I've detailed some of the crises we are wading through, but, not all of them.
I've said that I have an aunt and an uncle under hospice care. The aunt, my father's sister, passed away yesterday. The family wants me to be the parish priest and do the service. I desperately love my cousins and aunts and uncles but the mere thought of doing parish priest duties makes my skin crawl and I don't have the emotional reserve to deal with that.
One part of our journey I don't think I have mentioned is that, somehow, Maggie ate some rodent poison. She's being treated for it and, at the moment, it's touch and go. AND, she has a new tumor.
We meet with our family doctor today to find out more about Evie's test results and the way forward in her treatment.
"And we know that in all things..."
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Neo-Winebrennerarianism
When I was in school studying Church History I took a special class offered by the Student Association to help students prepare for the German language exam. In that class, a fellow student, in a tract more oriented toward theology said that you're not a real theologian unless you invent new words. She was joking and it was a right-on joke. Many of the profs and students fiddled with the language, seemingly to prove how smart they were.
Well, by that standard, I must be a real theologian, trying to prove that I'm smart.
Neo-Winebrennerarianism.
To the best of my knowledge, that hyphenated word has not even been written or spoken before. And, 22 letters long, at that!
Since, as far as I know, I invented the word, I get to define it.
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Neo-Winebrennerarianism is the theological movement that lives out the thought of John Winebrenner in one's own time and place.
------------
I was already thinking about the word when I read Lance's most recent eNews.
I think that in the CGGC, Neo-Winebrennerarianism is the only logical place to start in recalibrating the focus of the CGGC from church obsession to Kingdom building.
John Winebrenner and his gang put church second from the day the Church of God body was formed in October 1830 and what we need as a body is to reacquaint ourselves with the passion, and the thinking, that formed us.
Understand me.
I know that what we need most is a Jesus-centered way of being.
However, for us, a body that has lost its way and is in decline, we need to face up to the choices that created our decline.
We need to adopt Neo-Winebrennerarianism as a tool toward the repentance that may restore us into the Jesus serving, people we once were.
Well, by that standard, I must be a real theologian, trying to prove that I'm smart.
Neo-Winebrennerarianism.
To the best of my knowledge, that hyphenated word has not even been written or spoken before. And, 22 letters long, at that!
Since, as far as I know, I invented the word, I get to define it.
------------
Neo-Winebrennerarianism is the theological movement that lives out the thought of John Winebrenner in one's own time and place.
------------
I was already thinking about the word when I read Lance's most recent eNews.
I think that in the CGGC, Neo-Winebrennerarianism is the only logical place to start in recalibrating the focus of the CGGC from church obsession to Kingdom building.
John Winebrenner and his gang put church second from the day the Church of God body was formed in October 1830 and what we need as a body is to reacquaint ourselves with the passion, and the thinking, that formed us.
Understand me.
I know that what we need most is a Jesus-centered way of being.
However, for us, a body that has lost its way and is in decline, we need to face up to the choices that created our decline.
We need to adopt Neo-Winebrennerarianism as a tool toward the repentance that may restore us into the Jesus serving, people we once were.
Miscellany: Evie, Gathering, Recalibrating the Focus of the CGGC
We are in a holding pattern for the next few days as far as Evie is concerned. She's home, in seclusion and is resting. The symptoms of her non-stroke continue. She has the headache that is not typical of headaches she has had in the past, what the hospital is calling vertigo???, and pretty serious fatigue. She has no commitments for today and tomorrow. My hope for those days is that they will be jammie days and that she doesn't do anything but rest until Tuesday morning. She has an appointment with our very good GP on Tuesday afternoon and he will explain what the tests performed on her show and he will offer advice on how we move forward.
One of the many doctors who participated in her diagnosis conversation suggested that she didn't have a stroke but, more likely, she is experiencing a disease on the order of MS or Myasthenia Gravis or one of dozens of other diseases of that sort. Or, she could simply be very, very stressed.
There is no gathering today. We had planned to take the week off anyway. Evie has said, though, as her healthy journey progresses, nearly the last thing she will give up will be the Sunday Gathering in our home. She is definitely blessed by it. Still, it's a good thing for us to have this Sunday off.
If you haven't read the latest CGGC eNews, please do. In it, Lance declared, "We desperately need to recalibrate our focus in the CGGC."
He is talking about ending our obsession with growing churches to seek God's Kingdom. I hope you understand that that theme has been a major emphasis of this blog from the day I wrote its first words.
