A common problem

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On Thu, 03 Oct 1996 12:48:25 EDT, you wrote:

>Once again, I posted it because it is a burden in my heart to see these
>two churches unite and put aside their trivial differences, *if* there =
is
>any.

>I asked for opinions on the situation.  The best I have heard was to
>pray, and fast about it.  Other opinons I heard talked about sweeping =
the
>problem under the rug.  If you keep sweeping it under the rug, it will
>only grow bigger.  I kept the identity of the church involved quiet =
since I
>know how harmful that can be on a reputation.  BUT to keep the problem =
quiet
>and not offering solutions  is not helping the church, the UPC, or our
>preparation for the second coming.

I don't suppose it would be considered equally spiritual if the other
church took up a more vigourous campaign to alert people, in
particular those who are established in your church, that the
standards there were woefully inadequate. Perhaps it would be
announced, as I have heard in similar circumstances, that the pastor
was "too old", and loosing it.

They could also have public prayer for the people in that church who
had decided that they could push the rememberance of their important
differences under a rug, and in so doing allow the situation to
incubate yet further.

You said your pastor had sat with the neighboring pastor and what he
chose to report to you is that things are looking good. Who are you to
decide, when you don't get a response that sides with your feelings,
that you will rise above his head and tear off the covers.

This is HIS business. He is the shepherd.  These are delicate matters,
and there is an awful lot more to them than just some bad attitudes,
and run away opinions.=20

Is the advise of praying and fasting somehow inadequate ? If you want
to help, then you should pray. No doubt, historically, someone
violated some ethical principles, and perhaps did not attend to the
matter when it was new and could be quickly healed. But having heard
rumors does not really provide knowledge as to the root of the
problem. Spiritual warfare is funny. Sometimes your adversary invites
you to come in and tangle with things in the flesh. He's mocking and
saying "I'm not so big, come on in and get me". You respond to that
and you will get flattened.

In fact, though you have heard some things, you do not know what the
real basis of the problems are.

I refer back to the one key thing that you said.. When you met with
your pastor, he put eveything in a rosy light. He may have done that
for you, and he may have done that because of his faith that God is
healing the situation. Whatever it is, frankly, the fact that he did
not just tell you to mind your business suggests his great concern and
love for you. It seems wise to take that invitation to take it to God
in prayer. Your pastor is able to do his job, and you can help him do
his, if you will pray.

People don't like this message in the 90's. I'm sorry to appear old
fashioned.

-mwb=20