Disqus - Latest Comments for jtremonti

Re: Fear, Faith, and the Leading of the Spirit (Katie Hunt Sturm)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:03:15 -0000

Katie, I have to say this particular sentence you wrote is something to think about,"Trust in the darkness what He showed us in the light." This is just a question I was kind of thinking when I read through, "How do we discern which is which? the Spirit or it's just our own leanings?"

Re: Confining what was meant to go Viral (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:06:22 -0000

Thanks Dan. I'll check out your post soon!

Re: Confining what was meant to go Viral (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:05:13 -0000

now that's gonna be a challenge :)

Re: Theology is Greed? Henri Nouwen (Quote to Ponder)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:28:34 -0000

"unless you yourself are the one who lets these instruments become the way to you." How true is this?!!! Beautiful prayer here. Making it my own as I read through it.

Re: Coming Out of the Theological Closet

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:38:57 -0000

Kurt, I loved this post. I know all too well about the things that you mentioned above. I'm glad of all the opportunities you have now! And it's always a good thing when we embrace who we are and what God directs for us to do!

Re: You Might Be a Redneck Preacha If…

Jonathan Paran Aran — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:44:06 -0000

In all things give thanks...a pretty good example of "giving thanks" indeed. and yes even for "my smokin hot wife." I had a good laugh at this while raising my eyebrows here and there and everywhere. :)

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:47:08 -0000

Thanks again Dan for the encouraging words. It's good to know we're in good company if we're trading on the footsteps of great people. God bless you as well.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:45:14 -0000

Dan, I think you made some valuable point there. If it was solely one 'minister' doing all the 'pastoral' responsibilities then the possibility of burning out is inevitable. I've always thought that the bivocational thing was mainly about encouraging the church to share in the ministry, unlike if there was a fulltime pastor almost everything was handed to him because the 'church pays' him. Great thoughts there!

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:12:28 -0000

Gus, i'd like to get a chance to read your paper. It would give me an idea of what to expect. You can find my email add on my blog by scrolling to the bottom.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:54:45 -0000

Ian, I agree with what you're saying here. I guess sometimes the chasm that the clergy and laity distinction plays a major role in how sometimes people in general think about ministry. Part of my response in this post was to challenge the chasm between the two. Regardless of ones "profession" in the kingdom of God, all are in fact called to ministry.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:49:39 -0000

Michael, I agree that being bi-vocational is not for everyone. One has to discern if one is called to that particular field of doing ministry.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:47:18 -0000

Thanks for this. I am aware of this. I'm still open. I was initially thinking of teaching in seminary one day but rules have been made by the denomination that I'm affiliated with that requires those who do think of pursuing teaching in seminary to have 1-2 years experience in pastoral ministry (being a pastor). Whenever i tried to discuss the possibility of "what if" one who wants to teach in seminary does ministry not taking the role of a pastor, they told me that this is not possible. The implication, how I interpreted it was that for most in my context, valid ministry is one in the scope of a pastoral dimension, which to me is somewhat reductionistic at best.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:39:54 -0000

Duke, I'm sorry to hear about your experience with being bi-vocational. I do understand the degree of responsibility that comes with the whole idea. And yes, I'm young and in need of other opinions from those who disagrees. I'm not saying that this is the only way to go about it as I'm not against the idea that "full-time" ministry is outdated. I guess my musings on the issue came with the reductionistic view on how us in general understand the word "ministry." If possible i'd like some interaction from you if that is possible. Do visit my blog, my email is posted there. Thanks.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:34:40 -0000

Making that big leap does seem hard. I'm not sure about the educational system where you come from, but here in Malaysia, having a degree in Theology means nothing. Our country does not recognize our papers and your problem does resonate with me personally. Part of the reason why those here largely stick to ministry based in church is largely due to their educational qualifications. Unless some have had some other secular qualifications, it does look to be a dead end road.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:26:53 -0000

Yes! Part of the thing that made me "think outside of the box" is that most have defined ministry as only in a church context. I believe it should take a more broader definition.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:23:56 -0000

Adam, those were good suggestions you made there. Something for me to think about before taking the plunge.

Re: Bi-Vocational Ministry Makes a Comeback (Jonathan Paran Aran)

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:19:41 -0000

I'm glad this resonates with you David. I, like you, have taken "full-time" within the church as what it means by ministry as well. I'm glad we're changing our reductionist views on what it means by ministry now rather than later.

Re: Calling All Blogger Friends – Help Me Create a New Blogroll

Jonathan Paran Aran — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:33:38 -0000

Congrats for making it to Patheos. My link: http://achorusofehoes.wordp... Well this is just a reminder :).

Re: I’m Quitting Facebook to Join Faithbook Because My WWJD Bracelet Told Me To

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:58:23 -0000

Great thoughts Kurt. Most of the time when we want to create what is an alternative to the present culture, we just reproduce just an alternative and nothing more than that. I guess we got to probe deeper than just propose and alternative...like the Kingdom of God.

Re: Initial Thoughts on Rob Bell Interview

Jonathan Paran Aran — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:50:21 -0000

Right now there is a great sense of ambiguity concerning what view Bell holds, thus, the problem of labeling. Even if the book does come, after reading through, we would still come out asking. I think thats the whole point of Bell's stuff, who is an artist in my point of view. People can come out reading the book and presenting excerpts than conform to the universalistic label but other leaders in the Christian world can also call Bell's views orthodox. Thanks for this Kurt, awaiting your review of the book. I'm not sure when I'll be able to read this book myself.

Re: Why things have become slow lately

Jonathan Paran Aran — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:12:14 -0000

Kurt,

Your fulltime responsibilities are really adding up i see. Hope you're having a blast doing all this. Looking forward to the 'future plans' that you're planning to do and especially the podcast (thumbs up, cause i still remember the one on the passover!).

Blessings!
Jon

Re: What are some good books on "Community?"

Jonathan Paran Aran — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:54:07 -0000

Bonhoeffer's "Life together"...i bought it but haven't read it yet..but i hear it's a master piece. But i'll read it soon, hopefully i'll review it for a course i'm taking.