Comments for Ed Bahler's Blog...To Enhance Ministry

Comment on Mega-Churches: Something’s working by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:49:43 +0000

Hi Melanie,

It sounds like you or your friends have experienced pain in the mega-church environment. There is much pain to be found there. And many mega-church pastors are coming to grips with that. I’m spending the week with 30 of them who are as concerned as you are about it.

However, I’ve found as much pain in small church environments. You can find control freaks and incompetence there as well. The average church size in the US is around 90 people. Could that be a result of a lack of competence of most church leaders to influence beyond a small group. Most small church leaders would love to impact more people (grow) but lack the ability.

Generalizations are dangerous. There are good people leading small as well as large churches. And, of course, there is plenty of incompetence in all arenas to make us cry. Its unfortunate that all we have are fallible people here on earth to lead churches as well as every other organization we depend on.

Could that be why Jesus suggested grace and love are so important?

Blessings,

Comment on A Quiet, Prayerful Search by paymn

paymn — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:21:19 +0000

hi!!!

Comment on Mega-Churches: Something’s working by Melanie Van Wyhe

Melanie Van Wyhe — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:48:49 +0000

I think mega-churches are deceiving–they seem healthy because they are growing but who really knows–they can’t know if they are healthy because there are too many people–and that spells trouble because then you have burnt out leaders who don’t have time for their flock and pastors letting people lead small groups who shouldn’t be leading small groups–like control freaks and single groups leaders who are using the singles groups like a dating site–I’ve seen it happen and none of the pastors did anything about it in the name of peace when many women were leaving—not enough accountability means zero spiritual growth–so if you want to hide and remain remain immature I would suggest a mega-church–and the pastors can never admit when they are wrong! Not what pleases God!

Comment on I am Convinced by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:53:35 +0000

Thanks for stopping by…Mia is doing really well adjusting. I’m not sure which is the bigger challenge for her…our family or a new country.

Blessings,

Comment on I am Convinced by sammynmick

sammynmick — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:44:43 +0000

It did our hearts good to watch this miracle unfold!! I was really happy for your new daughter too!

Comment on I am Convinced by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:04:06 +0000

Thanks Earl…hoping you have a peaceful week.

Comment on I am Convinced by Earl Borron

Earl Borron — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:49:52 +0000

Ed.

I’m so very glad to see you up and about – sharing your heart and continuing to spur the conversation.

Earl B.

Comment on Salty or Worthless by Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:26:31 +0000

Again, as of last week Willow still seemed like they were too afraid to convey a message of sin to its “congregation” while Darren in my opinion is being scripted to adress some of the issues real belivers have with Willow itself (protecting the corp. image like any multinational company does). I ran for the hills when they invited some rap star to sing on New Years Day, which by the looks of it seemed more about the bling than the gospel. Bill Hybels also seems left leaning and his guests are always related one way or another to the secular progressive church movement, which clearly encourges blatant misinterpretation of the NT in favor of a pagan doctorine of prosperity in the current world. Willow, Saddleback, Hybels, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen are pawns for a state-run christanity that will slowly but surely erode our great gospel down to mere nothingness.

Comment on Six Boys And Thirteen Hands? by Suzy Hagar

Suzy Hagar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:53:37 +0000

There are those who believe thirteen hands story and when the monument was made it was said they represented the hands of God. I find this as very moving and thoughtful account. God Bless the many, many hands on the battlefields across the world.

Comment on God Gives Back by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:45:05 +0000

Thanks for your prayers as well as your sweet compliment.

I do love to write, provoke and inspire. However, its important to note my daughter Ashton edits all my posts. She cleans them up and makes them easy to read. She’s a special talent and is working on her masters in creative writing. And, I just love working with her so it inspires me to write as well.

I hope you had a peaceful holiday.

Comment on God Gives Back by sammynmick

sammynmick — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:59:07 +0000

I hate to here this and you will for sure be in our prayers. Mike loves reading your blog and thinks you’re a great writer. That is saying a lot, because he is too. : – )

Merry CHRISTmas

Comment on God Gives Back by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:13:03 +0000

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement Kay. The love, prayers and support of so many have carried us.

We are grateful for yours here.

Blessings,

Comment on God Gives Back by Kay Irwin

Kay Irwin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:21:09 +0000

I am very inspired by your faith, graciousness and love.Thank you for sharing your story. May God grant you and your family as well as your caregivers continued blessings in your journey.

Kay Maibach Irwin

Comment on God Gives Back by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:45:27 +0000

Dear Cindi,

I’m so humbled and encouraged that the church held me up in my very dark time of need. Those prayers changed everything.

They gave us hope and courage. They gave us confidence. They blinded us to the horrible and insurmountable facts we were facing. They kept us moving. They equipped me to be the dad I could only pray to be through this ordeal. They allowed me to sleep at night.

Your and others prayers were everything. I’ll never be the same.

I am so grateful.

I love you,

Comment on God Gives Back by Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:40:04 +0000

Bro Mark,

How kind of you to stop by. I hold special memories as well.

It appears God isn’t done with me just yet. I’m so grateful and am simply trying to grasp His goodness and calling from here.

keep the faith,