They Smell Like Sheep, V.2: Section 3

Section 3: A Heart for People

In chapter nine, It's All About People, Lynn Anderson illuminates how easy it is to subtly substitute people time for task time.  What are some areas that you have noticed your heart for people shift from a "Compassionate Cory" to a "Concerned Clyde"?

Chapter ten, A Heart for Lost and Hurting People, tells several stories of people reaching out to those around them.  Which story stood out to you? 

They Smell Like Sheep (Volume 2) Sections 1 & 2

Ok. That was a lot of reading for the first meeting. 92 pages.  But I am guessing that it was well worth the reading.  (Don't worry, the next section is only two chapters long.)

As you read the two sections, what convicted you?

Where did you find yourself landing on the chart of "Sanctified Co-Dependency (Self-Protective Manipulation)" vs. "Compassionate Service (Christ-Centered Ministry)" on page 29?

Have you considered or practiced any of the 'Cardiovascular Workouts for Shepherd Hearts' at the end of each chapter?  If so, what have you experienced?

Any notable quotables from your reading?

Book 2: They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2

Book 2: They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2: Leading with the Heart of a Shepherd

Book 1, Why We Love the Church, dealt with the topic of the beauty of the church (in all of her mess and glory) and dealing with the objections raised by those who like to parrot the unbiblical phrase, "I like Jesus but not the church."

Book 2, They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2 by Lynn Anderson dives into what it looks like to serve in the church with a shepherd's heart.  A shepherd's heart is a phase used throughout the Old and New Testament as a positive feature for the people of God.  Discover what it looks like to lead and love people like our Chief Shepherd, Jesus (1 Peter 5:4).

Our first discussion session, covering book sections 1 & 2, will be  on Saturday, July 21, 2012.

Why We Love the Church: Chapters 7, 8, & Epilogue(s)

Chapter 7 - The Theological: The Church of Diminishing Definition
"I trust that none of my readers is that grotesque anomaly, an unchurched Christian.  The New Testament knows nothing of such a person.  For the church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God." (John Stott)

"The Body of Christ can only be a visible Body, or else it is not a Body at all...The Body of Christ becomes visible to the world in the congregation gathered round the Word and Sacrament." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Stott, Bonhoeffer, and the authors of Why We Love the Church have some strong words and thoughts about the necessity of the local church and the dangers and non-biblical nature of the "relationships are enough & down with organization" crowd.  What were some of the points that stood out the most to you?  If you were to engage a person in a conversation about the necessity of the church, based upon this chapter, what would you say?

Chapter 8 - The Year of Jubilee: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Church
"If I could leave you with one thought, it's this: Go.  Go to church.  Don't go for the coffee, the presentations, the music, or the amenities.  Don't even go for the feelings you may or may not get when you go because, no offense, these feelings may or may not be trustworthy most of the time.  Go for the gospel.  Go for the preaching.  Go to be near to God's Word" (p. 196).

Can you relate to the author's reasons why he loves his local congregation?  What are some of the compelling reasons why you love the church?

Dear Tristan & Epilogue

What resonated with you as you read the "Dear Tristan" letter/chapter?

In the Epilogue, what stood out to you as the author made the theological connection between the denial of original sin and the reasons people have for leaving the church?  What other elements stood out in the Epilogue chapter?

Chapters 5 and 6

Chapter 5 - I just encountered "chronological snobbery" this past quarter in school in my second writing class that focused on compassion and tolerance in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.  One focus of the reading of this class was the crusades which were painted in the light of being a horrible blemish on the Christian record , and I found myself falling into the trap of apologizing acts such as this.  It is things like the Crusades that are often pointed to when people accuse Christianity of being a religion that causes conflict.  It is unfortunate that often when looking at the issue of the Crusades there is a one sided take that only views the negatives and doesn't look at the Christians who sacrificed so much, and as the author points out some of the Crusaders were compassionate and courageous in their faith.  I think the main reason that Christians fall into this "chronological snobbery" is because they in a sense put blinders and dont fully understand the history behind such acts, leading them to apologize for things like the Crusades.  I think it is important that Christians put some emphasis into learning the history of their religion so that they can not only understand it, but prevent it from wrongly being used against their faith.

Chapter 6 - The story that stood out most to me was the Chuck Colson one.  It interestingly brought up a point that I hadn't really given much thought in that Colson is on of the few "celebrity" Christians who isn't a pastor and instead is just a church member.  As such he seems to give a refreshing view of the church.  I really like when he said, "Church isn't something to be endured, it's something to be entered into joyfully" (145).  I think one thing that really does hold both churches and individual members back is this sense that church is just some chore that must done every week.  It is such mindsets that hinder people from taking the step to become involved and participating in church activities/outreaches.  

Why We Love the Church - Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5: The Historical: One Holy Catholic Church focused on what C.S. Lewis called "chronological snobbery."  Have you ever been caught in the traps such as "spontaneity = spirituality," and apologizing for a flat earth, slavery, and the Crusades?  What are some of your thoughts to the points made in chapter five?

Chapter 6: Brief Interviews: Snapshots of Churched People (Including Chuck Colson and Art Monk) took a look at the ministries and lives of the famous and not-so-famous who have an impact on those around them while loving the Bible and the church.  Which stories stood out the most to you?

Catch-Up Posts for "Why We Love the Church"

As of today, the book club has gathered together and discussed chapters 1-4 of Why We Love the Church.  The authors have thoughtfully examined and dismantled the (unfortunately) all too popular thought of "I love Jesus but hate the church," exposing it to be silly at best to think that Jesus, who died for the church, is all about decorpulation as well.

If you would like, post some of your thoughts about the highlights of chapters 1-4 and what it is about those highlights that stood out to you.