Pat > Recent Status Updates

111

"I find that much of the spiritual and pastoral work of churches is often ineffective at the levels of real transformation, and calls forth immense passivity and even many passive-aggressive responses. As a preacher, I find that I am forced to dumb down the material in order to interest a Sunday crowd that does not expect or even want any real challenge..." p. 14

"Whenever ministers, or any true believers, are too anti anything, you can be pretty sure there is some shadow material lurking somewhere nearby." p. 128

"Yes, transformation is often more about unlearning than learning, which is why the religious traditions call it "conversion" or "repentace" (p. x).

The only problem is that conversion and repentance often focuses on the "dos" and "don't" versus deeper transformation of the heart, soul and mind.

"Evangelical and fundamentalist leaders attribute the atrophy of the old-line church's influence and its ever-decreasing numbers to those churches having failed to proclaim the "true" gospel. Meanwhile, superficial arguments over issues like the preference of music styles and levels of formality in worship only continue to serve as a distraction from the real problem: people are dissatisfied with the core message."

"Yes, transformation is often more about unlearning than learning, which is why the religious traditions call it "conversion" or "repentace" (p. x).

The only problem is that conversion and repentance often focuses on the "dos" and "don't" versus deeper transformation of the heart, soul and mind.