Apostolic Friends Forum - Shaw: Theology & Outcomes Matter; Methods Don't

Apostolic Friends Forum (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/index.php)

- Fellowship Hall (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7)

- - Shaw: Theology & Outcomes Matter; Methods Don't (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=25214)

Shaw: Theology & Outcomes Matter; Methods Don't

Rodney Shaw has followed up on his oft-controversial series with a new blog entitled "How Do We Minister?: Theology and Method, Part I"

Here is a sample:

Quote:

Our theology states that all people must be born again of water and Spirit—baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues. This theological affirmation is fleshed out (contextualized) in methods—advertising campaigns, approaches to personal evangelism, music selection, service formats, preaching style, approaches to praying with seekers, children’s ministry programs—with the intent of producing outcomes that are consistent with the theological affirmation, i.e., people should be baptized in Jesus’ name, receive the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues, and live a godly life as a result of the methods we choose.

It really does not matter whether a minister preaches behind a pulpit in a suit or without a pulpit in a pair of jeans. This is a method. It really does not matter if a preacher moves about the stage yelling into a microphone or whether he speaks in a more conversational tone. This is a method. The more important questions revolve around what the methods are designed to accomplish. Do the methods lead to people being filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues? Do the methods lead to people being baptized in Jesus’ name? Do the methods lead to people experiencing deliverance? Do the methods lead to people growing in grace and in spiritual disciplines? And further, do the methods hinder people from experiencing these things? Is a sinner more or less likely to receive the Holy Spirit, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and live a holy life as a result of one’s methods?

Has Shaw gotten the following memos?:

1. The one from the General Board of which his pastor is a part of, particularly from the sub-committee appointed by K. Haney and headed by Paul Mooney that methods do matter to them.

The same the committee that blasted the use of the undiscipled in various ministries and lambasted the "absence of authoritative worship and preaching" in the methods used by some who have succumbed to the "emerging" church.

Stating:

Quote:

•Pastors often depart from traditional “church dress” to a casual look of open collar, un-tucked shirt, sport coat and jeans.

•Pastors prefer sitting in a chair or behind a table. Generally there is no physical pulpit visible.

•The Emerging Church communication paradigm favors a more casual, conversational tone featuring oral history and storytelling as opposed to Bible preaching/teaching.

•Predictably, there is less of what we understand to be a “move of God” and more of an intellectual assent to Christianity.

For more on this committee's report click here-
http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=24736

and

2. The UPCI doesn't have an official theological stance on the New Birth - intentionally since the merger between the PCI and PAJC.

One has to wonder if he has a pulse as to what is really going on here? Or maybe he does.