Comments on: MANY CHURCHES ARE TURNING OUT JERK FACTORIES? http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/ Thu, 24 May 2012 22:02:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Gabrielle Eden http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12753 Gabrielle Eden Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:24:23 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12753 I'm totally confused. How do you "work on your relationship with God" and not improve your treatment of others?<br /><br />God opposes the proud. Sin puts a barriers between us and God. If we have these things in the way, we can't have a relationship with God. I'm totally confused. How do you "work on your relationship with God" and not improve your treatment of others?

God opposes the proud. Sin puts a barriers between us and God. If we have these things in the way, we can't have a relationship with God.

]]> By: Randy http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12751 Randy Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:52:54 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12751 I was just thinking along these lines yesterday. Actually a "jogger" from my town had me thinking along these lines. Everyday, in my little town, a man hits the road no matter if its snowing, raining, 100 degrees or whatever. He is so faithful to his "jogging" that the local paper wrote an article about him. But the local paper and many people don’t see this man as much I do. When he see's cars headed in his direction, he jogs, but once the cars get up the road he starts walking. He is much like many professing Christians today -- merely putting on a show. We have Sunday Joggers today, who come to worship services each Sunday, but once they are out of our sight, they stop jogging. <br /><br />- Randy I was just thinking along these lines yesterday. Actually a "jogger" from my town had me thinking along these lines. Everyday, in my little town, a man hits the road no matter if its snowing, raining, 100 degrees or whatever. He is so faithful to his "jogging" that the local paper wrote an article about him. But the local paper and many people don’t see this man as much I do. When he see's cars headed in his direction, he jogs, but once the cars get up the road he starts walking. He is much like many professing Christians today — merely putting on a show. We have Sunday Joggers today, who come to worship services each Sunday, but once they are out of our sight, they stop jogging.

- Randy

]]> By: Ryan http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12737 Ryan Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:59:21 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12737 "But, the way to truly become good, kind, nice is to meet Jesus in intentional spiritual exercises and have him change us inside out. Without this component it appears to me that tipping a little extra, etc. could become a hollow shell of legalistic posturing."<br /><br />Quote Josh Linton<br /><br />I totally agree with you Josh. We arent saved and righteous in God's eyes by doing more good things than bad, and being a decent person more often than an indecent person. That's the legalistic view. We are righteous with God when we are holding on to Jesus and HE makes us righteous. And he makes us righteous when we KNOW him, not when we do good things. And by no means does that mean we can just do what we want, sin, and not be a decent person. <br />Jesus says in John 14:15 if you love me keep my commands <br />John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.<br /><br />If we are in relationship and love Jesus we will do what he says. And Jesus says to be a decent person and treat our neighbors as ourselves.<br /><br />Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge God and HE will make your paths straight.<br /><br />If we are in constant relationship with God and acknowledging him in all we do it WILL lead to being a decent person, and if it doesnt, maybe there is something wrong, or we arent really acknowledging God.<br /><br />Okay now I am really done. "But, the way to truly become good, kind, nice is to meet Jesus in intentional spiritual exercises and have him change us inside out. Without this component it appears to me that tipping a little extra, etc. could become a hollow shell of legalistic posturing."

Quote Josh Linton

I totally agree with you Josh. We arent saved and righteous in God's eyes by doing more good things than bad, and being a decent person more often than an indecent person. That's the legalistic view. We are righteous with God when we are holding on to Jesus and HE makes us righteous. And he makes us righteous when we KNOW him, not when we do good things. And by no means does that mean we can just do what we want, sin, and not be a decent person.
Jesus says in John 14:15 if you love me keep my commands
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

If we are in relationship and love Jesus we will do what he says. And Jesus says to be a decent person and treat our neighbors as ourselves.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge God and HE will make your paths straight.

If we are in constant relationship with God and acknowledging him in all we do it WILL lead to being a decent person, and if it doesnt, maybe there is something wrong, or we arent really acknowledging God.

Okay now I am really done.

