Hanging by a thread that He might give courage to restore the cord…… Ecc 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Based on discussion and suggestions, the entire up to date stream of conversation from Facebook with the exception of last names has now been copied and made as a record in one very large comment below this post started some time ago regarding these matters.
Comments, if you so wish, can be made as one would at any regular blog site. Comments will be moderated, and at times, be given a second opinion before approval. Ignorant or rude language and dialogue will be future flagged and labeled as spam.
At this point I have no interest or desire or time to create future blogs other than what has been in existence since shortly after the account was started. Thereby ensuring that I have no interest in traffic here only open discussion that may be of help to me and others and a desire to have us all together somehow make straight our crooked path with discussion and accountability.
Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do to them, and not forsake them.
All this so that for me and many others who have shared similar thoughts, “church life and church itself as an organization” doesn’t become something we acquiesce to understanding why the world and many Christians want very little to do with at times. But rather see and be encouraged by transparency with us as individuals and fellowship that is unhindered by the acknowledged sinful and readily forgivable actions of former leaders, and yes even if they take no action, so that we might bring the lost in with brokenness and integrity, confident of their care and well being by the shepherds who watch over them to give an account.
The Biblical references are numerous to the harm caused by leaders that spawn division and factions due to undisclosed selfish acts, but they are equally and even more abundantly numerous in the HOPE that comes through repentance, forgiveness, mercy and grace given and extended through due process all afforded us through Christ. Due process isn’t necessary because nothing can be forced at all as already stated but how much richer we may all be with it. We/ I can go on pretending that our relationships are healthy and well with the check of our last Facebook status or the fact that someone from the other side liked my post, mistaking that illusion for reconciliation yet not be able to communicate beyond the hypocrisies of pleasantries, for some, in the marketplace (as a counselor so aptly put it) OR we/ I or some can taste of the rich, deep waters of sweet unhindered fellowship that once was, that, if honest, we all long for even having moved on to other Homes of nourishment and properly governed fellowships.
As stated earlier I remember being quite affected by what this man said well over a hundred years ago in light of how God’s people, the sheep of His pasture, are to be cared for, respected as vital contributors to your own growth and sanctification as pastors, and shepherded selflessly in a culture where quiet ambition and big dreams of being a church planting hub of BC are apparently at stake if we don’t “act” with our own understanding.
“I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you; but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give an account of them to the Lord Christ at his judgment seat, you will think you have had enough.” – John Brown a 19th century Pastor
With what limited information and experiences that have been stated already about the practices and maneuvers of the past 2 years and having been approached on separate occasions by separate individuals whom were not in conflict of interest positions as close friends, to no avail, while a wake of bruised, battered, battle scarred, near dead sheep lay behind you without public knowledge or disclosure or care in the hasty “Way Forward”, consider the following text some of which have been eluded to already:
Matthew 18: 15-17
15 “If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;
1 Timothy 5:19-21
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
Faith, Freedom and Hope through the Mind for the Heart....thinking allowed 