Lance calls our body to consider how rarely the Gospels record Jesus talking about the church and how often he focuses on God's Kingdom. And, he promises future articles on recalibration, defining what it means, to him (Lance) to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness.
I say, "Go for it, bro," just so long as neither Lance nor we think that his musings are Papal decrees. If we are a body, the time has come for an open conversation in which all voices will be respected.
I pray that Lance will succeed in provoking in us the state of spiritual weariness and burden Jesus talks about after He says, "Come to me." (Mt. 11:28). And, the "godly grief" that Paul says produces a repentance that leads to salvation. (2 Cor. 7)
One of the many doctors who participated in her diagnosis conversation suggested that she didn't have a stroke but, more likely, she is experiencing a disease on the order of MS or Myasthenia Gravis or one of dozens of other diseases of that sort. Or, she could simply be very, very stressed.
There is no gathering today. We had planned to take the week off anyway. Evie has said, though, as her healthy journey progresses, nearly the last thing she will give up will be the Sunday Gathering in our home. She is definitely blessed by it. Still, it's a good thing for us to have this Sunday off.
If you haven't read the latest CGGC eNews, please do. In it, Lance declared, "We desperately need to recalibrate our focus in the CGGC."
He is talking about ending our obsession with growing churches to seek God's Kingdom. I hope you understand that that theme has been a major emphasis of this blog from the day I wrote its first words.
Lance calls our body to consider how rarely the Gospels record Jesus talking about the church and how often he focuses on God's Kingdom. And, he promises future articles on recalibration, defining what it means, to him (Lance) to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness.
I say, "Go for it, bro," just so long as neither Lance nor we think that his musings are Papal decrees. If we are a body, the time has come for an open conversation in which all voices will be respected.
I pray that Lance will succeed in provoking in us the state of spiritual weariness and burden Jesus talks about after He says, "Come to me." (Mt. 11:28). And, the "godly grief" that Paul says produces a repentance that leads to salvation. (2 Cor. 7)
Friday, May 27, 2016
Evie is Home
She spent Wednesday night practicing for the retake of her test with the PT department and passed it early on Thursday. I brought her home and she slept most of rest of the day.
She's actually going to work half a day today, though she still hasn't fully recovered from the symptoms that landed her in the hospital in the first place.
We still only know that she didn't have a stroke, not what showed up on the CAT scan. Her official diagnosis is Vertigo, though no treatment for Vertigo is being suggested.
In fact, she is probably suffering from extreme fatigue.
Thanks to all of you who prayed and offered love and support in one form or another.
Both of our employers and coworkers have been wonderful. Thanks, especially to the people we work for and with.
She's actually going to work half a day today, though she still hasn't fully recovered from the symptoms that landed her in the hospital in the first place.
We still only know that she didn't have a stroke, not what showed up on the CAT scan. Her official diagnosis is Vertigo, though no treatment for Vertigo is being suggested.
In fact, she is probably suffering from extreme fatigue.
Thanks to all of you who prayed and offered love and support in one form or another.
Both of our employers and coworkers have been wonderful. Thanks, especially to the people we work for and with.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Update on Evie
When Evie had cancer, we were very thankful for Reading Hospital. She was treated competently and well there. So, when the Urgent Care center referred her to an ER, she immediately declared that she would go to Reading.
I was a little miffed by the way they handled the surgery on my wrist, though the ER part of my experience was top notch.
Evie's experience these past few days has not been good. My wrist was a small deal. Evie's brain related issues are very serious.
Because of that, updating her status is difficult.
Yesterday, she had an evaluation from a member of the staff who informed her that he was keeping her for at least one more night. Literally minutes later, a doctor walked in and said he was releasing her.
This is just one example of many disappointing events that characterize how things have gone during her treatment for the stroke-like episode.
Having said that, we are inferring that her last round of tests indicate that she did not experience a stroke, though we've not been given test results. We have no idea what is going on, or did go on, in her brain.
Even Evie is frustrated.
When I left for home yesterday, she was still extremely fatigued and weak and still had a type of headache that is not normal for her. She was having difficulties with balance and her right leg wasn't functioning properly when she walked.
Nevertheless, I expect her to be released today.
A note of thanks to all who sent notes of encouragement and love, on and off the blog. I appreciate each one. Interestingly, none came from anyone in my own Conference.
As Garrison Keillor says, "That's the news from Lake Wobegon."
I was a little miffed by the way they handled the surgery on my wrist, though the ER part of my experience was top notch.
Evie's experience these past few days has not been good. My wrist was a small deal. Evie's brain related issues are very serious.
Because of that, updating her status is difficult.
