Comments on: Recapturing a Nation http://disciple.gracesask.org/recapturing-a-nation/ A ministry of Grace Fellowship Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:35:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Murray McLellan http://disciple.gracesask.org/recapturing-a-nation/#comment-42 Murray McLellan Tue, 22 May 2007 23:43:59 +0000 http://idscanada.org/disciple/?p=29#comment-42 Thanks for the comments. Kurt, I would encourage you to listen again, as I think you missed the point. Taken within the context, Mark's one use of the term Christian nation towards the end of the message in the context of what was spoken before, refers to a nation that has many vibrant, reproducing, Christ-centered churches that are impacting the culture and nation in every area with the gospel. As for the cities, we see this as the biblical pattern. See Paul as an example. In fact, the very reason Grace Fellowship had an evening of theology in Saskatoon, was applying this principle. Saskatoon is a strategic center in our province. That is why we are making Saskatoon our focus. That is applying principles to our own situation. As you listen to any message, I would encourage you to, yes be descerning, but to gather in the grain and let the chaff blow away. Too many people are so busy straining out the gnats that they can miss the great meal. If we don't end up knowing and loving Jesus more, and coming to know His will for us and be encouraged to follow Him more passionately, what's the point? Thanks for the comments. Kurt, I would encourage you to listen again, as I think you missed the point. Taken within the context, Mark’s one use of the term Christian nation towards the end of the message in the context of what was spoken before, refers to a nation that has many vibrant, reproducing, Christ-centered churches that are impacting the culture and nation in every area with the gospel.
As for the cities, we see this as the biblical pattern. See Paul as an example. In fact, the very reason Grace Fellowship had an evening of theology in Saskatoon, was applying this principle. Saskatoon is a strategic center in our province. That is why we are making Saskatoon our focus. That is applying principles to our own situation.

As you listen to any message, I would encourage you to, yes be descerning, but to gather in the grain and let the chaff blow away. Too many people are so busy straining out the gnats that they can miss the great meal. If we don’t end up knowing and loving Jesus more, and coming to know His will for us and be encouraged to follow Him more passionately, what’s the point?

]]> By: Julie http://disciple.gracesask.org/recapturing-a-nation/#comment-38 Julie Mon, 21 May 2007 15:48:37 +0000 http://idscanada.org/disciple/?p=29#comment-38 Okay, I admit that it took Julie to help me find this blog site...several clicks away. But well worth listening to Mark Driscoll's exhortation. I most appreciated his approach that focused first on the name and work of Jesus and also the focus on raising up godly men - not cowards. It sure causes a stirring of guilt for all my shortcomings, so it is worthwhile to hear this. One of the most difficult points was the issue of balancing the closed and open fist - ie knowing what to fight for and knowing when to give grace. He gave a few examples, but as we all know in the realm of building relationships, it almost always seems there are more subtleties (sp?)and so it is an area of tension. I appreciate his view that you need to affect the 'culture makers', but I could argue that culture is where you are at..and we are here in Saskatoon. Of course, I don't think he is really saying to all pastors to flee the "plains" cities and reside only in the top 3 cities of Canada. David Cortens Okay, I admit that it took Julie to help me find this blog site…several clicks away. But well worth listening to Mark Driscoll’s exhortation.

I most appreciated his approach that focused first on the name and work of Jesus and also the focus on raising up godly men - not cowards. It sure causes a stirring of guilt for all my
shortcomings, so it is worthwhile to hear this.

One of the most difficult points was the issue of balancing the closed and open fist - ie knowing what to fight for and knowing when to give grace. He gave a few examples, but as we all know in the realm of building relationships, it almost always seems there are more subtleties (sp?)and so it is an area of tension.
I appreciate his view that you need to affect the ‘culture makers’, but I could argue that culture is where you are at..and we are here in Saskatoon. Of course, I don’t think he is really saying to all pastors to flee the “plains” cities and reside only in the top 3 cities of Canada.
David Cortens

