Apostolic Friends Forum - Role of Church Body in our Personal Struggles...

Apostolic Friends Forum (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/index.php)

- Deep Waters (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4)

- - Role of Church Body in our Personal Struggles... (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=350)

Role of Church Body in our Personal Struggles

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrford (Post 8515)

Sis. Falla,

The burden in verse 2 speaks of a heavy load which it takes many to carry.

The burden in verse 5 refers to a burden the size of a soldiers pack which is meant for an individual to bear.

The entire passage speaks of maturity, personal responsibility and realizing our corporate responsibility to the body. True maturity not only bears it's own burden but also knows when to let others bear their own burden. Many folks in the church get a bum rap for not helping someone in need when, in fact, a greater good is done by allowing folks to work through some things on their own.

Many times I have asked folks to back away from other people in the altar in order to force that person to find their own way in prayer. In order for real healing to come a person has to be sure they want to be healed. Unfortunately, some folks want pity but not healing. If they really desire healing they have to be willing to give up their crutch and to cancel the pity party.

Bro. RRFord,

If I had not seen who had written this post, I would have thought

my late pastor father had written it. And I can understand very well

what you are saying and agree.

You are writing from a minister's/ pastor's mind! Many thoughts

I post are not necessarily disagreeing with what I am replying to, but

just thoughts perceived from the mind of someone who walked and

worked side by side with my mother and father as they worked in the

vineyard where God planted them. They finished their work and He took

them out to rest. My family and I are still there serving in His vineyard.

Next year will mark 50 yrs in that vineyard.

Brother, I enjoyed your great post! :ty

Blessings,

Falla39

Quote:

Originally Posted by whollyHis (Post 8062)

In prayer today, I told the Lord that I felt 'disappointed' and 'let down' by my church family...immediately, I was stricken with condemnation. After prayer, I began to analyze just WHAT is the role of the church, when it comes to our own personal struggles? After all, everyone has their own battles that they are warring with...the 'church' didn't cause my problems, overall- why should I expect the 'church' to help 'fix' ME???

Am I being selfish and unreasonable? Am I having a pity party??

Any thoughts on this?? Am I beating the proverbial 'dead horse' with this thread?? I hope not...I am really struggling right now with some things...

Here is how I know to work. If a person takes the time to build friendships, relationships, and partnerships.

Then folks will seek you out for their accountability and will be accountable to you.

I have certain friends that I will have for life.

We have paid each other's mortgage in the time of need.

Never even thinking to want the money in return.

We have been there in tense storms.

No matter the situation or time, we can reach out and ask for help.

Many times I would not bother my own brothers, sister or Mom.

I know this is the relationship Chirst is speaking of when he states, a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

My suggestion is and I have actually experienced this first hand.

Ask the Lord to lead you to someone that is in need.

Meet the needs of someone else and the Lord will take care of you.

Nothing wrong with getting through the struggles on your own with prayerful support. Just be sure to realize when you have a verse 2 burden. To try and carry it alone will overwhelm you and will also cause you to miss God working through you to use the entire body.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39 (Post 8587)

Thanks so much for your kind words. They are appreciated. May I speak the same after I have been in the vineyard for 50 years. :ty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39 (Post 8386)

Bro. Chan,

Perhaps I should have stated at the very start of my post that I wasn't

necessarily addressing you personally. Was really only responding to

the verse you quoted. Just wanted to dialogue a little.

If you presumed anything in my post to have a condescending tone,

it was the way you received it because it certainly was not my intention

at all!

Blessings,

Falla39

One tends to presume that if one's post is quoted in the reply that this is the post to which one is responding. :)

As I said earlier, "I will presume that the condescending tone at the end of your post was unintentional." I thought the tone in your earlier was probably unintentional and you have confirmed that for me.

Now, back to the other part of my earlier post: "your interpretation of the passages from Galatians 6 is a reasonable interpretation but I wonder if there might be a connection between the command to bear one another's burdens and the command in Romans to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." Do you have any further comments?