The End of the Beginning is Here
It has been a while since my last real post. Many of you have wondered out loud if I am A) dead, B) seriously ill, C) in exile or D) just not writing. The answer is …
I just haven’t felt like writing.
Not For Itching Ears was born out of my frustration with the current church models. I had seen so many things that I felt were un-biblical and unhealthy. Having been a senior pastor, I knew that there was absolutely nothing I could do to change anything, anywhere I was attending. Everyone seemed happy with the direction they were taking the churches they led. Nobody in active leadership positions seemed bothered at all by those things I saw as critical.
So, I started writing about it.
In the process two things happened. First, God healed me of my anger. Writing about it was therapeutic for me. It helped me get a lot of the stuff that was bothering me out. Today, I have accepted the sorry state that the protestant evangelical church is in. I have resigned myself to the fact that the church at large, is living out its own Thelma and Louise, drive the church off the cliff, scene. The seeker-sensitive, concert oriented church model is doing just that. When it will finally happen remains to be seen. Until then, I have accepted the fact that it is what it is. I can’t change it. I am frustrated by it, but I am no longer angry about it. I think that is progress.
The second thing all this writing has done is calm my need to write! In other words, I don’t have much to say anymore. Every week it seems like I have another idea for a post. But it is just a different angle on the same topics. Why bother?
Now you may be wondering if I am closing down the blog. Not a chance. I just won’t be writing as often as I did. I will continue to write when I feel I have something to say or contribute to the debate. I will also be updating comments and answering prayer requests and things of that nature. So I will still be here, staring out my office window, watching the foxes play with each other, checking up on the blog.
I want to thank all the people who regularly read this blog and those who have engaged in the conversation. Ya’ll know who you are!
Check out the result of 4 different polls and the challenging conclusions arrived at in our post It’s Official: People Don’t Want To Sing So Much On Sundays. Published in 2014
Posted on July 16, 2012, in Christianity, Contemporary Church Culture, The Seeker-Sensitive Church Model and tagged christianity, cross-centered worship, Eastern Orthodox, faith, family, inspiration, Not For itching Ears, Passion of the Christ, prayer, Purpose Driven, religion, seeker-sensitive, spirituality, worship, Worship Leading. Bookmark the permalink. 11 Comments.
Not For Itching Ears 
Hi Jim! I’ll refrain from liking on this one good friend, although I’m glad to hear your site was profitable for you personally, as it has been much so for us. Your work and words are definately an inspiration to us, and as we’ve adjusted to the withdrawal pains of rare postings, we will look forward to future writes. Thanks for the enthusiasm and love for Jesus displayed by your words… blessings and regarding the foxes, look out for the grape vines (Song of…).
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You have always been a great encourager to me, brother. I have appreciated it a lot!
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Have missed you voice and at the very least you make people think, I just have one question “Why do you limit you ministry to your physical church? God doesn’t!
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Hi Loopy,
Thanks for the challenge!
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🙂
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Jim,
I get it and I like it! God knew you were……dare I say it……..pissed, so writing was cathartic and you didn’t shock Him anyway……some of us maybe, but not God.
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Ha! Come back to God’s country, brother.
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> “The second thing all this writing has done is calm my need to write! In other words, I don’t have much to say anymore. Every week it seems like I have another idea for a post. But it is just a different angle on the same topics. Why bother?”
I have a suggested topic for you (because I’m rather curious as to what your answer would be).
Given your distaste for the current state of the Evangelical congregations, your appreciation of the writings and worship of the Early Church, as well as questions you’ve raised about Sola Scriptura etc…why do you remain Evangelical? Why do you not convert to Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy?
This may be a personal matter you don’t wish to discuss on a public forum, but I thought I’d put the question out there since I’ve thought it many times while reading your blog.
Either way, I hope you enjoy your blogging break!
God bless,
David.
PS The following line is in the Lectionary this Sunday:
”Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” – Mark 6:31
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Hi David,
I sent an email response to your restlesspilgrim email.
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Thank you for your words. At least I know that I wasn’t the only one seeing these things either. It is good to know you. I was encouraged!
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Thank YOU for always jumping in to the conversation.
It is odd that since I reported my hiatus, I have had all kinds of ideas for articles! Perhaps I will post them om my other blog, Following Him Together, as they may be more appropriate over there.
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