Comments on: Family Reformation? http://familyreformation.wordpress.com the infrequent writings of Pastor James McDonald Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:23:54 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: James McDonald http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2079 James McDonald Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:31:17 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2079 Hi Joel, Thanks for stopping by. I tried to give you a ring but couldn't find a phone number. I could really use some golf lessons! ;-) On turning from denominations and embracing house churches, I do not house churches as the model given in the Word. This is a deeper issue than I can address here. I am considering using this topic for a paper sometime in the future. In a nutshell, while the early church often met in homes in those early days after the Resurrection, this was not to be the model for the church as the Kingdom grew. There are a number of reasons for this. And we can get into them when you have time. I do think that there are apostate denominations and these should be avoided. In communities where there is no healthy church, a new church could certainly be planted. And this could start in a home. No problem there. But when a group of Christians rejects biblical government, the command to take care of the widows and orphans, and the mandate to take the Gospel to the nations, we fail to be the church. Again, feel free to give me a call - 309-387-2600. Grace and peace, James Hi Joel,

Thanks for stopping by. I tried to give you a ring but couldn’t find a phone number. I could really use some golf lessons! ;-)

On turning from denominations and embracing house churches, I do not house churches as the model given in the Word. This is a deeper issue than I can address here. I am considering using this topic for a paper sometime in the future. In a nutshell, while the early church often met in homes in those early days after the Resurrection, this was not to be the model for the church as the Kingdom grew. There are a number of reasons for this. And we can get into them when you have time.

I do think that there are apostate denominations and these should be avoided. In communities where there is no healthy church, a new church could certainly be planted. And this could start in a home. No problem there. But when a group of Christians rejects biblical government, the command to take care of the widows and orphans, and the mandate to take the Gospel to the nations, we fail to be the church.

Again, feel free to give me a call – 309-387-2600.

Grace and peace,

James

]]> By: Joel Suggs http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2077 Joel Suggs Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:55:14 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2077 Fantastic Words, James...what do you think of the idea of eschewing traditional denominational congregations - and meeting and living in house church settings instead? Also...have just begun reading Family Man, Family Leader again...do you know where to find Mr. Lancaster on-line these days? Thanks very much for your life and beliefs! Fantastic Words, James…what do you think of the idea of eschewing traditional denominational congregations – and meeting and living in house church settings instead?
Also…have just begun reading Family Man, Family Leader again…do you know where to find Mr. Lancaster on-line these days?

Thanks very much for your life and beliefs!

]]> By: mamazee http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2068 mamazee Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:00:15 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2068 we agree on most things, but i just can't go to church anymore. It is hard to go there and be denigrated for living according to the Word of God, and talked down to because you must be mentally handicapped to have seven (highly gifted, talented, beautiful and healthy) children... It is so discouraging! It seems to me that church is just a multilevel child minding pyramid - where i'm pestered every week to teach Sunday school to other people's children while allowing other people to teach mine. It sounds to me from reading these blogs that maybe this is not the case in the United States, but where i live in Canada, there is not one church that will rejoice with you having more than three children, no matter how financially stable you are, or healthy... It was taking me all week to recover from the discouragement at church. I am blessed with a husband who will take the lead in our own home, and allow me to heal a little while we home church... we agree on most things, but i just can’t go to church anymore. It is hard to go there and be denigrated for living according to the Word of God, and talked down to because you must be mentally handicapped to have seven (highly gifted, talented, beautiful and healthy) children…
It is so discouraging!
It seems to me that church is just a multilevel child minding pyramid – where i’m pestered every week to teach Sunday school to other people’s children while allowing other people to teach mine.
It sounds to me from reading these blogs that maybe this is not the case in the United States, but where i live in Canada, there is not one church that will rejoice with you having more than three children, no matter how financially stable you are, or healthy…
It was taking me all week to recover from the discouragement at church.
I am blessed with a husband who will take the lead in our own home, and allow me to heal a little while we home church…

]]> By: Beth, aka Green Thumb Mama http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2034 Beth, aka Green Thumb Mama Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:10:25 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2034 I hope you will forgive a comment a year later. I came upon this post via your wife's blog. I have come to really respect your wife. My husband and I are feeling the Lord pull us in this direction for our family. But my question is this: How do you explain your belief of children and large families being a blessing to those who cannot have any or have difficulty and cannot have the large families they desire? My husband and I were blessed with 3 children and then, because of physical abnormalities and my body giving out on me, I was unable to have anymore. I wanted a large family so much. In fact, it breaks my heart sometimes that I cannot have anymore, but I am SO thankful for the 3 I was able to have. When I read that you and your family and others have such large, abundant families, it makes me wonder "Why not me?" How do you address this with your congregation and followers? Surely you have young women in your church who have trouble conceiving and/or can no longer have anymore children? I hope you will forgive a comment a year later. I came upon this post via your wife’s blog. I have come to really respect your wife. My husband and I are feeling the Lord pull us in this direction for our family. But my question is this: How do you explain your belief of children and large families being a blessing to those who cannot have any or have difficulty and cannot have the large families they desire? My husband and I were blessed with 3 children and then, because of physical abnormalities and my body giving out on me, I was unable to have anymore. I wanted a large family so much. In fact, it breaks my heart sometimes that I cannot have anymore, but I am SO thankful for the 3 I was able to have. When I read that you and your family and others have such large, abundant families, it makes me wonder “Why not me?” How do you address this with your congregation and followers? Surely you have young women in your church who have trouble conceiving and/or can no longer have anymore children?

