A few years ago, my parents gifted my brother and me a decent amount of money, as they simplified their financial lives.
At about that time, a nephew of ours with three kids and one more on the way and with a shaky marriage was also about to lose the apartment his family was living in.
The gift from my parents was about the size of a downpayment on a small house that could be adequate to provide shelter for our nephew's brood. So, we made them an offer. We would buy a house for them to live in for as small a rent as we could charge so long as they understood that the house was for the children and that, no matter what happened with the marriage, the house would be the kid's home base. They accepted that offer and chose a house on a quiet street. We made an offer on the house and, in the end, bought it.
About a year later, the marriage tanked. The mother of the kids chose to leave and our nephew and the four kids stayed in the house.
A few weeks ago our nephew told us that he has saved enough money to buy a house and has bought a larger home, large enough, we believe, for his girlfriend and her son to move into in time, if that works out.
We have no interest in being landlords so we are talking to a realtor and preparing to put the house on the market. She's telling us, as she probably would, that she thinks we will get our money out of it.
Either way, we gave those kids a stable place to live for some very important years.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Just One More Comment about My Problem with Easter
Two truths are a powerful comment on the state of Western Christianity:
1. Jesus never commanded or taught or implied anything close to the celebration of an Easter Sunday Holy Day though He spoke often about His death and resurrection before they took place and though He spent quite a bit of time with His disciples between the time of His resurrection and His ascension.
2. Nearly every community of believers I am aware of today has reduced the powerful, magnificent and challenging truth of His resurrection into nothing more than an excuse to hold the best worship extravaganza it can produce--one Sunday each year.
--------------
Read the Gospels. Being a disciple has nothing to do with going to church. We need more Jesus and much less church.
We must repent.
1. Jesus never commanded or taught or implied anything close to the celebration of an Easter Sunday Holy Day though He spoke often about His death and resurrection before they took place and though He spent quite a bit of time with His disciples between the time of His resurrection and His ascension.
2. Nearly every community of believers I am aware of today has reduced the powerful, magnificent and challenging truth of His resurrection into nothing more than an excuse to hold the best worship extravaganza it can produce--one Sunday each year.
--------------
Read the Gospels. Being a disciple has nothing to do with going to church. We need more Jesus and much less church.
We must repent.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Well, It's Back to the Mission Field
Back on the job, that is.
I met with the surgeon yesterday and he says that the break is healed. The wrist still hurts like crazy when I move it but he says that is normal and unavoidable.
He gave me paperwork to give to my employer indicating one minor restriction on what I can do on the job. I dropped it off with the HR guy at the store, and we chatted briefly. Then I walked over to the front end area and helloed my co-workers and told them I may be back on the job as soon as the next day, if the boss puts me on the schedule. I believe that the face of each one lit up. And, my immediate supervisor assured me that she wanted me back as soon as possible.
Later, the head of the department called and told me I was on the schedule for full-time hours for one day and that we'd talk about future days. Their concern is that I might need to work my way back to a full schedule.
It's nice to know that she has that concern.
I went to WalMart and bought a brace for the wrist. I'll give it my best.
I have not forgotten that my real purpose in being there is to serve as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God.
No doubt, I will be sore and exhausted tonight.
Pray for me today, if you think of me.
I met with the surgeon yesterday and he says that the break is healed. The wrist still hurts like crazy when I move it but he says that is normal and unavoidable.
He gave me paperwork to give to my employer indicating one minor restriction on what I can do on the job. I dropped it off with the HR guy at the store, and we chatted briefly. Then I walked over to the front end area and helloed my co-workers and told them I may be back on the job as soon as the next day, if the boss puts me on the schedule. I believe that the face of each one lit up. And, my immediate supervisor assured me that she wanted me back as soon as possible.
Later, the head of the department called and told me I was on the schedule for full-time hours for one day and that we'd talk about future days. Their concern is that I might need to work my way back to a full schedule.
It's nice to know that she has that concern.
I went to WalMart and bought a brace for the wrist. I'll give it my best.
I have not forgotten that my real purpose in being there is to serve as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God.
No doubt, I will be sore and exhausted tonight.
Pray for me today, if you think of me.
Monday, March 28, 2016
A Gathering with Mom and Dad
As I have well advertised, our group didn't gather on Easter. So, no Easter Sunday show for us. Instead, we ate the noon time meal with mom and dad in their very nice dining room at their independent living community.
As time goes on, the command to honor your parents takes on new meaning for us.
It never was clear to us that dad knew who we were yesterday. Mom told him that we were Bill and Evelyn but we couldn't tell if he ever understood that I was his son Bill with Evelyn is his daughter-in-law.
At one point dad referred to Evelyn, to her face, as a stranger.
The sweetest moment of the day came when the four of us took the Lord's Supper together.
As long as I have a memory, I will remember that.
As time goes on, the command to honor your parents takes on new meaning for us.
It never was clear to us that dad knew who we were yesterday. Mom told him that we were Bill and Evelyn but we couldn't tell if he ever understood that I was his son Bill with Evelyn is his daughter-in-law.
At one point dad referred to Evelyn, to her face, as a stranger.
The sweetest moment of the day came when the four of us took the Lord's Supper together.
As long as I have a memory, I will remember that.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
The Problem with Easter
I noted here a while back that our group will not be meeting together on Easter.
In the early days of our journey to live in community following the New Testament pattern, if we had done this it would have felt radical and we would have had a high level of self-consciousness about it. This time around, the idea came from someone other than me. And, when the idea was proposed, there was no response other than some bland head nodding.
Of course, there was nothing close to an Easter celebration among early disciples and, certainly, before the fact, Jesus spoke of His coming resurrection often and He also spent time with His disciples between the time of His resurrection and ascension, yet there is no authority for an Easter Holy Day from Him.
So, why does the institutional church make such a big deal out of the Easter Holy Day? As Easter has become an increasingly major event in American Christendom, ask yourself what kingdom expanding fruit has it produced.
Because the focus of our gatherings here is so much on the taking of the Lord's Supper, we are always intensely focused on the entire story of what Jesus did to save us. In taking the Lord's Supper, we focus on the whole Gospel story, including the part of it still to be fulfilled in the Kingdom.
It seems to me that practicing Easter as a Holy Day does many things that are harmful, perhaps, most of all, leaving people with the impression that following Jesus has anything at all to do with attending a worship service.
Easter has become one more way of exaggerating the unbiblical clergy/laity divide by creating unbiblical religious products and services for the clergy to present to the laity for it to consume, giving the false impression that this somehow glorifies God.
This Easter Holy Day thing can't be good for the Kingdom. Certainly, so far it has never been.
In the early days of our journey to live in community following the New Testament pattern, if we had done this it would have felt radical and we would have had a high level of self-consciousness about it. This time around, the idea came from someone other than me. And, when the idea was proposed, there was no response other than some bland head nodding.
Of course, there was nothing close to an Easter celebration among early disciples and, certainly, before the fact, Jesus spoke of His coming resurrection often and He also spent time with His disciples between the time of His resurrection and ascension, yet there is no authority for an Easter Holy Day from Him.
So, why does the institutional church make such a big deal out of the Easter Holy Day? As Easter has become an increasingly major event in American Christendom, ask yourself what kingdom expanding fruit has it produced.
Because the focus of our gatherings here is so much on the taking of the Lord's Supper, we are always intensely focused on the entire story of what Jesus did to save us. In taking the Lord's Supper, we focus on the whole Gospel story, including the part of it still to be fulfilled in the Kingdom.
It seems to me that practicing Easter as a Holy Day does many things that are harmful, perhaps, most of all, leaving people with the impression that following Jesus has anything at all to do with attending a worship service.
Easter has become one more way of exaggerating the unbiblical clergy/laity divide by creating unbiblical religious products and services for the clergy to present to the laity for it to consume, giving the false impression that this somehow glorifies God.
This Easter Holy Day thing can't be good for the Kingdom. Certainly, so far it has never been.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Feetwashing without the Towel and Basin
Last evening, our Thursday night group gathered for the first time since I don't know when.
Meeting together in our small community of gatherings has come to mean something so different from what it means in the organized church that I can't describe it because I no longer understand it.
There are, however, some biblical truths that are always in play--in mind at least. I talk about some of those truths from time to time. One of them is that we gather to provoke each other to love and good works. Another is the teaching of Jesus that whenever two or three gather in His name He is present.
Last night, there was little structure and or organization of the time we spent together. One of the guys was delayed in arriving because he had a last minute customer show up at his business. If we'd had any sort of an order of worship we would have been flummoxed but, we are now so far into this way of being disciples in community that there was no problem at all.
In the end, we spent our time as we most often do. We encouraged each other in our ministries among the least of these in our acquaintance.
We spoke, very briefly, about the fact that the meeting took place on Maundy Thursday but we didn't do Feetwashing as an ordinance or sacrament or any type of religious ritual.
After washing the disciples' feet Jesus said, "As I HAVE LOVED you so you must love one another.". The HAVE LOVED refers to the Feetwashing, not the cross, which was still in the future.
In our Thursday meeting, we strive to obey the new commandment, even if we didn't wash feet last night.
We had a blesséd meeting.
Meeting together in our small community of gatherings has come to mean something so different from what it means in the organized church that I can't describe it because I no longer understand it.
There are, however, some biblical truths that are always in play--in mind at least. I talk about some of those truths from time to time. One of them is that we gather to provoke each other to love and good works. Another is the teaching of Jesus that whenever two or three gather in His name He is present.
Last night, there was little structure and or organization of the time we spent together. One of the guys was delayed in arriving because he had a last minute customer show up at his business. If we'd had any sort of an order of worship we would have been flummoxed but, we are now so far into this way of being disciples in community that there was no problem at all.
