Comments on: The Pastor as Identity-Worker http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/ Church Planting, Technology & Culture Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:51:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Vanessa http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-45692 Vanessa Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:05:12 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-45692 Another thought... What if we really took home this one indentifier: SERVANT. We are called to serve one another as Christ served his disciples, and indeed, as He served all of humankind through His death on the cross. What if I woke up each morning, with my motivation being "to serve", and: - I went to work, to serve my boss, co-workers and the public community - I went to church to serve - I went to school to serve students, my professors, school staff - I got married to serve my spouse - I had children to serve them If we all thought of ourselves (were entirely convinced that we were,) servants, in every area, out of reverence for Christ, just imagine the results. And that is just taking ONE identifier to heart... Another thought…

What if we really took home this one indentifier: SERVANT.

We are called to serve one another as Christ served his disciples, and indeed, as He served all of humankind through His death on the cross. What if I woke up each morning, with my motivation being “to serve”, and:

- I went to work, to serve my boss, co-workers and the public community

- I went to church to serve

- I went to school to serve students, my professors, school staff

- I got married to serve my spouse

- I had children to serve them

If we all thought of ourselves (were entirely convinced that we were,) servants, in every area, out of reverence for Christ, just imagine the results.

And that is just taking ONE identifier to heart…

]]> By: askingY.com » How do you see yourself? http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-41040 askingY.com » How do you see yourself? Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:43:11 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-41040 [...] Over at goodmanson, drew has an interesting post about the pastor as identity worker. Basically, he is talking about how (and why) pastors should help people find who they are (their identity) in Christ, rather than just preaching about outward change. [...] [...] Over at goodmanson, drew has an interesting post about the pastor as identity worker. Basically, he is talking about how (and why) pastors should help people find who they are (their identity) in Christ, rather than just preaching about outward change. [...]

]]> By: iCalvinist http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40849 iCalvinist Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:34:43 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40849 Gospel identity is all about the Imperatives (law keeping out of gratitude) flowing out from the Indicatives (who we are in Christ) in scripture, not the other way around. So much of preaching today is the exact opposite....as if we could "LIVE these principles" then we would "BE/HAVE a purpose driven life" or whatever. It's so easy to forget this, I definitely suffer from Gospel Amnesia and need to constantly be reminded by the faithful preaching of God's word, as do we all. I'm afraid many churches today (including some of the most prominent in San Diego) suffer from "Gospel Alzheimer's" which may require more than a good knock on the head. Gospel identity is all about the Imperatives (law keeping out of gratitude) flowing out from the Indicatives (who we are in Christ) in scripture, not the other way around. So much of preaching today is the exact opposite….as if we could “LIVE these principles” then we would “BE/HAVE a purpose driven life” or whatever. It’s so easy to forget this, I definitely suffer from Gospel Amnesia and need to constantly be reminded by the faithful preaching of God’s word, as do we all. I’m afraid many churches today (including some of the most prominent in San Diego) suffer from “Gospel Alzheimer’s” which may require more than a good knock on the head.

]]> By: Chrizzle http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40584 Chrizzle Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:11:05 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40584 Yes, I think identity should be the fundamental emphasis. Just look at how Paul starts and spends so much time on identity (indicatives) in his letters. I also wonder what the appropriate emphasis is on "how to live" (imperitives) - Paul spends time writing about what Christian behavior should look like, giving instruction for living in that identity (Romans 12:9-21 is an instance). Paul also tells people to imitate him, as he imitates Christ (1 Cor 11:1). How should people be taught the indicatives (identity) and the imperitives (how to live), giving appropriate emphasis on each? Yes, I think identity should be the fundamental emphasis. Just look at how Paul starts and spends so much time on identity (indicatives) in his letters.

I also wonder what the appropriate emphasis is on “how to live” (imperitives) - Paul spends time writing about what Christian behavior should look like, giving instruction for living in that identity (Romans 12:9-21 is an instance). Paul also tells people to imitate him, as he imitates Christ (1 Cor 11:1). How should people be taught the indicatives (identity) and the imperitives (how to live), giving appropriate emphasis on each?

]]> By: Bryan Zug http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40057 Bryan Zug Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:15:45 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-40057 Wow -- provoking stuff -- very good. Wow — provoking stuff — very good.

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-39791 Vanessa Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:24:40 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2007-03/25/the-pastor-as-identity-worker/#comment-39791 Drew, I agree. Our pastor has been preaching recently in the book of Hebrews and a major emphasis has been that we were created to rule & reign with Christ ... here.. now. How many Christians truly believe they are reigning on this earth? Do we live like it? Are we Christ-like in every area: how we use our money (do we hoard it, or give it away?) , how we spend our free time (prayer, or television?), how we treat the environment, who we associate with (do we ever venture outside the church walls?) Are we serving each other, in Christ-like submission...and do we feel it's our responsiblity to do so? Most likely not. I think that once a Christ follower realizes who he/she is called to BE, the "works" follow. Most of the time we think backwards. Drew, I agree.

Our pastor has been preaching recently in the book of Hebrews and a major emphasis has been that we were created to rule & reign with Christ … here.. now.

How many Christians truly believe they are reigning on this earth? Do we live like it?

Are we Christ-like in every area: how we use our money (do we hoard it, or give it away?) , how we spend our free time (prayer, or television?), how we treat the environment, who we associate with (do we ever venture outside the church walls?) Are we serving each other, in Christ-like submission…and do we feel it’s our responsiblity to do so? Most likely not.

I think that once a Christ follower realizes who he/she is called to BE, the “works” follow. Most of the time we think backwards.

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