Comments on: Driscoll in Oz on Church

By: scott

scott — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:53:28 +0000

Ah you jumped in there Geoff. I think Kevin is spot on it is not isolated case in Australia men staying at home longer. If anything it is becoming the norm. The other thing is a lot of cultures the males never actually leaves home, he starts a family with his existing family. We had and Indian exchange student where this was the case.
I think Driscoll is on the mark regarding asking the question why there are not more young people in leadership. I’m just not convinced with his answer.

By: scott

scott — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:35:05 +0000

Mark,

In regards to your above comment. I’ve no problems with more people. When they come for the right reasons.
But there is a case that when you focus on number while linking to a salary, may not be the right reasons anymore. For example instead of resourcing your ministry holistly, giving to social justice initiatives or missions overseas. There maybe a bigger temptation for a better sound system, more advertising on ‘Christian Radio’, (To quote Christian radio in Melbourne ‘All we need is you’!) employ a better worship leader. These can be bait just to get more people in the door. Bingo more money in the senior pastors pocket with his new performance salary. While the new people that have come in the door are usually transfer growth who are not happy with the churches they are in.
I hope you can understand where I’m coming from now.

By: geoff

geoff — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:33:51 +0000

Disturbing implications like a pastor changing focus from growing the Kingdom of God to growing the Kingdom of Church. Implications like churches looking for quick growth by competing with one another rather than actually seeking to spread the gospel in the community. Or pastors who cannot afford to put their effort into anything that doesn’t have short-term, measurable effects.

Those kind of implications are probably closer to what Scott was referring, Mark.

By: Mark E

Mark E — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:59:46 +0000

Disturbing implications like the pastor actually having to achieve something…rather than just being something…and getting paid for it.

By: Kbutter

Kbutter — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:24:25 +0000

HOw can an American get away with that!! Just kidding.
Some of the things he said about young men and the Peter Pan complex are worse in the states because we don’t have a healthy apprentice system. So some young people hide out in colleges getting their masters degrees and more as they hang out and party with all of the other “lost Boys” until they are in their late twenty’s. Marriage, responsibilty and the real world are to be avoided at all costs. (If you watch one of my favourite shows “how I met your mother” you will see this lived out in the 30 something crowd. Other shows have done the same. . . Friends, 2 and half men, even Seinfeld. We live in a world where men are just grown up little boys) This definitely effects the church because young people don’t even want the responsibility of ministry stuff because of the accountability that comes with it. (“I can’t party with my bros after I do youth ministry?” ” I didn’t know having a hangover while I lead worship was bad.”) This is not isolated to Australia by any means. However we need to look at the situation.

By: Mark E

Mark E — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:41:07 +0000

Cant disagree with anything he says….spot on.
Excellent article

By: scott

scott — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:59:52 +0000

“You all know that some churches are being led by men who are not the best men for the job”
Could the reason for this be that the best man for the Job may actually be female?.
Regarding ‘Merit” It is interesting that a lot of churches now in Australia are following the US and having performance based positions. I know a few friends who have this option on their contracts. I think it has some very disturbing implications. I’m sure that you could think of a few…