Bruce VanDer Kolk January 29th, 2011

Right on Adam!

One the most important things we as Christians can do is shut up and start listening. Adam is so right about evangelism. We need to be a friend first who is willing to listen and love before we speak.

I have dedicated my life to helping people grow closer and closer to God. The first thing I had to do was shut up.. and listen. In the listening… God speaks. In the listening we discover God was working a long time before we arrived on the scene.

I am a Christian Coach who has learned to shut up…. and it has made all the difference in the lives of other.

Tracy Gruggett January 29th, 2011

Hey Steve,
What is the book by John Frame that you are going to blurb. He was my professor. I want to know.

TG

Mark Graham January 31st, 2011

I keep commenting on these programs lately. Is this kind of like those 'crazy people' that call into radio stations? Hhmm. Anyhow – this was good to hear. Share odd short story: After 60 hours of seminary I was invited to Syracuse, NY for 3 days to interview for a church-planting gig – that would also complete my degree. I wasn't sure so did that thing of desperation where you open the Bible and pray about what you open to. Seriously, I read "Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days." (oh, a pattern now…I am crazy;-) So off my wife and I go. We passed all their tests with the exception 2 (almost 3 – they found that I married my wife when she was pregnant with our first child 12 years prior…but I was lost at the time so that gave us a pass (whew – close call). Problems: 1) They had budget for 3 years and they estimated that my level of charisma (seriously) would take me 4 years to root a church. 2) My answer on evangelism that I didn't know how many people I led to Christ because it was a team sport. Oh, but no – I have never closed a deal. (my rep guy there said that people would normally just lie about some numbers…I could tell that he was not sure how to feel, disappointed? And then there was the confusion in that I had read all the requisite church-planting books – but wrote my strategy as living there, knock around and tell people I was having a Bible study that might turn into a church. So overall they said I seemed to have a good marraige, etc. but my 'qualifications' were questionable. Go home and read a few more books, and lead some people to Christ. On the plane back I was so confused and rifling through the Bible. I never considered the qualification thing…but I couldn't find any qualified persons in the Bible. Quit Seminary…pursued some challenges in adopting a child we (accidentally) hosted from Ukraine. This program made me think – maybe introverts just need to accept their lot in the machine. Or create their own machine. I wrote a novel (publishes sometime this spring – started it like a week before going to Syracuse, 5 years ago) and working on another set in Ukraine. Never could have happened if I wasn't forced back into my hole.

Stephen Pittman January 31st, 2011

Very helpful episode for an introvert who directs a non-profit ministry for at-risk youth and leads music at my church! Good to know I'm not crazy for being an introvert and feeling called to do what I do . Well, maybe I'm crazy, but at least I'm not the only one!

Definitely buying this book ASAP.

Thanks!

Bill February 1st, 2011

I'm not even sure Steve Brown is a Christian…Adam McHugh may have been one of the most offensive people i have ever heard…right up there with Bubba the Love Sponge and Don Imus. I suggest you all do a modicum of research on your guests. Thank you very little.

I just want to be on the next hate mail segment…preferably with Frank Sinatra backround music.

In actuality i thought the show was great and was thinking how many decisions in the church are too often made to placate the sqeaky wheels.

Erik Guzman February 1st, 2011

You had me there for a second, Bill.