Will Love Prevail In Tampa?

[deacon blues]

I'm already sick of the poisonous, vitriolic rhetoric and attitudes from both sides on the great divide we find in the UPC. Preachers demonizing one another. Internet diatribes belittling the opposite side. Angry debates slamming the carnality of some or the Phariseeism of the others. The anticipation of sparks flying in Tampa has many salivating. There will be some showing up for conference this year simply because of the salacious nature of this year's business and they don't want to miss out on all of the exciting conversations at restaurants, in the concourses, the hotels, the exhibit hall, etc.

Last year in Columbus I was told by a friend of mine who eyewitnessed it that two preachers were arguing heatedly about tv in a hotel lobby after the business meeting loud enough for all to hear. I remember seeing a handful of preachers walking to lunch that I recognized as being part of a group that would be in agreement on the tv issue. You could see it in their faces and you could read their body language and you could tell by the way they were talking as they walked their built up anger. As we were leaving the busness meeting a preacher we know with a different opinion than ours made a cocky snide remark as we walked by. It wasn't just joshing, he was being mean under the guise of jesting. A very well known preacher came storming into a hotel lobby speaking aloud his dissatisfaction with the tv issue drawing people into conversation, some he didn't even know. All of it is still disturbing to me.

Will someone preach before the business meeting a message appealing to the brethren to love one another? Will a diplomatic voice stand in the business meeting and make the case for laying down our arms and embrace those who we perceive as the enemy of the cause and simply accept what transpires whether it goes our way or not? Is there such an individual in our movement that is not a polarizing figure, that is loved by all sides, that has the respect of a majority of our fellowship? Is there a Gamaliel among us---a voice of reason?

Can love for one another emerge at this year's conference? Can it prevail above all the other attitudes and emotions that will be present? Could a THIRD option appear in Tampa? Is it possible that a sweeping baptism of love for our brethren take precedence over all of the strong opinions, personal agendas and angry debates?

In my heart I would rather see that be what Tampa is remembered for as opposed to how the tv debate concludes. That's what I'll be praying for from now til then.

DB,

I am certainly praying that Love will prevail!

I fear that the spirit of Diotrephes will raise its ugly head!

[IAintMovin]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PkGDrV_2ehI

[OP_Carl]

Ease up, there PP. You've done hurt him baaaad enuff!!!!

oloroid

There's no need to finish him off!

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by philjones

DB,

I am certainly praying that Love will prevail!

I fear that the spirit of Diotrephes will raise its ugly head!

I've been convicted for how I have felt toward the "other side". I have been smitten for the words I have spoken and attitudes I have displayed. Its miserable feeling this way towards people of like precious faith who have differing opinions on other issues. I'm sick of it frankly.

I'm tired of feeling condemned for fighting with people on forums, trying to prove myself right and them wrong. Getting offended at what someone says on the internet or what the write. It just is all so negative and unproductive.

Think about the wasted money and time spent writing books, trying to manipulate the process, trying to rally folks around a particular persuasion, paying for mass mailings, websites, buttons, countless hours regurgitating the same old answers and comebacks. My brain is sick of all of it!

In my heart I'm yearning for a mass time of repentance for all of us to cry out to God to forgive us for the discord, the pride, the self righteousness, the haughty attitudes and the personal attacks. We must be about our Father's business instead of being about our business. I pray that God will raise up a voice at Tampa, or voices that will preach or speak and be used to draw us together in forgiveness, harmony and love.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I think he's a wonderful poster. I'll go erase all of it.

I wasn't saying you were wrong in your assessment of the situation . . .

[StillStanding]

I think the love train will be de-tracked!!!!!!

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I think the love train will be de-tracked!!!!!!

derailed?

So, IvoryTickler, is this a "prophetic word" that Tampa will be the train wreck of General Conferences?

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Good post.

Too bad you have contributed just as much "heated rhetoric" as anyone ever could. It seems you enjoy saying what you want, when you want, in whatever spirit you want - only to lecture both sides of the aisle when they do the same.

It's called free speech. Get over it.

Further, this little diatribe is hilarious coming from you. You fan the flames and then whine when someone gets burned?



Nothing personal Deac, as I actually enjoy a lot of what you post. I just think you are being a little disingenuous.

You don't understand. I'm tired of it. I surrender. I wholeheartedly accept your assessment. I'm not saying I'm not part of the problem. I'm weary of it all. I've been under conviction about it.

Maybe it will be impossible for us to remain united. Maybe its part of the plan of God for us to divide. If so, I hope it can be done like Paul and Barnabas and we can all part ways with right spirits and a willingness to forgive and stay right with God.

I'm sorry if I seem hypocritical in all of this. This has just been rolling around in my heart and mind today.

I had an incredible series of pms with an individual who is the polar opposite of me in many ways yesterday. We both agreed there would be much we disagreed on. But the brother approached me with such a genuine spirit of love, and the discussion we had was so honest and transparent, I just felt convicted about how I perceive the "other side". There are more folks than we think who are trying to do what they feel is right with sincerity but because of the rhetoric and poison that has built up over time we just simply label folks and lump them all together unjustly so.

I don't want to win more than I want to be right with God. I don't know that I can say that my heart has always been right over the past several years debating and feuding over these issues.

Thanks PP for your honest appraisal.

[deacon blues]

Another person who God has been using to convict me is dear Sis. Alvear. I know she is very conservative. But I admire her, not b/c she is strict, but b/c of the spirit with which she approaches all of us. I have never read anything she has written that came across ugly, prideful or cocky. I think most would agree if not all that she is one of the nicest, gentle souls on this forum. She has my admiration and respect.

I just wish I could have the tenderness and purity of spirit she has displayed to all here.