In the end, we spent our time as we most often do. We encouraged each other in our ministries among the least of these in our acquaintance.
We spoke, very briefly, about the fact that the meeting took place on Maundy Thursday but we didn't do Feetwashing as an ordinance or sacrament or any type of religious ritual.
After washing the disciples' feet Jesus said, "As I HAVE LOVED you so you must love one another.". The HAVE LOVED refers to the Feetwashing, not the cross, which was still in the future.
In our Thursday meeting, we strive to obey the new commandment, even if we didn't wash feet last night.
We had a blesséd meeting.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
A Conversation with Evie on Her Lifelong Struggle to Love Jesus in the Church
As I've blogged, we attended a thriving, traditional, Seeker Sensitive church this past Sunday. The church we attended is one that any denomination would love to count as one of its own. It's growing in the way we measure growth today. A large percentage of the Sunday morning crowd is of the millennial generation. It has an optimistic budget for a group its size and it's keeping up with that budget. We attended because a close friend was being baptized as part of the morning show.
We showed up early (because I'm OCD) and while we were sitting in our pew waiting for the show to start, Evie said, "I hope (our friend) knows how much I love her, showing up at this service."
I asked her why she said that.
She said, "I don't like church services." This is something I have known but, during all our years, we've never talked her feeling through.
So, we talked while we waited for the show to start and, later on, we talked more.
In one of his books, I think it's, A WORK OF HEART, Reggie McNeal uses the phrase, "heart language."
Bottom line and put simply, there is no way anyone can devise a Sunday worship service of any type that will touch Evie's heart language.
Evie loves God and she profoundly loves the people of God. The simple truth is that she will never be blessed by and thrive in a church where the worship service is central to the group's identity.
-------------------
Now, there is nothing about what a typical congregation today is or does that is essentially biblical.
Does anyone reading this blog believe that in order to walk in the world as a follower of Jesus that a person needs to go to church?
What's occurring to me is that today's church may very well be the very thing that is keeping people from Jesus.
I just learned that, as much as she loves the Lord, it may be that the greatest spiritual struggle in Evie's life has been to follow Jesus and make sense of how she FEELS about organized Christianity.
And, I'm wondering, how many people there are in my town like her.
The more the Christian community is dominated by people gifted to be shepherds, the more the emphasis is on the congregation and not the Lord and the more the life of the everyday believer is oriented to the worship service.
There is nothing in what Jesus did or taught that requires what's going on today.
How many souls will suffer in eternity because of what the church has become?
We showed up early (because I'm OCD) and while we were sitting in our pew waiting for the show to start, Evie said, "I hope (our friend) knows how much I love her, showing up at this service."
I asked her why she said that.
She said, "I don't like church services." This is something I have known but, during all our years, we've never talked her feeling through.
So, we talked while we waited for the show to start and, later on, we talked more.
In one of his books, I think it's, A WORK OF HEART, Reggie McNeal uses the phrase, "heart language."
Bottom line and put simply, there is no way anyone can devise a Sunday worship service of any type that will touch Evie's heart language.
Evie loves God and she profoundly loves the people of God. The simple truth is that she will never be blessed by and thrive in a church where the worship service is central to the group's identity.
-------------------
Now, there is nothing about what a typical congregation today is or does that is essentially biblical.
Does anyone reading this blog believe that in order to walk in the world as a follower of Jesus that a person needs to go to church?
What's occurring to me is that today's church may very well be the very thing that is keeping people from Jesus.
I just learned that, as much as she loves the Lord, it may be that the greatest spiritual struggle in Evie's life has been to follow Jesus and make sense of how she FEELS about organized Christianity.
And, I'm wondering, how many people there are in my town like her.
The more the Christian community is dominated by people gifted to be shepherds, the more the emphasis is on the congregation and not the Lord and the more the life of the everyday believer is oriented to the worship service.
There is nothing in what Jesus did or taught that requires what's going on today.
How many souls will suffer in eternity because of what the church has become?
Re-"Reading" What May Well Be My Favorite Novel
Dick Francis', DECIDER.
This one is far from his most highly acclaimed but it has wonderful characters, as the Francis novels often do, and a nice, light, entertaining plot.
And, of interest to the amateur theologian and wannabe philosopher, it argues against the existence of human free will.
It's likely that, by decree of the insurance company, I'll return to work next week, at least on a part-time basis and I had a copy of the book around. So, I decided, no pun intended, to take advantage of the opportunity and go through the book again.
I'm loving it. As I knew I would.
This one is far from his most highly acclaimed but it has wonderful characters, as the Francis novels often do, and a nice, light, entertaining plot.
And, of interest to the amateur theologian and wannabe philosopher, it argues against the existence of human free will.
It's likely that, by decree of the insurance company, I'll return to work next week, at least on a part-time basis and I had a copy of the book around. So, I decided, no pun intended, to take advantage of the opportunity and go through the book again.
I'm loving it. As I knew I would.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
FRRRRRREEEEESHHHHH EXPRESSION: 3-24-16
Not that you'd notice, but the date, tomorrow's, is not a typo.
I use the blog to journal meetings in our small community of gatherings. I do it so I have something to look back on to tell me what happened and how I was feeling about it at the time. I do it also so I have a disciplined way of thinking through the journey of the community.
But, today's blog is not a journal of a recent gathering. It is a celebration that one will take place tomorrow. Our Thursday group is planning to meet for the first time in months!. And I am jazzed!
The Thursday group is the one in our community of gatherings in which mutual spurring on to love and good works takes place at something close to a New Testament level and, oh, how I have missed that. How I've suffered from not having it!
We don't believe that gathering is an act of righteousness and we do believe that, at most, disciples are instructed not to give up meeting together and so not meeting can be too easy.
I can't express how much I look forward to the gathering tomorrow!
I use the blog to journal meetings in our small community of gatherings. I do it so I have something to look back on to tell me what happened and how I was feeling about it at the time. I do it also so I have a disciplined way of thinking through the journey of the community.
But, today's blog is not a journal of a recent gathering. It is a celebration that one will take place tomorrow. Our Thursday group is planning to meet for the first time in months!. And I am jazzed!
The Thursday group is the one in our community of gatherings in which mutual spurring on to love and good works takes place at something close to a New Testament level and, oh, how I have missed that. How I've suffered from not having it!
We don't believe that gathering is an act of righteousness and we do believe that, at most, disciples are instructed not to give up meeting together and so not meeting can be too easy.
I can't express how much I look forward to the gathering tomorrow!
My Non-Conversation on the eNews Blog
If you have not read it yet, check out last week's edition of the eNews.
Lance addresses one common way American Christians invite children to accept Christ. He repeatedly describes his frustration, even anger with it. He compares it to the way people are exposed to timeshare sales pitches and bait and switch sales scams and he wonders how much harm is done to the cause of the gospel by this method.
Interestingly, Lance opens his article stating that he hopes he doesn't offend anyone but he hopes to begin a conversation.
And, he didn't offend me. What he wrote encouraged me, in a small way, about the future of the Kingdom in America.
So, three days ago now, I entered a comment in which I began by describing what Lance wrote as brilliant and concluding encouraging him to "be strong and courageous."
In between, I offered concern that we need to be careful not to be shepherd dominated and parish priest focused, as I often do.
If you check out the eNews today, you will see that my comment has still not been accepted for publication. (FYI, when I sent the comment, I saw the indication that it was sent successfully).
And, I'm not certain what to make of the fact that my comment has not been put on the blog.
I see Lance as a very progressive old wineskin guy. If I'm correct on that, he certainly is not on board with my criticism of the old wineskin's parish priest focused way of doing things. And, certainly, not everyone in Findlay is as progressive about the old wineskin as is Lance.
But, Lance did open his article by inviting readers into a conversation and I accepted his invitation. There was no obscenity or vulgarity in my comment. What it says about Lance that my few words were not published, as my Pennsylvania Dutch neighbors would say "wonders me."
What has become of conversation, of dialogue, in this part of Christ's body?
I have called leadership in the CGGC a shepherd mafia in the past and I hoped that when Lance ascended to the top of its highest peak that the mafia would be broken up.
I don't think that is what has happened.
Lance addresses one common way American Christians invite children to accept Christ. He repeatedly describes his frustration, even anger with it. He compares it to the way people are exposed to timeshare sales pitches and bait and switch sales scams and he wonders how much harm is done to the cause of the gospel by this method.
Interestingly, Lance opens his article stating that he hopes he doesn't offend anyone but he hopes to begin a conversation.
And, he didn't offend me. What he wrote encouraged me, in a small way, about the future of the Kingdom in America.
So, three days ago now, I entered a comment in which I began by describing what Lance wrote as brilliant and concluding encouraging him to "be strong and courageous."
In between, I offered concern that we need to be careful not to be shepherd dominated and parish priest focused, as I often do.
If you check out the eNews today, you will see that my comment has still not been accepted for publication. (FYI, when I sent the comment, I saw the indication that it was sent successfully).
And, I'm not certain what to make of the fact that my comment has not been put on the blog.
I see Lance as a very progressive old wineskin guy. If I'm correct on that, he certainly is not on board with my criticism of the old wineskin's parish priest focused way of doing things. And, certainly, not everyone in Findlay is as progressive about the old wineskin as is Lance.
But, Lance did open his article by inviting readers into a conversation and I accepted his invitation. There was no obscenity or vulgarity in my comment. What it says about Lance that my few words were not published, as my Pennsylvania Dutch neighbors would say "wonders me."
What has become of conversation, of dialogue, in this part of Christ's body?
I have called leadership in the CGGC a shepherd mafia in the past and I hoped that when Lance ascended to the top of its highest peak that the mafia would be broken up.
I don't think that is what has happened.
