IntenseDebate - Greg Simmons

10 years ago @ Ron Edmondson - When Did Christians Be... · 0 replies · +3 points

Obviously our experiences are and have been different. That being said, this is one point where we disagree. The connection opportunities from this project were excellent and we plan on doing it again.

And yes, I can and will apologize for the way others act. Simply confronting them doesn't always address the issue. There is nothing wrong with me apologizing to someone for the way someone from a group I'm categorized with has acted. I cannot force every nutjob "Christian" to apologize for their behavior. But, I can let someone know that "no, not everyone acts or believes the way you've been treated."

10 years ago @ Ron Edmondson - When Did Christians Be... · 2 replies · +4 points

@Patricia - if you go back and re-read, I wrote "I've joked with my Christian friends..." In all good humor and sarcasm, there is some truth. Sadly, the concept of "church-people mean" is true in way too many cases.
Now, if you were referring to our "Tip or Treat" project, then obviously you have not worked in the food service industry. If you ask most wait staff, they will tell you that the Sunday church crowd is one they dread. In general, they are rude and tip VERY poorly, if at all. The responses we got from that project were quite enlightening and confirmed that we did the right thing.

Love isn't always rainbows and unicorns and hugs over hot chocolate. Sometimes love is messy, dirty and ugly as we deal with characteristics or qualities in ourselves or those we love that need to change. Sometimes we have to apologize for our friends or family that think they are "all that and a bag of chips" when in reality, they think too highly of themselves and too lowly of those around them.

10 years ago @ Ron Edmondson - When Did Christians Be... · 5 replies · +3 points

Glad to see you bringing this up. I've joked with my Christian friends that there is mean and then there's church people mean. Some have taken offense while many others have winced and agreed that sadly it is way too true. A couple years ago, my wife and I helped lead middle schoolers. Near Halloween we sponsored a project we called "Tip and Treat". Our students made up bags that had a can of soda, a bag of microwave popcorn and a $5 gift card from Walmart. There was a tag on the bag too which I'll mention in a sec. Church members were to take a bag and not let their server see it. After the meal, in ADDITION to the tip, they would leave the bag secretly. The note on the bag told the server "Thank You" and apologized for how church people act on Sunday. It also said that the bag was a special gift for them to go toward a movie night where they could put their feet up and relax. We acknowledged that while Christians weren't the best at times, God was...and provided a link to a special website where they could leave a comment or ask anything they wanted. The kids loved the project and it was cool to see how others embraced the idea.

11 years ago @ The Beta Version - God Blesses My Messes · 0 replies · +2 points

No, you haven't missed missed anything. I haven't said anything until now b/c I was working to make the transition as smooth as possible. Yesterday was my last day with my old employer. This coming week, I will be starting work for Atlas Copco - a manufacturer of air compressors. They are based in Sweden, but their North American headquarters are here in Rock Hill. I will be the Inside Sales Manager (really more of a Support manager) over the group that provides support to the North American distributor network.

11 years ago @ The Beta Version - Grace is Enough · 0 replies · +1 points

Hi Melissa. That trip to Piatra Neamt was one of the best experiences of my life. The church we partnered with is an awesome church. My dad initially set up the partnership nearly 17 years ago. This was when Romania was just a few years out of communism. Things have changed quite a lot over the years and the church has been able to build a beautiful building where they are able to reach so many in the area.

The people are wonderful. During our medical mission trip we worked out of that church and churches in several surrounding communities to provide medical clinics and to work with the children. One of the challenges is the embedded theological influence of the Romanian Orthodox church. In my experience working with the children, so many are taught that they cannot pray directly to God. That they cannot have a direct, personal relationship with Jesus. They are taught that everything must go through the priest. One of the most AWESOME experiences was standing there while one of the translators led a little girl in her very first prayer ever and she (the little girl) wanted to pray for ME. I cried like a baby. It was so humbling.

11 years ago @ The Beta Version - Unanswered Prayers · 1 reply · +1 points

Thx. The more I've thought about it, I also believe there is one additional component. If we are not close to God, we don't know His will for our lives. If we are unsure of His will, then we are asking for things that could be in direct opposition to what He wants for us.

11 years ago @ Church Techy - Do You Have a Disaster... · 1 reply · +2 points

Oh...I wasn't disagreeing at all (hope I wasn't disagreeable!)
My recent post Unanswered Prayers

11 years ago @ Church Techy - Do You Have a Disaster... · 3 replies · +2 points

Certainly didn't want to hijack your post. But, I view DRP for churches as being beyond just the database in many cases.
My recent post Unanswered Prayers

11 years ago @ Church Techy - Do You Have a Disaster... · 5 replies · +2 points

yw - this is something I have seen when helping with disaster recovery too. How can a church continue to help the community if they have no funds during a disaster? Many churches in the Southeast US are used as shelters during hurricanes and after tornadoes. Having this extra cash cushion will also help the church absorb additional utility expenses from sheltering people for several days.
My recent post Unanswered Prayers

11 years ago @ Church Techy - Do You Have a Disaster... · 7 replies · +2 points

Good points Stuart. I know of too many churches with no DRP. One building disaster and they're in serious trouble.

One other thing I would add to the DRP is a budgetary cushion aka an emergency fund of cash to keep paying necessary expenses in the case of a disaster. Whether the disaster only affects the church's building or the entire community (we live in a severe storm and hurricane area), churches need to have an emergency fund. Churches rely on a steady income stream from donations for operating expenses. When that disaster hits, it is very likely that donations may go down significantly or disappear altogether for a short period of time - especially if the disaster hits the whole community. The emergency fund will allow the church to pay for utilities, connectivity, staff salaries, software license fees, insurance, etc. This emergency fund will allow the church to continue to function and serve the community until the donation stream recovers.

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