Yesterday, she had an evaluation from a member of the staff who informed her that he was keeping her for at least one more night. Literally minutes later, a doctor walked in and said he was releasing her.
This is just one example of many disappointing events that characterize how things have gone during her treatment for the stroke-like episode.
Having said that, we are inferring that her last round of tests indicate that she did not experience a stroke, though we've not been given test results. We have no idea what is going on, or did go on, in her brain.
Even Evie is frustrated.
When I left for home yesterday, she was still extremely fatigued and weak and still had a type of headache that is not normal for her. She was having difficulties with balance and her right leg wasn't functioning properly when she walked.
Nevertheless, I expect her to be released today.
A note of thanks to all who sent notes of encouragement and love, on and off the blog. I appreciate each one. Interestingly, none came from anyone in my own Conference.
As Garrison Keillor says, "That's the news from Lake Wobegon."
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
It Appears that Evie may have had a Stroke
She went to work on Tuesday feeling very fatigued. But, being tired is the new normal, especially for her. Her job has required a lot of overtime lately, my parents sink further and further into dementia, one of my aunts and one of my uncles are currently under hospice care and Maggie, our ancient Golden Retriever, has cancer and other serious health problems.
She went to work early yesterday due to a meeting and began to feel dizzy during the meeting. After the meeting, a friend saw her stumble and noticed something about Evie that threw up red flags and convinced the Safety Director of the company to drive her to an Urgent Care center. They examined her and determined that she needed to be checked out in an ER.
My workplace is on the way to the hospital so the safety guy dropped her off with me and we went to the hospital.
The doctor who did the initial cursory examination indicated he didn't see signs of a stroke but, to be safe, they would do some tests. A few minutes later a nurse carted her off to a CAT scan and, shortly after she returned, the ER doctor said that, to his surprise, some things did show up in the scan that point to stroke.
That began a whirlwind of activity which paused when Evie was given a room in the stroke unit.
When I left for home last night, she was waiting for an MRI.
It is certain that the scan showed something that is not as it should be. I'm guessing that the thinking is that there were small clots present but I don't know for certain.
I know that the plan after the MRI is for an echocardiogram because she has heart problems as well. After that? At this point, who knows?
I will say that she seems fine. Except for the fatigue, and the killer headache, you wouldn't know that anything is wrong.
Please keep Evie in your prayers.
She went to work early yesterday due to a meeting and began to feel dizzy during the meeting. After the meeting, a friend saw her stumble and noticed something about Evie that threw up red flags and convinced the Safety Director of the company to drive her to an Urgent Care center. They examined her and determined that she needed to be checked out in an ER.
My workplace is on the way to the hospital so the safety guy dropped her off with me and we went to the hospital.
The doctor who did the initial cursory examination indicated he didn't see signs of a stroke but, to be safe, they would do some tests. A few minutes later a nurse carted her off to a CAT scan and, shortly after she returned, the ER doctor said that, to his surprise, some things did show up in the scan that point to stroke.
That began a whirlwind of activity which paused when Evie was given a room in the stroke unit.
When I left for home last night, she was waiting for an MRI.
It is certain that the scan showed something that is not as it should be. I'm guessing that the thinking is that there were small clots present but I don't know for certain.
I know that the plan after the MRI is for an echocardiogram because she has heart problems as well. After that? At this point, who knows?
I will say that she seems fine. Except for the fatigue, and the killer headache, you wouldn't know that anything is wrong.
Please keep Evie in your prayers.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Was I Really Defrocked?
I have waited more than 30 days to write this, just to give it time.
According to several people who attended Conference, the ERC voted in session one month ago to recall my credentials.
Interestingly, though, to this point, I have received no notice of that fact from the Conference.
I am more than a little befuddled by this because the powers that be in the Conference were uncharacteristically intentional and determined to get me defrocked while the end was still in doubt. And, they won.
Now? Nothing. Not a word from anyone.
Maybe I wasn't really defrocked.
According to several people who attended Conference, the ERC voted in session one month ago to recall my credentials.
Interestingly, though, to this point, I have received no notice of that fact from the Conference.
I am more than a little befuddled by this because the powers that be in the Conference were uncharacteristically intentional and determined to get me defrocked while the end was still in doubt. And, they won.
Now? Nothing. Not a word from anyone.
Maybe I wasn't really defrocked.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
The Second Prophetic Phrase: "...as a testimony against them."
Recently, I noted that as I have lived in my calling to be a prophet, two phrases have come to me which, I believe, are from the Lord. The first of those is, "Shepherd Mafia."
