Originally Posted by deacon blues
I belong to a particular denmonination. I have grown up in it and still belong to it. I'm perceived as a fringe member, pretty liberal, attended the Detroit meeting last summer, been criticized for my "direction". One criticism I have heard about myself and others like me is "The (insert denomination) has been good to these guys. They were given a platform and an opportunity at ministry. Now they want to take their daddy's churches and take them down the road of compromise."
I will be the first to say that my denomination has been good to me. I grew up in a District Superintendent's church. We were very involved in everything. It was a great upbringing. I went to one the denomination's Bible Schools. I youth pastored, was an assistant pastor, was a Bible Quizzing coach, a Bible Quiz District Coordinator and a pastor. I have preached all over the country and have made lifelong memories and friends. I would never say the denomination hasn't been good to me.
I do bristle however at the notion that somehow I haven't been good back. I have paid dues and tithes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. I have raised tens of thousands for various fund raisers. I used to attend just about every meeting possible. I have written and submitted articles for print. I have worked dozens of children and youth camps. I have encouraged ministers who were down. I have mentored young men and ladies who are currently serving the denomination in youth ministry, missionary work and local church ministry. The church I pastor has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to missions since my arrival. I have long been a cooperating member of this denomination. I have been good to this denomination as it has been good to me.
However, I don't think that I'm duty bound to vote the party line, to blindly nod my head and say nothing when I disagree with what the denomination is saying or doing. I'm not a troublemaker, I don't show up at meetings and cause a rucus. I don't stir up other ministers to revolt or rebel or be ugly. I have some friends with which I have found common ground, we talk, debate, discuss the issues. I didn't agree with everything at Detroit, I told some of the organizers as much. I have opinions and I believe that we should be mature enough to share them with mutual respect.
In the end, we must act as Christians no matter the circumstances. I try to keep a right spirit and a clean heart. I love my denomination, pray for the best to happen to it, it still has redeeming value. I am concerned about its "direction" sometimes, but ultimately I am too busy with my family, three school age children, and the church I pastor. I don't really have the time or money to go to every meeting, to chase rabbits or to engage in the politics of the system.
I am thankful to my denomination for being good to me. I also have a clear conscience that I have,and continue, to be good to it.
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