Comments for On Deck by Nate Edmondson

Comment on Cultural relevance by Paul Spink

Paul Spink — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:37:51 +0000

Using terms like relevant or real seem to be defined by the ones using and reading them, which makes them difficult to deal with. Personally, I would rather see more people pursue being like Christ in attitude and action than worrying or talking about being relevant or real. After all, that is what the Apostle Paul talked about and commanded his readers his readers to do as well (imitate me as I imitate Christ). Maybe using words like “real” and “authentic” are buzz words for being Christ like, I do not know, but it would seem better to use Biblical terms that have clear meaning when discussing these issues. And especially so when this is most relevant to those who are believers, or at least should be anyway. We seem so easily molded into the cultural norms of our day rather than the Biblical ones, which may be the root of the problem.

Comment on Followership development by 7 Traits that Separate a Leader of Courage | Ron Edmondson

7 Traits that Separate a Leader of Courage | Ron Edmondson — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:09:36 +0000

[...] followers. My son Nate writes that we need to teach “followership”. (Read his thoughts HERE.) If someone wants to lead, however, let them lead! Will the real leader, please stand [...]

Comment on The contemporary church by cycleguy

cycleguy — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:13:19 +0000

Nate: I am a 58 year old pastor of a small town church who started reading your dad’s blog about a month ago and just now looked yours up. I have read some old posts (obviously) and had to comment about this one. At my age, I have seen many trends come and go. some good, some not so. Personally, I like a more uptempo service (notice I did not say contemporary). But I also believe there is a strong need for expository, biblical preaching. I think sermonettes for Christianettes will not cut it. I foresee not only a road back to expository preaching but also a renewal of interest in hymns (maybe redone but still the old hymn). I see this next generation becoming tired of flim flam and old cliche-ish type of Christianity and wanting to get dirty and involved. At least that is what I am hoping for or the church will become a pale imitation of itself. (It will always be here because Jesus promised it but we will lose our effectiveness and influence). Good post.

Comment on Museum church by Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:23:13 +0000

i think we should just arm wrestle. it solved all but one of my problems. it was a math problem.

Comment on Summer plans by How to Break God’s Heart | Ron Edmondson

How to Break God’s Heart | Ron Edmondson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:55:08 +0000

[...] youngest son Nate is studying in Europe this summer. (You can read more about his experience HERE.) For the last couple of years, he has attended school 8 hours away, so the distance is not much of [...]

Comment on The contemporary church by Derek Andrjeski

Derek Andrjeski — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:13:43 +0000

Nate – I think you say something important in your reply to Glenn. You talk about a commitment to Scripture and solid teaching, which is dead on. But let’s now downplay the allure of contemporary to all of the “traditional” outcasts (of which I include myself and my wife).

They do a far better job of alienating the masses! But to their credit, most also do a much better job with instruction and structure – two important elements.

What about a hybrid of the two? That is why I enjoy Grace’s mission of “Gather, Commit, Serve.” It can always be fallen back on. I think we’re missing some of the structured individual development at Grace.

At the end of the day, though, it is hard to outline for the masses what is, at its core, a very personal journey.

Good article – thanks for the read!

Comment on The contemporary church by Martina

Martina — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:22:42 +0000

Good post Nate.
I have been at churches that have added contemporary services with only the idea in mind of attracting young people without alienating the older. Like anything”new,” if we keep playing the same old tune, that’s what it becomes…old. I like the quote that you used from Rick Warren. We have to move people beyong the entertainment buzz, and on to discipleship, and what life looks like after that. Inviting people to come and die has to be about Christ. Too many congregants are willing to die on the sword of contemporary music vs hymns, for instance.
Certainly we can keep tweaking the worship service to draw people in, but what are we really doing with them after they come? If we aren’t teaching them Christ, then we are only entertaining them and sending them out of worship service out into a dangerous world, with a very temporary and artificial high. We should be offering them much more, something much more permanent.

Comment on The contemporary church by Nate Edmondson

Nate Edmondson — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:09:05 +0000

Ahh! Couldn’t agree more. Commitment to Scripture and solid teaching is on its way back!

Comment on The contemporary church by Nate Edmondson

Nate Edmondson — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:07:31 +0000

Thanks Jacob. We need more leaders like you to support the next generation!

Comment on The contemporary church by Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:59:05 +0000

I agree, yesterday on our way to church, we saw the “contempary” church signs. I told my wife that I was sick of seeing the word “authentic”. Unsure of what they think makes them “authentic” but more times that not, they think it is the pastor standing on stage with a coffee cup, in jeans and an Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirt. This Generation and myself included are just sick with video clips, rock music and watered down sermons that leave us with nothing solid to get us through the week to live. We better get ourselves together as the body of Christ or soon we are truely going to be relics that this next generation will put on a shelf and never think twice about.