Post by philiprosenthal on Apr 28, 2006 15:49:39 GMT
I have enrolled at Vineyard Bible School, www.vineyardbi.org and found it enormously helpful in addressing theological gaps in His People/EveryNation teaching. Most of the bad practices, I feel are not the result of what the HP/EN teaches, but result from 'make it up as you go along' ad-hoc, badly thought out 'folk theology'. Vineyard is very near HP/EN in that it is Charismatic and believes in apostolic governance, but with some different interpretations - and thus I feel would appeal to many HP/EN pastors, leaders, members and ex-members.
Some courses, I would strongly recommend are:
* Healing spiritual abuse: Numerous posts on Factnet.org are evidence this is chronic a problem in HP/EN. It studies Jesus criticisms of the Pharisees and how similar behaviour today in churches is destructive. If you experienced abuse in EN/HP, this course is a must.
* The church and its leaders: Explains a three tier model for church governance (congregation, local elders, translocal leaders) - and the need to keep a balance of power between them. Also in at each level the need to keep a balance of power between the team leader and the team. Discourages use of the word 'apostle' because of the elitism associated with it currently, although recognises the gifting. Interprets a much more humble role for such leaders.
* Church discipline that heals: Many problems in HP/EN stem from unjust church discipline and failure to apply it when needed - the course gives guidelines for fair and compassionate discipline.
* Healthy churches: Explains a balanced model for healthy church growth, not based simply on worldly marketing and measurement of members and money.
The Vineyard BI courses taken be taken individually one at a time and are very cheap. The cheapest option and least work is 'materials only', where you just download the course notes, which are very comprehensive and basically a pdf book for each course. The course authors are mostly Charismatics with doctorates in theology from respected universities - so this is serious food for thought, but written in an interesting and accessible manner.
There are many other courses, but these I feel are most relevant to reforming HP/EN. Why not also sponsor your pastor - enrol twice and give him a copy of the course notes.
Some courses, I would strongly recommend are:
* Healing spiritual abuse: Numerous posts on Factnet.org are evidence this is chronic a problem in HP/EN. It studies Jesus criticisms of the Pharisees and how similar behaviour today in churches is destructive. If you experienced abuse in EN/HP, this course is a must.
* The church and its leaders: Explains a three tier model for church governance (congregation, local elders, translocal leaders) - and the need to keep a balance of power between them. Also in at each level the need to keep a balance of power between the team leader and the team. Discourages use of the word 'apostle' because of the elitism associated with it currently, although recognises the gifting. Interprets a much more humble role for such leaders.
* Church discipline that heals: Many problems in HP/EN stem from unjust church discipline and failure to apply it when needed - the course gives guidelines for fair and compassionate discipline.
* Healthy churches: Explains a balanced model for healthy church growth, not based simply on worldly marketing and measurement of members and money.
The Vineyard BI courses taken be taken individually one at a time and are very cheap. The cheapest option and least work is 'materials only', where you just download the course notes, which are very comprehensive and basically a pdf book for each course. The course authors are mostly Charismatics with doctorates in theology from respected universities - so this is serious food for thought, but written in an interesting and accessible manner.
There are many other courses, but these I feel are most relevant to reforming HP/EN. Why not also sponsor your pastor - enrol twice and give him a copy of the course notes.