I believe your correction was on point, and in my opinion what a real friend would do / say. Just because I disagree with someone does not mean I need to be mean, condecending and rude.
Obviously, it comes across as arrogant, and proud...neither of which the Lord is pleased with. And you were right, stunts like that give Apostolics a bad name and it is unfair to those who preach the truth in LOVE.
About a year after we were married, my wife's church (and now mine by default) had gotten a new pastor a few months before and he started teaching a class to married couples (only) just before Sunday morning service. To this day his teachings on "marital relations" were so out of whack and over the top (and I've mentioned it here many times) that people still can't believe it. After the class was over we looked at each other and left the building before the service even started.
What we did WRONG here was not attempting to meet him in private and discus our concerns. I highly doubt anything would have changed but at least we would have met our obligation. Since we did nothing (and again, most likely nothing would have changed HAD we done something) a year later most of the people, who at first disagreed with him, were now "coming around to his way of thinking" regarding marital relations.
I believe your correction was on point, and in my opinion what a real friend would do / say. Just because I disagree with someone does not mean I need to be mean, condecending and rude.
Obviously, it comes across as arrogant, and proud...neither of which the Lord is pleased with. And you were right, stunts like that give Apostolics a bad name and it is unfair to those who preach the truth in LOVE.
You were right..
And, did they seriously think they would change anyone or make them feel wrong? Nope.
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
Is it really any different than some people who come here and make some bold proclamation, then are never heard from again? No doubt many are telling their church members over the pulpit or on other message boards to their preacher friends how they "set them straight!".
Could be... but hardly as damaging as doing it in a service, where there are new converts, possibly some lost folks, young people, etc. The immediate damage of their stinging words and stinking attitude causes much more damage than someone taking a swing in this forum at someone. Bragging over that level of damage and harm is almost to the level of an abomination to me.
I'll say this... yes, I'm conservative, and yes I have some strong convictions and beliefs. But I will never approach the pulpti with an agenda or vindetta. God didn't call me to set anybody straight. I preach the Word, and lay the meal before them. They decide to eat or not. Yes, the Word should challenge us all... but was never meant to be a weapon used on one another... but a tool.
I reminded by friend again this morning that Ephesians 4 says that he was called for the "perfecting" or literally the "equipping" of the saints. I asked him via text, who did you equip last night? Who did you give something to last night that made them stronger in their walk with God, that encouraged them to keep on going on when they made the effort to come out to Revival on a Thursday night... who did you equip by "laying into them."
Guess he thought you'd agree with him. So glad that you upfront with him!
Actually, yesterday he told me he was disappointed in me. God has led me to join a small, very struggling church here in Nashville. They and their organization need some help, and I want to help. The women cut their hair, wear make up, some of the men wear shorts during the week, etc.
And yes, I have stronger standards personally and wish they did. I do believe there is some "error" (for lack of a better word), but they are still within the family of God, and I feel like that's where I need to be.
He said, so when you've taught and preached, your telling them they need to clean up, right? Cause granted, I'm pretty strict and conservative.
I told him no... that's not my place... and not why I was sent there.
So he said yesterday that I was already starting to backslide... I said my principles and convictions haven't changed. I'm trying to make a difference there. So he says if I don't spout off and lay into them I'm backslid....
I'm not concerned, actually somewhat affirmed. I don't have to lay into them, and don't have to "correct" them to make a difference and still believe what I believe.
Frankly, he needs to grow up and be reintroduced to Jesus.
Actually, yesterday he told me he was disappointed in me. God has led me to join a small, very struggling church here in Nashville. They and their organization need some help, and I want to help. The women cut their hair, wear make up, some of the men wear shorts during the week, etc.
And yes, I have stronger standards personally and wish they did. I do believe there is some "error" (for lack of a better word), but they are still within the family of God, and I feel like that's where I need to be.
He said, so when you've taught and preached, your telling them they need to clean up, right? Cause granted, I'm pretty strict and conservative.
I told him no... that's not my place... and not why I was sent there.
So he said yesterday that I was already starting to backslide... I said my principles and convictions haven't changed. I'm trying to make a difference there. So he says if I don't spout off and lay into them I'm backslid....
I'm not concerned, actually somewhat affirmed. I don't have to lay into them, and don't have to "correct" them to make a difference and still believe what I believe.
Frankly, he needs to grow up and be reintroduced to Jesus.
Amen!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
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