My letter of concerns in regards to the UP will be upgraded to something larger. The church I attend is now seeking to send along a note about its concerns with the UP.
I been asked to draft it.
Yes, I literally danced when telling someone else about the news. Immature, I know.
Now, however, a member of the board and someone I consider a friend, is having the same feelings I have been having for a while. Whereas I am estatic that we are saying something publically concerning the UP, he appears to be concerned that we are pulling away from a good thing. It makes me sad, for his sake. It also confirms my primary objection to the UP - it is inherently divisive. Now it threatens to divide me and my friend.
I know, it’s not the document that divides us, but how we look at it differently that does. There should be room for us to look at quite a few things differently, especially matters of dispute that have nothing to do with primary theology. In a way, it appears that the UP has demonstrated how different members of the ICoC subculture really are from each other. I can deal with someone I know being very different from me, especially a person that helps the church I attend manage its money well. Had majority opinion ruled, we might be burdened with a building payment we cannot really afford at this moment. I see him as a kindred spirit that can do what he believes is right, even in the face of many that wish to do otherwise.
I’ve gotten the various things others have written about the UP. By various things, I mean ‘official’ church responses. I’ll post my draft here when it is done. I assume the final draft will be on the church’s website.
What a long strange trip it’s been.
Comments
10 Responses to “Note of Concern”
I think of all this every time I hear that song!!
fwiw - i was in a meeting w/MT last night and the UP came up. We did confirm that out of a church of 335, only 4 people (my husband another couple and myself said ‘no’ to the UP when surveyed) I shared w/him that although I don’t believe the intent was to be divisive that the result has been division. I shared my own FGL’s opinion (and they read and asked questions re the UP) that you can’t really know non-signer churches real convictions, etc because they didn’t sign. We suggested he needed to address those types of conclusions. Also, we asked about the ‘region leaders’ and he, in particular, being the region leader for the African churches. He said he wasn’t, he was not aware he was being listed as such on the ILC website and he was not intending to be the region leader. So, I have the feeling that even among the Go9 there is a differing of intent and process to all this.
ttk
Maybe you didn’t ask, but here are a few thoughts: The UP was presented at one end of a dichotomy–i.e., sign and be unified, godly, loving, etc., or don’t sign and….You get the picture. No one truly had much input, other than the board. Scripture was stretched to make it fit the intent of the UP, and, as always, even if you’re reaching valid conclusions, stretching God’s word is uncomfortable at best, and at worst, sin.
fyi - it appears the term ‘region leader’ has been removed from the ILC site and replaced with ‘region coordinator’ as the person of contact for the Wed meetings.
ttk
“Yes, I literally danced when telling someone else about the news. Immature, I know.”
Just my opinion, but opportunity to encourage righteousness should bring joy and rejoicing. I think your insights to the situation are spot on, and you are feeling what many people are feeling, but due to revolving courage, those feelings aren’t expressed. You go brother!
it was a lovely dance. very moving spriritual thing. more of a jig.
Where’s the utube link for this dance? We’ll believe it when we see it on utube. I want to see if you dance as well as Steve Johnson.
Heh. So let me see if I understand:
9 guys write the UP and ask churches to sign.
Your church signs, despite your objections.
As a result, you withdraw from the membership, out of conscience, yet continue to attend, because of friendship.
The leadership asks you to put those reasons in writing, so you do.
As a result, the leadership decides they have some concerns about the UP after all.
They ask you, a visitor, to write the letter.I love this! This displays more unity and trust than a thousand UP’s. You, my friend, go to a good church full of good people.
And I love that you stood your ground on the principal, yet refused to abandon the relationships. That unique and loving stance has made a differnece.
I agree with P. Allen, dance! Not imature at all, in fact, it was maturity from all involved that brought you all to this place.
Phoey, WP didn’t like my bullet tags. Pretend that middle section is a nice bullet list.
Fascinating! It’s great to hear that your voice is not being ignored. I concur with salguod–you are going to church with some special people.
I’ll offer one bit of advice: Be humble and kind, but don’t leave them wondering what you meant! Ok maybe that’s two or three bits of advice!
Alan
Thanks to all for the encouragement.
RH: Yes, I do ask. My letter is from me, but a note from the church shouldn’t be from just me. That’s just as bad as how it was approved anyway.
Alan: Thanks for the tips.