Comments on: GracePoint UMC Final Service – My Response

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:11:56 +0000

Sam – You seem to suggest that it is not faithful. I believe that there is a need for ministry in all places. Sin and brokenness is a part of the reality of those who are pretty on the outside and hurting on the outside.

By: sam

sam — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:23:54 +0000

Andrew,

What is all this fixation with following the “flight” to the suburbs? If I read the Gospel rightly, I doubt that a latte drinking, rock and roll worshipping, media and advertising driven church catering to people in the top 20% economic of our area is where we would expect to find Jesus hanging out. I am less and less enamored with church starts chasing after the most priviledged of our population when the faithful churches serving the urban core’s hungery, homeless and lonely are closing from a lack of funding.

Suburban rock and roll church is fun… but at the end of the day… is it faithful?

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:36:29 +0000

Kevin – You provide a good corrective on the land. It may not be the most helpful to sell the land, particularly as it is in a good location and will likely become more valuable over time. I wonder if it makes sense for a church to be started in the same way in which GracePoint was planted. The approach to ministry certainly proved to be effective in that part of the city. However I know that going off someone else’s vision is not a good plan.

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:34:26 +0000

Amanda – Thank you for suggesting the practice of forgiveness. I recognize my own need for forgiveness – both given and received.

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:29:37 +0000

Gil – Thanks for your perspective as a member of GP Community. I have not received much information at all from persons who are now an active part of GP Community. I appreciate your generosity of spirit and desire to see churches of all kinds thrive in NW Wichita. Thanks!

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:24:32 +0000

mikeoles3 – Your quick thoughts are good. I think that new church plants should have all kinds of foci. Some may grow up to be mega churches, but that cannot be the only paradigm for planting new churches.

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:22:54 +0000

spencerss – Thanks for your response. I am a part of the Kansas West Conference while currently serving in the Kansas East conference. I recognize that I am connected and yet also disconnected in some ways. In any case, thanks for your thoughts.

By: spencerss

spencerss — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:12:08 +0000

This is a good response. I like your focus on God’s Kingdom, not just the institution. It is also good to hear from a pastor in the KS West Conference.

By: Grace Point as a model of success « John Meunier’s Blog

Grace Point as a model of success « John Meunier’s Blog — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:59:31 +0000

[...] a comment » Andrew Conard shares his thougths about the demise of Grace Point UMC after the senior pastor led most of the congregation out of the [...]

By: mikeoles3

mikeoles3 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:52:06 +0000

Thanks for the great post! I stumbled upon this blog after it was linked to mine automatically through wordpress…

1. yes plant more churches! be daring and cutting edge!

2. don’t give churches dumb names like gracepointe!

3. GP looked successful but from a distance (ive only recently read about it) but it seemed to just want to be another megachurch with light shows and contemporary music…. lets look at building churches that focus on social justice, the arts, wellness, and particpation–especially from young adults and poor and working class communities

just some quick thought