Quote:
Originally Posted by ILG
Sis. A,
Although this might be ideal in a perfect world, the world is far from perfect. Things are not that easy, black and white, cut and dried. Often, the ministry and church members speak badly of those who left just as those who have left speak badly of the church. Both sides have their issues. However, those who leave are usually used to having kept their mouths shut for years while listening to the church say bad things about the people outside and in. When a person leaves, they are often exercising a right they feel they have been denied for a long time. I say let them speak. The church might learn something if it takes the time to listen. Often, if I speak (write) about any negative experience, whether I am venting or just speaking about facts, ministry will bring up issues like you have, how they have been hurt in the ministry by laity but they don't talk about it. Well, fact is, they do. But ministry also has a reason not to....more of a reason than those who left, because the people that hurt them are basically subordinates. Being hurt by church members is not the same as being hurt by ministry. I know because I have experienced both. Ministry is expected to take the high road. They also get paid to take the high road, theoretically.
At any rate, ministry should stop trying to get people to quit talking and begin listening. They just might learn something.
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ILG, whether you have been legitimately hurt or not, the Bible says
"FORGIVE!"
Once that forgiveness has been asked for our not, we should drop it.
Do we have concerns?
Yes, but we need do be careful that our writings do not reflect the bitterness we feel.
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