Public dialog between pastor and congregation

When my wife and I lived in Fort Worth, our pastor Al Merideth did Wed. night Bible Studies exactly the way you are describing it. This was at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. It was held in the sanctuary and basically started out with scripture reading, a brief explanation of scripture, and then the pastor would open the floor for questions about the scripture from the congregation. He would not continue untill someone asked a question. Now keep in mind that the congreagation was told what would be covered the next week so that they could have some time to study and have something to discuss the next week. It was different but enjoyable because it set up an atmosphere where we could all study the scriptures together and learn together.

Joseph Botwinick

 

bump

 

bump

 

Is this "bump" thing a virus? Sheesh. My church, Southcross Community Church, during the summer allows the congregation to ask the pastor questions. We do it basically during the summer, (IMO) because there is more people there now that school's out.

 

"bump" is what is done to bring a thread to the top for more discussion if the moderator so chooses.

 

Ooh! Ooh! Pick me, pick me!

My pastor often asks if there are any questions after he preaches (usually on Sunday nights). He told the congregation one night that he didn't like it when no one had questions because that meant that no one was paying attention.

Every few weeks we have "Stump the Pastor" night where we can ask any questions about just about anything.

Mike

http://www.keylife.org

 

My friend Paul Duke used to have what he called "pastoral conversations" on some Sunday nights at Kirkwood Baptist in Missouri. I think it's an excellent idea, and have done the same in the past.

Joshua

 

I do it a lot. Our Wed nite service is a Bible study I lead and there's a lot of participation, questions, etc. And there are open floor nights, where at the end people can ask anything. I enjoy it. Keeps me on my toes.

 

I do it on Wednesday and Sunday nights usually though not always.

 

Bob,

Don't underestimate guilt. It is a historically established and venerated tool in the pastor's toolbox; and it's sometimes hard to get scripture readers on Sunday without it .

Joshua

 

And, let's not forget that you just can't get people to volunteer for anything unless you guilt them six ways from Sunday.

 

do you have to be a Pastor in order to reply here? if so I won't reply again...sorry, but I wish our Pastor would allow us to ask questions, for us it's " keep mouth shut while Preachers preaching.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: How to Make People Do what YOU Want them to Do while in seminary.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It wasn't getting them to do what I wanted while in seminary that was the problem. It is getting them to do what I want them to now that I am out of seminary that is the problem.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by qwerty:
Do you know of any church that allows for dialog between the pastor and the congregation?

That is, the congregation is allowed to ask questions of the pastor, or staff, about what is being taught.

I have been in and around Baptist churches for 46 years, and have never been in one that allows for public dialog.

Does your church, or if you are a pastor, do you allow for this? If so, how often? If not, why not?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Our congregation engages in dialogue with our Pastor during Wednesday night Bible Study. We mostly comment rather than ask questions.

 

I do verse by verse book studies on Wednesday night (now in Acts, since March 2000!) and after a paragraph or even a verse of exposition, we discuss. We have some great interaction and I thoroughly enjoy it. Everyone has been known to stay 30-45 minutes late at times to finish the discussions. I've been thinking about having an "Open Line" Sunday night once a month, just for any Biblical discussion.

 

During Bible Study and Sunday School, I see no problem with it; BUT, During Church Service, there is susposed to be Preaching; and you sometimes get people who may not be either quite sober, or mentally all there (We street minister to ALL TYPES and invite them to attend); and their "CONSTANT" asking questions during Church, means that those who came to hear a message (sermon), will not get to hear the complete message; as the time alloted, will be taken up answering questions. We quite frequently get disruptable church visitors; but there again, we look for and invite the city's street castaways.

[ January 22, 2002: Message edited by: Pastor_Don_Kirk ]

[ January 22, 2002: Message edited by: Pastor_Don_Kirk ]

 

As a missionary pastor every time I teach I ask for interaction. Many times I will ask the group a pointed question from the scripture being studied. We meet on Sundays and midweek and have open dialog at both times. Mind you it is not a free-frawl or just talking about anything. The discussion is always connected to the scripture we are studying. I love to hear these new believers get clarification or answer or comment in a way that shows they are actually being taught and fed by God’s Word.

I feel I have biblical responsibility to make sure they are actually being fed and taught the things of Christ and not just sleeping or day-dreaming through a lecture. I see Matt 28:19, 20 as a responsibility to teach the disciples (church) and not to entertain the masses. Not attacking you guys who only give a lecture. To each his own liberties in this area, as long as the believers are learning instead of loafing.