The second, which came more recently and as far as I know, I've never announced is "as a testimony against them.
The phrase came one day as I was walking and meditating and asking why the Lord has me standing apart from the institutional church in in such an adversarial way--something I am willing to do but take no pleasure in.
And, the word came to me and has come back again and again, "as a testimony against them."
As I have said, I know many church leaders personally and love them and like many of them and we agree on much of what we profess to believe. My objection is to the way they live out their professed faith and life principles.
"As a testimony against them" means that how they live in response to me, reveals, with unusual clarity, the fruit their lives produce.
For example the Word is specific and very clear about how a follower of Jesus should respond, "if your brother sins against you."
None of what Jesus commanded has been done by church leaders. In fact, if church leaders had had their way, I would have been defrocked when Conference minutes were approved, even though most people would have been unaware of what that action would have meant to the Conference or to me. Could anything be more institutional or less of Jesus?
As Jesus said, in an only slightly different context, "by their fruit you will know them."
It's what they do that is our problem and the Lord seems to be using what they do in regard to me to provide one clear testimony of that.
The second, which came more recently and as far as I know, I've never announced is "as a testimony against them.
The phrase came one day as I was walking and meditating and asking why the Lord has me standing apart from the institutional church in in such an adversarial way--something I am willing to do but take no pleasure in.
And, the word came to me and has come back again and again, "as a testimony against them."
As I have said, I know many church leaders personally and love them and like many of them and we agree on much of what we profess to believe. My objection is to the way they live out their professed faith and life principles.
"As a testimony against them" means that how they live in response to me, reveals, with unusual clarity, the fruit their lives produce.
For example the Word is specific and very clear about how a follower of Jesus should respond, "if your brother sins against you."
None of what Jesus commanded has been done by church leaders. In fact, if church leaders had had their way, I would have been defrocked when Conference minutes were approved, even though most people would have been unaware of what that action would have meant to the Conference or to me. Could anything be more institutional or less of Jesus?
As Jesus said, in an only slightly different context, "by their fruit you will know them."
It's what they do that is our problem and the Lord seems to be using what they do in regard to me to provide one clear testimony of that.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Fresh Expression: 5-15-16
I've been less than diligent in journaling our gatherings lately and that is my loss.
We did gather today and it was one of the most moving to me of all out gettings-together.
Maggie, the world's greatest church greeter, was on duty, struggling with lymphedema, a complication of her surgery only four days ago. We have no idea how much longer we'll have her but she is exactly what we call her--the world's greatest. She does more to enhance community than any two legged greeter could.
We had the blessing of the attendance of someone who was a part of our group during our old traditional seeker-sensitive, Christendom days who has been absent due to a change in jobs which requires her to work Sundays. She invested this rare day off in our gathering. She is living a very traumatic life and spoke very transparently about the challenges she struggles with.
Song time was a little bizarre today. We always sing a cappella and normally that goes well but we had trouble finding good keys to sing in today. We laughed as much as we sang and, in that, there was an unusual blessing.
Word time, as often does in the gathering, flowed from a conversation we had, this time from the discussion of a prayer concern.
Prayer time was unusually powerful and touching, to me anyway.
The time in the bread and cup was also sweet and powerful, at least from my point of view.
The meal of beans, franks and salad was simple and enjoyable, though who knows about the after effects. As always, the acts of mutual service, were instruction on the lives we are called on to live until we gather again.
What a blessed day.
We did gather today and it was one of the most moving to me of all out gettings-together.
Maggie, the world's greatest church greeter, was on duty, struggling with lymphedema, a complication of her surgery only four days ago. We have no idea how much longer we'll have her but she is exactly what we call her--the world's greatest. She does more to enhance community than any two legged greeter could.
We had the blessing of the attendance of someone who was a part of our group during our old traditional seeker-sensitive, Christendom days who has been absent due to a change in jobs which requires her to work Sundays. She invested this rare day off in our gathering. She is living a very traumatic life and spoke very transparently about the challenges she struggles with.
Song time was a little bizarre today. We always sing a cappella and normally that goes well but we had trouble finding good keys to sing in today. We laughed as much as we sang and, in that, there was an unusual blessing.
Word time, as often does in the gathering, flowed from a conversation we had, this time from the discussion of a prayer concern.
Prayer time was unusually powerful and touching, to me anyway.
The time in the bread and cup was also sweet and powerful, at least from my point of view.
The meal of beans, franks and salad was simple and enjoyable, though who knows about the after effects. As always, the acts of mutual service, were instruction on the lives we are called on to live until we gather again.
