Your comments are asking the right questions. We as a the polity, are quick to point out defects with decisions being made by Synod,BOT or anyone brave enough to lead. We are responsible as you noted for the lack of leadership in making these aspects of are church function as they were intended. The denominational leadership has tried to fill the void by prodding us to act. We need to find unity of purpose as the Gospel testifies too.
You live with quotas now. They are geographical not race or gender. this urge to correct injustice is not from the flesh because it is Biblical. Jesus demonstrated the proper attitude toward the oppressed. He walked amongst broken and confronted the oppressors.
Hi George, Your absolutly correct about minority rule. But lets go a step further, a lot of issue's revolve around change of customs, confessions and bringing our churches into the 21st century context. These changes threaten people who's belief's rely on how we observe and protect these religious documents and protocal. The documents and actions themselves become a crutch like the chuch leaders were doing with levitical law during Jesus's time on earth.
With salvation by Grace, only love of God and fellow humans is the requirement. Ask the theif on the cross, how many religious events he attended or how many confessions he spoke other than remember me in Heavan. That is why all this fuss is over nothing that is essential to salvation. I thought this was obvious but I am wrong again like many times before.
I suspect you know this and it must be fustrating to constantly confront this.
You seem to be hurt. When you have posted various articles I observe a theme of pastoral oppression. I hope, if I'm correct, that you have a lay confidant. Stans article reflects a journey everyone is on. In the other professions, those kind of interactions that "crass" people comment and negative remarks are spoken is a lot more intense than you will be good at what you do someday. I just trying to set some context to this post and I mean no harm.
I have many pastor friends and confidants. It is a extremely difficult profession by any imagination. Being a pastor as well know, creates unique demands on people unlike most professions. That being said Jim, your greatest service in the church is how you relationally spread the Word. People will remember you by how leadership lifts up the church and for your personal interactions. Sermons are extremely important by providing the window to meaning of His words. But peope are more relational than intellectual. Most lay people are very intimidated by a Pastors knowledge and moral authority. That, I believe is one the reasons Pastors are challenged by some lay people. You know how big our male ego's are.
Anyway Jim you are good person. Your reaction shows your matured faith that cries for Divine justice. I like you Jim. Thanks for listening to a broken, sick shutin.
Hi Guys(That includes you Elizabeth) I like Dutch's description of the inverted pyramid. Great word picture of our church structure. As far as classis approvals of pastors, we all know the system of church order rarely is the problem or the source of conflict and frustration. The way people use, manipulate, and interpret the order is the issue. We always have to keep this in focus when we talk about confessions or church order. We make church order function or hinder its function.
Why we act as if the documents of church(except the Bible) are a issue. That is a fallacy.
I know exactly what your talking about when it comes to being in relationship with God and fell the Holy Spirit fill your mouth with words that are not yours. I see the Spirit in coincidences that that happen to me. Glory be to God
You are correct to state theoretically 20 men could due the work if they aren't Calvinists. Total depravity prevents your idealism from being realistic. You may be able to convince some minds but not those who feel motivated by the overwhelming scriptural support of the new covenant . You know Jesus's fulfillment of law. You can't get around this with logic that doesn't accept responsibility for the need of disenfranchised people. We have had the power and did not lead well enough for people not to be content without a voice that speaks for them. We are not victims.
Posted in: Will Synod Have Adequate Time to do Its Work Well?
Thanks Richard,
Your comments are asking the right questions. We as a the polity, are quick to point out defects with decisions being made by Synod,BOT or anyone brave enough to lead. We are responsible as you noted for the lack of leadership in making these aspects of are church function as they were intended. The denominational leadership has tried to fill the void by prodding us to act. We need to find unity of purpose as the Gospel testifies too.
Ken
Posted in: People of Color in Leadership Positions
Dwolt, I stand corrected. I am for women representation also. Thanks for correcting me.
Ken
Posted in: People of Color in Leadership Positions
Bev,
You live with quotas now. They are geographical not race or gender. this urge to correct injustice is not from the flesh because it is Biblical. Jesus demonstrated the proper attitude toward the oppressed. He walked amongst broken and confronted the oppressors.
Ken
Posted in: Like a Mighty Turtle...
Hi George, Your absolutly correct about minority rule. But lets go a step further, a lot of issue's revolve around change of customs, confessions and bringing our churches into the 21st century context. These changes threaten people who's belief's rely on how we observe and protect these religious documents and protocal. The documents and actions themselves become a crutch like the chuch leaders were doing with levitical law during Jesus's time on earth.
With salvation by Grace, only love of God and fellow humans is the requirement. Ask the theif on the cross, how many religious events he attended or how many confessions he spoke other than remember me in Heavan. That is why all this fuss is over nothing that is essential to salvation. I thought this was obvious but I am wrong again like many times before.
I suspect you know this and it must be fustrating to constantly confront this.
Ken
Posted in: A Preacher's Memoir
Jim,
You seem to be hurt. When you have posted various articles I observe a theme of pastoral oppression. I hope, if I'm correct, that you have a lay confidant. Stans article reflects a journey everyone is on. In the other professions, those kind of interactions that "crass" people comment and negative remarks are spoken is a lot more intense than you will be good at what you do someday. I just trying to set some context to this post and I mean no harm.
Thanks
Ken
Posted in: People of Color in Leadership Positions
John, I pray you will rethink your last post. I'm not confused on this.
Ken
Posted in: A Preacher's Memoir
Jim,
I have many pastor friends and confidants. It is a extremely difficult profession by any imagination. Being a pastor as well know, creates unique demands on people unlike most professions. That being said Jim, your greatest service in the church is how you relationally spread the Word. People will remember you by how leadership lifts up the church and for your personal interactions. Sermons are extremely important by providing the window to meaning of His words. But peope are more relational than intellectual. Most lay people are very intimidated by a Pastors knowledge and moral authority. That, I believe is one the reasons Pastors are challenged by some lay people. You know how big our male ego's are.
Anyway Jim you are good person. Your reaction shows your matured faith that cries for Divine justice. I like you Jim. Thanks for listening to a broken, sick shutin.
Ken
Posted in: Classical Exams
Hi Guys(That includes you Elizabeth) I like Dutch's description of the inverted pyramid. Great word picture of our church structure. As far as classis approvals of pastors, we all know the system of church order rarely is the problem or the source of conflict and frustration. The way people use, manipulate, and interpret the order is the issue. We always have to keep this in focus when we talk about confessions or church order. We make church order function or hinder its function.
Why we act as if the documents of church(except the Bible) are a issue. That is a fallacy.
Ken
Posted in: People of Color in Leadership Positions
Bev,
I know exactly what your talking about when it comes to being in relationship with God and fell the Holy Spirit fill your mouth with words that are not yours. I see the Spirit in coincidences that that happen to me. Glory be to God
Ken
Posted in: People of Color in Leadership Positions
He is not totally depraved.
Posted in: Church Outreach and Disability
Hi Mark,
Could you please send them to the churches too. Maybe your way ahead of me, but some how the word has to get out.
Ken
Posted in: Delegates by the Numbers
John,Aaron,
You are correct to state theoretically 20 men could due the work if they aren't Calvinists. Total depravity prevents your idealism from being realistic. You may be able to convince some minds but not those who feel motivated by the overwhelming scriptural support of the new covenant . You know Jesus's fulfillment of law. You can't get around this with logic that doesn't accept responsibility for the need of disenfranchised people. We have had the power and did not lead well enough for people not to be content without a voice that speaks for them. We are not victims.