Quote:
Originally Posted by Digging4Truth
That is good to hear... your example seemed to say something different.... I am glad to hear this... anything else would have totally unexpected.
Again.. good to hear...
Just a question here. Do you not feel that for someone who carries as much authority as many people place in them to make a statement like this that it would be taken as very similar to having been taught over the pulpit as a standard. This is very close to what I spoke of before. It is not being preached but there is a definite peer pressure being placed there.
Also one more question.... after you make these passing suggestions to a brother and a few weeks or months pass and he still hasn't shaved the beard. What is your opinion of his attitude in this situation? Do you feel he is being rebellious in any way? Do you fully accept this decision on his part if he doesn't take your passing comment to heart?
If I sought to offer or withhold a D4T seal of approval then I would not be wise. In that I would be comparing you to me and I have already quoted scripture as to the errancy of such comparisons.
I am simply discussing the subject. I think that what we are having here is a wonderful discussion (the most enjoyable I have experienced in a while as people mostly just want to yell back and forth) and for that I give you thanks and honor.
if we disagree... that is fine... but we have had an open exchange of ideas and that is the key to learning. I appreciate your patience with my posts and the great opportunity for discussion on this subject that you are offering.
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In response to the bolded portion:
I refuse to make this an issue of rebellion. I probably lose some points on the CQ for that. (Conservative Quotient)
I have learned that if you really want to be in ministry, there are a lot of "rights" that I have to be willing to give up. And things like a beard are the least of it.
So if a man heard my comments and didn't shave his beard, I would basically shrug my shoulders and continue to love him. I would certainly not take it personally or try to run him off. Good grief.
That being said, in ten years of pastoring, there has only been one man pray through here who has not shaved. A fine young Black man who is married and has five beautiful children has a small mustache, and has not been approached about it one tme. If he ever desire to be in a patform ministry, I will talk to him about it then, from the perspective I have expressed here.
Other than that, he is welcome and is my brother.