Quote:
Originally Posted by Coonskinner
Resolution 4 is in my opinion a symptom of what troubles me, moreso than the substance of what troubles me.
I am hesitant to say too much in this medium, because of how easy it is to be misunderstood and quoted out of context. I have been burned pretty bad that way a time or two. But you asked, so here goes...
I think we are losing our sense of uniqueness as a people. We are plagued by a craving for the acceptance and affirmation of the world Jesus said would hate us.
I don't think we should try to be offensive in our manner or our presentation of the Gospel, but the truth is He is referred to as a rock of offense, and s stone of stumbling. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can get all cozy with the trinitarians and the denominational world and still please God.
I think we are reaping the results of a couple of decades of men screaming "Revival!" at all our big meetings rather than preaching and teaching something that would have helped us a lot more--like evangelism and righteousness.
We took down the sign that identified us as the carriers of the message of the Mighty God in Christ and traded it for the sign that said "Revival!"
I believe in revival if I believe in anything, but I'm afraid we are hooked on hype and are willing to swallow most anything if it gives us a false sense of the signifigance in the eyes of the world that we so desperately crave.
I think we are so concerned with being "relevant" to the world that we are in danger of becoming irrelevant to the plan of God.
I don't think we place nearly enough emphasis on the Teacher in the five fold ministry. We like entertainment oriented preaching much better.
We place more value on what appears to be success, I'm afraid, than we do on character. It sways the crowds better and produces better offerings.
We are in love with the machinery of the organization so much that we have a hard time seeing how dysfunctional it is becoming.
There.
That's a start. That ought to be enough to get me shot full of holes from both, or rather all, sides.
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For the most part I completely see what you are saying here. Where we might differ is that I think our uniqueness can be seen in our fruits, our example - - there is something different about a spirit filled person that has a close relationship with God and it's not their hair and skirt.
I also believe the focus is wrong - - shouldn't be on orgs and fellowships, but saving the lost.
Good post.