Monday, September 02, 2002 AD Duh! Here are a couple major categories I meant to include in my "Somebody Oughta Write a Book" post:
Conflict! From minor disagreements to major differences, how should conflict be addressed? What's the role of the rank and file members? Of the elders? How does it differ if the conflict is with another member with an elder (or elders)?
The nature of the commitment (and this might go under my previous "coming and going" category): I've encountered very conservative people who wouldn't dream of counseling a wife to leave her husband under any but the most extreme of circumstances, yet seem very free about encouraging people to go in search of greener ecclesiatical pastures. Similarly, people who would be very strict about the nature of a wife's submission to her husband are sometimes quick to incite discontentment, if not outright rebellion against elders. In fact, I think this is a major pitfall of all online theological discussion, perhaps even any theological discussion and learning outside the church. I struggle with it myself -- I read something, online or in print, and think "Aha! That's the way it should be!" and realize it's the exact opposite way at my church. So I get cranky and discontent with my church and my elders. Which leads us back to my point above about conflict. So what does a member's commitment to a local body entail? What should it entail? It obviously needn't be "'til death us do part," because people move sometimes, but ought there be an expectation that membership is somewhat more permanent than a chalk painting on the sidewalk?
Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 9/02/2002 01:39:00 PM
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