[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Ehud

What got me rolling in all of this was the idea that any and all extra-biblical rules are inappropriate, or, more specifically, turning the bride of Christ into a whore. The closest example I have to what I'm referring to is this:

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. -- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV)

So if you're asking for a verse indicating that a pastor can just make stuff up and send someone to hell for something extra-biblical, I don't have it, and I certainly don't agree that the conept is okay. But if we have souls to win, the idea that rules regarding facial hair, attire, etc is somehow idolatry doesn't make any sense to me. In whatever culture a specific rule is presented, it should be easy to present to the assembly.

Sunday School was referred to as an extra-biblical ministry. Are we not supposed spread the gospel? Is it somehow inappropriate to feed those in the community and teach them the bible? So yes, we have a rule regarding the presence of multiple adults. Surely the need for such a ministry and the wisdom of such a rule isn't lost because the parents are deadbeats. Are we sinning or creating idols by trying to reach the community in which we live?

My apologies for not being able to answer your questions directly, but I don't think a defense of my position requires much more than "whatever it takes to reach the lost." And just in case someone wants to be a smart aleck, no, I'm not talking about compromising morals in order to make that happen. I won't be telling my wife to play the role of stripper in order to reach those in the pole-dancing community. But if I move to an area in which the leadership and congregation agree that to best serve the community is to avoid facial hair, the color red, and eating of Chinese food, then I will likely observe those rules without hesitation. I say likely only because I will certainly ask for the why, and if I think they are just whackos, I would move on to another assembly.

Please bear with me, as I want to respond to you and address your points above, but only, obviously, as time allows. I will endeavor to return soon to this post.