]]> By: Ryan http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12736 Ryan Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:42:51 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12736 I believe growing my relationship with God is the most important thing. <br /><br />Jesus said in John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. <br /><br />It doesnt say know of God or know who God is. It says know God. I think waking up and asking yourself how I can grow my relationship with God is the most important thing we can do to start our day. In Fact, I STRIVE for that, sometimes I can go a whole day without stopping and praying to God, and I know that happens to every Christian. That is the most important thing we can do.<br /><br />Then we are decent human beings because we are saved and we know Jesus, not TO BE saved. Being a decent human beings will get us nowhere after this life we do not KNOW Jesus.<br /><br />This is a good post but I completely disagree with Richard Beck when he talks about "work on their relationshp with God" I highly doubt he meant to but it looks to me he downsizes the importance of our relationship with God. I am a decent person and I do good things BECAUSE I am in covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ, not the other way around. Being a decent person doesnt come first and then I get to be in relationship with God. It is definately something that should happen because of our covenant relationship with God, and our relationship with him is the most important thing.<br /><br />I have more thoughts but this is a lot already.<br /><br />Love you Trey,<br />Ryan I believe growing my relationship with God is the most important thing.

Jesus said in John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

It doesnt say know of God or know who God is. It says know God. I think waking up and asking yourself how I can grow my relationship with God is the most important thing we can do to start our day. In Fact, I STRIVE for that, sometimes I can go a whole day without stopping and praying to God, and I know that happens to every Christian. That is the most important thing we can do.

Then we are decent human beings because we are saved and we know Jesus, not TO BE saved. Being a decent human beings will get us nowhere after this life we do not KNOW Jesus.

This is a good post but I completely disagree with Richard Beck when he talks about "work on their relationshp with God" I highly doubt he meant to but it looks to me he downsizes the importance of our relationship with God. I am a decent person and I do good things BECAUSE I am in covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ, not the other way around. Being a decent person doesnt come first and then I get to be in relationship with God. It is definately something that should happen because of our covenant relationship with God, and our relationship with him is the most important thing.

I have more thoughts but this is a lot already.

Love you Trey,
Ryan

]]> By: Scott Roche http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12728 Scott Roche Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:51:09 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12728 Can't disagree. Can't disagree.

]]> By: Rick Morgan http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12712 Rick Morgan Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:35:26 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12712 Terry thats hilarious!<br /><br />It is a lot more difficult for us to be jerks if we are carrying our cross. <br /><br />I just blogged on this scripture: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." Terry thats hilarious!

It is a lot more difficult for us to be jerks if we are carrying our cross.

I just blogged on this scripture: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me."

]]> By: Terry http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12711 Terry Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:20:59 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12711 There seems to be a jerk in any group of people. If I am in a group and cannot find a jerk, it just could be that I'm the jerk in the group. (This was not a direct quote, but Rick Warren has said something like it. I thought it was both funny and true--at least in my case.) There seems to be a jerk in any group of people. If I am in a group and cannot find a jerk, it just could be that I'm the jerk in the group. (This was not a direct quote, but Rick Warren has said something like it. I thought it was both funny and true–at least in my case.)

]]> By: Janice Garrison http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12710 Janice Garrison Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:31:11 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12710 Very good thoughts...I don't want to be just a "Sunday Morning Christian". I'm working on being a 24/7 one.<br /><br />"Under Construction" :) Very good thoughts…I don't want to be just a "Sunday Morning Christian". I'm working on being a 24/7 one.

"Under Construction" :)

]]> By: Peter P http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12709 Peter P Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:57:50 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12709 The problem is, if the pastor (i.e. ME) is a jerk, how is he ever going to produce anything but more jerks?<br /><br />Challenging post, Trey. The problem is, if the pastor (i.e. ME) is a jerk, how is he ever going to produce anything but more jerks?

Challenging post, Trey.

]]> By: Josh Linton http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12708 Josh Linton Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:11 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12708 Jesus doesn't bear rotten fruit (John 15). It's tough to believe somebody's words when their ways scream something else. <br /><br />I hate this reality within the Christian world today. I hate having to observe that some people, though adamant in word about following Jesus, aren't adamant in life about following him. I hate that a lot of times I am one of those people. <br /><br />And so I constantly seek to attach myself to Jesus because of his promise "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit" (John 15:5). So I think, though Dr. Beck has challenged me deeply in so many ways, that a response to this problem is to connect to Jesus in deep ways (or to work on our relationship with God). Don't get me wrong, I see his point too. But, the way to truly become good, kind, nice is to meet Jesus in intentional spiritual exercises and have him change us inside out. Without this component it appears to me that tipping a little extra, etc. could become a hollow shell of legalistic posturing. <br /><br />Just some thoughts. Jesus doesn't bear rotten fruit (John 15). It's tough to believe somebody's words when their ways scream something else.

