If We Can't Get Along...

[Dr. Shane]

Maybe we should put our differences aside. Now there is a novel idea.

I am not talking about discussions on this forum. Here, on this forum, the healthy exchange of ideas is, in a large part, what keeps the forum going and why many come here to read and others to participate.

I am talking about in our local churches. Must any of us dwell on our differences? Shouldn't we set them aside and do the work in front of us? There are so many lay activities that need to be done from prison ministries and Pathfinders to holding evangelistic campaigns and healthful living seminars. Do we really have time to be wasting with arguments over differences?

[John317]

Until I started coming to CA, I honestly didn't give much time at all to thinking about the differences among SDAs.

Ellen White spoke of the great importance of unity and of not discussing or placing emphasis upon our differences. I think we definitely need greater emphasis on those things that unite us. Talking about these differences might just cause non-SDA to be confused about what our church stands for and believes. In other words, it may be giving the trumpet an uncertain sound so that God's message doesn't get through with the urgency and clarity that it deserves and should have.

Regards,

"John 3: 17"

[Woody]

Until I started coming to CA, I honestly didn't give much time at all to thinking about the differences among SDAs.

Ellen White spoke of the great importance of unity and of not discussing or placing emphasis upon our differences. I think we definitely need greater emphasis on those things that unite us. Talking about these differences might just cause non-SDA to be confused about what our church stands for and believes. In other words, it may be giving the trumpet an uncertain sound so that God's message doesn't get through with the urgency and clarity that it deserves and should have.

Regards,

"John 3: 17"

Right On John317 ... It most certainly does cause confusion about who we as SDAs are. It would "appear" that we know nothing about what matters ... Love.

[carolaa]

Maybe we should put our differences aside. Now there is a novel idea.

I am not talking about discussions on this forum. Here, on this forum, the healthy exchange of ideas is, in a large part, what keeps the forum going and why many come here to read and others to participate.

I am talking about in our local churches. Must any of us dwell on our differences? Shouldn't we set them aside and do the work in front of us? There are so many lay activities that need to be done from prison ministries and Pathfinders to holding evangelistic campaigns and healthful living seminars. Do we really have time to be wasting with arguments over differences?

For the most part, that would be the mature, spiritual way to relate with each other. But many are more concerned with power and making sure things are going their way to be bothered with such ideas.

[Woody]

I agree with that Carolaa. Let me give you an example. I will try to be vague ... on purpose.

When someone comes and complains stating that the reason the church is not going to grow is because of the "fluff" in the church ... what do you say? When they demand that someone who comes to church in shorts ... be kicked out of church ... what do you say? When someone says that the reason the church will not grow is because the people are not kneeling enough during prayer ... what do you say?

This hits home for me. It IS personal and current. It is not something that happened 15 or 20 years ago. These are issues our church faces NOW. Do we let this element prevail? Or do we speak up?

I've seen the results of being silent. People get hurt. I refuse to remain silent.

We are headed in the direction of being an exclusive club for only those who think and feel and act a certain way. And it has to be without sin. Just look at some here who think that if we sin we can't have Christ. They destroy what Christ came to do.

Christ came to demonstrate LOVE. But we are more concerned with demonstrating LAW.

[Bravus]

Makes me wonder how we'll manage in heaven...

[Woody]

Makes me wonder how we'll manage in heaven...

Praise God we don't take our characters to Heaven. They will have to be remade at the second coming. That is how we will manage in Heaven. We get there because of who we KNOW ... not because of who we ARE.

[Woody]

Quote:

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

[LifeHiscost]

It would "appear" that we know nothing about what matters ... Love.

There is no doubt in my mind that Love is the most essential part of the experience that defines a Christian. However, if we have no development of character before the Lord comes again, how will He (Jesus) tell the difference between the wicked, the nominal, and the faithful who love and fear Him to the exclusion of behaviours that have little regard for the wellbeing of His other children?

IOW, how will He (Jesus) distinguish between the sheep and the goats.

"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.

All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in..." Matthew 25:31-35 NASB

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many mighty things?

and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness. "

Matt 7:22,23 YLT

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:15-17 NASB

Regards!

[Neil D]

When someone comes and complains stating that the reason the church is not going to grow is because of the "fluff" in the church ... what do you say? When they demand that someone who comes to church in shorts ... be kicked out of church ... what do you say? When someone says that the reason the church will not grow is because the people are not kneeling enough during prayer ... what do you say?

It occures to me that if I am going to eat pickles, there is a 100% chance that I will die. So, I don't eat pickles any more..Here is my evidence-

Every person of the 1800s ate pickles. Every person of the 1800 is dead. Therefore, I don't eat pickles...

Prayer is for changing you...not the world...If something happens globally that you wanted, then prayer changed you...not your prayers changing the world.

The church is not growing because you haven't changed enough. You need to pray more and do more. It is your fault that your church hasn't grown, not the church's fault.

people coming to church in shorts, in this weather, are probably drunk and are a case where YOU need to take care of them...personally, Don't send them home, but rather take them to YOUR home and get them well...and kindly tell them of what Jesus has done for you...

That is what you tell them who critizes your church....

[carolaa]

When someone comes and complains stating that the reason the church is not going to grow is because of the "fluff" in the church ... what do you say? When they demand that someone who comes to church in shorts ... be kicked out of church ... what do you say? When someone says that the reason the church will not grow is because the people are not kneeling enough during prayer ... what do you say?

This hits home for me. It IS personal and current. It is not something that happened 15 or 20 years ago. These are issues our church faces NOW. Do we let this element prevail? Or do we speak up?

I've seen the results of being silent. People get hurt. I refuse to remain silent.

Maybe we aren't holding our mouths just right, either. People are so silly. But, I know, it's not funny when you're in it and people are being hurt by it. We *must* speak up about these things. The sad truth is that most of the time people will not speak up until it starts affecting them or people they love. Until then, they will shake their head and tsk-tsk but will not say anything for fear of alienating their "friends" in the church. Sometimes I just want to shake them until they understand that a true friend will not shun them when they have a different opinion or when they stand up for right.