Bev Sterk

I have been sharing the scriptural principle of "one another"... the Greek word Allelon (one another) is used 100x in the new testament, 59 of those times are commands, and 16 of those commands are to "love one another"...  "one another" is a positive way to say "anti racism"...

https://www.mmlearn.org/hubfs/docs/OneAnotherPassages.pdf

blessings...

Every so often, it might be a good thing to consider reading Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter that he wrote to white pastors in 1963, that MLK wrote from a Birmingham jail after he was arrested for participating in a non-violent protest...

https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf

interestingly, in 2020, we hear similar pious sounding excuses to justify silence in the face of injustice, that MLK heard back in the 60s... just change the name of the city...

some food for thought...

2 excerpts from MLK's letter:

Excerpt #1

You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being. I am sure that each of you would want to go beyond the superficial social analyst who looks merely at effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. I would not hesitate to say that it is unfortunate that so-called demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham at this time, but I would say in more emphatic terms that it is even more unfortunate that the white power structure of this city left the Negro community with no other alternative...

excerpt #2

I MUST make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time; and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection. EOQ

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:2

Loving Spirit, help us to love one another as you love us... 

One another...

There are 59 NT "one another" commands for relationships... encourage everyone to consider reading/praying through ALL of these...

The Case for "One Another" (See These 59 Commands in the Bible) | CRC Network (crcna.org)

 

Interesting perspective, but still missing the main problem... the "catechizing" cure suggested is just one aspect of many & not the most pressing problem for the dechurched - who often, are actually very committed, faithful believers leaving the institutional church for various reasons, including being pushed out & becoming part of the growing group of "dechurched"/ "dones"/"spiritual refugees"... & part of that problem, is when leaders recommend a top down approach as the answer that targets the "lay" people as the problem! (see article link lower down on the "dones")

I have been burdened for the Kingdom Church since 2006 which prompted prayer on behalf of the Church when some local specific situations were brought to my attention (on hindsight, there's painful but confirming irony in the timing of this)... it's been a painful journey as I educated myself on & observed church polity, & started deeply grieving over the state of the Church in 2013 when I realized the systemic nature of the problem as abuses of power came to light & the responses by leadership were grievous...(the phrase "abuse of power" was not on my radar until June 2015 & I can tell you exactly where I was when I heard it & knew that was what we were dealing with)

The deeper problem are institutional aspects that are more man's way than God's... it's deeply systemic... recognizing the systemic issues however, is a threat to leaders & denominational systems & an unwanted & unwelcome recognition because we are to blame, the fault is mostly (possibly entirely) ours... If My people, called by My Name... then I will hear from heaven, forgive & heal... God looks at His people's hearts for how HE responds... & something is significantly wrong (ie porn pandemic in the church, incl stats of > 50% of leaders complicit), but identifying the problems where leaders are compromised in some way is such a fearful threat to those deeply invested in the institution, that any suggestion is usually silenced & swept under the rug (I acknowledge we have had to address the porn problem more over the last 10 years as there is no way to hide/ignore it anymore, but the response is still anemic & weak as porn continues to warp many minds at warp speed)...

The organic Ekklesia & the institutional church are so deeply intertwined, it's hard to unravel what is Kingdom & what is commandments/systems/traditions of man/elders (Matt 15/Mark 7/Col 2:8)... this is a significant part of the deconstruction that is going that encounters lots of resistance by those entrenched in in the institutional power dynamics... This is not what leaders want to hear... leaders want to hear the problem is not themselves, but the "lay" people... 

The best cure for the state of the American church is (not) going back to the traditional ways (ie elevating authoritarian, hierarchical, institutional, patriarchal, etc ideas at the expense of people that we are called to love) of being the church.  (I agree we should do the following:) Let’s abandon marketing through church logos, vision statements, and the unending search for relevance and instead (love one another as Christ loves us), which includes (discipling &) catechizing (as one way to love) our (brothers and sisters in the Lord, not exclusively) members (of the Body of Christ, part of the priesthood of all believers in a community)... (words in () are my adds to a section from original post) 

The following are just the tip of the iceberg of my personal journey of deconstruction/reconstruction that started back in 2006... Much to ponder, process & pray about... but if we are unwilling to take a hard, honest, humble look at how our traditions/man's ways have been part of the problem & fail to repent/metanoia with godly sorrow over the harm that we have caused (ie through abuses of power), more & more faithful believers will continue to be pushed out & be "done" with the institutional church (they generally are not leaving the Ekklesia, but finding more organic connections/gatherings often after a sabbatical for a time of healing)...