I hate this reality within the Christian world today. I hate having to observe that some people, though adamant in word about following Jesus, aren't adamant in life about following him. I hate that a lot of times I am one of those people.

And so I constantly seek to attach myself to Jesus because of his promise "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit" (John 15:5). So I think, though Dr. Beck has challenged me deeply in so many ways, that a response to this problem is to connect to Jesus in deep ways (or to work on our relationship with God). Don't get me wrong, I see his point too. But, the way to truly become good, kind, nice is to meet Jesus in intentional spiritual exercises and have him change us inside out. Without this component it appears to me that tipping a little extra, etc. could become a hollow shell of legalistic posturing.

Just some thoughts.

]]> By: Charla (SHar-la) http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12707 Charla (SHar-la) Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:22:15 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12707 I loved this post, Trey. Belinda Eddins posted about reading the book, "So You Don't Want to Go To Church Anymore," on her blog. I read it right after I read Blue Like Jazz and The Shack and I think it is related to what you are talking about here. In many ways, when we enter the church building/grounds on a Sunday morning, our minds/bodies/spirits go into auto-pilot. The meaning and center of being a Christian is lost in translation because of all the details we get wrapped up in, like making our relationship with God better, praying the right way, getting out of church when we think it should be over, etc...And the point about waking up and wanting to make our relationships with God better, is in and of itself not a bad thing, but if you really think about it, it seems a very selfish act because we're focusing on ourselves, instead of those around us, as Jesus has asked us to. <br /><br />Anyway, again a great, thought provoking post and I really enjoyed it! I loved this post, Trey. Belinda Eddins posted about reading the book, "So You Don't Want to Go To Church Anymore," on her blog. I read it right after I read Blue Like Jazz and The Shack and I think it is related to what you are talking about here. In many ways, when we enter the church building/grounds on a Sunday morning, our minds/bodies/spirits go into auto-pilot. The meaning and center of being a Christian is lost in translation because of all the details we get wrapped up in, like making our relationship with God better, praying the right way, getting out of church when we think it should be over, etc…And the point about waking up and wanting to make our relationships with God better, is in and of itself not a bad thing, but if you really think about it, it seems a very selfish act because we're focusing on ourselves, instead of those around us, as Jesus has asked us to.

Anyway, again a great, thought provoking post and I really enjoyed it!

]]> By: Anonymous http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12706 Anonymous Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:49:30 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12706 "Convenient Christianity"<br /><br />We go to church and give of our time Sunday as long as it is convenient but he rest of the week is ours.<br /><br />Jesus didn't call me to church on Sunday. He called me to a life with Him.<br /><br />Good post<br /><br />Rob "Convenient Christianity"

We go to church and give of our time Sunday as long as it is convenient but he rest of the week is ours.

Jesus didn't call me to church on Sunday. He called me to a life with Him.

Good post

Rob

]]> By: pastorhawkins http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12705 pastorhawkins Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:53:41 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12705 I think you are spot on in heralding the problem in many churches, if not most. I think the answer is many people who claim to be "Christian" have no concept of surrender, dying to oneself, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reign and rule over their lives (Romans 8). Far too many people have become a "law unto themselves" Their "faith" is simply what they think feels good. Such people, and churches built on such people, will only go and do as far as their wills and abilities will take them. <br /><br />Excellent post! Thanks for bringing this problem to the forefront. I think you are spot on in heralding the problem in many churches, if not most. I think the answer is many people who claim to be "Christian" have no concept of surrender, dying to oneself, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reign and rule over their lives (Romans 8). Far too many people have become a "law unto themselves" Their "faith" is simply what they think feels good. Such people, and churches built on such people, will only go and do as far as their wills and abilities will take them.

Excellent post! Thanks for bringing this problem to the forefront.

]]> By: Bobbie http://treymorgan.net/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/comment-page-1/#comment-12704 Bobbie Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:25:42 +0000 http://day3hosts.com/treymorgan/2009/09/many-churches-are-turning-out-jerk-factories/#comment-12704 That list sounds like huddling rather than exposure, and we get stinky. That list sounds like huddling rather than exposure, and we get stinky.

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