Mars Hill Church In Phoenix

[noel00]

I think this is why mainline churches experience a resurgance

According to Evans, some of the qualities Millennials are looking for in a church are:

• High church liturgy that seems “so unpretentious, so unconcerned with being ‘cool.’” Check.
  
• “Questions that don’t have predetermined answers.” Check.
  
• “Churches that emphasize an allegiance to the kingdom of God over an allegiance to a single political party or a single nation.” Check.
  
• “We want our LGBT friends to feel truly welcome in our faith communities.” Increasingly and decisively, check.
  
• “We want to be challenged to live lives of holiness, not only when it comes to sex, but also when it comes to living simply, caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing reconciliation, engaging in creation care and becoming peacemakers.” Check.
  
• “Like every generation before ours and every generation after, deep down, we long for Jesus.” Check.
  

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/poptheology/2013/07/mainline/

[canard78]

Because the Acts 29 Reformed groups are some of the most bitterly hostile anti-Mormons I have ever come into contact. They'll not be of good service or charitable to the LDS population here. I can only imagine what they'll be like at the Christmas lights and Easter Pageant.

Is their name some sort of 'bible bashing' benchmark?

They meet a Mormon and ask:

"What do you think of the doctrine in Acts 29?"

The Mormon replies:

"I don't know, I'll have to look it up."

They say:

"Hah, you heathen, you clearly don't know your bible well enough to know that Acts only has 28 chapters! Gotcha! Now burn in 'H' 'E' 'double hockey sticks!"

And yes, I went and looked for Acts 29 first.

[Five Solas]

Is their name some sort of 'bible bashing' benchmark?

They meet a Mormon and ask:

"What do you think of the doctrine in Acts 29?"

The Mormon replies:

"I don't know, I'll have to look it up."

They say:

"Hah, you heathen, you clearly don't know your bible well enough to know that Acts only has 28 chapters! Gotcha! Now burn in 'H' 'E' 'double hockey sticks!"

And yes, I went and looked for Acts 29 first.

I might appreciate the humor more were it not for the rest of this thread. Of course, the real humor is that someone LDS would think the name was designed to fool him/her. As if the world revolved around Salt Lake City & the pronouncements from certain members of its citizenry.

Permit me to make a suggestion: It doesn't

;0)

--Erik

[halconero]

I'm assuming your kidding with this statement... since we've discussed previously how this refers to the Book of Revelation, not to the Bible... because the Bible was not compiled until well after Revelations was written... and, thre is a passage in Deuteronomy that says essentially the same thing...

Some of my non-member family have made this statement when speaking of the Book of Mormon.

I find such groups rather pitiful... it's one thing to disagree with another's theology, but to go to such extremes with such an un-Christianlike attitude is to me a real problem for them...

GG

But...but...all the people I tracted into (coincidently in Phoenix) told me that the Book of Mormon was adding!! You're telling me that they were wrong?!

Yeah, I was kidding.

[Five Solas]

Okay, here's a better suggestion: For those of you LDS in the greater Phoenix area, go & visit your new Acts 29/Mars Hill Church when it opens (2014). Listen to a sermon. Meet a few people. Introduce yourself to a pastor. Start a conversation.

I'll make a note to resurface this thread when the time comes, and I'll post the address, meeting times, etc. And then we can critique it to our heart's content.

Sound reasonable?

--Erik

[bluebell]

Okay, here's a better suggestion: For those of you LDS in the greater Phoenix area, go & visit your new Acts 29/Mars Hill Church when it opens (2014). Listen to a sermon. Meet a few people. Introduce yourself to a pastor. Start a conversation.

I'll make a note to resurface this thread when the time comes, and I'll post the address, meeting times, etc. And then we can critique it to our heart's content.

Sound reasonable?

--Erik

Since I think what is generally being critiqued on this thread are Act 29's activities designed to reveal the 'truth' about Mormonism, it seems like someone would have to attend an activity specific to that issue.

I agree that doing such would probably be reasonable though.

[Five Solas]

Since I think what is generally being critiqued on this thread are Act 29's activities designed to reveal the 'truth' about Mormonism, it seems like someone would have to attend an activity specific to that issue.

I agree that doing such would probably be reasonable though.

Good luck finding such a thing. While Mormonism has gotten a mention from the pulpit on occasion (along with other cultic offshoots of Christianity--Jehovah's Witness, Oneness Pentecostals), it's hardly anyone's focus to my knowledge. No doubt you can find somebody's blog saying something or post a link where something was said in a sermon. But if you were hoping for a real concerted emphasis with meetings and resources dedicated against your religion (latter-day persecution!), afraid you'll be let down by Acts 29.

--Erik

[bluebell]

Good luck finding such a thing. While Mormonism has gotten a mention from the pulpit on occasion (along with other cultic offshoots of Christianity--Jehovah's Witness, Oneness Pentecostals), it's hardly anyone's focus to my knowledge. No doubt you can find somebody's blog saying something or post a link where something was said in a sermon. But if you were hoping for a real concerted emphasis with meetings and resources dedicated against your religion (latter-day persecution!), afraid you'll be let down by Acts 29.

