In my case it has nothing to do with trust. It has to do with being yoked together with believers or not. The most trustworthy person on earth would not be my board member if he/she is not saved and not a believer in Christ according to the bible.
I asked twice now, but do you not think "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" is applicable here?
No, I don't....I'm sure you'd expect me to say that. But here's why...what does a yoke do? A yoke is a device that forces to animals to act in unison, which no possibility of contrary movement. I don't believe that inviting someone in Timmy's spiritual category to serve in an advisory, consultant-type role would be doing that. Would it be close? Possibly. But if I became aware that Timmy was going from person to person and discrediting me or the church, or it's focus and mission, he would have to go. But from what I know of Timmy (and I leave open the small possibility that I'm wrong), he would never do that. I think I have personal knowledge of him that would verify that.
But you know what's funny, Mike? I've seen a LOT of board members, who ARE "saved", do exactly what I wouldn't tolerate from Timmy, which is, going from person to person and discrediting the pastor and leadership, the focus, the mission, and the general operation of the church. I have full confidence (again, from what I know) that Timmy wouldn't do the very things I've seen a lot of bible-thumpers do.
And I don't believe we would be unequally "yoked."
So it would be more of the "You must agree with me and be like me" kind of thing?
Now now, NoW. () That's not what he said. Exactly. I see his point, and those of others, actually. And I see your point. There could be a place for a contrarian viewpoint, in an advisory capacity. It could be very helpful to bounce ideas off of me, get my feedback and, yes, critiques -- you could refine things, help them hold up under the scrutiny of others, or of "unbelievers" in the congregation. But it would be pretty strange, indeed, for someone like me to, say, help write doctrinal statements, or "minister" to people at the altar (as a board of "deacons" might be expected to do), things like that.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Now now, NoW. () That's not what he said. Exactly. I see his point, and those of others, actually. And I see your point. There could be a place for a contrarian viewpoint, in an advisory capacity. It could be very helpful to bounce ideas off of me, get my feedback and, yes, critiques -- you could refine things, help them hold up under the scrutiny of others, or of "unbelievers" in the congregation. But it would be pretty strange, indeed, for someone like me to, say, help write doctrinal statements, or "minister" to people at the altar (as a board of "deacons" might be expected to do), things like that.
I've got you covered, Timmy. We don't have altar calls...ever (can't find it in the bible but when I do, I'll have an altar call). You won't have to pray for anyone (except me when I'm in trouble). And the doctrinal statement isn't written by our board. Wait....we don't have a doctrinal statement.
And this is a "Board of Directors" in accordance with IRS law, and not a "Board of Deacons." True, you don't meet the biblical qualification of a "Deacon". But then again, half the time, I feel like I don't!
If you're not aware, "Timmy" is a poster on AFF that describes himself as an "Agnostic" or a "Deist" with leanings toward being a "Deist." He comes from a pentecostal background.
I like Timmy. He's kind, gentle, understanding, non-confrontational, knows the bible very well, dependable, and consistent. Recently, I had a personal crisis that could have been devastating, and Timmy was one of the first I contacted. I didn't ask him to pray but I said, "If you ever would, I could sure use it." I trust him.
He also has a great understanding of the church and how it operates. He sees the power of community and has some great perspectives of the redemptive potential of the church. I haven't asked what he does for a living but I get the impression his business sense is very good.
So I once told Timmy I wish he lived here in my area and would love to have him in our church (we openly embrace those who don't wear the label of "Christian") and if he did I'd have him on our church board.
I mentioned it in another thread today and that idea didn't exactly go over very well.
So....what do you think. Would you have him on your church board considering the qualities I mentioned?
If you owned a steak house would you hire a vegetarian run it?
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Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
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