Comments on: Sunday Fibbers http://ceruleansanctum.com/2008/08/sunday-fibbers.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:37:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Michaelhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2008/08/sunday-fibbers.html#comment-40669 Michael Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:24:56 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=969#comment-40669 On further thought, I think human vs. computer interviews may be skewed, too. Human interviewers are more likely to hear from older interviewees, who are more likely to go to church. Computer interviews are more likely to be taken by younger people, who are less likely to go to church. On further thought, I think human vs. computer interviews may be skewed, too. Human interviewers are more likely to hear from older interviewees, who are more likely to go to church. Computer interviews are more likely to be taken by younger people, who are less likely to go to church.

]]> By: Michaelhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2008/08/sunday-fibbers.html#comment-40668 Michael Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:22:40 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=969#comment-40668 The three-year philosophy is based on "circuit riding" of John Wesley's days. At least I was taught that when I was a United Methodist. Wesley and others rode circuits to many different churches, some of which had no presiding minister without circuit riders. Plus Methodism hails from Anglicanism, which comes from Catholicism. Some clerical orders in the Catholic Church, such as Dominicans, are itinerant. Not all United Methodist ministers move every three years. I live near a UMC whose minister has served there since I was a teen, much to the consternation of my mother, who is a dyed-in-the-wool United Methodist, despite all the times I have told her the United Methodist Church is turning into a gay denomination and that she would be happier in a Bible-preaching Baptist church. Southern Baptists, though, also practice this, I learned. Their so-called "journeymen" missionaries, who are mostly college grads, typically serve two and no more than three years in the field. Even permanent missionaries, I heard, are required to return to the United States every three years. Why? To prevent burn out? To prevent cults of personality? To prevent Baptists from becoming "superspiritual" in a hostile work environment? Probably some of all of that, and other reasons. The three-year philosophy is based on “circuit riding” of John Wesley’s days. At least I was taught that when I was a United Methodist. Wesley and others rode circuits to many different churches, some of which had no presiding minister without circuit riders. Plus Methodism hails from Anglicanism, which comes from Catholicism. Some clerical orders in the Catholic Church, such as Dominicans, are itinerant.

Not all United Methodist ministers move every three years. I live near a UMC whose minister has served there since I was a teen, much to the consternation of my mother, who is a dyed-in-the-wool United Methodist, despite all the times I have told her the United Methodist Church is turning into a gay denomination and that she would be happier in a Bible-preaching Baptist church.

Southern Baptists, though, also practice this, I learned. Their so-called “journeymen” missionaries, who are mostly college grads, typically serve two and no more than three years in the field. Even permanent missionaries, I heard, are required to return to the United States every three years. Why? To prevent burn out? To prevent cults of personality? To prevent Baptists from becoming “superspiritual” in a hostile work environment? Probably some of all of that, and other reasons.

]]> By: Dan Edelenhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2008/08/sunday-fibbers.html#comment-40667 Dan Edelen Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:49:02 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=969#comment-40667 Michael, Yep, I think that's a good analysis. Michael,

Yep, I think that’s a good analysis.

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