I Put on My Wedding Band Today
Forty one days ago, when I fell, after I got a room in the ER, the first thing the nurse said to me was, "We are going to have to get that ring off soon or we're going to have to cut it off." She used some sort of lubricant and succeeded in removing it with some difficulty.
In addition to the pain I've experienced from the break, I've had a lot of swelling, which recently has begun to subside to the point that the fingers on my left hand seem to be nearly the same size as those on my right hand. So, I tried this morning to put my wedding band on again.
And, I was successful.
That makes today a great day for me!
In addition to the pain I've experienced from the break, I've had a lot of swelling, which recently has begun to subside to the point that the fingers on my left hand seem to be nearly the same size as those on my right hand. So, I tried this morning to put my wedding band on again.
And, I was successful.
That makes today a great day for me!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Attending a Traditional, Seeker Sensitive Sunday Morning Show
Yesterday a coworker of mine from the store who would still be a part of our Wednesday night gathering, if was still functioning, was baptized as a part of her Christendom church's Sunday morning show and we attended.
It was the first time we attended a Sunday morning show in about a year and it was the first time we attended a seeker sensitive show in about two years.
The congregation is one that leaders of my denomination would love to adopt so that they could, in their minds, expand the Kingdom by adding it to our brand.
Evie and I were among the oldest people present. It's hard to tell how many children there are because they are completely segregated from the adults, but, based on the number of adults of childbearing age, there were a boatload.
Just a few observations:
The congregation was institutionally welcoming. The church sign says, "You are welcome." There is a large lobby area and the first thing I saw when I pushed through the door was a "WELCOME CENTER." We arrived early to get a seat in the back because we had to be able to rush out at the end to deal with some issues related to my parents' care.
We were greeted perfunctorally by people wearing name tags but not encouraged to check out the WELCOME CENTER and we were not approached by anyone else, except for our friend who was being baptized.
There was a very professional looking, what are they called today?, we used to call them bulletins. And, interestingly, while there was an accounting there of money received, no attendance figures.
The music was loud but not excessively polished and very geared to thirtysomethings. Interestingly, Evie, who listens to a lot of contemporary Christian music, only knew one song. Even though the music was not professionally polished, it was spirited and the praise of the band members was authentic.
During the greeting time, no one sought us out. Only people adjacent to us shook our hands and without warmth or smiles. They may have been first timers like we were as far as I know.
There were ten people baptized. Our friend was the only adult. The others ranged in age from eight to late teens.
Baptism was by immersion. That time in the, uh, service was handled well. Each person had written a testimony which was read to the congregation while they were coming forward and sitting in the feeding trough that served as a baptistery. All the testimonies were moving.
The offering came near the end. It was not called an offering. Seekers were informed that only church people were expected to put moolah in the plate. It was explained that they do that as a part of their obedience to the Lord, that is, to support their local church (something that I don't find in the Bible.) The rest of us were told that we were welcome to put the "Contact Card" that was attached to the handout we received into the plate if we so desired. We, of course, didn't.
Now, as far as the sermon is concerned: Technically, any denominational mountaintopper would have given it two thumbs up. It was topical, on baptism. As topical, um, preaching can be, in my opinion, it read truth into the Scripture verses cited but it was very biblical and understandable and, thankfully, brief.
But, according to my understanding of the teaching of the Word, it was a theological disaster. It suffered from the error this blog calls Ecclesiolatry, or the worship of the church, not the Lord.
It's main point was that baptism is a person's proclamation that s/he is a part of God's family, that is, the church, not that s/he has died to self and, through Christ, been raised to new life.
And, unlike what takes place in our gatherings, no opportunity for conversation or challenge was available. We all were required to consume that questionable teaching.
All in all, for what it was, the, uh, service was well done. My greatest objection to it is that it presented itself as worship when the New Testament says that worship is, merely, when disciples offer their bodies as living sacrifices.
I'm glad we attended, though, to support our friend.
It was the first time we attended a Sunday morning show in about a year and it was the first time we attended a seeker sensitive show in about two years.
The congregation is one that leaders of my denomination would love to adopt so that they could, in their minds, expand the Kingdom by adding it to our brand.
Evie and I were among the oldest people present. It's hard to tell how many children there are because they are completely segregated from the adults, but, based on the number of adults of childbearing age, there were a boatload.
Just a few observations:
The congregation was institutionally welcoming. The church sign says, "You are welcome." There is a large lobby area and the first thing I saw when I pushed through the door was a "WELCOME CENTER." We arrived early to get a seat in the back because we had to be able to rush out at the end to deal with some issues related to my parents' care.
We were greeted perfunctorally by people wearing name tags but not encouraged to check out the WELCOME CENTER and we were not approached by anyone else, except for our friend who was being baptized.
There was a very professional looking, what are they called today?, we used to call them bulletins. And, interestingly, while there was an accounting there of money received, no attendance figures.
The music was loud but not excessively polished and very geared to thirtysomethings. Interestingly, Evie, who listens to a lot of contemporary Christian music, only knew one song. Even though the music was not professionally polished, it was spirited and the praise of the band members was authentic.
During the greeting time, no one sought us out. Only people adjacent to us shook our hands and without warmth or smiles. They may have been first timers like we were as far as I know.
There were ten people baptized. Our friend was the only adult. The others ranged in age from eight to late teens.
Baptism was by immersion. That time in the, uh, service was handled well. Each person had written a testimony which was read to the congregation while they were coming forward and sitting in the feeding trough that served as a baptistery. All the testimonies were moving.
The offering came near the end. It was not called an offering. Seekers were informed that only church people were expected to put moolah in the plate. It was explained that they do that as a part of their obedience to the Lord, that is, to support their local church (something that I don't find in the Bible.) The rest of us were told that we were welcome to put the "Contact Card" that was attached to the handout we received into the plate if we so desired. We, of course, didn't.
Now, as far as the sermon is concerned: Technically, any denominational mountaintopper would have given it two thumbs up. It was topical, on baptism. As topical, um, preaching can be, in my opinion, it read truth into the Scripture verses cited but it was very biblical and understandable and, thankfully, brief.
But, according to my understanding of the teaching of the Word, it was a theological disaster. It suffered from the error this blog calls Ecclesiolatry, or the worship of the church, not the Lord.
It's main point was that baptism is a person's proclamation that s/he is a part of God's family, that is, the church, not that s/he has died to self and, through Christ, been raised to new life.
And, unlike what takes place in our gatherings, no opportunity for conversation or challenge was available. We all were required to consume that questionable teaching.
All in all, for what it was, the, uh, service was well done. My greatest objection to it is that it presented itself as worship when the New Testament says that worship is, merely, when disciples offer their bodies as living sacrifices.
I'm glad we attended, though, to support our friend.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
The Latest Jack Reacher Novel
The author who occupies slot number 2 in the list of my favorite popular fiction authors has the nom de plume, Lee Child. Child writes the Jack Reacher novels. There are now 20 in the series.
I stopped by a local library and found the new Reacher on the new books shelf. I actually audibly said, "Ooooooooh," and grabbed it as if someone behind me was about to try to push me aside to take it.
It was early Saturday morning. There was no one around.
When I got home, I went to Amazon to read customer reviews. I found what I expected. There were about four times as many fives and fours as ones and twos.
I began to read some of the reviews rated helpful and I'm seeing that this one is darker than most. And that concerns me.
I take Paul's, whatever is true, noble, right, pure... seriously. And, I avoid that which dark and evil.
I considered trashing the book entirely but I didn't. My antennae are up, though. I may toss this one aside if there is too much darkness.
I stopped by a local library and found the new Reacher on the new books shelf. I actually audibly said, "Ooooooooh," and grabbed it as if someone behind me was about to try to push me aside to take it.
It was early Saturday morning. There was no one around.
When I got home, I went to Amazon to read customer reviews. I found what I expected. There were about four times as many fives and fours as ones and twos.
I began to read some of the reviews rated helpful and I'm seeing that this one is darker than most. And that concerns me.
I take Paul's, whatever is true, noble, right, pure... seriously. And, I avoid that which dark and evil.
I considered trashing the book entirely but I didn't. My antennae are up, though. I may toss this one aside if there is too much darkness.
Friday, March 18, 2016
I Folded Laundry Yesterday
It's hard for me to judge how bad the break in my wrist is. I've seen the xray of the plate and 7 pins the surgeon inserted and it is impressive to me.
One of the ways to judge the severity of the break for me is to realize that it was only yesterday that I had the wherewithal to fold undies and shirts and towels coming out of the dryer. Until yesterday I lacked the strength and flexibility to do even that.
Yesterday it was exactly five weeks since the break.
TMI?
Well, I'm bored.
One of the ways to judge the severity of the break for me is to realize that it was only yesterday that I had the wherewithal to fold undies and shirts and towels coming out of the dryer. Until yesterday I lacked the strength and flexibility to do even that.
Yesterday it was exactly five weeks since the break.
TMI?
Well, I'm bored.
It is a Usual Thing for Leadership among the Visible People of God to be Wrong
When you read what I write on this blog, you may ask yourself a question about me that I often ask myself, that is, Can I possibly be right and almost everyone else be as wrong as I claim they are?
I take seriously Paul's admonition, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." So, as sincere as I am, I won't say that I am correct and nearly everyone in leadership in the Western church is wrong but I strongly believe that I am.
But, I will point out this unavoidable historical truth: It is usual that leadership among the visible people of God is wrong, disastrously wrong.
Think of Moses' day or Joshua's. Think of Elijah and Isaiah and Jeremiah and most of the rest of the prophets. Think of the Jews in Jesus' day. If you are Protestant, think of Luther. Think of the Methodists and the Church of England.
It's usual for mainstream leadership among the visible people of God to be misguided, off base and outside of the will of God.