What a blessed day.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Many CGGC Leaders are NOT Living as Disciples
I just finished reading a book I normally would not have read: THE ANATOMY OF A DISCIPLE, by, um, "Dr." Rick Taylor. I read it because it was handed off to me by a coworker who is concerned about her salvation and whether or not she is, in truth, a follower of Jesus, and a subject of the Kingdom of God.
After only starting to read the book she handed it to me and asked me what I think of it, so I read it.
It's not bad. It is very biblical and the only places I think it to be lacking are where it slightly underplays the radical nature of the life Jesus calls His followers to live.
Interestingly, as I read it, I found the book affirming changes that took place in my life as I abandoned the role of pastor/parish priest to live in the world as a follower of Jesus.
----------------------
When I was about two thirds of the way through the book, it occurred to me to ask myself how the lives of CGGC leaders align with the biblical definition of the life of a disciple.
And, I was startled but, after reflection, not surprised.
Now, understand that I am judging those people by the fruit they produce that I can see. Understand also, that I am only familiar enough to discern the fruit of ERC and some CGGC leaders.
Reading the book, I fear for many of the people at the top of the CGGC hierarchy.
In the ERC especially, leaders seem so involved in mending the old wineskin and developing new wines that won't tear it that they don't have time to live in the way Jesus says a disciple must live. They are so involved in attending meetings and oiling the machine of the institution that they can't be Jesus in the real world. They couldn't possibly have the time. They don't even approach the life Jesus both commands and demands. May God have mercy on them.
-----------------------
Having said that about the ERC, I will say, of Lance Finley personally, that he has lived the life in the time I have known him.
-------------------------
The latest big push in the CGGC these days is on disciple making.
But, unless our leaders let their lives so shine before us that we may see their biblical discipleship and glorify our Father in heaven, the push toward disciple making will be nothing more than the latest failed fad.
We must repent.
After only starting to read the book she handed it to me and asked me what I think of it, so I read it.
It's not bad. It is very biblical and the only places I think it to be lacking are where it slightly underplays the radical nature of the life Jesus calls His followers to live.
Interestingly, as I read it, I found the book affirming changes that took place in my life as I abandoned the role of pastor/parish priest to live in the world as a follower of Jesus.
----------------------
When I was about two thirds of the way through the book, it occurred to me to ask myself how the lives of CGGC leaders align with the biblical definition of the life of a disciple.
And, I was startled but, after reflection, not surprised.
Now, understand that I am judging those people by the fruit they produce that I can see. Understand also, that I am only familiar enough to discern the fruit of ERC and some CGGC leaders.
Reading the book, I fear for many of the people at the top of the CGGC hierarchy.
In the ERC especially, leaders seem so involved in mending the old wineskin and developing new wines that won't tear it that they don't have time to live in the way Jesus says a disciple must live. They are so involved in attending meetings and oiling the machine of the institution that they can't be Jesus in the real world. They couldn't possibly have the time. They don't even approach the life Jesus both commands and demands. May God have mercy on them.
-----------------------
Having said that about the ERC, I will say, of Lance Finley personally, that he has lived the life in the time I have known him.
-------------------------
The latest big push in the CGGC these days is on disciple making.
But, unless our leaders let their lives so shine before us that we may see their biblical discipleship and glorify our Father in heaven, the push toward disciple making will be nothing more than the latest failed fad.
We must repent.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Surgery for "The World's Greatest Church Greeter"
Right. I said we'd take no extraordinary measures to prolong Maggie's life and I meant it. But we had her examined by the vet last night. She has one extremely large tumor, among others, which is causing problems for several organs and may either seep or "explode". The price for the surgery is not prohibitive so we decided to go for it, understanding that she may not even survive the operation or live long after it but may have a good quality of life for some time, in the best case.
If you would happen to pray about this, pray for the people of our Sunday gathering, several of whom are very attached to her.
If you would happen to pray about this, pray for the people of our Sunday gathering, several of whom are very attached to her.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
The Institutionalized American Church is Crumbling. How's the Real Church Doing?
This is a question I've been asking myself lately.
It's clear to me that what the church has become in America today is not a Jesus thing.
In the life and teaching of Jesus, there were no pastors, no laity, no budgets and no buildings--all realities essential to what creates the core on institutionalized American Christianity these days, that is, the Christianity that seems to be in the throes of death.
That church is dying. The number of pastors increases while attenders decline, budgets dwindle and buildings empty out, crumble and are sold off to compensate for the loss of money.
