You are indeed making a difference and I am glad about that. The article was superb and fair also. I had breakfast with my brother-in-law last Monday at the NRB and he was asking about the Church. He held a number of radio rallies at TRBC with great success. He is thrilled that we have made the turn and are going forward. I think everyone else is in the Church as well. God Bless your ministry!!!

You are indeed making a difference. the article was superb and also fair. I had breakfast last Monday with my brother-in-law at the NRB. He held many radio rallies at TRBC, and he is thrilled that we have made the turn and are moving forward. I think that most everyone in the Church feels the same way. Thanks again for your leadership and God Bless your ministry!!!

Sorry - I pushed the button twice. Yes, I am computer illiterate.

You are an amazing leader, Ed. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for all you are doing for our church. I am a Two Rivers member and I am beyond excited for all that I am seeing. I work at one of the Children's check-in desks and LOVE that we are having visitors every Sunday and many are returning. I don't question God has something amazing in store for TRBC and I want to be apart of it!

Thanks for your faithful work. I always enjoy reading your research, but I appreciated this post about your service.

Ed, I am grateful for your outlook with this church and for what God is doing there. I know first hand of hurting my witness and am striving to build a new reputation. I pray the same for Two Rivers.

It is a terrible thing to be so afraid of one's "church" that this has to be posted anonymously.

My pressing thought on this whole period of hearing, "reputation" repeated ad-nauseum is very simple. Jesus didn't care what others thought. He did the Father's will, period. Teach others the Father's will and equip them to do it and let them know that Christ was crucified for doing the same thing.
I really, honestly think we're just continuing the Big Show in the center ring to the same old audience, with the same old tune of "work for Jesus and God will be happy with you and accept you", and failing miserably to address the wounds and continued bleeding at TRBC.
A city shining on a hill cannot shine from the outside.

Dear anonymous, perhaps you might read the Proverbs where the Bible speaks of having a good name (reputation). You seem extremely bitter. I would hope you find healing for those wounds.

Anonymous,

We don't do anonymous posts here at the blog, but I will let this one stay because it is a helpful reminder. Thanks for sharing and reminding that there are still folks who are hurting. That is important for us all (me included) to remember.

I like your reference from the gospels. I would add, "let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who in heaven."

And, I would add, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples-- if you have love for one another."

Those are about us joining Jesus on His mission. It does impact our reputation. But, even more important, it does remind us to follow Him simply because He is worthy.

Thanks for dropping by.

God bless,

Ed

Dear Ed,
I want to thank you so much for taking over the temporary role of pastor. I have only been a member of TRBC since last Jan and through I know little about what has occurred before. I know that right now God has every person in the church for a reason and I am so happy to see you pushing for every person to pray and stand on the word and complete what needs to be done. When I first started attending I came because my husband wanted to come. As I have grown along side this church and meant the wonderful people that you mention my love for Christ has just grown. Now I am a busy worker of God and I love every second of it. I am so happy to see the organization and leadership that you bring with your experience to help the whole church but also myself to be able to complete things that would not be able to without you being here because without you I do not know if I would be able to be as involved in the church. Not because you make me involved but because you make the church a body(family) of Christ and that alone brings unity and peace to accomplish so much more. Thanks for everything and see you in the morning.

Ed,
Really enjoyed the article and the good news about 2 Rivers Church moving forward. As my pastor recently said "Our God is a God of everyday, eventual and eternal hope." It certainly sounds like 2 Rivers is full of hope for today, tomorrow and forever.
Your Friend,
Benj

I am also pastoring a turn-around church and agree wholeheartedly with you in regards to the reputation aspect. I was just told before worship this morning that a mainline denomination is upset with us because we are inviting the community to come. If we continue to do that, some of their disgruntled attenders may find their way to our services. I liken this to one woman being upset at another woman for wearing lipstick in fear that her husband may see her and want to leave one wife for the other. How ridiculous. We care deeply what the community thinks about us, but we also must be driven to follow the vision and mission of our ministry.

I love your ministry Ed!

Ed - Thank you for helping our A/G churches refocus our efforts. We have richly benefited from your input! We are praying with you for a supernatural turn around at Two Rivers. I am reminded of the conversation between Jonathan and his armor-bearer: "Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few." (I Samuel 14:6) God is up to something in Nashville. Just let Him show up!
Blessings,
Tom Bougher
A/G Discipleship Ministries
Springfield, MO

It's one thing to serve the community in the name of Jesus Christ, to further His kingdom. It's another thing to kind of pat ourselves on the back and tell everyone what a great church we are because we're carrying out His mission. It's a little self-serving, in my opinion. I think the Bible warns about that. I think it's great that the church is healing, at least, the ones who remain. The article was disappointing, characterizing the activists in a negative light, although they were acting like Jesus by outing a leader who would not humble himself. Sure, the conflict was public. But, you don't get to criticize negative publicity if you are also putting out positive publicity. That would be called hypocrisy. Also, it seemed like the article also contained inaccurate facts. I believe they won, not lost, their suit to see the books of the church, in accordance with state law; and rightly so. More church members of other churches should do the same.