]]> By: Julie http://disciple.gracesask.org/recapturing-a-nation/#comment-37 Julie Mon, 21 May 2007 11:12:38 +0000 http://idscanada.org/disciple/?p=29#comment-37 Secularism/Liberalism is growing and along with it paganism, witchcraft and native spiritualism along with Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. Spiritualism is growing. Wouldn't we rather share the Gospel with an atheist or an agnostic? This reality makes me fear for my grandchildren. Spiritualism is growing and it is not the Spirit of God. It is of Satan. We need to wake up! We need to proclaim Jesus Christ. This presentation is filled with solid, Christ filled comments on how to build a solid church - no matter where it is - Christ, solid men, ecclesiology and missiology. I was particularly encouraged with his discussion on the role of men in the church - the need for strong men. Church planting cannot happen without it! Canadian culture does flow out from our two major cities - Toronto and Vancouver. Yes this is where the majority of the garbage is thrown into the stream. But if we look at Saskatchewan as our mission field, Saskatoon is where lots of the garbage gets thrown in. We start where God has placed us. We have our own culture here in Saskatoon and we can share Jesus Christ and cause great change in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. It starts in our own community. It starts in Sutherland. It starts in our own small fellowship -with a solid understanding of who Jesus is, strong men who meet elder qualifications, ecclesiology and missiology. I am encouraged by this presentation. Just an aside...it would sure be helpful K Manz to know if Kurt or Kendall is posting. Secularism/Liberalism is growing and along with it paganism, witchcraft and native spiritualism along with Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. Spiritualism is growing. Wouldn’t we rather share the Gospel with an atheist or an agnostic? This reality makes me fear for my grandchildren. Spiritualism is growing and it is not the Spirit of God. It is of Satan. We need to wake up! We need to proclaim Jesus Christ. This presentation is filled with solid, Christ filled comments on how to build a solid church - no matter where it is - Christ, solid men, ecclesiology and missiology. I was particularly encouraged with his discussion on the role of men in the church - the need for strong men. Church planting cannot happen without it! Canadian culture does flow out from our two major cities - Toronto and Vancouver. Yes this is where the majority of the garbage is thrown into the stream. But if we look at Saskatchewan as our mission field, Saskatoon is where lots of the garbage gets thrown in. We start where God has placed us. We have our own culture here in Saskatoon and we can share Jesus Christ and cause great change in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. It starts in our own community. It starts in Sutherland. It starts in our own small fellowship -with a solid understanding of who Jesus is, strong men who meet elder qualifications, ecclesiology and missiology. I am encouraged by this presentation.

Just an aside…it would sure be helpful K Manz to know if Kurt or Kendall is posting.

]]> By: K.Manz http://disciple.gracesask.org/recapturing-a-nation/#comment-36 K.Manz Mon, 21 May 2007 05:13:05 +0000 http://idscanada.org/disciple/?p=29#comment-36 I appreciate Mark's heart for the lost but I would have to disagree with trying to save the nation of Canada. In Jesus, there are no such nations other than one holy nation, one made up of believer priests (greeks and jews). Canada will never be a christian nation. You will not see Canada in heaven. You will only see people who live in Canada in heaven. The point Mark makes well is in disputing the fact that Canada is a christian nation. Canada needs missionaries like any other country in the world. There are many lost people that have been born in this country or have immigrated to this country that need to hear the good news. Another point he makes that I disagree with is that the 3 big cities (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) should be given priority in evangelism. I do not see any scriptual command to go into the cities first in order to spread a passion for God. If one was thinking that the nation of Canada could be saved, then I could see where this line of thinking would lead someone to suggest that the spheres of influence and power might be a good place to start but what about SASKATCHEWAN!! I don't want to move :) I appreciate Mark’s heart for the lost but I would have to disagree with trying to save the nation of Canada. In Jesus, there are no such nations other than one holy nation, one made up of believer priests (greeks and jews). Canada will never be a christian nation. You will not see Canada in heaven. You will only see people who live in Canada in heaven.

The point Mark makes well is in disputing the fact that Canada is a christian nation. Canada needs missionaries like any other country in the world. There are many lost people that have been born in this country or have immigrated to this country that need to hear the good news.

Another point he makes that I disagree with is that the 3 big cities (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) should be given priority in evangelism. I do not see any scriptual command to go into the cities first in order to spread a passion for God. If one was thinking that the nation of Canada could be saved, then I could see where this line of thinking would lead someone to suggest that the spheres of influence and power might be a good place to start but what about SASKATCHEWAN!! I don’t want to move :)

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