Enough Already!

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On Tue, 1 Oct 1996 22:49:05 PST, you wrote:

>  My personal feeling is that my old church had overly strict standards
>with my old pastor forcing his own convictions on the congregation. 

Thanks for mentioning that these are personal feelings, albeit
reasonable in the large sense. We are in a period when everyone knows
more and more about everyone else and it is tempting to think that we
all ought to be cookie cutter copies of <___ name your favorite
preacher ___>.

>Yes the pastor has authority, but come on people, how far does that go? 
>Where does it say in the Bible that you must wear long sleeves or you
>are going to hell? 

its doesnt, and I dont think that anyone contends that these are
heaven and hell issues. However, as has been intimated, peoples
ministries are challeneged to be scriptural and sincere. Not everyone
will perform as well in all circumstances, and not everyone has to
rule over all issues. However we should not doubt that there are
failings among us, in every aspect of the church. We must be careful
to cover transgressions with love, realizing the preciousness of the
church and the love that God has for his bride.

As we move into the present (and probably last) phase of the present 
era, we must be careful to know that God IS revealing things that we
ought to learn, and improve our general ability to minister to a broad
population. Some will succeed at this, and others will not. I would
not want to be caught condemning a Saul. David's patience was long,
and brought him a kingdom.

>I believe that once a pastor starts to preach his own
>convictions as the Word of God and teaches  that if you don't obey "his
>convictions" you are going to hell then he's overstepping his bounds. 

Most would agree with you, but most pastors will also wish to reserve
the position to be held subject to those who he is under rule of, and
not to every critic and new christian. People with responsibility
require some respect and liberty to deal with what God has given them.
That does not guarentee that they will deal with that properly, but
that is a part of the office.. As you will comment below, there comes
perhaps a time when God may move you. If so, then I presume you will
have liberty. We have in our fellowship the provision for a letter of
transfer. In principle, a person cannot really be denied one, unless
he is a real trouble maker.

Let me ask you... is there a SERIOUS problemn with wearing long
sleeves? Im not saying that if these items become emphasized above the

flow of the Holy Ghost it is not a disaster, but when in balance, are
a few extras really so bad ?

Some of us observe a lot of personal "extras" so that we can safeguard
the real valuables.. For example, I dont have to but I carry liability
insurance for the home. We paint periodically, and have a routine of
asking the kids to pick up the litter that tends to accumulate. When I
see that trash all over, it *is* a big deal for the moment. I would
rather fight about that, than struggle with carnal christians who had
forgotten not only that details that effect the lost are important,
but also that their own souls require some maintenance.

>I started attending the UPC church about 1 1/2 years after I married my
>husband, and guess what!  They weren't at all like what they were
>portrayed in at the other church. Yes they wore short sleeves, but
>nothing that was indecent. If you had to miss church you weren't hanged
>for it, only told that they missed you when you returned. 

Cool. There ought to be a place for everyone to grow in the grace and
truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But even there, there will be the
temptation to judge things in another "backyard".

>Only the Lord can straighten things out.  These situations are man-made,
>but even man-made peace treaties won't heal wounded hearts, 

That sure is the truth.

-mwb