Institutional Christianity in America may very well be, as the sixties song sang, "on the eve of destruction."
My question lately has been:
What about the Church Jesus said He would build, the one early Christians formed, the one that spread like a wild fire throughout the Roman world and beyond it?
It certainly does still exist. Even in America. So...
...How is that church doing?
My guess is that it is doing well but that it will probably take the death, or, at least, the serious decline of institutional Christianity to free it for its next revival.
I hope and pray for the repentance of the people who love and serve the institutional church, but I don't despair over the death of institutional Christianity in America.
The Lord Who builds the church is not dead, even if He appears to be through the frame of the organized, institutional church in America.
It's clear to me that what the church has become in America today is not a Jesus thing.
In the life and teaching of Jesus, there were no pastors, no laity, no budgets and no buildings--all realities essential to what creates the core on institutionalized American Christianity these days, that is, the Christianity that seems to be in the throes of death.
That church is dying. The number of pastors increases while attenders decline, budgets dwindle and buildings empty out, crumble and are sold off to compensate for the loss of money.
Institutional Christianity in America may very well be, as the sixties song sang, "on the eve of destruction."
My question lately has been:
What about the Church Jesus said He would build, the one early Christians formed, the one that spread like a wild fire throughout the Roman world and beyond it?
It certainly does still exist. Even in America. So...
...How is that church doing?
My guess is that it is doing well but that it will probably take the death, or, at least, the serious decline of institutional Christianity to free it for its next revival.
I hope and pray for the repentance of the people who love and serve the institutional church, but I don't despair over the death of institutional Christianity in America.
The Lord Who builds the church is not dead, even if He appears to be through the frame of the organized, institutional church in America.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
"Shepherd Mafia"
I believe that I am gifted to be a prophet and I have made the decision to be the best steward of that gift I can be.
In the real world, I get very little support in this spiritual journey and a ton of skepticism and opposition.
Without community and support, I have had to figure out what it means to live in the gift of prophecy on my own. This life has brought several surprises to me. I certainly have stumbled from time to time but I have always been as faithful to my calling as I can be and as I understand it.
Living in the gift has been far more intensely emotional than I could have imagined before I embraced the life. The highs and lows surprise me and amaze me, even after years living in the gift.
---------------------
One phenomenon that is a part of the gift for me has to been phrases of words that come into my mind. In these few years, this has happened only twice. In both cases, I have tested them in the Spirit and in experience to understand if these words are from the Lord or from my own flesh. In both of these cases, I have come to believe that the Lord has given them to me.
The first of these is the phrase "Shepherd Mafia."
I can vividly remember the time and place these words came into my mind to describe the CGGC leadership culture.
And, I am certain that those words describe how CGGC leadership functions.
---------------------
My own defrockment is one of many examples of how CGGC leadership is a mafia.
I only have hearsay on the rationale offered by ERC leadership for my defrockment but everyone who has spoken to me agrees that the one reason given by leadership for the removal of my credentials has nothing to do with doctrine or with CGGC practice. In every way, apparently, there is no issue among leadership with what I believe or how I carry out established and authoritative church practice.
My one and only offense is that on my blog I criticize Conference and denominational leadership. (I will add that disagreeing with leadership is not mentioned anywhere as being a violation of CGGC teaching or practice.)
Could there be any more clear evidence that our leadership is a mafia?
My friends, we are an Eldership, a Conference. Our leaders are merely elders among elders empowered to serve the Eldership. They are not Popes and Bishops.
They are not mafia dons.
And, they are not beyond criticism. And, they are not being blessed.
All of us must repent.
In the real world, I get very little support in this spiritual journey and a ton of skepticism and opposition.
Without community and support, I have had to figure out what it means to live in the gift of prophecy on my own. This life has brought several surprises to me. I certainly have stumbled from time to time but I have always been as faithful to my calling as I can be and as I understand it.
Living in the gift has been far more intensely emotional than I could have imagined before I embraced the life. The highs and lows surprise me and amaze me, even after years living in the gift.
---------------------
One phenomenon that is a part of the gift for me has to been phrases of words that come into my mind. In these few years, this has happened only twice. In both cases, I have tested them in the Spirit and in experience to understand if these words are from the Lord or from my own flesh. In both of these cases, I have come to believe that the Lord has given them to me.
The first of these is the phrase "Shepherd Mafia."
I can vividly remember the time and place these words came into my mind to describe the CGGC leadership culture.
And, I am certain that those words describe how CGGC leadership functions.
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My own defrockment is one of many examples of how CGGC leadership is a mafia.