--Erik

I honestly don't know a thing about Mars hill/Acts 29 ministries. I've never heard of them before this thread. I would dearly hope I would be let down by their lack of anti-Mormon teachings but since the Mars Hill website is full of 'sermons' talking about the poor mislead Mormons, that doesn't seem likely. It actually does seem like there is a concerted effort dedicated towards my religion but maybe the website is misleading? Maybe they are kinder to Mormonism in person?

Regardless, my point was that this thread is not really about critiquing what the church teaches or whether or not the people who belong to it are good people in general. It's specifically about Mars Hill/Acts 29's views on Mormonism, so in order to judge the church on the issue relevant to the OP, a person would have to investigate the church's attitude/teachings towards the LDS church, and not just investigate the Mars Hill/Acts 29 church in general, as you suggested.

If they found nothing to investigate, then that would definitely prove something. Like I said though, if the Mars Hill website is any indication of how the church in Phoenix is going to relate to Mormons, that seems very unlikely.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

I honestly don't know a thing about Mars hill/Acts 29 ministries. I've never heard of them before this thread. I would dearly hope I would be let down by their lack of anti-Mormon teachings but since the Mars Hill website is full of 'sermons' talking about the poor mislead Mormons, that doesn't seem likely. It actually does seem like there is a concerted effort dedicated towards my religion but maybe the website is misleading? Maybe they are kinder to Mormonism in person?

You mean you didn't go to LDS.org to find out about this church?? Or hear it talked about in GC???

[Calm]

If they found nothing to investigate, then that would definitely prove something. Like I said though, if the Mars Hill website is any indication of how the church in Phoenix is going to relate to Mormons, that seems very unlikely.

Yes, I find the comment below by Pastor Mark Driscoll such wonderfully gentle and respectful humour.

We will also hit humor next week. That’s gonna be awesome. I’m bidding for a Mormon sacred undergarment on eBay; pray I win, so I can wear it.

Hey, if you can't laugh at other people, who can you laugh at? Edited August 2, 2013 by calmoriah

[canard78]

I might appreciate the humor more were it not for the rest of this thread. Of course, the real humor is that someone LDS would think the name was designed to fool him/her. As if the world revolved around Salt Lake City & the pronouncements from certain members of its citizenry.

Permit me to make a suggestion: It doesn't

;0)

--Erik

I was definitely joking, if anything as much about Mormon insecurities as I was about a potential conversation with a bible basher. I'm not sure how much you read the other threads on this forum but I'm among the least likely to suggest that the world revolves SLC. I'm even against Mormonism revolving around SLC/Utah.

But it wasn't a very good joke. Especially after I noticed earlier in the thread there was the actual origin of their name. Makes my joke fall a little flat when the thread is read in sequence.

[bluebell]

Yes, I find the comment below by Pastor Mark Driscoll such wonderfully gentle and respectful humour.

Hey, if you can't laugh at other people, who can you laugh at?

I guess if you can't win them over with love, then at least make sure they know you are an enemy?

[Calm]

I was definitely joking, if anything as much about Mormon insecurities...

You must listen to the Kirby talk when you get a chance....

[Five Solas]

I guess if you can't win them over with love, then at least make sure they know you are an enemy?

Someone makes an underwear joke & that makes them your “enemy?” Heavy words are so lightly thrown, bluebell...

The sermon on humor was quite good, if memory serves. In part based on Elijah making fun of the religion of the followers of “Baal” in 1 Kings 18—“And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself…” (v. 27 ESV).

Making fun of someone else's religion? Not exactly politically correct, I know (and that's a real sin for some in this day & age). But hey--there it is right there in your Bible. And it really is kinda funny, no? Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to laugh...

You can watch it here: http://marshill.com/...gionsaves/humor

Hope you enjoy,

--Erik

[Calm]

Someone makes an underwear joke & that makes them your “enemy?”

It's not about underwear, it is about taking something another holds sacred and attempting to diminish it...for what purpose would they do that?

It is about intentionally desecrating that which is sacred. He, a nonbeliever, is going to wear sacred garments that indicate the covenants that we make. Do you think it would be right for someone to put on Jewish High Priest attire and then walk around in them calling attention to how he wasn't a jew and bought this stuff on ebay as if it was some sort of CrackerJack prize to be given away instead of something that symbolized someone's relationship with God?

And if the guy doesn't realize that is what he is doing, he shouldn't be a pastor.

Edited August 3, 2013 by calmoriah

[Calm]

Someone makes an underwear joke & that makes them your “enemy?” Heavy words are so lightly thrown, bluebell...

The sermon on humor was quite good, if memory serves. In part based on Elijah making fun of the religion of the followers of “Baal” in 1 Kings 18—“And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself…” (v. 27 ESV).

