Through off the blog conversation and thoughts that have been percolating, I have this to say on the matter of authority in the, ERC, specifically:
1. This Strategic Plan presented without reference to biblical authority is yet another example of what I got in a lot of trouble a few years ago by accusing CGGC leaders of Popism.
I've since apologized to the Popes and the Roman Catholic church for the comparison. But, I also lost a few friendships in the CGGC for making the point.
The truth is that Roman Catholic Popes wouldn't even think about making a major pronouncement or creating a plan for the future direction of the church without making at least a show of consulting the authority of the Scriptures.
Here, of course, the hierarchs of the ERC have done it again with the Strategic Plan.
And, it would be a scandal in the Roman Catholic church for a Pope to set out a plan without referencing the Word.
But, such is not the case within the ERC CGGC.
Off the blog, I know some others are bothered by ERC leaders thinking they could hold those Round Table Meetings and not show the biblical roots of the plan...
...but, honestly, there's no scandal here.
This is same old, same old in the ERC and CGGC.
Is it any wonder that the Lord of all authority and power and grace and mercy and blessing is not blessing us?!?!????!!!!
2. I have been assured that Jim Moss is promising that there is a biblical foundation for the plan and that Scripture will be connected to the plan at some future time.
I take as truth that Jim is saying that and that he's telling the truth about it.
But, as someone who understands that the ERC is an Eldership, this deeply disturbs me and it strikes me as leadership's defiance of the covenant all of us have with each other.
Since, the people called to serve the Conference in staff positions have Scripture to support their plan, they should be sharing it with the Eldership, which they serve and which has authority over staff members so that the Eldership can pass judgment on its servants' stewardship of the Word because...
...frankly,...
...in my opinion, their use of Scripture has been highly suspect in the past.
3. I was reminded, after I wrote the post on authority in the ERC, that the new New Strategic Plan is being presented as a grassroots plan...
...one that represents the views of the people of the Conference.
Isn't that the reason that the Lord of all authority and power and grace and mercy and blessing is not blessing us?
Our authority is not the Lord, or His Word, or, as Cindy would have it, the Holy Spirit...
...it is the people of the ERC who wouldn't go along with the old New Strategic Plan.
I said to someone that this approach to determining future direction is shepherd-polluted as much as anything CGGC leaders have ever done...
...it is purely...
...and without shame...
...rooted in human relationship and authority.
What a dysfunctional mess!
We must repent.
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