tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083638296820168853.post5512634015766695494..comments2023-05-12T05:59:32.386-05:00Comments on faith from the field: The Door of the ChurchSheri Ellwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12521018942479639251noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083638296820168853.post-57996720911396926112014-02-07T16:04:18.134-06:002014-02-07T16:04:18.134-06:00Thanks, Wanda, for your thoughts. I agree love is...Thanks, Wanda, for your thoughts. I agree love is central. The tricky part is the church (the church in general not any specific church) has often seemed to translate loving others something more like "love them for the potential they have to become like us, believe like us, behave like we think they should." We often forget we have much to learn from others, from their journeys, from their wisdom. How do we love people for who they are rather than for their potential for conversion and if we did that, how would it change how we do church? Thanks for helping me to think about this further! <br />Sheri Ellwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12521018942479639251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083638296820168853.post-54639788501893006682014-02-07T07:33:21.242-06:002014-02-07T07:33:21.242-06:00I often wonder what people think of Andover Luther...I often wonder what people think of Andover Lutheran, but it's a moot point. The real question is, "What does the Lord God think of Andover Lutheran?" What Jesus thought of the seven churches, found in Revelation 2 and 3 is revealing. Jesus talks in all seven revelations about overcoming, leaving us to hope there is always hope. But his last words to his disciples (who were to carry on his revelations to the entire world) his last words were to love one another. You can find this in John 15. This is how we are to be identified as his disciples. This is how we are identified as God's children. The church can only offer hope with love. This is the only way to overcome.<br /> In God's name, for what other reason does the church exist?!Wanda Nelsonnoreply@blogger.com