tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post6091224067938465141..comments2023-11-27T13:12:33.056-08:00Comments on For He is Good and Loves Mankind: Church Growth Done RightDavid Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10868519827605827991noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-87413560946474267202014-09-16T07:28:02.089-07:002014-09-16T07:28:02.089-07:00Thank you also for the kind words, Jason. I rejoi...Thank you also for the kind words, Jason. I rejoice that there are many solid, faithful Lutherans still fighting the good fight. We simply couldn't find any where we live, so we were forced to look elsewhere. And blessedly so -- I wouldn't change it for anything. But I also mourn the fact that good, faithful Lutherans like yourself may one day find themselves in a situation with significantly limited options for finding a good, faithful Lutheran parish.David Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868519827605827991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-48864415731908828122014-09-16T07:24:15.845-07:002014-09-16T07:24:15.845-07:00Hi, David. I have I have become aware of you over...Hi, David. I have I have become aware of you over at ALPB, and have always been impressed with your wisdom. And I couldn't agree more with what you write hear. "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 I staunchly believe this and completely share your thoughts on worship and reject CGM. We Lutherans completely lost when you left us. God's blessings on your ministry.<br />Jason Kiefernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-70380196270424580782014-09-16T06:45:22.409-07:002014-09-16T06:45:22.409-07:00Thank you so much for the kind words, James. Ethn...Thank you so much for the kind words, James. Ethnic enclaves are certainly a real issue in Orthodoxy, but obviously I think we would agree that the answer to phyletism is not sectarian worship forms. You and your wife will be in our prayers.David Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868519827605827991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-35446625409796358522014-08-16T04:33:02.616-07:002014-08-16T04:33:02.616-07:00Interesting post. I attend a Continuing Anglican c...Interesting post. I attend a Continuing Anglican church (Anglican Province of America). We are a small parish with a typical weekly attendance of 30 faithful souls - mostly elderly. But I wouldn't exchange our church model for the church growth movement (CGM). The CGM is a mile wide and an inch deep. It changes with the cultural winds. It's not for me. Our little church may not make it, but I'll stick it out as long as we adhere to traditional liturgy and theology and can pay the bills.<br /><br />Your point about younger folks staying with Orthodoxy if sincerely brought up in the faith has not been true with my wife and many of her family and friends from the church of her youth. My wife was faithfully raised in the Orthodox church but has little interest in returning. I don't understand all her reasoning but she believes her home church was primarily an ethnic enclave. The lives of many members were no different than an unbeliever. This truly bothered her - as it should. We talk about how many children from her Orthodox counterparts are no longer Orthodox. Most attend no church at all. Sad.<br /><br />I enjoy your blog. May your parish grow with sincere disciples of Christ who impact our culture and world for His glory. <br /><br />JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com