And, it also usual for God to use one or a few prophetic voices to call for repentance.
God is not blessing what mainstream Western church leadership is doing.
We must repent.
I take seriously Paul's admonition, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." So, as sincere as I am, I won't say that I am correct and nearly everyone in leadership in the Western church is wrong but I strongly believe that I am.
But, I will point out this unavoidable historical truth: It is usual that leadership among the visible people of God is wrong, disastrously wrong.
Think of Moses' day or Joshua's. Think of Elijah and Isaiah and Jeremiah and most of the rest of the prophets. Think of the Jews in Jesus' day. If you are Protestant, think of Luther. Think of the Methodists and the Church of England.
It's usual for mainstream leadership among the visible people of God to be misguided, off base and outside of the will of God.
And, it also usual for God to use one or a few prophetic voices to call for repentance.
God is not blessing what mainstream Western church leadership is doing.
We must repent.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Cancelled Gatherings
Yesterday I sent out a few texts confirming what the people gathered agreed to last Sunday: We won't be gathering this coming Sunday or the next.
The next two Sundays are, according to the liturgical calendar, Palm Sunday and Easter.
From time to time, it's difficult for me to appreciate what we, in our bedraggled community of gatherings, are and what we are becoming. That is why I journal our comings and goings.
We are not people who believe in the church calendar. Here, every first day of the week reminds us that He is risen.
When we made the decision not to gather those two Sundays, I didn't give the decision much thought. Eventually, it struck me that what we are doing is noteworthy. At this point, we don't even meet the qualifications to be C & E Christians.
The truth is that, on Palm Sunday, Evie and I will be going to an actual Christendom church's Sunday show. A member of our Wednesday group is being baptized there that day. We will celebrate her act of obedience that day.
On Easter, we are not doing anything churchy at all. We're just going to the home to eat dinner with mom and dad. Who knows how many chances we will have to do that?
The next two Sundays are, according to the liturgical calendar, Palm Sunday and Easter.
From time to time, it's difficult for me to appreciate what we, in our bedraggled community of gatherings, are and what we are becoming. That is why I journal our comings and goings.
We are not people who believe in the church calendar. Here, every first day of the week reminds us that He is risen.
When we made the decision not to gather those two Sundays, I didn't give the decision much thought. Eventually, it struck me that what we are doing is noteworthy. At this point, we don't even meet the qualifications to be C & E Christians.
The truth is that, on Palm Sunday, Evie and I will be going to an actual Christendom church's Sunday show. A member of our Wednesday group is being baptized there that day. We will celebrate her act of obedience that day.
On Easter, we are not doing anything churchy at all. We're just going to the home to eat dinner with mom and dad. Who knows how many chances we will have to do that?
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
I Buzzed My Hair Today
My wrist is still so swollen and sore and stiff that I can't shave my head with my Gillette Fusion razor but I took a chance that I might be able to do it with hair clippers with no adapter. It took a couple of tries but it worked out and I, almost, look bald again.
To me, I definitely look better without hair.
To me, I definitely look better without hair.
My Favorite British TV Shows of All Time
We don't have cable or satellite and we don't watch broadcast television. But we do have a DVD player and a television. And, we do watch a decent amount of TV.
What we do is check out DVDs from a local library. One of the libraries nearby has a very respectable collection and many.are.of British TV series, many of which you can find, apparently, on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY.
There is a lot of bad British TV but one thing they do well over there is adapt good mystery fiction into tv series.
Below is a list, in the order I rank them today, of my favorite British TV series. Interestingly, all except number 1 is of the mystery genre.
1. The UP series. This is amazing! It is reality TV. One episode every seven years. Roger Ebert put it on his list of the top ten films of all time, though it is produced for TV. If you are anywhere close to being a boomer, you have to find a way to watch it. If there is another episode, it will appear in 2019. I can't wait!
2. FOYLE'S WAR. Set in World War II. Brilliantly acted and written.
3. LEWIS. A spin off of MORSE.
4. DEATH IN PARADISE. Beautiful to look at, clever.
5. MISS MARPLE. The 80's version with Joan Hickson.
6. POIROT. David Suchet!
7. MIDSOMER MURDERS. Appeared in 1997, still going strong.
8. SHERLOCK HOLMES. Jeremy Brett.
9. BROTHER CADFAEL. CSI in the thirteenth century.
10. INSPECTOR ALLEYN.
11. CAMPION.
12. GEORGE GENTLY. Set, so far, in the sixties.
13. INSPECTOR LYNLEY.
14. MORSE. Has produced two spin off, a sequel and a prequel series.
15. DAGLEISH. Based on the novels of P. D. James.
16. VERA. Based on the novels of Ann Cleeves.
17. DALZIEL AND PASCOE.
18. NEW TRICKS.
19. ENDEAVOR. The MORSE prequel.
20. DIRK GENTLY. Short-lived and extremely quirky.
21. TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION. Well written and acted and intense.
What we do is check out DVDs from a local library. One of the libraries nearby has a very respectable collection and many.are.of British TV series, many of which you can find, apparently, on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY.
There is a lot of bad British TV but one thing they do well over there is adapt good mystery fiction into tv series.
Below is a list, in the order I rank them today, of my favorite British TV series. Interestingly, all except number 1 is of the mystery genre.
1. The UP series. This is amazing! It is reality TV. One episode every seven years. Roger Ebert put it on his list of the top ten films of all time, though it is produced for TV. If you are anywhere close to being a boomer, you have to find a way to watch it. If there is another episode, it will appear in 2019. I can't wait!
2. FOYLE'S WAR. Set in World War II. Brilliantly acted and written.
3. LEWIS. A spin off of MORSE.
4. DEATH IN PARADISE. Beautiful to look at, clever.
5. MISS MARPLE. The 80's version with Joan Hickson.
6. POIROT. David Suchet!
7. MIDSOMER MURDERS. Appeared in 1997, still going strong.
8. SHERLOCK HOLMES. Jeremy Brett.
9. BROTHER CADFAEL. CSI in the thirteenth century.
10. INSPECTOR ALLEYN.
11. CAMPION.
12. GEORGE GENTLY. Set, so far, in the sixties.
13. INSPECTOR LYNLEY.
14. MORSE. Has produced two spin off, a sequel and a prequel series.
15. DAGLEISH. Based on the novels of P. D. James.
16. VERA. Based on the novels of Ann Cleeves.
17. DALZIEL AND PASCOE.
18. NEW TRICKS.
19. ENDEAVOR. The MORSE prequel.
20. DIRK GENTLY. Short-lived and extremely quirky.
21. TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION. Well written and acted and intense.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Are You a Leader if No One's Following?
In the CGGC we have been hearing more and more in recent years about leadership, about developing leaders and about our mountaintoppers, not the Lord Himself, being our leaders.
This is classic CGGC Faddism. We are into leadership because the world has been into it. This is Francis Schaeffer saying that if you tell me what the world is saying today I will tell you what the church will be saying in seven years.
Here is a 40,000 foot question about the CGGC: Our mountaintoppers are doing a lot of leading but is anyone following them?
From where I'm sitting, watching what comes down to me from the peaks in Findlay and Harrisburg and seeing the difference it's (not)making, I'm not seeing a lot of following taking place among our people.
Certainly, there are new plans and programs being announced and organized from the peaks. But, down here in my valley, people seem to be unmoved.
So, if a leader is someone who is followed, is there any leadership taking place in the CGGC?
This is classic CGGC Faddism. We are into leadership because the world has been into it. This is Francis Schaeffer saying that if you tell me what the world is saying today I will tell you what the church will be saying in seven years.
Here is a 40,000 foot question about the CGGC: Our mountaintoppers are doing a lot of leading but is anyone following them?
From where I'm sitting, watching what comes down to me from the peaks in Findlay and Harrisburg and seeing the difference it's (not)making, I'm not seeing a lot of following taking place among our people.
Certainly, there are new plans and programs being announced and organized from the peaks. But, down here in my valley, people seem to be unmoved.
So, if a leader is someone who is followed, is there any leadership taking place in the CGGC?
The Problem with Creeds
This one could, perhaps should, be a book. And, I've been thinking about entering this for months. I'm going to say this briefly for the moment.
The problem with creeds is that they are based on the notion that faith amounts to something you think.
While faith involves thinking, according to the Word, faith ultimately produces action. This is what Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10 as well what James in that well known passage in chapter 2.
In Hebrews 11, known to some as the Hall of Faith, all of the great people of faith are known, not by what they thought about the Lord, but by courageous, extraordinary actions that were fruit of their faith.
It seems to me that so called low church bodies these days are trending toward being high church and warming to the idea of creating creeds or embracing historic creeds.
Doing that never works.
The problem with creeds is that they are based on the notion that faith amounts to something you think.
While faith involves thinking, according to the Word, faith ultimately produces action. This is what Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10 as well what James in that well known passage in chapter 2.
In Hebrews 11, known to some as the Hall of Faith, all of the great people of faith are known, not by what they thought about the Lord, but by courageous, extraordinary actions that were fruit of their faith.
It seems to me that so called low church bodies these days are trending toward being high church and warming to the idea of creating creeds or embracing historic creeds.
Doing that never works.
My Phone is Infected
Please be very careful about opening any email from me.
If it says you have to do something to open the full message, delete the email immediately.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
If it says you have to do something to open the full message, delete the email immediately.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Listening to Talk Radio
Prior to my injury, I was busily and gainfully employed and, as I've lamented here many times, had very little spare time on my hands. Now, for at least the next two weeks, I have too much time on my hands.
I am doing, as I've said, some research on the issue of repentance in the Bible and I have been journaling my recovery and I began a blog journaling my family's struggle with both of my parents' diagnosis of dementia--which still produces some smiles but, as time goes by, more and more tears. And...
