My sense from reading Eric Rauch: he is pulpit and hierarchal authority oriented. Whereas, I am disciple and mentoring oriented.

The work of the church does not begin in the pulpit. It begins with the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables and empowers the church (individuals) to do what in the natural humans cannot. Most of today's churches are programmed to make converts for a number of reasons, few of which are Spirit driven. The paradigm of pastor elevated above the other 4 ministries (5 fold) instead of being but one of them (based on the Catholic/Luther/Reformation), is still used instead of the first century church principle of: each one, reach one---the one being your neighbor (next to you wherever you are) and then mentoring that one into maturity. The scriptures call us to make disciples (disciple is the root word of discipline), not converts. This kind of discipling takes personal responsibility and interaction with nasty humanity. The effort to know individuals to mentor them makes for hard work. From Constantine on, the pulpit/stage/platform became the center, and the converts/members became the spectators. In the first century, house churches based on neighbors/families worshiping together was what changed the world for Christ, including persecution. Paul's letter to the Ephesians gives the standard for what we are called to be as an "un" organized church (5:19)---this verse and others in that epistle.

"Starting with one hundred and twenty persons in 1975, if every year each person had reached another for Christ, today the whole world would be Christian. It takes twenty six and a half years for one hundred and twenty people to reach over six and a half billion!" Each One, Reach Oneby Andrea MacVicar

The Holy Spirit brings us into an I as an only child to parent-God relationship. God treats each believer as if he/s is an only child. Yet, as only children we have brothers and sisters in the family of Christ. This paradox can only be understood by "abiding in the vine," ---a connection through the Word and an experiential conviction by the Holy Spirit.

Great preachers have come and gone (some are still with us) exhorting the listeners to follow Christ. But exhortation alone will not change individuals (especially through media programming), but only the Holy Spirit (unction) through us, changing us, doing a miraculous work in us, and our willingness to sacrifice (lay on the line our lives for Him) will make any difference in our families, neighborhood, workplace and culture.

I do believe if we are sold out to the Lord, we put His kingdom first. This might mean selling everything you have and taking a vow of poverty. At least, it should be the intention of our hearts to be willing to do so (Matt. 6:33).

I've seen many a bumper sticker on fenders stating: "Forgiven, not perfect" or words to that effect. I have always thought this saying is a cop-out. When Eric Rauch uses the term "regular men," it sounds like an excuse. The early Catholic church sold indulgences along with the ritual of repeating prayers as a penance for sins. Today's altar calls can provide the same purpose: an emotional catharsis, but unchanged action in the person once outside the church door. It is the fruit of repentance that carries my vote. Fruit takes time and seasons to grow. We are known by our fruit. Or another way to put it: growing from squalling, balling babies to mature adults takes a lot more than repeating the "sinner's prayer" and sitting in a pew on Sunday. It takes the willingness of a mentor/parent to do the work of raising up the baby-newbie until he/s becomes a mid-wife to become a spiritual parent to a newly birthed newbie. As any natural parent knows, this means hard work and sacrifice. How much more so in the spiritual realm.

We have no clue as to whether or not the "good Samaritan" received reimbursement from the victim, or even thanks for his help. We do not know whether or not the "good Samaritan" lost a job because he could not keep an interview appointment because of the delay. Or, if he was able to replace for himself the oil, wine and bandages. We don't know his sacrifices. We do know, he preached by action, not by words. Certainly, Governor Sanford has preached his life's principle by his action. No words, no matter how apologetic can erase the revealing of his interior character.

"God forgives as we are to forgive each other. Forgiveness is for the tough minded. It’s costly. I also believe forgiving does not make us doormats for further abuse, or in the breaking of our trust, the person gets the old job back (whatever it was). When it comes to intolerable pain foisted on us, we should never accept the act as tolerable. Forgiving and tolerance have nothing in common." Forgiving When You Can't Seminar, Andrea MacVicar 1995-2007

I suggest reading: Reimagining Church and Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola. www.ptmin.org