tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18109837.post4872799743438813301..comments2023-06-25T09:49:57.661-04:00Comments on Held Up High: Calling Out or Creating DivisionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379020290452704839noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18109837.post-37683609402863999152010-10-02T13:01:51.000-04:002010-10-02T13:01:51.000-04:00Thanks for the perspective, fellas. I know how it...Thanks for the perspective, fellas. I know how it is to be young, passionate about what you do and think others need to be doing the exact same thing (or pretty close to it). You kinda get caught up in your own hype and current that God's got you flowin' in. <br /><br />This guy has a great heart and may have gotten a bit carried away. It's all good calling out the Church or a pervasive religiosity in general or cultural christianity, but when you start going after a group of pastors and/or "those churches that don't do 'church' like we do", that seems to be where you cross the line to unhealthiness and spiritual superiorism (just made that up. Aren't I spiritual!? haha). <br /><br />This guy never called out specific names of pastors or churches, but said stuff like not wanting to get together with a group of pastors who only pray and never do for the community and telling people from the pulpit that there are other churches in the area that just care about numbers in the pews and not doing anything to reach out. I think his heart is right, but the expression of that was off. Just me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379020290452704839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18109837.post-85432054383325675962010-10-01T01:17:03.795-04:002010-10-01T01:17:03.795-04:00Seth,
You did the right thing. And @CKD you ar...Seth,<br /><br /> You did the right thing. And @CKD you are on the money, too...<br /><br />Biblical and loving confrontation that required "leadership" by you.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br /> MattAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18109837.post-64083257919859168772010-09-30T11:42:48.840-04:002010-09-30T11:42:48.840-04:00I'll bite...
Here's my approach:
I'm...I'll bite...<br /><br />Here's my approach:<br /><br />I'm comfortable "calling out" other churches in the abstract - "there are churches out there who teach that heaven is full of marshmallows and chocolate." - but I feel like I cross a line of civility and respect if I "call out" a specific church - particularly one in our community - one where our congregants may have friends & family - one where although we may have doctrinal differences, we are still brothers and sisters, doing our best to advance the kingdom in Central IL.<br /><br />To me, if you're going to call out local churches by name, then you should also be calling out your own congregants by name. And, while you're at it, why don't you just name your own sin. And, come to think of it, you should probably make sure that your without sin in your own camp before casting stones at other churches.<br /><br />But, I may have a more liberal definition of who are my "brothers and sisters in Christ," than your friend. If he sees them as heretics and false teachers, maybe that's different - but before "going public," shouldn't there be private conversations a la Matthew 18?<br /><br />Twice, in our short history as a church, we've had guest speakers cross the line (at least in my opinion) and got to close to naming a particular church in our community. In both instances, I met with the speakers and explained to them that because I felt they were too close to "naming names," we would refrain from podcasting their talk.<br /><br />But, in both cases, the speakers felt justified in what they said - and I don't think they agreed with my decision.charlesdean2https://www.blogger.com/profile/04655299409145526648noreply@blogger.com