...I've been listening to talk radio, mostly sports talk but also some Glenn Beck and some Rush Limbaugh and some local stuff.
But, I can only do it in small doses. Tomorrow after the the Florida and Ohio, Illinois and the other primaries might be interesting.
Something to do. But, give me a 40 hour work week.
I am doing, as I've said, some research on the issue of repentance in the Bible and I have been journaling my recovery and I began a blog journaling my family's struggle with both of my parents' diagnosis of dementia--which still produces some smiles but, as time goes by, more and more tears. And...
...I've been listening to talk radio, mostly sports talk but also some Glenn Beck and some Rush Limbaugh and some local stuff.
But, I can only do it in small doses. Tomorrow after the the Florida and Ohio, Illinois and the other primaries might be interesting.
Something to do. But, give me a 40 hour work week.
Gathering 3-13-16
We did get together but, for me, at least, the gathering didn't score high on achieving the New Testament purpose for gathering. Our number was down which doesn't concern me in itself. Jesus promises if two come together in His Name, He is there.
The tone involved Evie and me provoking others to love and good works but, because the others who gathered were the people from the home, there was no mutual provoking.
The Sunday gathering has always had a, well, remedial flavor to it. It always significantly involved showing mercy to the least of these in the group and in I have always embraced that, and I still do.
However, for the totality of my walk to flourish, I needed the input I received from the Thursday night group. Because of the stresses of Evie's new job and the demands of caring for my parents, we have had to withdraw from the Thursday gathering, and may not reconnect to it for a long time.
That, combined with the fact that, in the CGGC, everyone has either abandoned us or is counting down the days until they can defrock me, I feel as if I am never ministered to.
Still, the prophets had it worse, as did Paul...as did Jesus.
And, He does work in all things for the good of those who love Him and there is nothing in all that creation that can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus.
The tone involved Evie and me provoking others to love and good works but, because the others who gathered were the people from the home, there was no mutual provoking.
The Sunday gathering has always had a, well, remedial flavor to it. It always significantly involved showing mercy to the least of these in the group and in I have always embraced that, and I still do.
However, for the totality of my walk to flourish, I needed the input I received from the Thursday night group. Because of the stresses of Evie's new job and the demands of caring for my parents, we have had to withdraw from the Thursday gathering, and may not reconnect to it for a long time.
That, combined with the fact that, in the CGGC, everyone has either abandoned us or is counting down the days until they can defrock me, I feel as if I am never ministered to.
Still, the prophets had it worse, as did Paul...as did Jesus.
And, He does work in all things for the good of those who love Him and there is nothing in all that creation that can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
I'm doing a Study on Repentance in the Actual Bible
The study is only in its early days. In the first moment that I realized that I would have a long period of convalescence from my broken wrist, I decided to do, as best I'm able, a study in Hebrew of repentance in the Old Testament because of something I think I've noticed that I want to test out. And, I'm doing that testing now.
But, I've already come up with an important little tidbit which I think is extremely meaningful for today's body of disciples.
The word most commonly used for repentance in OT Hebrew is the word nacham, the ch there is the letter that sounds like you are trying to form a loogie, a hocker. I love pronouncing those words!
Anyway, I discovered, from two highly regarded sources, that the root of the word is the word, "sigh."
The idea is that when you are overwhelmed with emotion, you sigh. A sigh is usually an unconscious act to release pent up frustration or anger or, in the case of this word, sorrow.
When the word is used in reference to another person, it means to take pity or to have compassion for.
And when it applies to the self, it means to be sorry about or to suffer grief over or to repent.
And, that is precisely how the New Testament understands repentance. Paul says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation."
With those facts in mind, think about what that atrocious sentence in HERE WE STAND reveals about how unlikely CGGC leadership is to lead the repentance that results in salvation. They are preaching that we are still the spiritually vibrant people we were in 1845!
Not excessive sorrow that leads to the sigh that is repentance.
Haughtiness. Pride. In need of nothing spirituality.
We all, but they especially, need the godly sorrow that leads to repentance and brings salvation.
They need to change in their hearts.
But, I've already come up with an important little tidbit which I think is extremely meaningful for today's body of disciples.
The word most commonly used for repentance in OT Hebrew is the word nacham, the ch there is the letter that sounds like you are trying to form a loogie, a hocker. I love pronouncing those words!
Anyway, I discovered, from two highly regarded sources, that the root of the word is the word, "sigh."
The idea is that when you are overwhelmed with emotion, you sigh. A sigh is usually an unconscious act to release pent up frustration or anger or, in the case of this word, sorrow.
When the word is used in reference to another person, it means to take pity or to have compassion for.
And when it applies to the self, it means to be sorry about or to suffer grief over or to repent.
And, that is precisely how the New Testament understands repentance. Paul says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation."
With those facts in mind, think about what that atrocious sentence in HERE WE STAND reveals about how unlikely CGGC leadership is to lead the repentance that results in salvation. They are preaching that we are still the spiritually vibrant people we were in 1845!
Not excessive sorrow that leads to the sigh that is repentance.
Haughtiness. Pride. In need of nothing spirituality.
We all, but they especially, need the godly sorrow that leads to repentance and brings salvation.
They need to change in their hearts.
Friday, March 11, 2016
They Mowed the Fairways on the Golf Course Today
As many know, we live in a condo on a golf course in central Pennsylvania.
The world's greatest church greeter and I walk on the course 350+ mornings of the year...with the permission of the people who operate the course.
I noticed that they allowed the fairways to grow out longer this off season than usual, so much so that, if I hadn't known every inch of the course, I wouldn't have known where they were.
Well, today they mowed the grass shorter on the fairways, or at least began to, so that they are now easy to see.
In this area, the weekend of Palm Sunday is the beginning of the golfing season, when the cost goes up. But, during the past few days, the high temperatures have been in the high 70s, even low 80s, and the course has been middle of the summer busy.
BTW, I don't play golf but I do pick up lost golf balls. Over the years, I've collected thousands. If you'd like some, free of charge, just let me know. Shipping and handling not included.
The world's greatest church greeter and I walk on the course 350+ mornings of the year...with the permission of the people who operate the course.
I noticed that they allowed the fairways to grow out longer this off season than usual, so much so that, if I hadn't known every inch of the course, I wouldn't have known where they were.
Well, today they mowed the grass shorter on the fairways, or at least began to, so that they are now easy to see.
In this area, the weekend of Palm Sunday is the beginning of the golfing season, when the cost goes up. But, during the past few days, the high temperatures have been in the high 70s, even low 80s, and the course has been middle of the summer busy.
BTW, I don't play golf but I do pick up lost golf balls. Over the years, I've collected thousands. If you'd like some, free of charge, just let me know. Shipping and handling not included.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
I Tied My Shoes Today 2.0
As a part of my recovery, the surgeon has given me a removable brace to protect my wrist. As time goes on, I'm supposed to wear it less and less.
After about two and a half weeks, I actually began to take it off for short periods of time when I could be completely inactive. The first day I did that, I did it for just a few minutes and, by the end of the day, I was exhausted.
I have progressed so far that, today, I tied my shoes without wearing the brace.
It was painful but I am confident that I didn't reinjure the wrist.
Another small step for a man.
After about two and a half weeks, I actually began to take it off for short periods of time when I could be completely inactive. The first day I did that, I did it for just a few minutes and, by the end of the day, I was exhausted.
I have progressed so far that, today, I tied my shoes without wearing the brace.
It was painful but I am confident that I didn't reinjure the wrist.
Another small step for a man.
Is this Sentence Factual, Deceitful or Delusional?
First some context.
The Introduction of HERE WE STAND begins by making the claim that revival and reform are the double helix of the DNA of the CGGC. It continues by noting that, during its first decade and a half, the CGGC body was involved in radical social reform movements such as anti-slavery, temperance and others and that, in 1845, it organized a General Conference built on this radical identity.
Then it inserts this sentence:
Ever since its creation in 1845 the CGGC has maintained its commitment to biblical integrity and social responsibility.
Is this sentence factual, deceitful or delusional? I have to admit that I'm not certain.
One thing I am certain of that it is not factual.
Anyone who has even a passing awareness of the history of the CGGC knows that we are not what we were between 1830 and 1845.
In those days we were a spiritually thriving, dynamic, rapidly growing movement that was consumed by a passion to bring sinners to repentance, to be salt and light in the world and to improve the lives of the oppressed.
Anyone who has even a passing awareness of the history of the CGGC and is honest about what it is today knows that the claim that we have maintained our 1845 identity is not factual.
In my opinion, three people on the writing committee know CGGC history better than I do. A fourth, Lance, has been very honest during the last year, that we are declining. At the very least, these people know that the sentence is not factual. They should have prevented it from appearing in the draft.
So, if the sentence is not factual and important people on that committee know that, what is the truth? Are they deceitful or are they delusional?
This is what I don't know. I don't want to believe that either is the case but I can't see any other possibility.
A friend who has been in conversation with me since the days of Brian Miller's blog has said to me privately over and over again that he thinks leadership does this sort of thing to justify their positions and protect their salaries. S/He is saying that they are being deceitful.
I can't accept that because I don't want to but is the alternative better?
Everyone who knows anything knows that the sentence is not factual.
Can we face what that reality means about our mountaintoppers?
Does anyone love the people of the CGGC enough to care?
The entire CGGC body must repent.
The Introduction of HERE WE STAND begins by making the claim that revival and reform are the double helix of the DNA of the CGGC. It continues by noting that, during its first decade and a half, the CGGC body was involved in radical social reform movements such as anti-slavery, temperance and others and that, in 1845, it organized a General Conference built on this radical identity.
Then it inserts this sentence:
Ever since its creation in 1845 the CGGC has maintained its commitment to biblical integrity and social responsibility.
