Chapter 1 - Questions

Question 1:

On page 22, Greg Ogden identifies a goal of filling the church with “self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted followers of Christ…” Do you agree that this should be one of our goals at St. Timothy’s? Why? If you’re not sure, what do questions do you have?


Your Answers:

Dara: I do agree that we need to grow/align our congregation to this purpose. Yes we have a mission for the church but so we actually internalize that? Even “church” itself is it optional? There is little accountability in the congregation for being a devoted follower of Christ. Small groups help as do many of the other ‘G’s”, but there is no clear pathway for someone that has been called or is trying to fulfill their Godly gifts.

Ron & Carolyn: Yes, although not by recruiting from outside, but rather by developing those who come as they are to St. Timothy’s and stay.

Sarah: I agree

Patricia: I completely agree with this quote.

Florence: I agree wholeheartedly.


Question 2:

On page 23, Ogden quotes Cal Thomas as saying, “The problem in our culture…isn’t the abortionists. It isn’t the pornographers or drug dealers or criminals. It is the undisciplined, undiscipled, disobedient, and Biblically ignorant Church of Jesus Christ.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Dara: I think this is a harsh statement. We are all human!! Sinners!! The difference is that some of us are trying to be a “light in the world” and yet fully committed to the body of Christ, we fall short every time.

Ron & Carolyn: To some degree, yes. Just as much so it is those non-practicing “Christians” who have been introduced to Christianity at some time in their life and learned some of the biblical truths and remained ignorant of or ignored other biblical truths (e.g. “sanctity of life”).

Sarah: I think the statement a bit too sweeping – I do agree that Christians, on the whole, do not stand apart by consistently setting a good example of Christ-like behaviour. If we, those who profess to be Christians, were true disciples of Jesus, we would have greater impact on the morality and pervasive selfishness in the world generally.

Patricia: I agree with this quote. I believe that if Christians were disciplined, discipled, obedient and biblically aware we would be able to “impact” and change our culture with the love and forgiveness of Christ. We would be different, we would “stand out”, rather than just blending in with society. The problems that we experience in today’s culture are really no different or no worse than the problems they faced in years past. Sadly many who call themselves Christians are no different than others in society.

Florence: I agree partly. All the above are problems in our culture. The church is perhaps the worst problem as it is not sufficiently committed to cleaning up the others and does not fully understand that all is possible with God’s help.