As a lib or mod, can you....
 

I detest labels. Well, I detest labels that divide Christian believers. More to the point, I detest the labels that have divided the Pentecostal movement. With that being said, I try to avoid labeling people as liberal, moderate, or conservative. However, for purposes of this thread, Ill use them...just this once.

The questions are this: As a Lib or Mod, can you financially support a conservative missionary or church? Can you support a conservative church with your presence? Can you worship with a conservative congregation? Can you refer to a conservative brother or sister as Brother or Sister? Can you regularly attend a conservative church? Can you have lunch with a conservative person without the conversation turning into argument over the views that you disagree with them on?

Just askin.... Oh, my answers will come later....

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

Yes, we are all on the same team even if we play different positions and can reach different folks depending on how we present the gospel.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

It depends, but it's not likely.

Yes, yes, yes.

Probably not.

Yes.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

Except for the "attend regularly", assuming that means make it your home church, the answer is yes to all.

OK, maybe the first one needs some qualifications as well. For the most part it is a yes, as far as financially supporting it goes, but I could not if their teachings were TO whacked, aka, HMH or something like that being espoused.

There are always many degrees when talking about labels. At some point the yes's would gradually become no's the more UC they became.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

OK, I'll try to answer that.

I would be considered liberal by some here.

I do not think I could be a member of a church that preached that anyone who was not baptized in Jesus' name and who had not spoken with tongues will go to hell. I could not support it with my time, talents and treasure. I just could not go there and be a part of it on a regular basis.

I could visit a conservative church.

I have no problem calling anyone who believes in Jesus brother or sister, whether I agree with their doctrine or not.

I would have no problem having lunch with a conservative and I would hope we would not argue over differences but rather consider where we agree.

I do support a couple of missionaries financially and with my prayers who would be considered conservative. I may not agree with the "plan of salvation" as they see it but I believe in them and believe they are serving God to the best of their understanding.

For several years I met with a group of Christians for breakfast and prayer once a week. One was Roman Catholic. One was a Missouri Synod Lutheran who believed aborted babies went to hell because they had not been baptized. A couple of them were Methodist. One went to a Vineyard Church. I regularly fellowship with a Spirit filled Roman Catholic who very strongly believes the Roman Catholic doctrine (including papal infallibility, honoring the Blessed Virgin, and requesting prayers from the saints).

Maybe some of this seems inconsistent to you but it is where I am right now.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

When I was attending a moderate church and a liberal church I could visit with cons, not argue, could support financially, and with presence as long as they would accept me (no problem then, problem would come now, will explain in a min), called them bro and sis and even argued for them when others said negative things about them, did start regularly attending, etc.

Now, as a conservative, I do the same for mods and libs but I am the exception and not the rule here sadly.

When I leave the cons movement (a few months and counting), I will be considered backslidden by the churches I have previously fellowshipped and they will probably not allow me to fellowship them anymore, but I would if I could without getting blasted. Oh, and I won't get blasted for changing anything outward... but rather for going to a "lib" church where others don't maintain all the standards, not because I will have changed any outward appearances.

When I leave, I will probably not attend a cons church regularly as a member ever again, but that is due to having seen too much negative from the inside. I will still call them bro and sis, and will support anyone I feel teaches truth and doesn't do more to wound than to build up, no matter their stance.

Hope this covers your questions. I've been on both sides of the fence. I think some libs go a little too far to accepting everyone and everything, to the confusion of their children, but cons kids are also confused-because many end up hurt in friendly fire from within. Libs may be a little too open minded, but cons reject not just actions and activities, but also people, while accepting too many less concrete actions (like gossip, backbiting, strife) and even using those truly evil things against innocent people.

I hope I don't sound bitter; I'm not. Most of the bad I have seen and experienced was done in ignorance, but there is no effort put forth to learn a better way in some circles.

JMO

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

I can. There will always be differences of opinion... BUT CHRIST IS PREACHED!

Praise God.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

Support a uc church, not so much.

Support a conservative missionary> Yes, definitely. As a rule even a conservative missionary just operates differently. They may be strong on some issues but as a rule these beliefs are not the focus on foreign soil.

They're trying to see people receive salvation and believe in Jesus. The support is spent with a grateful heart.

Re: As a lib or mod, can you....
 

I sure can and would not look to change anyone and their relationship to a church or to Christ.