Is this sentence factual, deceitful or delusional? I have to admit that I'm not certain.
One thing I am certain of that it is not factual.
Anyone who has even a passing awareness of the history of the CGGC knows that we are not what we were between 1830 and 1845.
In those days we were a spiritually thriving, dynamic, rapidly growing movement that was consumed by a passion to bring sinners to repentance, to be salt and light in the world and to improve the lives of the oppressed.
Anyone who has even a passing awareness of the history of the CGGC and is honest about what it is today knows that the claim that we have maintained our 1845 identity is not factual.
In my opinion, three people on the writing committee know CGGC history better than I do. A fourth, Lance, has been very honest during the last year, that we are declining. At the very least, these people know that the sentence is not factual. They should have prevented it from appearing in the draft.
So, if the sentence is not factual and important people on that committee know that, what is the truth? Are they deceitful or are they delusional?
This is what I don't know. I don't want to believe that either is the case but I can't see any other possibility.
A friend who has been in conversation with me since the days of Brian Miller's blog has said to me privately over and over again that he thinks leadership does this sort of thing to justify their positions and protect their salaries. S/He is saying that they are being deceitful.
I can't accept that because I don't want to but is the alternative better?
Everyone who knows anything knows that the sentence is not factual.
Can we face what that reality means about our mountaintoppers?
Does anyone love the people of the CGGC enough to care?
The entire CGGC body must repent.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
I Shampooed My Hair for the First Time in Nearly Six Years
I'm not a hippie, though I still do say, "Groovy."
The Monday before Evie's first chemo treatment in May 2010, we both had our heads shaved. Evie decided that she didn't want to be waking up in the morning to see clumps of her hair on her pillow. (And, in time, she did lose every hair on her body.)
I wanted her to know, in every way I could, that I was on the cancer journey with her.
She did the chemo and had several surgeries and, during radiation treatments, her hair began to return. I, on the other hand, decided that I enjoyed being bald. My head became a bit of a conversation piece. I stopped fretting over bed hair and hat hair or combing or shampooing it. And, rain on a bald head may be the most refreshing sensation in the universe. Snow tickles, though.
Anyway, I've always shaved my head in the shower with no mirror, using both hands and my wrist is still way too sore and stiff and weak to be used in shaving my head. So my hair's now over four weeks long, long enough to be shampooed. So, yesterday, for the first time since 2010, I shampooed.
It felt good. Very good.
The Monday before Evie's first chemo treatment in May 2010, we both had our heads shaved. Evie decided that she didn't want to be waking up in the morning to see clumps of her hair on her pillow. (And, in time, she did lose every hair on her body.)
I wanted her to know, in every way I could, that I was on the cancer journey with her.
She did the chemo and had several surgeries and, during radiation treatments, her hair began to return. I, on the other hand, decided that I enjoyed being bald. My head became a bit of a conversation piece. I stopped fretting over bed hair and hat hair or combing or shampooing it. And, rain on a bald head may be the most refreshing sensation in the universe. Snow tickles, though.
Anyway, I've always shaved my head in the shower with no mirror, using both hands and my wrist is still way too sore and stiff and weak to be used in shaving my head. So my hair's now over four weeks long, long enough to be shampooed. So, yesterday, for the first time since 2010, I shampooed.
It felt good. Very good.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Raiding the Health Savings Account
I have the option, in choosing among the health insurance plans available through my employer, to select a plan with a fairly low premium, a high deductible and the option to set up and contribute to a health savings account. I took that option and, since the coverage began, I have been contributing to the account every cent Uncle Sam permits. Because of IRS regulations, both Evie and I can use those funds to pay eligible medical expenses.
Last year was a fairly good year for us in terms of healthcare issues. Our goal was to start this year with enough saved to cover the deductibles on both of our plans, and we succeeded.
This year has already been a worse year than all of last year, by far. Our health care expenses have far exceeded the deductibles for the whole year. And, the money is in place to cover all of those charges.
In time, I will receive payments from the short term disability insurance provided by my employer, AT NO COST TO ME. And, I am more thankful for that than I can say.
I am so thankful for the health savings account because, if we had to pay the deductibles while I was bringing in a reduced income, we would be seriously hurting.
As soon as I am cleared to work, I'll be doing all I can do, as God is willing, to build up the account to be prepared, as much as we can be, for whatever we have to deal with next year.
Last year was a fairly good year for us in terms of healthcare issues. Our goal was to start this year with enough saved to cover the deductibles on both of our plans, and we succeeded.
This year has already been a worse year than all of last year, by far. Our health care expenses have far exceeded the deductibles for the whole year. And, the money is in place to cover all of those charges.
In time, I will receive payments from the short term disability insurance provided by my employer, AT NO COST TO ME. And, I am more thankful for that than I can say.
I am so thankful for the health savings account because, if we had to pay the deductibles while I was bringing in a reduced income, we would be seriously hurting.
As soon as I am cleared to work, I'll be doing all I can do, as God is willing, to build up the account to be prepared, as much as we can be, for whatever we have to deal with next year.
Five Steps to Redeeming the Document Currently Known as HERE WE STAND
1. The General Conference Ad Council must reject the whole document outright but just for the moment.
The plan seems to be to have it approved by General Conference in session this summer. That should not happen.
2. Dissolve the current writing committee.
3. Throw out the title.
The truth is, by any biblical standard, the document does not describe where the CGGC body stands at this time.
4. Trash the Introduction.
The Introduction is from a different planet than the one that the rest of us live in. It doesn't tell the truth about the CGGC. It is either delusional or deceitful or both and it ruins the body of the document.
5. Repurpose the document as a whole so that it calls the CGGC to repent of and empowers it to turn from its current lukewarmness and energizes in it a ministry that truly is salt and light in the world.
Come up with a new title.
Rewrite the Introduction.
The truth is that much of the content of the document is worthwhile. The problem with it is in the elevated reading level and the title and introduction that are unconnected to reality.
If the title and intro were trashed and a writing committee were formed peopled with trained and experienced communicators and educators, the core that makes up the truth contained in the body of the document could do a lot of good for the CGGC.
Perhaps the University of Findlay could contribute a person or two to assist in the recreating of the document.
The plan seems to be to have it approved by General Conference in session this summer. That should not happen.
2. Dissolve the current writing committee.
3. Throw out the title.
The truth is, by any biblical standard, the document does not describe where the CGGC body stands at this time.
4. Trash the Introduction.
The Introduction is from a different planet than the one that the rest of us live in. It doesn't tell the truth about the CGGC. It is either delusional or deceitful or both and it ruins the body of the document.
5. Repurpose the document as a whole so that it calls the CGGC to repent of and empowers it to turn from its current lukewarmness and energizes in it a ministry that truly is salt and light in the world.
Come up with a new title.
Rewrite the Introduction.
The truth is that much of the content of the document is worthwhile. The problem with it is in the elevated reading level and the title and introduction that are unconnected to reality.
If the title and intro were trashed and a writing committee were formed peopled with trained and experienced communicators and educators, the core that makes up the truth contained in the body of the document could do a lot of good for the CGGC.
Perhaps the University of Findlay could contribute a person or two to assist in the recreating of the document.
Monday, March 7, 2016
My Incision and My Fingers
I'm healing from the broken wrist and from the surgery.
I have noticed in the last few days that dexterity in my fingers is returning. The wrist bone's connected to the hand bone and the hand bone's connected to the finger bones...and so, after I smashed up the wrist, the movement of my fingers was seriously compromised. Just lately, I am returning toward normal in what my fingers are able to do. I'm glad. I wasn't certain that would ever happen.
The part of the bone that broke off is on the inside of the wrist so the thumb is still weak and using it is still painful and it is very stiff but it's also progressing. I'm beginning to think that I may be able to resume work after my next appointment with the surgeon in three weeks. Having said that though, when I showered and shaved today, the wrist wasn't really up to those tasks.
The incision finally, is healing as well. Yesterday, for an hour or more, the itching around it was almost unbearable. I'm guessing from that the nerves are recovering from the trauma of the surgery.
I have noticed in the last few days that dexterity in my fingers is returning. The wrist bone's connected to the hand bone and the hand bone's connected to the finger bones...and so, after I smashed up the wrist, the movement of my fingers was seriously compromised. Just lately, I am returning toward normal in what my fingers are able to do. I'm glad. I wasn't certain that would ever happen.
The part of the bone that broke off is on the inside of the wrist so the thumb is still weak and using it is still painful and it is very stiff but it's also progressing. I'm beginning to think that I may be able to resume work after my next appointment with the surgeon in three weeks. Having said that though, when I showered and shaved today, the wrist wasn't really up to those tasks.
The incision finally, is healing as well. Yesterday, for an hour or more, the itching around it was almost unbearable. I'm guessing from that the nerves are recovering from the trauma of the surgery.
What HERE WE STAND Would Say if We were Honest (based on my decades of involvement in the CGGC)
What follows is what, from 40,000 feet, is, in my opinion, the most critical--actually deadly--flaw in HERE WE STAND. Because I am always inclined to look at the present in the context of history, I saw this immediately but have allowed the thought to percolate before writing it out.
If you lived among the people of the Church of God in its movement days, you would have known where it stood in terms of the social challenges of the day even if you were an outsider. You'd have been able to see it in action among all Church of God people in all the congregations. In fact, you would not have been able not to miss it. Where our mothers and fathers stood would have been glaringly obvious. It would have been offensively apparent to you if you were on the other side of the issues. You wouldn't have had to look for a document from, uh, leadership stating theoretical positions on, say, slavery. Those people produced fruit in keeping with repentance. The fruit of the ministry of the Church of God would have been abundant and obvious and ripe. We stood where we stood boldly and radically in the real world, not merely on paper. And, everybody knew it.