What Are “Dones” Looking for Why Are They Leaving Church? – Godinterest (hostrooster.com)

Each of these points is an entire discussion on its own with lots of nuances, I am just scratching the surface w a short summary: 

The traditional emphasis on the rational & transactional instead of RELATIONAL is part of the problem, it's not just a recent thing... traditionally, this includes the leader/lay divide over the ages which spawns an "us vs them" mentality, instead of we are all equal as the priesthood of all believers & as brothers & sisters in the Lord, & He commands us to love one another (Greek uses with & among language in NT, some English translations use over/under to imply hierarchy), along w our relationship with God (ie we have focused on God's wrath & what He has done, more than Who He is & His great love... Heidelberg is limited in various ways & could include a 4th section: ie Guilt, grace, gratitude & God's glory... or sin, salvation, service & Spirit... or Man's misery, Man's Deliverance, Man's gratitude & God's Chesed/great love that endures forever... instead of His "eternal wrath/anger" as HC Q&A 14 states... per Ps 103:9, God's anger is but a moment & He does NOT harbor anger forever 103:9, God's love is specifically only mentioned one time in HC Q&A #28, while anger, justice, punishment type language is pretty common throughout... not saying the HC is not biblical for the most part, it just gives a limited perspective that has tended to make the reformed view of God more of an angry God (anger that lasts for a moment) instead of a loving/chesed God (love that endures forever))

The traditional emphasis on authority, hierarchy & power over one another instead of with & among ONE ANOTHER is part of the problem... 59 commands in the NT The “One Another” Passages (mmlearn.org)   LOVE ONE ANOTHER is repeated 17x in the NT beginning with 5x in Jesus' new command in John 13:34-35 & 15:12,17... plus another 40+other ONE ANOTHER commands

The traditional permission given to authoritarian leadership to rule over is part of the problem ie Divine right of kings influence... Matt 20:25/I Peter 5:3 & "obey your leaders & submit to their authority..." 1984 NIV authoritarian translation of Hebr 13:17(we can discuss this entire verse as the 84 NIV has at least 9 red flags when compared to the Greek)

The traditional emphasis on "preaching" by only ordained men, limiting non ordained believers & w/out an equal emphasis of prayer is part of the problem (Acts 6:4)

The traditional emphasis of men being superior to women for thousands of years is part of the problem... (see the 59 one another commands that do not specify any gender hierarchy)

God warns us to not be deceived in various ways over 20x in the NT, including by empty words, by persuasive words or by any means... ask Him, how are we being deceived?  He answers! & yes, it's painful...

God literally warns us in scripture that traditions of man/elders nullify His word/principles... Matt 15/Mark 7

God also warns us, the Ekklesia that we can be cheated/deceived by traditions/ways of man... Col 2:8

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. (biblehub.com)

I still see strong emphasis on leadership at the expense of the priesthood of all believers (even when we use the phrase "servant leaders")... we can choose to be honest & humble & repent/metanoia of how authoritarian, etal. ways have been harmful, or continue to resist & silence any suggestion that these types of systemic issues are causing harm to the Body of Christ... I know this is not what leaders want to hear, but I hope it is encouraging & resonates with the many who have been hurt & pushed out by the institutional church but are still deeply committed followers of Christ.

When we follow God's "one another" commands, many of the abuses of power & dysfunction in the Body of Christ will disappear...

Sorry this got so long, but it's only just starting to scratch the surface of the systemic issues...

For His glory, for His Kingdom because He is worthy...

I do believe there is a change/shift happening, from emphasizing transactional/rational (orthodoxy/theology which tends to fuel pride) to focusing more on relational (orthopraxy/loving one another which tends to fuel connection & collaboration)...

however... I also see significant resistance trying to keep the status quo of power (ie leader/lay divide)... & refusal to honestly, transparently repent of how we have messed up & caused harm to many who have left the institutional church...

