Spiritual Abuse Forum???

[Harmony]

Originally Posted by CareyM

I think most of us would admit that there are problems on both sides. There is no perfect saint, there is no perfect pastor...however, the Pastor is called to "shepherd" and imho his role is HUGE and he needs to be careful with the sheep.

So true!

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Maybe this is why I have a hard time understanding the 'abuse' sites, CareyM. My pastors have all be good leaders. Some better than others. lol

There is a HUGE responsibility upon a pastor. We need good, upstanding ministers leading and guiding our young men.

I am happy to hear of your good experience...I think that is wonderful!!!

[Harmony]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

On a side note, I wonder if the Spiritual Abuse site could be liable for a law suit from a disgruntled poster there for practicing without a license. I have not been there and do not know what they do there. Just asking a general question here.

It is no different than this forum. People post experiences, questions, encouragement..etc. There is nobody on there claiming to be a phsycologist. There is nobody telling anyone what to do, or giving treatment plans.

In all actuallity this forum has WAY more UPCI bashing then her forum ever has.

[jrLA]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Standards alone never abused anyone. We all need standards in our lives.

But I don't agree that some are necessary for salvation as they are preached. But I will say that while standards won't get you to heaven, lack of standards will keep you out of heaven.

Finally something you and I agree on!


Standards ARE NOT salvation! I do belive they keep us on the road. But "Standards" will not save anyone!

Not saying they aren't important, just not salvific! (sp?)

Bro. Tenny says it like this, "Standards are the guardrails that keep you on the road. We don't ride on the rails, we ride on the road!"

[jrLA]

I have seen this Abuse Forum, makes me sick to my stomach! Very nausiating!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by jrLA

Finally something you and I agree on!


Standards ARE NOT salvation! I do belive they keep us on the road. But "Standards" will not save anyone!

Not saying they aren't important, just not salvific! (sp?)

Bro. Tenny says it like this, "Standards are the guardrails that keep you on the road. We don't ride on the rails, we ride on the road!"

I lean towards this as well.

Even Banks have a standard of dress for their employees. It doesn't guantee them a job to dress according to the banks standards, but it could cost them their jobs if they don't.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by jrLA

Finally something you and I agree on!


Standards ARE NOT salvation! I do belive they keep us on the road. But "Standards" will not save anyone!

Not saying they aren't important, just not salvific! (sp?)

Bro. Tenny says it like this, "Standards are the guardrails that keep you on the road. We don't ride on the rails, we ride on the road!"

I see this as a contradiction. "Standards keep us on the road, but are not salvational". If they keep us on the road, then the lack of them would put us off the road, wouldn't they?? And that would make them salvational, wouldn't it??

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by jrLA

I have seen this Abuse Forum, makes me sick to my stomach! Very nausiating!

I've recently been reading the abuse forum. I've not found anything nauseating about it. I also have not found a blanket UPC bashing going on. What I have found are people who've been hurt and need to talk about that hurt with someone who would understand. But from what I've read, Lois really keeps a very tight reign on things over there.

I really think that both of these forums - this one as well as Lois's forum - have their place. If it doesn't meet your need, then don't go there.

There are wonderful, wonderful people in the UPC. Some of my best friends are UPC pastors. But there are very obviously also some who are not so wonderful. THAT is true in just about any organization or denomination. And those who are hurt by those who are not so wonderful need to be able to talk to someone. Why is that wrong?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Esther

I lean towards this as well.

Even Banks have a standard of dress for their employees. It doesn't guantee them a job to dress according to the banks standards, but it could cost them their jobs if they don't.

even banks... yes, but the Church is not a bank.

We reflect members in many different occupations. Our outward appearance, while modest, should not be "code" for Christian.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. 20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. 23 And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
Rather than trying to be distinct and different, we should seek to be as much like the culture we are trying to reach as possible.

While there are limits, (and our culture does push those limits) butchers, bakers, nurses, doctors, secrataries and bank tellers should look the part - even while being a Christian and showing the love of God to their peers.


IMHO

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by Harmony

It is no different than this forum. People post experiences, questions, encouragement..etc. There is nobody on there claiming to be a phsycologist. There is nobody telling anyone what to do, or giving treatment plans.

In all actuallity this forum has WAY more UPCI bashing then her forum ever has.

Right, you are!