In 2016, however, no matter how intelligently the writing committee of HWS states its views, no matter how eloquently they express themselves, they can't change the reality. The CGGC doesn't really stand where the committee says we do.
How many sermons do you imagine mentioned the abomination of slavery in our first days? How many are preached on human trafficking, or abortion or any other HWS issue these days when you gather with a CGGC congregation today?
We know that, for John Winebrenner, calling sinners to repent of sin and demanding the end of the sinful institution of slavery were a part of the preaching of the message of the gospel. Those causes were one cause in his mind and others in the movement believed what he believed and preached the same message.
But, take a run through the archives of the eNews. How often did Ed Rosenberry tell us that, during his frequent travels through the CGGC, he addressed even ONE of the positions described in HWS? Does Ed actually, in the real world, stand where we allegedly stand? Not in what he tells us he said and did.
Now, take a gander at the eNews in the Lance era. Same questions. Same answer.
Our fathers and mothers actually LIVED the faith they described. We don't. As far as I know, none of us do.
We practice To Talk is to Walk-ism. They walked first and, often, their only talk was the walk itself. They were walking their talk before the church was organized in 1830. It took them 15 more years to put what they had always been doing into writing. How different could we be than they were?!
If the writers of HWS were honest, they would have examined what they themselves actually do and they would have scanned our congregations to see what they are doing and they would have put on sackcloth and fallen on their faces in shame and begged a merciful God for forgiveness. They would not have written a series of position papers claiming things to be true about themselves and the rest of us which have no connection to reality...
...and which condemn us as a people of lukewarm faith.
Shame on them for the untruths they have written. Shame on everyone in the CGGC who is not convicted by it.
We must repent.
If you lived among the people of the Church of God in its movement days, you would have known where it stood in terms of the social challenges of the day even if you were an outsider. You'd have been able to see it in action among all Church of God people in all the congregations. In fact, you would not have been able not to miss it. Where our mothers and fathers stood would have been glaringly obvious. It would have been offensively apparent to you if you were on the other side of the issues. You wouldn't have had to look for a document from, uh, leadership stating theoretical positions on, say, slavery. Those people produced fruit in keeping with repentance. The fruit of the ministry of the Church of God would have been abundant and obvious and ripe. We stood where we stood boldly and radically in the real world, not merely on paper. And, everybody knew it.
In 2016, however, no matter how intelligently the writing committee of HWS states its views, no matter how eloquently they express themselves, they can't change the reality. The CGGC doesn't really stand where the committee says we do.
How many sermons do you imagine mentioned the abomination of slavery in our first days? How many are preached on human trafficking, or abortion or any other HWS issue these days when you gather with a CGGC congregation today?
We know that, for John Winebrenner, calling sinners to repent of sin and demanding the end of the sinful institution of slavery were a part of the preaching of the message of the gospel. Those causes were one cause in his mind and others in the movement believed what he believed and preached the same message.
But, take a run through the archives of the eNews. How often did Ed Rosenberry tell us that, during his frequent travels through the CGGC, he addressed even ONE of the positions described in HWS? Does Ed actually, in the real world, stand where we allegedly stand? Not in what he tells us he said and did.
Now, take a gander at the eNews in the Lance era. Same questions. Same answer.
Our fathers and mothers actually LIVED the faith they described. We don't. As far as I know, none of us do.
We practice To Talk is to Walk-ism. They walked first and, often, their only talk was the walk itself. They were walking their talk before the church was organized in 1830. It took them 15 more years to put what they had always been doing into writing. How different could we be than they were?!
If the writers of HWS were honest, they would have examined what they themselves actually do and they would have scanned our congregations to see what they are doing and they would have put on sackcloth and fallen on their faces in shame and begged a merciful God for forgiveness. They would not have written a series of position papers claiming things to be true about themselves and the rest of us which have no connection to reality...
...and which condemn us as a people of lukewarm faith.
Shame on them for the untruths they have written. Shame on everyone in the CGGC who is not convicted by it.
We must repent.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
No Gathering 3-6-16
Evie is exhausted and overcommitted. Issues of mom and dad's care are coming to a crisis. We just couldn't host a gathering.
So, at the last minute, we cancelled.
Sorry to do it but we really don't believe that attending a so called worship service is an act of righteousness.
So, at the last minute, we cancelled.
Sorry to do it but we really don't believe that attending a so called worship service is an act of righteousness.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Visiting the Store
I have a full time job at Weaver Markets in Adamstown, PA. As I have written many times, I see my job there as a mission and I see the job site itself as a mission field.
Yesterday, it was three weeks and a day since I broke my wrist and Evie and I went there to do our weekly shopping, at a slow time in the day, as far as business in the store is concerned.
There are nearly 300 people employees in the store, most are part time. I'd guess that, about 30 were working when we were there. And, I was touched and amazed to see how many of them stopped what they were doing to greet me and ask me about my recovery.
It was very nice to get out of the house, something I don't really do unless it is to walk the dog. And, it was nice to be appreciated. And, missed.
I try to do the job the way Jesus would do it and, I fail at that far too often. But, I think He makes a bigger impression than I realized.
It was good to be back and to see so many of the people I've been sharing my life with these past few years.
Yesterday, it was three weeks and a day since I broke my wrist and Evie and I went there to do our weekly shopping, at a slow time in the day, as far as business in the store is concerned.
There are nearly 300 people employees in the store, most are part time. I'd guess that, about 30 were working when we were there. And, I was touched and amazed to see how many of them stopped what they were doing to greet me and ask me about my recovery.
It was very nice to get out of the house, something I don't really do unless it is to walk the dog. And, it was nice to be appreciated. And, missed.
I try to do the job the way Jesus would do it and, I fail at that far too often. But, I think He makes a bigger impression than I realized.
It was good to be back and to see so many of the people I've been sharing my life with these past few years.
Failing to Fill Out the 2015 CGGC Ministry Review
I tried to fill out the Statistical Report today--not for the first time.
And, I couldn't do it. Again.
Earlier, I found last year's form, which I filled out but didn't submit because I thought that my responses wouldn't be meaningful, and certainly not edifying, to my brothers and sisters in Findlay.
I was, AM, determined to complete the form this year in a way that will be honest, accurate and edifying but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it.
Part of the problem is that some of the items are so offensive to me that I go bonkers even though I've seen them many times, for instance, the number of child dedications. Show me one of those in the New Testament or in the early ministry of the Church of God. And, the tithing of time, talent and treasure. He is the Lord of all we, in our community of gatherings, are and do. That one is an abomination to me and I am enraged every time I lay eyes on those words.
Another part of it is that nearly everything else in the form is irrelevant to what we do and what we believe. And, as people seeking to establish ourselves on the New Testament plan, we think that we are on the right side of the difference and, even more to the point, we used to chase after the goals included in the form and have repented of them with passion and intentionality. So, where the form doesn't offend me, it is so irrelevant that it is impossible for me to understand how to formulate a reply except that I am tempted to preach in reply.
But I do want to reply. I want to be in conversation.
The CGGC is in decline, outside of the blessing of the Holy Spirit and I believe that the statistical report offers evidence as to why. I believe we are chasing after things He wants no part in.
I want us to repent.
And, I couldn't do it. Again.
Earlier, I found last year's form, which I filled out but didn't submit because I thought that my responses wouldn't be meaningful, and certainly not edifying, to my brothers and sisters in Findlay.
I was, AM, determined to complete the form this year in a way that will be honest, accurate and edifying but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it.
Part of the problem is that some of the items are so offensive to me that I go bonkers even though I've seen them many times, for instance, the number of child dedications. Show me one of those in the New Testament or in the early ministry of the Church of God. And, the tithing of time, talent and treasure. He is the Lord of all we, in our community of gatherings, are and do. That one is an abomination to me and I am enraged every time I lay eyes on those words.
Another part of it is that nearly everything else in the form is irrelevant to what we do and what we believe. And, as people seeking to establish ourselves on the New Testament plan, we think that we are on the right side of the difference and, even more to the point, we used to chase after the goals included in the form and have repented of them with passion and intentionality. So, where the form doesn't offend me, it is so irrelevant that it is impossible for me to understand how to formulate a reply except that I am tempted to preach in reply.
But I do want to reply. I want to be in conversation.
The CGGC is in decline, outside of the blessing of the Holy Spirit and I believe that the statistical report offers evidence as to why. I believe we are chasing after things He wants no part in.
I want us to repent.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
On the Road to Recovery
Yesterday I achieved a milestone in my recovery from my fractured wrist: It was the first day I didn't take any pain medication, during daylight hours, at least. In fact, I was doing so well, I forgot to take any.
I did load up with Motrin when I went to bed.
Also, I am more bored than I have ever been. And, I have three and a half weeks before my next appointment with the doctor.
I did load up with Motrin when I went to bed.
Also, I am more bored than I have ever been. And, I have three and a half weeks before my next appointment with the doctor.
Defending the CGGC Covenant
Recently, I entered a post in which I made the claim that the draft of HERE WE STAND is fruit of an act of insubordination engineered by CGGC mountaintoppers in Findlay.
Sadly, while I am convinced that they are guilty of insubordination, what they did has become commonplace and, certainly, not unusual in the CGGC in the past five years or so.
As outrageous as what I say probably sounds to many, I genuinely believe it and I am convinced that I am entirely correct. And, I believe this goes a long way in explaining why the CGGC continues to decline and why the Lord continues not to bless her.
The CGGC is a Conference, what the founders in our movement days called an Eldership.
It was established, in 1830, on the strong belief that human authority among God's people exists as the Holy Spirit guides the community of disciples. Its core conviction then was that the Lord's will can be discovered only as believers all serve one another and submit to each other. In the language of recent centuries, the CGGC is intended to be radically democratic. We are, by design, a body in which all voices speak and are listened to. No one is spoken to before they have opportunity to speak.