I only have hearsay on the rationale offered by ERC leadership for my defrockment but everyone who has spoken to me agrees that the one reason given by leadership for the removal of my credentials has nothing to do with doctrine or with CGGC practice. In every way, apparently, there is no issue among leadership with what I believe or how I carry out established and authoritative church practice.
My one and only offense is that on my blog I criticize Conference and denominational leadership. (I will add that disagreeing with leadership is not mentioned anywhere as being a violation of CGGC teaching or practice.)
Could there be any more clear evidence that our leadership is a mafia?
My friends, we are an Eldership, a Conference. Our leaders are merely elders among elders empowered to serve the Eldership. They are not Popes and Bishops.
They are not mafia dons.
And, they are not beyond criticism. And, they are not being blessed.
All of us must repent.
Why isn't the Lord Adding to Our Number Those Who are being Saved?
Like many in my family, I have insomnia.
I won't say that I suffer from insomnia.
Over the years, I have developed a few strategies to deal with the insomnia. And, I make the most of the condition.
One of the strategies involves reviewing/meditating on Scripture I have memorized. There are actually eight verses or short passages that serve as the core of this activity. This core of eight has happened; it has not been designed or planned. These are eight scriptures, all from the New Testament, that have become meaningful to me in the past year or so. They are from:
Luke 24,
Matthew 11,
two from Romans 14,
Colossians 3,
Philippians 2,
2 Corinthians 7 and
Galatians 5.
Often I fall asleep while I'm doing the list. Sometimes other verses come into my mind while I doing the list. If I make it to the end of the list, I think about other verses or passages or others simply come into my mind.
About a month ago, I got to the end of the list and found myself with Acts 2:42-47 running through my mind before I realized it, so I rode that wave.
The passage ends, "...and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
And, the Scripture train just simply stopped running with that phrase.
And, I was left to think about the fact that our God of grace and mercy and of salvation was so willing to empower His people to proclaim the gospel then while all of our plans and programs today lay rotten eggs. And, that in my "faith tradition" there was a time when the Lord was blessing.
It does strike me that the key message proclaimed by early believers is that to be saved everyone must repent (Acts 2:38)--a message we neither preach nor practice today.
But, answer for yourself: Why?
We must repent and preach repentance.
I won't say that I suffer from insomnia.
Over the years, I have developed a few strategies to deal with the insomnia. And, I make the most of the condition.
One of the strategies involves reviewing/meditating on Scripture I have memorized. There are actually eight verses or short passages that serve as the core of this activity. This core of eight has happened; it has not been designed or planned. These are eight scriptures, all from the New Testament, that have become meaningful to me in the past year or so. They are from:
Luke 24,
Matthew 11,
two from Romans 14,
Colossians 3,
Philippians 2,
2 Corinthians 7 and
Galatians 5.
Often I fall asleep while I'm doing the list. Sometimes other verses come into my mind while I doing the list. If I make it to the end of the list, I think about other verses or passages or others simply come into my mind.
About a month ago, I got to the end of the list and found myself with Acts 2:42-47 running through my mind before I realized it, so I rode that wave.
The passage ends, "...and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
And, the Scripture train just simply stopped running with that phrase.
And, I was left to think about the fact that our God of grace and mercy and of salvation was so willing to empower His people to proclaim the gospel then while all of our plans and programs today lay rotten eggs. And, that in my "faith tradition" there was a time when the Lord was blessing.
It does strike me that the key message proclaimed by early believers is that to be saved everyone must repent (Acts 2:38)--a message we neither preach nor practice today.
But, answer for yourself: Why?
We must repent and preach repentance.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Some Quick Thoughts about Changes in the CGGC Brand
Last summer I put on the blog a list of the characteristics of the CGGC brand at the end of the Rosenberry era. I explained that I did that to establish a baseline for Lance's impact on the body.
I went back to the list to read MELLOW RELATIONSHIPS OVER TRUTH, which was the core characteristic that demanded my defrockment. Clearly, that one is alive and well.
In the process, I had some preliminary thoughts about how we are changing with Lance at the helm.
Just very briefly for now:
There is more of a different flavor between Findlay and Harrisburg these days, as far as I can tell.
Also, in Findlay, it seems to me, there is less of a sense of self-satisfaction than there was.
And, TO TALK IS TO WALK-ISM, while still functioning, has taken on a radically different quality in the new era.
With so much real life going on in my life, I'm not sure if and when I'll be able to rework my description of the CGGC brand.
But, I will say that I do see change, some of it for the good.
