what happens when congregants ask questions. We've touched on this subject… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here?, Part 2
Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1
** One recurring theme that continued to resurface in our time at BGBC was the "sin of Korah". I've heard this used a number of times when congregants asked questions or shared concerns with the pastor. It was brought up again recently in communication with someone privately and also in the blog’s comment section. It’s… Continue reading Just Who is Acting Like Korah Around Here? Part 1
The Bully Pulpit
* * * "Pulpit", from the eyes of my 9-yr old son * * * According to Wikipedia.org, a bully pulpit is: "An older term within the U.S. Government, a bully pulpit is a public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides… Continue reading The Bully Pulpit
Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
*** ** Someone referred to an article in the comment's section of this post: You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 2. As I read the original article, this paragraph struck me. From the article, 'Authoritarianism in The Church" by Steve Martin Sadly, in too many congregations today, sheep are driven by a man… Continue reading Is Your Pastor Acting as Your Holy Spirit?
From the Mind of a Child
I am a visual person and sometimes drawings help me to understand concepts better. We have a budding artist on our hands. He's 9 years old and loves to draw. From time to time you may see his drawings here. I wanted you to have a little glimpse of this precious child who loves to… Continue reading From the Mind of a Child
You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 2
*** Today, I will continue part of the series we started earlier. In You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 1, the topic was pink shirts and how Chuck O'Neal spoke against men/boys wearing pink because pink is associated with femininity. Today we will be discussing the topic of women wearing dark clothing: black,… Continue reading You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up, Part 2
What Mama Says Goes
** Ok, I'm a mom. I've been a mom for 25+ years. Not only am I a mom of seven children who came from my womb, I also claim to be mom to another "kid" who looks nothing like the rest of my family, but whom I still treat as my own as he, too,… Continue reading What Mama Says Goes
Pastors as Rulers? What Does the Bible Say?
Not long ago, I posted a series on Hebrews 13:17 (Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.) and how this verse is often… Continue reading Pastors as Rulers? What Does the Bible Say?
Happy Day
Oh Happy Day to my brothers and sisters in Christ this Easter Sunday!
Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
* * * We learned very quickly that there was no youth group at Beaverton Grace Bible Church, and it was a fact that was broadcast from the pulpit. Our church was unique. Most churches had youth groups, and the impression was that having an established youth group was for entertainment… Continue reading Youth Groups? Not at Our Church!
Spiritual Sounding Board 