That conviction that the Holy Spirit guides through the wisdom He gives to His people living in community, however, is dead in today's CGGC, especially in Findlay.
The way the people in Findlay went about writing HWS makes that clear.
What they did spits in the face of our history and the covenant the people of the Church of God shared with each other since our first day.
----------
I have been told that when the ERC Standing Committee voted to recommend that I be defrocked, one reason was that I refuse to cease my attacks on church leaders.
If they had actually confronted me with that charge, I would have denied that I have ever attacked church leaders.
WHAT I DO IS TO DEFEND THE CGGC COVENANT, AND, IN THE PROCESS, THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONFERENCE.
Often, when I do that, I am very passionate and, normally, I am responding to a specific violation of our covenant, as is the case here with the writing of HWS. Yet, I am certain that the people who are violating the covenant feel attacked, even if I don't name names.
Believe me, I don't do this to attack. I do it to defend our whole community and all of the things we claim to stand for.
In my mind, the group that created HWS is guilty of insubordination because they have, again, usurped the authority of the community, the Conference. And, they have denied the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak to us through the many diverse voices of our body.
---------------
Truly, what they have done is fairly typical these days, but repeating a sin doesn't stop the sin from being a sin. It merely hardens the sinner's heart.
THE LORD IS NOT BLESSING US.
We must repent.
Sadly, while I am convinced that they are guilty of insubordination, what they did has become commonplace and, certainly, not unusual in the CGGC in the past five years or so.
As outrageous as what I say probably sounds to many, I genuinely believe it and I am convinced that I am entirely correct. And, I believe this goes a long way in explaining why the CGGC continues to decline and why the Lord continues not to bless her.
The CGGC is a Conference, what the founders in our movement days called an Eldership.
It was established, in 1830, on the strong belief that human authority among God's people exists as the Holy Spirit guides the community of disciples. Its core conviction then was that the Lord's will can be discovered only as believers all serve one another and submit to each other. In the language of recent centuries, the CGGC is intended to be radically democratic. We are, by design, a body in which all voices speak and are listened to. No one is spoken to before they have opportunity to speak.
That conviction that the Holy Spirit guides through the wisdom He gives to His people living in community, however, is dead in today's CGGC, especially in Findlay.
The way the people in Findlay went about writing HWS makes that clear.
What they did spits in the face of our history and the covenant the people of the Church of God shared with each other since our first day.
----------
I have been told that when the ERC Standing Committee voted to recommend that I be defrocked, one reason was that I refuse to cease my attacks on church leaders.
If they had actually confronted me with that charge, I would have denied that I have ever attacked church leaders.
WHAT I DO IS TO DEFEND THE CGGC COVENANT, AND, IN THE PROCESS, THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONFERENCE.
Often, when I do that, I am very passionate and, normally, I am responding to a specific violation of our covenant, as is the case here with the writing of HWS. Yet, I am certain that the people who are violating the covenant feel attacked, even if I don't name names.
Believe me, I don't do this to attack. I do it to defend our whole community and all of the things we claim to stand for.
In my mind, the group that created HWS is guilty of insubordination because they have, again, usurped the authority of the community, the Conference. And, they have denied the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak to us through the many diverse voices of our body.
---------------
Truly, what they have done is fairly typical these days, but repeating a sin doesn't stop the sin from being a sin. It merely hardens the sinner's heart.
THE LORD IS NOT BLESSING US.
We must repent.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
"Twenty Four Dollar Words" in HERE WE STAND
Understand. I'm a geezer.
Back in the day, when I was a less than mediocre high school student, I had a teacher who loved words and who taught my friends and me the expression, "twenty four dollar word."
When he'd use a big word that was bandied about only by the intellectual elite or was a highly technical term known only to a small universe of people, he'd stop, repeat the word and say, "Now THAT is a twenty four dollar word." (This was the day when my dad was buying premium gas at the Kayo station for 25.9c a gallon.)
I'm a geezer. What would a twenty four dollar word be worth in today's money?
----------------
On my job, some of my coworkers call me, "the grammar Nazi," because I, jokingly, play around with huge words strung together in sentences that are too long and complex.
When I was reading through HERE WE STAND, I saw many more $24 words than even I wanted to see. But, they were no joke.
HERE WE STAND contains too many $24 words where everyday words would work perfectly well. HWS often links those words together in long, very complex sentences.
The people I live among won't understand it and they won't go to the trouble to make sense out of it. They will simply roll their eyes and ignore it.
I believe that, if we keep HWS at all, we should dissolve this writing committee and begin again with a committee made up of, at the very least, half of its members having no theological education or ministerial credentials preferably loaded with successful and experienced educators.
What we have now will be monumentally ineffective in edifying our body.
Back in the day, when I was a less than mediocre high school student, I had a teacher who loved words and who taught my friends and me the expression, "twenty four dollar word."
When he'd use a big word that was bandied about only by the intellectual elite or was a highly technical term known only to a small universe of people, he'd stop, repeat the word and say, "Now THAT is a twenty four dollar word." (This was the day when my dad was buying premium gas at the Kayo station for 25.9c a gallon.)
I'm a geezer. What would a twenty four dollar word be worth in today's money?
----------------
On my job, some of my coworkers call me, "the grammar Nazi," because I, jokingly, play around with huge words strung together in sentences that are too long and complex.
When I was reading through HERE WE STAND, I saw many more $24 words than even I wanted to see. But, they were no joke.
HERE WE STAND contains too many $24 words where everyday words would work perfectly well. HWS often links those words together in long, very complex sentences.
The people I live among won't understand it and they won't go to the trouble to make sense out of it. They will simply roll their eyes and ignore it.
I believe that, if we keep HWS at all, we should dissolve this writing committee and begin again with a committee made up of, at the very least, half of its members having no theological education or ministerial credentials preferably loaded with successful and experienced educators.
What we have now will be monumentally ineffective in edifying our body.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
What You Mean "We," White Man?
The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding along one day when, suddenly, the horizon was filled with screaming Indians on the warpath. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and said, "I don't think we are going to get out of this alive."
And, Tonto said, "What you mean, 'We,' white man?!"
----------------
There is a lot in HERE WE STAND that disturbs me but nothing offends me more than this committee of mountaintoppers' definition of the word, we.
The CGGC is, to use the technical term, Presbyterial. It is an Eldership. That means that it believes that human authority and wisdom exists in its community, in the community of the called. It believes that its salaried people with the title Director SERVE the community. Those people are not Bishops who rule over the community, dictate to it or hold authority over the body in any way. They have been appointed to serve, not to BE served.
The problem is that, in truth, our Directors behave, not as servants of the body but as its rulers.
In the case of HERE WE STAND, they, as is typical, dictate to the body. They, from among themselves alone, tell the body where it stands. They don't ask it. They don't listen.
The Introduction of HWS is honest and shamelessly blatant in making that clear. It says, without shame, that, at the beginning, "a writing committee was appointed." In a body in which human authority and wisdom is recognized to be in the Eldership, in the community, a writing committee is, absolutely, the wrong place to start.
In an Eldership, the only appropriate place to start is consulting the Eldership and noting it's wisdom. Nowhere in the process was that done.
It seems to me that, if the people behind the writing HWS acknowledged that they actually serve the body, not rule over it, they would have appointed a group of people to go out among the people of the body they serve and seek its wisdom.
But, the fruit of what they believe is easy to judge. They don't think they serve the body. To use one of their favorite words, they lead it. The body doesn't lead in this Eldership, the mountaintoppers do.
For some time, I have been accusing the mountaintoppers of theological bankruptcy and theological corruption.
The way they went about producing HWS is evidence of those sad realities. They defy what we believe about our community. I believe, in the language of institutional, churchly discipline, this is insubordination.
HERE WE STAND?
What you mean "we," mountaintoppers?
We all must repent.
And, Tonto said, "What you mean, 'We,' white man?!"
----------------
There is a lot in HERE WE STAND that disturbs me but nothing offends me more than this committee of mountaintoppers' definition of the word, we.
The CGGC is, to use the technical term, Presbyterial. It is an Eldership. That means that it believes that human authority and wisdom exists in its community, in the community of the called. It believes that its salaried people with the title Director SERVE the community. Those people are not Bishops who rule over the community, dictate to it or hold authority over the body in any way. They have been appointed to serve, not to BE served.
The problem is that, in truth, our Directors behave, not as servants of the body but as its rulers.
In the case of HERE WE STAND, they, as is typical, dictate to the body. They, from among themselves alone, tell the body where it stands. They don't ask it. They don't listen.
The Introduction of HWS is honest and shamelessly blatant in making that clear. It says, without shame, that, at the beginning, "a writing committee was appointed." In a body in which human authority and wisdom is recognized to be in the Eldership, in the community, a writing committee is, absolutely, the wrong place to start.
In an Eldership, the only appropriate place to start is consulting the Eldership and noting it's wisdom. Nowhere in the process was that done.
It seems to me that, if the people behind the writing HWS acknowledged that they actually serve the body, not rule over it, they would have appointed a group of people to go out among the people of the body they serve and seek its wisdom.
But, the fruit of what they believe is easy to judge. They don't think they serve the body. To use one of their favorite words, they lead it. The body doesn't lead in this Eldership, the mountaintoppers do.
For some time, I have been accusing the mountaintoppers of theological bankruptcy and theological corruption.
The way they went about producing HWS is evidence of those sad realities. They defy what we believe about our community. I believe, in the language of institutional, churchly discipline, this is insubordination.
HERE WE STAND?
What you mean "we," mountaintoppers?
We all must repent.
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