"What Is Happening to Us" revisited

[phoebe]

The model has some flaws, as models do. I am far left on the model, but neither exasperated (have not left "the brotherhood"), but neither am I simply "open". I embrace as my Christ-siblings all those who believe in Jesus as God's Son and our Risen, Living Savior. However, those on the far right think I am not even on the model anymore! They are still my Christ-siblings, and I can, have, and do worship with them. But they NEVER come and worship with us. They even have trouble sitting at table with us at a restaurant. As if we have a scarlet "A" stamped on our foreheads.

I don't believe the answer lies in compromising to the middle. I believe the answer lies in being the people we are called to be - people who love God completely, and people who love each other selflessly. That works for everyone on both ends, as well as in the middle. Love, yield, and submit to each other. No exceptions. What's left are a people whose focus is where it ought to be - not on externals, but on internals. Not on who-does-what-where-and-how, but on who loves who. God loves us. We love God. We love each other. The world will know that we are followers of the Christ, the Messiah, by our love. Nothing else.

Or not.

[janine]

Hee hee hee... you cannot count on a spell-checker to fix things like this...

... It is hard to practice that "golden rule

[marc]

I'm afraid that many of us wax elephant when we think we are waxing elegant.

[Bon Voyage]

If you indeed have brothers and sisters in Christ outside of the Church of Christ tradition, than your "brotherhood" is a lot bigger than folks with a certain sign out front.  And if that is true, then doing what is right should be paramount over peace inside a particular grouping.

[Cross-titled]

I don't believe the answer lies in compromising to the middle. I believe the answer lies in being the people we are called to be - people who love God completely, and people who love each other selflessly. That works for everyone on both ends, as well as in the middle. Love, yield, and submit to each other. No exceptions. What's left are a people whose focus is where it ought to be - not on externals, but on internals. Not on who-does-what-where-and-how, but on who loves who. God loves us. We love God. We love each other. The world will know that we are followers of the Christ, the Messiah, by our love. Nothing else.

Or not.

Thank you for this thought.  This is what some have been discussing on this thread and I encourage all to read it:

http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/index.php?topic=16457.msg341842#msg341842

I think this is so much more important than many in the cofc are willing to admit.  The issue has always been "Who's right?" or even "Who's right!" in a bragging sort of way.  But what we need to ask ourselves is not "who is right" but "Lord, help me with searching for truth".

[janine]

I always know who's right.

I am never ever mistaken in this.

I can bet my life, your life and the Tooth Fairy's wand on me being right in this.

The one who is always right is the Lord.

[janine]

(Oh, p.s. -- I think it's supposed to be "wax eloquent"...)

[marc]

How could you wax an eloquent? 

(more medication needed)

[janine]

With elephant wax.

[savedbyhim]

New article in response to this article (What is Happening to Us) by Joe Beam.

It's at http://www.gracecentered.com/extremes_in_churches_of_Christ.htm

Your thoughts?

Very nice and thought provoking article...thanks for posting it here.

[zoonance]

I'm afraid that many of us wax elephant when we think we are waxing elegant.

And what's wrong with waxing elephants?  HHHMMMMM?       :)

[janine]

Nothing.  At least then everyone has to acknowledge the big ol' elephant in the room.