]]> By: Kat http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2032 Kat Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:31:34 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-2032 Pastor McDonald, In light of your reference regarding women being "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5), what are your thoughts on women working out side the home? Sincerely, K. Pastor McDonald,

In light of your reference regarding women being “keepers at home” (Titus 2:5), what are your thoughts on women working out side the home?

Sincerely, K.

]]> By: Michelle http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1932 Michelle Thu, 28 May 2009 05:46:51 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1932 I'm one of those single women in the funky ctagory. I'm Apostolic Pentecostal, believe and have received Acts 2:38. Try my best to walk in Holiness bfore God. My parents do not serve God one iota, and I moved out at 18. For some women such as myself, we are not really able to return home to live with ourparents until marriage, nor would we EVER want to. I'm 32. I very much appreciate the folks that are out there staying at home with their children, and those that are practising biblical familyhood! What a breath of fresh air! I’m one of those single women in the funky ctagory. I’m Apostolic Pentecostal, believe and have received Acts 2:38. Try my best to walk in Holiness bfore God. My parents do not serve God one iota, and I moved out at 18. For some women such as myself, we are not really able to return home to live with ourparents until marriage, nor would we EVER want to. I’m 32.
I very much appreciate the folks that are out there staying at home with their children, and those that are practising biblical familyhood! What a breath of fresh air!

]]> By: James McDonald http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1048 James McDonald Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:42:58 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1048 Hi Sarah, We just got home from a great 4th of July event, so I am exhausted. Anyway, I wrote about this issue above is sections 4.3 and 4.4. They pretty much outline my thoughts. I am not opposed at all to women going to college, but I think it unwise for women to go away to college. Do you see the difference? God has established an economy for the home that is not defunct - even if society changes, God's Word remains the same. I encourage you to study this issue with your Bible in hand. May the Lord bless you as you seek His will for your life. In Him, Hi Sarah,

We just got home from a great 4th of July event, so I am exhausted. Anyway, I wrote about this issue above is sections 4.3 and 4.4. They pretty much outline my thoughts. I am not opposed at all to women going to college, but I think it unwise for women to go away to college. Do you see the difference? God has established an economy for the home that is not defunct – even if society changes, God’s Word remains the same.

I encourage you to study this issue with your Bible in hand. May the Lord bless you as you seek His will for your life.

In Him,

]]> By: axisone http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1047 axisone Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:26:25 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-1047 Pastor McDonald, I'm curious as to your position on women attending college. I've read many strictly complementarian blogs and I was surprised by the number that believe women should stay at home until marriage. As a female Christian student, this is an issue that is of interest to me and I would like to hear your perspective. Thank you, Sarah (axisone) Pastor McDonald,

I’m curious as to your position on women attending college. I’ve read many strictly complementarian blogs and I was surprised by the number that believe women should stay at home until marriage. As a female Christian student, this is an issue that is of interest to me and I would like to hear your perspective.

Thank you,
Sarah (axisone)

]]> By: James McDonald http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-991 James McDonald Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:45:05 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-991 Hi Lisa, I still have more to write! There never seems to be enough time in the day. It looks like you are in the neighborhood. We only live 15 miles from Canton. Also, all my sermons are downloadable for free at http://providencepeoria.org/sermons. I pray they are a blessing to you. Feel free to call if I can be of any help. Peace, Hi Lisa,

I still have more to write! There never seems to be enough time in the day. It looks like you are in the neighborhood. We only live 15 miles from Canton. Also, all my sermons are downloadable for free at http://providencepeoria.org/sermons. I pray they are a blessing to you. Feel free to call if I can be of any help.

Peace,

]]> By: Lisa http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-990 Lisa Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:35:50 +0000 http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/what-is-family-reformation/#comment-990 Can you tell me where to find the Series you were talking about in Nov? I have a husband on the fence and would like to read it if it's done. Thanks, Lisa-Canton Can you tell me where to find the Series you were talking about in Nov? I have a husband on the fence and would like to read it if it’s done. Thanks, Lisa-Canton

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