"hearing" God's voice is part of our journey with the Holy Spirit, what He still speaks to us today that is always in alignment with His principles we find in scripture of Who God is & how He works...  most of the resources tend to come from the charismatic stream as obviously the Holy Spirit & His gifts are a distinctive for that tradition...

Jack Deere's books... Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today: Deere, Jack S.: 9780310108115: Amazon.com: Books

Amazon.com: Is That Really You, God?: Hearing the Voice of God: 9781576582442: Loren Cunningham, Janice Rogers: Books

Can You Hear Me? (2012): Tuning in to the God Who Speaks: Jersak, Brad, Upton, Jason: 9781484935170: Amazon.com: Books

when you pray & ask Him to open the eyes of your heart w the Spirit of wisdom & revelation to know Him more (Eph 1:15-20ish), He answers!

Beautiful and Amen!     I think I'm going through withdrawal this week =)...

wow, there's so much to say on this article, so I'll mostly respond to this line   BOQ...intuitively, it (prayer summit) feels like a good idea." EOQ 

you're right...

that's because it's scripturally Acts 6:4...  and it opens the door to the prophetic table mentioned in I Cor 14:26-33 (NKJV) 

historically -I think if we are honest with ourselves, prayer and the prophetic gift of the Spirit have not been strong marks of our denomination for various reasons.  The extent of our limitations in each area is debatable - I'm not saying these haven't been there at all, because God as a generous and loving Heavenly Father has given us His Spirit to help us, even though we are often unaware and not intentionally seeking Him, and even though we have not been eagerly pursuing ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit due to cessationism.   These gifts include those unexplainable "mystical" promptings that in the natural we have no way of knowing, which it seems often still receive much skepticism, if not outright unbelief that God doesn't do that anymore. 

So, Roberts Rules and Church Order is the default method of operations... again, not saying the Spirit doesn't work through these... He does, because of God's generous nature!  But there is a more intentional, more purposeful prophetic table of having the Holy Spirit lead, where leaders come together, worship, pray, listen to God and to each other and discern what God is prophetically telling them for this time, this place, this situation, these people... 

now do we throw the intellect out?   no, wisdom is part of the gifts as well... but sometimes we have let the intellect/man's way/human effort/human agency, etc trump the Spirit's way, for various reasons.

I seriously hope we/crc are shifting to a more intentional leading by the Holy Spirit, especially through the prophetic gifting, and that will be released through prayer... If one studies the OT prophets, one key characteristic, is that they were intercessors.

and yes, the face to face interaction/sharpening/testing is very important... I've had wonderful discussions with people on the internet and i'm thankful for those opportunities, but the relationship goes to an entire different level, it is so much more, when I get to meet with them face to face.  It is a rich dimension of relationship/fellowship that we cannot experience very well through technology.  The face to face connection is priceless!

and yes, it's quite possible, that as (not if ;) the crc continues the prayer summit, it will transition and converge with Synod in some Spirit directed way ;)

would love to engage on the rest of the article, but that's enough for this comment!

DV I will be following synod online again this year...

 

Denise, I've been working on the 1 Timothy 2:12 verse that is often used by complementarians based on the 84 NIV (and a few other translations) to prohibit women in church leadership - I believe that particular verse is a HUGE hurdle for a lot of women to serve in leadership in the Church... I've heard a number of times of how "CLEAR" scripture is that it is only men that are to be elders/deacons/pastors... and it often leads back to this specific verse

As you probably know, the role of women in Church leadership has been anything but "clear"...  I did some research on this back in 2008, but put it on the back burner for various reasons... well, again for various reasons, it moved to the front burner, and over the last year and a half or so, I continued digging and researching the role of women again, going back to scripture, but this time, thanks to the increased information on the internet (and of course the Holy Spirit!!!) with the help of male and female theologians around the world, experts in Greek and Hebrew, and Bible websites that are amazing, I was astounded at what I discovered...

a context/lens for 1 Timothy that I've never heard/read shared in the CRC (or in any of my research back in 2008) is how Artemis was a HUGE factor in Ephesus... Interestingly, I found that it seems it is mostly in the last 10 years or so (thanks to the internet), that we have been able to more fully understand how Artemis was worshipped in Ephesus... Many of those who have already opened the door for women in office in the CRC moved on 25 years ago and stopped any further research as it wasn't necessary any more, since it was a done deal for them -however most of the information on Artemis was NOT available back then... and those who didn't agree that women should be in office are not going to look for ways that they might be wrong - they are fine with the status quo as scripture is "clear" and have no reason to question their position... that leaves a small group of those who are even pondering and researching the role of women in office these days...

