Moderators lazarus Posted July 31, 2007 Moderators Posted July 31, 2007 Just thought I'd share some thoughts I had on my blog I love the word politricks. It not a real word as far as I know. I first heard my brother-in-law use it. Its the kind of word that makes me laugh every time I use it. There are politricians in the church. The have deluded themselves into thinking that their pursuit of power and control is the same as the work of God. I had a visit from a politrician once. He drove quite a long distance to see me. He was a member of a church where I was one of the Pastors. He was influential and had connections. In essence, he said that some of the things I was preaching and doing was going against the church leadership. I thought I was part of the leadership! His visit was a poorly executed mafia-style attempt at intimidation……..my mind wanders as I write…… …..I’m standing behind the counter of my bakery and the local mafia boss walks in. He’s all smiles and even eats one of my freshly baked rolls as he tells me that if I don’t pay him a few hundred a week my bakery will mysteriously burn down! ………. I had spoken out a number of times against the racism, and the stifling tradition of the church and in favor of a focus on lost people. There were probably other things that were not to his liking. In the coded language of the politrician he was saying that I should “tow the line” or else! I said he was free to do the “or else”. It is always important to remember who is really in charge in the church. Its actually God. God always eventually reveals that humbling reality. Politricians are always humbled, sometimes in devastating ways, So beware! It is always right to stand up for what you believe. There will be people who mistake that for politricks. It is not. It is being true to your call as a Christian whether you are a member or a Pastor. Politricks does all kinds of damaging things to a church. Of the most devastating effects is that people lose their ability to see things through spiritual eyes. The Pharisees and Sadducee’s suffered from this spiritual blindness. Killing the messiah was not supposed to part of their job description. Again, beware! Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Moderators John317 Posted July 31, 2007 Moderators Posted July 31, 2007 I would be interested in knowing what was actually said to you and what your response was. I have found that the best way to deal with this is to be absolutely straightforward. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Amelia Posted July 31, 2007 Posted July 31, 2007 Quote: I had a visit from a politrician once. He drove quite a long distance to see me. He was a member of a church where I was one of the Pastors. He was influential and had connections. In essence, he said that some of the things I was preaching and doing was going against the church leadership. I thought I was part of the leadership! His visit was a poorly executed mafia-style attempt at intimidation……..my mind wanders as I write…… …..I’m standing behind the counter of my bakery and the local mafia boss walks in. He’s all smiles and even eats one of my freshly baked rolls as he tells me that if I don’t pay him a few hundred a week my bakery will mysteriously burn down! ………. Does he own a horse? Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
Moderators lazarus Posted July 31, 2007 Author Moderators Posted July 31, 2007 Does he own a horse? ?? I don't know. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Moderators lazarus Posted July 31, 2007 Author Moderators Posted July 31, 2007 I would be interested in knowing what was actually said to you and what your response was. I have found that the best way to deal with this is to be absolutely straightforward. It was a conversation of about a 30 mins. It wouldn't shed much more light on the discussion if I gave a verbatim account of what was said. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Moderators John317 Posted July 31, 2007 Moderators Posted July 31, 2007 I hope you found a resolution to the situation and that this kind of thing is rare in your experience as an SDA pastor. In his book, Omega II God's Church at the Brink, p. 45, Lewis R. Walton describes how Arthur Daniells was threated by associates of John Harvey Kellogg at a time when Kellogg was trying to have Daniells removed from General Conference leadership. Daniells was told, "You are making the mistake of your life [by opposing Kellogg's book, The Living Temple]. After all this turmoil, some of these days you will wake up to find yourself rolled in the dust, and another will be leading the forces." Daniells replied, "I do not believe your prophecy. At any rate, I would rather be rolled in the dust doing what I believe in my soul to be right than walk with princes, doing what my conscience tells me is wrong." Unfortunately, then, we shouldn't be too surprised if even General Conference presidents themselves may be the subject of attempts to intimidate them on occasion. In Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 39-40, Ellen White predicted that there will be a movement within the SDA church to "change our religion" and that "nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement." It sounds to me like whoever is behind this movement would be willing to use intimidation against those who they feel are standing in their way. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Neil D Posted August 1, 2007 Posted August 1, 2007 Originally Posted By: Amelia Does he own a horse? ?? I don't know. [spoken in Marlo Brando italian accent] So...make him an offer he can't refuse..... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
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