Show notes
Today we’ll be talking a bit about how growing up in the Churches of Christ impacted our faith. And to all of our friends and family in the Churches of Christ, hopefully this episode will be less awkward to listen to than it was for us to record it.Show Notes:Intro - Bike rides were takenNathan is "way behind on a bunch of stuff"Very generalized and incomplete intro to the "Church of Christ" - Talking about the "Church of Christ" is hard because they're independent It is part of the "Restoration Movement" Similar to, but not exactly the same as the "Reformation Movement"The goal: Get back to Jesus and measure ourselves against thatNathan lists of some standard Church of Christ tentpolesSteve's history with the Church of Christ - Very long family history with the "churches of Christ"Exclusivist terminology is common (i.e., "we are THE church") but not universalOnly going to a C of C, you miss a lot of perspectiveSteve's realization: Churches of Christ are not the only Christians who are earnestly trying to follow GodVintage City Church in Fort CollinsThings Nathan felt were important or that he accidentally learned - He was accidentally taught a lot of things (i.e., instrumental music in worship)Gut reactions can be powerful! They bypass the brainHappens often when it's "not the way you grew up"Defining ourselves - "If we define ourselves as 'not like other churches' we'll define ourselves out of existence." - Curt Niccum"Whoever is not against us is for us" - Mark " For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged" - Matthew Wanting to "do church right" can distract from following God"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice" - Hosea "You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." - Matthew How we got hereHermeneuticsCommand, Example, Necessary Inference"Who's my neighbor?" - Luke We've focused too much on Sunday morningThe unity that Jesus wanted? - Churches of Christ don't have the monopoly on "right"Emphasis needs to shift from differences to commonalitiesJesus praying in the garden for unity - John We can easily build our identity on things that are NOT GodWe've all gotten it wrong, and we still doAll of this requires a lot of humility & graceAm I pleasing God and following him, or just trying to "do the right thing"The Lord's Prayer is a great alignment tool - Matthew When we go back to church, we hope we don't fall back in to old, unhelpful, patternsBe defined by who you're going toward, not who we're going againstWrap up - The Superbowl is on - Nathan doesn't "even want to talk about it"Join our Patreon - we'd love your support and we have some fantastic patron perks!Support Following the FireLinks:Way behind on a bunch of stuffRestoration MovementReformation MovementVintage City ChurchMark 9:38-41 — Whoever is not against us is for usMatthew 7:2 — For in the same way you judge others, you will be judgedHosea 6:6 — For I desire mercy, not sacrificeMatthew 23:24 — You strain out a gnat but swallow a camelCommand, Example, Necessary InferenceLuke 10:36-37 — Who's my neighbor?John 17:20-23 — Jesus praying in the garden for unity Matthew 6:9-13 — The Lord's Prayer is a great alignment tool