Acts 19 talks about the riot the Apostle Paul caused in Ephesus due to so many converting to "the Way" from the cult of Artemis.  Ephesus/Artemis is also the context of 1 Timothy.  Paul, in 1 Tim, is addressing false teachings by certain people - men AND women (84 NIV limited it to "certain men"), and how a singular "woman" (possibly a new convert formerly involved in the cult of Artemis) is part of the problem promoting false teachings - that's why Paul is not "permitting" her to teach...  yet!  She needs to learn more about her new faith, and she needs to be encouraged to learn quietly (like everyone else who wants to learn) before she can teach others about the Way w/out confusing her new beliefs w/ the practices of cult worship!  Also, the women involved in the worship of Artemis were often LOUD! 

Whenever "epitrepo"/permit (1 Tim 2:12) is used in the NT, it is ALWAYS a case by case basis, never a universal command for ALL time!  Which sadly, is how it has been implemented over the centuries!

also, the non-biblical headings used in some translations are misleading (ie "instructions on worship" 84 NIV)... there has been no consensus on what Paul was addressing  in 1 Tim 2 - it has been assumed and represented that Paul is referring to the early church worship gatherings... what makes far more sense and fits far better, is this is a point by point corrective comparing the false teachings/worship of the cult of Artemis with the true teachings/worship of "the Way"/Christian beliefs... if you compare each aspect to the cult of Artemis, it lines up powerfully! including v15 re childbearing, which theologians have NOT known how to explain or what to do with that over the years and centuries!

I believe the context of Artemis needs to be tested and vetted and then shared... I have done my research and written a document going verse by verse to compare the correctives to how Artemis of the Ephesians was worshipped. I'm convinced this is the lens that we need to look at this passage with, and that has not been the case as far as I can tell...  I believe getting a better understanding of the 1 Tim 2 passage will help women in the CRC and beyond!

I am thankful to see this opportunity for people to share their stories anonymously... bless your brave hearts!  know that I believe you!  I hope and pray that this will be healing and helpful for everyone, but especially healing for those who have been harmed and helpful for those who have been unaware of these abuses going on and for those who have been part of the problem of silencing and covering these things up... and even the negative comments, confirm that exposing this bad behavior runs into much resistance and it's still out there... the negative comments bring these hidden attitudes into the light...  thank you for being brave enough to share... even though this does get ugly, it's being exposed so it can be addressed... stay strong sisters and brothers who are choosing to share... and those who are considering it... Know that you are precious, priceless and beautiful!  Your voice is a part of the far greater movement of bringing this unholy behavior into the light!  thank you!  

and for those who choose not to at this time (if ever)...  you are not alone... 

https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhyIDidntReport?src=hash

I trust God's timing for His leading in your healing through the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

I love Psalm 91:1 NKJV  Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High (Elyon)...  I have shared this concept of the secret place with others, and it often resonates.. I will encourage them to imagine their secret place, ie imagine a fort like you made as little child, or what often resonates for women is a secret garden, for some it might be a hay barn, or the woods, or the hills, it is whatever is meaningful and safe for you and Jesus.

I had the privilege of sharing this concept last week with a women's bible study at the local Christian Health Care center, and the day before I was there, I was getting some ideas for flowers for church that week and was at a home and garden store and came across this precious sign... it was 2 little girls in bare feet and sweet little dresses, running down a path toward a walled, enclosed garden... and the sign said "Secret Garden ahead"...  what it says to me, is that we run to meet with Jesus in our "secret" place, whatever that might look like for each of us...  that sign is now hanging over my desk, one of the areas I meet with Jesus, and spend time in His Word.

I had already planned on sharing on Psalm 91:1 and the secret place, and so this literal "sign" was a wonderful confirmation on sharing that message.  The LORD also confirmed that message through one of the health care workers that sat in on the study with us.

I personally love the Secret Garden image, it also reminds me of Song of Songs 4:12-5:1, and if we are open to this book of the Bible being an allegory between Jesus and His Bride, us, His Church, it expands on this concept of the garden.