Making fun of someone else's religion? Not exactly politically correct, I know (and that's a real sin for some in this day & age). But hey--there it is right there in your Bible. And it really is kinda funny, no? Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to laugh...

You can watch it here: http://marshill.com/...gionsaves/humor

Hope you enjoy,

--Erik

So wouldn't you say Elijah was an enemy of the priests of Baal?

[Calm]

Making fun of someone else's religion? Not exactly politically correct, I know (and that's a real sin for some in this day & age). But hey--there it is right there in your Bible. And it really is kinda funny, no? Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to laugh...

If that is what you think is appropriate fine, just don't try and pass it off as just harmless fun or having a good time. There was a purpose to it as there was to Elijah 'teasing' the priests of Baal...who he then promptly orders to be killed.

All in good fun, no one actually harmed in this production...right?

[Five Solas]

So wouldn't you say Elijah was an enemy of the priests of Baal?

If there's an underwear joke in 1 Kings, afraid I missed it calmoriah. Are you attempting to justify bluebell's use of the word "enemy" vis-à-vis the lead preaching pastor at Mars Hill?

--Erik

[tyler90az]

Okay, here's a better suggestion: For those of you LDS in the greater Phoenix area, go & visit your new Acts 29/Mars Hill Church when it opens (2014). Listen to a sermon. Meet a few people. Introduce yourself to a pastor. Start a conversation.

I'll make a note to resurface this thread when the time comes, and I'll post the address, meeting times, etc. And then we can critique it to our heart's content.

Sound reasonable?

--Erik

I am game, just remind me.

[jwhitlock]

If there's an underwear joke in 1 Kings, afraid I missed it calmoriah. Are you attempting to justify bluebell's use of the word "enemy" vis-à-vis the lead preaching pastor at Mars Hill?

--Erik

Denigrating something that Mormon's hold sacred makes your pastor an enemy of Mormons. Trying to label that denigration as "humor" is what we call deception. Tap dancing around calmoriah's response to you concerning your reference to 1 Kings as justification for Mars Hill denigrating another religion reveals how shallow your understanding of scripture is.

In any case, your posting has been informative. You've simply confirmed that there is an anti-Mormon bias there, and that the good "Christian" folks there don't think there's anything particularly wrong with hating your neighbor.

[Five Solas]

I am game, just remind me.

Outstanding! Will do, tyler90az

--Erik

[Five Solas]

Denigrating something that Mormon's hold sacred makes your pastor an enemy of Mormons. Trying to label that denigration as "humor" is what we call deception. Tap dancing around calmoriah's response to you concerning your reference to 1 Kings as justification for Mars Hill denigrating another religion reveals how shallow your understanding of scripture is.

In any case, your posting has been informative. You've simply confirmed that there is an anti-Mormon bias there, and that the good "Christian" folks there don't think there's anything particularly wrong with hating your neighbor.

No one at Mars Hill Church hates you, jwhitlock. It's LDS here (yourself included) who are using the word "enemy" with regards to others. This thread certainly has been informative, but not for the reason you suggest.

--Erik

[jwhitlock]

No one at Mars Hill Church hates you, jwhitlock. It's LDS here (yourself included) who are using the word "enemy" with regards to others. This thread certainly has been informative, but not for the reason you suggest.

--Erik

I'll repeat it for you, then, since you're being purposely obtuse about it. When the pastor at Mars Hill Church denigrates that which Mormons hold sacred, that makes him an enemy of the church and its members. Perhaps you'd like to address that directly, instead of saying it's just harmless humor.

Others who have more direct contact with your religious group have commented on the anti-Mormon activities it engages in. Anti-Mormon activity is, by it's very nature, something that arouses hatred for the church and its members. I've experienced it enough times myself to understand thoroughly the flags your pastor raises with his comments as quoted by calmoriah. Such comments are not benign in nature or intent.

[Five Solas]

I'll repeat it for you, then, since you're being purposely obtuse about it. When the pastor at Mars Hill Church denigrates that which Mormons hold sacred, that makes him an enemy of the church and its members. Perhaps you'd like to address that directly, instead of saying it's just harmless humor.

Others who have more direct contact with your religious group have commented on the anti-Mormon activities it engages in. Anti-Mormon activity is, by it's very nature, something that arouses hatred for the church and its members. I've experienced it enough times myself to understand thoroughly the flags your pastor raises with his comments as quoted by calmoriah. Such comments are not benign in nature or intent.

You can repeat the word "enemy" in as many posts as you like, jwhitlock. You may even believe it (and I'm guessing you very well might). But please know that your sentiment is neither shared nor reciprocated. Not by me and nor by anyone else I know at MHC.

For what it's worth,

--Erik

[Calm]

If there's an underwear joke in 1 Kings, afraid I missed it calmoriah.

--Erik

You were the one using the example of Elijah as someone using humour, are you taking that back now?