Friday
Nov142003
Change of plans
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 9:26PM
I spent the afternoon and evening attending a Promise Keepers thing down the road. I went for two main reasons: (a) I got in free (pastor's perk - yes, I'm cheap) and (b) Erwin McManus is there. Tonight I realized how much I love Erwin McManus. I love almost everything that he says. I also really appreciate Robin Mark as a worship leader. But I also realized there's no possible way that I can sit through another day at a Christian conference. Anybody else ever feel that way? I just don't have it in me. So I seized my divine moment and left. Here's my change of plans. Christina loves the Royal Winter Fair, which ends this weekend, and Charlene has been complaining that we haven't spent enough time together lately. Tomorrow I'm going to surprise them and take them there instead. (Good thing Christina doesn't read this blog.) It seems funny to be going to a Promise Keepers thing at the expense of my family anyway. After all, I can always order the CDs of Erwin. Never thought I'd see the day that I'd trade Erwin for a bunch of farm animals. Oh yeah, and my family. That's the point.
Reader Comments (9)
Love God, then family first. You could order James MacDonald's CDs as well, I'm confident he'll be delivering a powerful messge tomorrow. I wish I could be there but I have to work.
I've been going to this church once in a while and the pastor preached against Promise Keepers. You could check out articles on the church's web site (www3.sympatico.ca/mprbc/) but maybe not. I still don't understand what all the fuss is about. How could anyone be against strengthening men in Christ.
I've always wanted to hear James preach live because I've heard so much about him. I guess I'll have to settle for the CD.
I was up until midnight getting our float ready for the Christmas Parade. Then walked the 2 mile route, handed out 4,000 invitation/candies, returned to the church to tear down the float, which I just finished, and now I'm going to Pizza Hut then bowlign with my Young Adult group. I would have liked to have gone to PK, but then I would have missed out on all of the above... PLUS, we won "Best Non-Profit Float" honours. Cool, eh?
I was planning on going to the PK event but unfortunately 2/3 of my kids and my wife are sick with the flu, so I couldn't. I would have loved to hear James - great Bible teacher. I saw Erwin at last year's event and enjoyed it. He's the kinda guy that's very beneficial to hear every once in awhile. However, I think his effectivness would wear the more you hear him. His speaking isn't that deep and kinda reminds me of a pep rally. He may be the champion modern writer/speaker of pithy, quotable one-liner wisdomettes. I found there to be a little too much rhetoric and not quite enough systematic Biblical substantiation of his points. BTW, James Macdonald is planning to speak at an event in Toronto in May.
I haven't heard Erwin enough to know, although I suspect that would be true of most speakers. I have seen quite a bit of original thinking with Erwin, though, beyond the energy. The Church in Emerging Culture showed me that he has some depth. The pastors' Q&A session did as well. I also suspect that we'll be seeing less "systematic Biblical substantiation" in the future because the newer thinkers seem to be returning to Biblical theology rather than systematic theology (which is a more modern concept), for whatever that is worth. Do you have more information about the MacDonald event?
I wasn't referring to the classical definition of Systematic Theology. I was referring to the fact that I prefer teachers who show me Biblically what they're preaching is truly from the Word of God and not something they're half making up themselves - passion, energy and assertions alone doesn't do a whole lot for me. But passion and energy coupled with a solid Biblical exposition is amazing! See the following link for limited info on the James Macdonald event. http://www.walkintheword.com/php/calendar.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.walkintheword.com/php/calendar.php
Got you, Jacob. I found the main stage Erwin to be lighter. Reading him, I know that he's got depth. He's caused me to rethink some of my positions. You're right - match passion, energy, and solid teaching and you've got a powerful communicator.
Darryl - You rock!