I went back to the list to read MELLOW RELATIONSHIPS OVER TRUTH, which was the core characteristic that demanded my defrockment. Clearly, that one is alive and well.
In the process, I had some preliminary thoughts about how we are changing with Lance at the helm.
Just very briefly for now:
There is more of a different flavor between Findlay and Harrisburg these days, as far as I can tell.
Also, in Findlay, it seems to me, there is less of a sense of self-satisfaction than there was.
And, TO TALK IS TO WALK-ISM, while still functioning, has taken on a radically different quality in the new era.
With so much real life going on in my life, I'm not sure if and when I'll be able to rework my description of the CGGC brand.
But, I will say that I do see change, some of it for the good.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Tweaking and Death
Sadly, our ancient Golden Retriever's health is declining.
She is a rescue from a puppy mill, rescued by friends who were foreclosed on a few months after the rescue. We offered a temporary haven while our friends searched for a permanent home for "Maggie." The temporary arrangement lasted about a week until we were completely in love and demanded that ours be her permanent home. That was nearly five years ago and we are now totally under Maggie's sweet spell.
Today Maggie is old and her health is declining. For all I know, she may last for a year or two. But her quality of life is not what it was and, no matter what we do, it will never be what it once was.
Evie and I have agreed that we will do what we reasonably can to keep her as comfortable as we can for as long as she can enjoy her life but that we won't take any extraordinary measures to extend her life.
Or, we will TWEAK her health but not do what is necessary to cure any serious ailment or disease she encounters...
------------------
...and as I examine the fruit produced by CGGC leadership and by the people on the top of the ERC mountain, I see the same sort of thinking taking place regarding the future of our body.
In the ERC, Commissions continue to schedule new, and hopefully better, seminars for our pastors and laymen to attend.
As I read Lance's eNews, I read articles explaining that we need to be more patient as we live our daily lives and that we need to get to know people who are different than we are.
Tweaking.
Getting more wine out of an old wineskin.
Understand. I'm certain that the Commission-sponsored seminar may very well be an avenue for a slight improvement in what we are doing. And, certainly, we do need to be more patient. And, some of us, as Lance points out, do need to expand the circle of people we know.
But, the problems we face can not be overcome by the minor tweaks being proposed from our mountaintops.
We need to repent and we need to turn from failing ways.
A powerful truth that defines us is that we won't repent. Our leaders resist the call to repentance and so do nearly all of our people.
--------------
Our dear, sweet Maggie will die. Perhaps next month, maybe next year. But she will die without any extraordinary measures being taken to extend her life.
And, it appears that in time, the CGGC body will die in the same way and for the same reason.
We need a new wineskin.
We must repent.
She is a rescue from a puppy mill, rescued by friends who were foreclosed on a few months after the rescue. We offered a temporary haven while our friends searched for a permanent home for "Maggie." The temporary arrangement lasted about a week until we were completely in love and demanded that ours be her permanent home. That was nearly five years ago and we are now totally under Maggie's sweet spell.
Today Maggie is old and her health is declining. For all I know, she may last for a year or two. But her quality of life is not what it was and, no matter what we do, it will never be what it once was.
Evie and I have agreed that we will do what we reasonably can to keep her as comfortable as we can for as long as she can enjoy her life but that we won't take any extraordinary measures to extend her life.
Or, we will TWEAK her health but not do what is necessary to cure any serious ailment or disease she encounters...
------------------
...and as I examine the fruit produced by CGGC leadership and by the people on the top of the ERC mountain, I see the same sort of thinking taking place regarding the future of our body.
In the ERC, Commissions continue to schedule new, and hopefully better, seminars for our pastors and laymen to attend.
As I read Lance's eNews, I read articles explaining that we need to be more patient as we live our daily lives and that we need to get to know people who are different than we are.
Tweaking.
Getting more wine out of an old wineskin.
Understand. I'm certain that the Commission-sponsored seminar may very well be an avenue for a slight improvement in what we are doing. And, certainly, we do need to be more patient. And, some of us, as Lance points out, do need to expand the circle of people we know.
But, the problems we face can not be overcome by the minor tweaks being proposed from our mountaintops.
We need to repent and we need to turn from failing ways.
A powerful truth that defines us is that we won't repent. Our leaders resist the call to repentance and so do nearly all of our people.
--------------
Our dear, sweet Maggie will die. Perhaps next month, maybe next year. But she will die without any extraordinary measures being taken to extend her life.
And, it appears that in time, the CGGC body will die in the same way and for the same reason.
We need a new wineskin.
We must repent.
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