tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post111083765116291994..comments2023-11-02T07:47:10.433-04:00Comments on Vindicated: Authority IssuesKylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14641068117855718120noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-1113916661650350432005-04-19T09:17:00.000-04:002005-04-19T09:17:00.000-04:00Thanks for the encouragement, Rick.Timothy, I thin...Thanks for the encouragement, Rick.<BR/><BR/>Timothy, I think you ask a really good question. I think do build those bridges with the other Christians (who indeed <I>ought</I> to be fellow members of the Community), we have a share the things that make for a common life, not just discuss "the way things ought to be done." I think if we get to talking about that, we've already missed the point considerably. <BR/><BR/>Have coffee, go fishing, whatever. In my relationships with the "<A HREF="http://captainsacrament.blogspot.com/2005/01/why-church-iv-question.html" REL="nofollow">normies</A>," I've been seeking to share "redemption stories," about how God is healing people in our own contexts. <BR/><BR/>That doesn't mean there's not a place for discussing seriously and frankly the matter of how some ways of being together ("doing church" if you must) are much healthier and more efficaciously redemptive than others -- there is. Indeed, some of those ways of being together that many honest, good, faithful people engage in are just really bad for them. That has to be discussed. (Where's Alan?) But that can't be the starting point -- we've got to trust each other first.<BR/><BR/>Which is why I probably couldn't discuss this with, say, Al Mohler. Oh <I>well</I>.<BR/><BR/>Allison, I think "careful" is a good word to use. And you're right, I would never argue for a strict egalitarianism in the community: clearly, not all members could handle that that responsibility, and not everyone has the gifts to exercise it in a helpful way. A leader can't lead if no one is following, I guess?<BR/><BR/>Thanks, folks!<BR/><BR/>K+Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14641068117855718120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-1113873287348512762005-04-18T21:14:00.000-04:002005-04-18T21:14:00.000-04:00Oh, you damn "emergent people." (That was kind of ...Oh, you damn "emergent people." (That was kind of a joke).<BR/>IF we, as a community, are dedicated to the Truth, then I think an equal authority for all its parts would be healthy for that community.<BR/>BUT, go to a SB, Meth., Pres., whatever church...you'll be able to recognize the designated lay people who seem to have more authority than the congregation. <BR/>Get in this emergent mix of churches...you'll find the same, although somewhat less intentional, I think. You'll be able to identify the "designated talker" or "discussion leader", whatever. There is a little bit of a higher authority in both scenarios. <BR/>Both are healthy. Both have the ability to encourage growth as a community if that authority is accepted humbly and carefully.<BR/>Pretty sure you weren't pinning the one against the other...that's just where I took it.Not here anymorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04608981139259503155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-1113850771844645592005-04-18T14:59:00.000-04:002005-04-18T14:59:00.000-04:00This is something that I have been dealing with qu...This is something that I have been dealing with quite a bit lately. I appreciate this post, because it put into words what I knew in my heart. It is hard to walk in holy obedience when there is a parent or elder or authority figure who has a very different opinion of holy obedience. Many who grew up with modernism believe that holy obedience is doing whatever they say. You have identified the problems with this school of thought.<BR/><BR/>I would be interested in seeing someone unpack possible bridges that we (gen-Xers/millinals/postmoderns/community driven people) could build with those who have gone before us. How can we lovingly enter into community with them, and express to them that "even though I am not doing what you say, you are respected, and loved, and important in my community"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009348.post-1113838584247291542005-04-18T11:36:00.000-04:002005-04-18T11:36:00.000-04:00Great post. I think so often folks get concerned ...Great post. I think so often folks get concerned with making the "right" decision that it can actually prevent them from making the halthy decision. have attempted to ask myself what is healthy? Obedience to God can change considerably when I view things froms a perspective of healthy.<BR/><BR/>Discernment is always for the next step. <BR/><BR/>Nice thoughts. I enjoyed your post.<BR/><BR/>RickNew Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07328837865727756374noreply@blogger.com