Ryan Imel

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Archive for the ‘Church Theory’ Category


  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: Final Thoughts

    By Ryan

    3 comments

    There will be a lot of letters of resignation turned in after that conference. Pastors, worship leaders, and even children’s ministers will leave churches they have poured themselves into for years. They will leave to follow their true passions, their true calling – something which has been nipping at their heels without a name for as long as they can remember.

    Rob Bell brought that nipping into question last weekend. He gave it a name and a face. He said “turn around and chase that down.”

    Continue reading…

    Posted on January 27, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: Q&A Session

    By Ryan

    1 comment

    I asked for questions the other night. I had a couple humorous replies. I laughed. But this is what was actually asked and (paraphrased) what was answered.

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    Posted on January 26, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: Journey Theology

    By Ryan

    1 comment

    Is the purpose of all of this God business strictly to get to heaven? Most churches will use this language when preaching the gospel, this reasoning for having faith.
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    Posted on January 25, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: Arts and Creativity

    By Ryan

    3 comments

    Tonight I looked at my friends, the ones who came with me, and we all said the same thing. We didn’t even have to speak it. We are simply euphoric.

    Bell was giving us gold tonight. Pure gold.

    Oh, and I have 25 pages of notes. 25.

    Continue reading…

    Posted on January 23, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: The Living Eucharist

    By Ryan

    1 comment

    Bell opened his 9:00 session briskly – I think this is the best way to describe it – efficiently saying “open your Bibles to Colossians 2.” He’s very direct and challenging – I love it. Oh, and Bibles are handed out while scripture verses are referred to on the screens (see right) and it’s up to you to turn to the verse. It’s awesome – don’t go to Mars Hill if you want to be lazy.
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    Posted on January 22, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Isn’t She Beautiful?: Sunday Service

    By Ryan

    3 comments

    Tonight I sit on a hotel room couch in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two friends are in the room nearby – one likewise on his laptop, the other one crashed in bed already. I can’t really blame him though, it has been a great day already – one full of lots of driving in the snow (yuck) and free-dinner-eating (yum).
    Continue reading…

    Posted on January 21, 2007 to:

      Church Theory

    Tagged:

    • Isn't She Beautiful
  • Innovative Churches in America

    By Ryan

    2 comments

    My lovely RSS picked up an interesting feed from ChurchRelevance.com tonight. They have listed their Top 25 Most Innovative Churches in America and I found a couple things noteworthy. There are certain listings which I am not all too familiar with – such as LifeChurch.tv, the number one spot – but I am aware of many of the other listings.
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    Posted on January 11, 2007 to:

      Church Theory
  • Church – Should We Sell It?

    By Ryan

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    This was originally published in Issue 3 of The Huntingtonian on November 9, 2006.

    What is the purpose of church, and how important is it to bring people in and keep them around?
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    Posted on November 9, 2006 to:

      Church Theory Reflection

    Tagged:

    • Published
  • Women in Ministry

    By Ryan

    1 comment

    At a recent group discussion of the topic “Should Women Serve in Ministry” I was struck by something (which I consider to be) odd. When the question was proposed, near the end of the discussion, ”Who of you would be comfortable listening to a woman preacher/pastor/whatever at your church?” My hand went up, as did many others. More of the men raised their hands than anyone else.

    “Who would feel uncomfortable?” All but a few women raised their hands.

    Interesting.

    Continue reading…

    Posted on November 5, 2006 to:

      Church Theory
  • An Evening with Donald Miller

    By Ryan

    1 comment

    Don’t worry – he was gentle.
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    Posted on October 2, 2006 to:

      Church Theory Reflection
  • On Institutions

    By Ryan

    2 comments

    Interesting philosophical idea presented to me (and others) today by a very smart man: institutions, no matter what goal(s) they are founded on, will ultimately turn and make self preservation their primary goal.
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    Posted on September 20, 2006 to:

      Church Theory Philosophy
  • Church Visiting

    By Ryan

    3 comments

    Over the summer I discovered I would have the opportunity to work at Aboite Lutheran Church with my main focus being in marketing. I took this opportunity (as an excuse, really) to visit larger churces in the area – most of whom I have admired in some way or another for some time.

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    Posted on August 16, 2006 to:

      Church Theory
  • About the author

    My name is Ryan Imel, and I'm a web designer/developer working as a freelancer full time. I also manage to blog here and there. You can read more about me on (duh!) the about page.

  • Recent Posts

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