"Why do you publish letters containing obvious factual errors?" was the question for the editor of a small town newspaper. "Our family decided years ago that if a person wanted to look stupid in public – we would let them." That's a great summary of most online letters.
As you might have guessed, controversy over Bar Church has generated a number of online letters to the local newspaper site. I read the first 92 comments and don't care to join that ring.
I would like to praise the elders at Southern Hills (Bar Church's sponsor) for something that doesn't belong in the paper. As I understand it, Bar Church is the dream of a Southern Hills member.
Ken Jones is a leader in the worship services at Southern Hills. Because of his life experiences he is sensitive to the feelings of people who've been told "You're going to Hell." He knows Jesus' parable about the workers in the vineyard (Mat. 20:1-16). He knows that there is hope for all people and Bar Church is part of his plan for sharing that hope.
Bar Church is different. It is controversial. The Southern Hills elders had to know this would bring criticism. So I'm very proud that they're standing shoulder to shoulder with Ken in reaching out with Good News. I'm also very impressed with the goals:
One year from now, we will consider Bar Church a success if...
1. People who were far away from him are coming to Jesus.
2. We have regular attendees who invite their friends, who in turn, invite their friends, and so on.
3. We have people who began as members of the Bar Church “audience” who turn into Bar Church leaders. In other words, disciples of Jesus are being made who in turn are making other disciples.
Southern Hills has a history of assisting groups in Abilene who are trying to reach specific communities. When we moved to Abilene we attended New Life church–another group that received support from Southern Hills. New Life was another situation where Southern Hills supported a member by providing a foundation under a dream. Bar Church, then, is the latest in a series of efforts to reach people where they are.
As you might have guessed, controversy over Bar Church has generated a number of online letters to the local newspaper site. I read the first 92 comments and don't care to join that ring.
I would like to praise the elders at Southern Hills (Bar Church's sponsor) for something that doesn't belong in the paper. As I understand it, Bar Church is the dream of a Southern Hills member.
Ken Jones is a leader in the worship services at Southern Hills. Because of his life experiences he is sensitive to the feelings of people who've been told "You're going to Hell." He knows Jesus' parable about the workers in the vineyard (Mat. 20:1-16). He knows that there is hope for all people and Bar Church is part of his plan for sharing that hope.
Bar Church is different. It is controversial. The Southern Hills elders had to know this would bring criticism. So I'm very proud that they're standing shoulder to shoulder with Ken in reaching out with Good News. I'm also very impressed with the goals:
One year from now, we will consider Bar Church a success if...
1. People who were far away from him are coming to Jesus.
2. We have regular attendees who invite their friends, who in turn, invite their friends, and so on.
3. We have people who began as members of the Bar Church “audience” who turn into Bar Church leaders. In other words, disciples of Jesus are being made who in turn are making other disciples.
Southern Hills has a history of assisting groups in Abilene who are trying to reach specific communities. When we moved to Abilene we attended New Life church–another group that received support from Southern Hills. New Life was another situation where Southern Hills supported a member by providing a foundation under a dream. Bar Church, then, is the latest in a series of efforts to reach people where they are.
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