Different Thought on Foot Washing

[Esther]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I think a lot of people consider their feet ugly. Especially women that have worn the pointy toe shoes and heels for years.

So what are the men's excuse?

[Sister Alvear]

I think you had a great thought Esther, thanks for sharing.

[Felicity]

I'm not against footwashing and have no problem with people carrying out this "symbolic" occasional representation of servanthood.

However, I think there are much more valuable and "actual" ways of portraying servanthood in "real" life. Just be a servant.

Serve your pastor. Serve your pastor's wife. Serve your church and serve your brother and sister. Most of all, be a servant of Jesus Christ.

[Sister Alvear]

I wrote a young pastor the other day that wanted some advice...it was about being a servant...So true Felicity...

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Esther

So have I, and I can't for the life of me understand it.

But the thing that brought down lucifer was PRIDE.

I think PRIDE is the reason churches no longer have foot washing.

I don't think it's pride, I just think that the act of washing someone's feet in Jesus' day was an act they understood to be total servanthood.

We don't understand that today, because it's not a part of our culture.

I think we need to do something in our generation that we completely understand to be total servanthood, and to each person, that may be different.

I agree that pride is the downfall of many, but I don't believe that the act of washing someone's feet in 2008 necessarily helps you overcome your pride.

Maybe surrendering a position of authority to another person? Maybe making dinner for someone less fortunate? Maybe just have a good old fashioned repenting service where you go to someone that you trust and confess your faults one to another and ask them to pray for you?

Just ideas.....

[Michael Phelps]

Addendum:

I know of a charismatic pastor who has a very large church in Michigan. He works at McDonald's part time, not because he needs the money, but this is what he told me:

"I do this for two reasons, one because it helps me stay in touch and make contact with the members in the community, but another reason is, this is the ultimate form of servitude in our culture. People don't care who I am when I'm behind this counter, they just want their food, and they yell at me if it's not done right. And I have to smile and apologize and make it right. So, it keeps me humble, and gives me a chance to witness and express the love of Christ to them".

Not sure how you may feel about this, but I thought it was awesome!

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Addendum:

I know of a charismatic pastor who has a very large church in Michigan. He works at McDonald's part time, not because he needs the money, but this is what he told me:

"I do this for two reasons, one because it helps me stay in touch and make contact with the members in the community, but another reason is, this is the ultimate form of servitude in our culture. People don't care who I am when I'm behind this counter, they just want their food, and they yell at me if it's not done right. And I have to smile and apologize and make it right. So, it keeps me humble, and gives me a chance to witness and express the love of Christ to them".

Not sure how you may feel about this, but I thought it was awesome!

That is a GREAT story!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I'm not against footwashing and have no problem with people carrying out this "symbolic" occasional representation of servanthood.

However, I think there are much more valuable and "actual" ways of portraying servanthood in "real" life. Just be a servant.

Serve your pastor. Serve your pastor's wife. Serve your church and serve your brother and sister. Most of all, be a servant of Jesus Christ.

And many feel that this is symbolic even though Jesus said this "ought" you to do. So taking the symbolic thought futher. IF washing feet is symbolic and MEN and WOMEN don't want to do it today as it is not necessary, then using the same "symbolic" thought why would the same folks think the hair issue is more than symbolic?

Where do we draw the line between what is symbolic and what isn't?

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Addendum:

I know of a charismatic pastor who has a very large church in Michigan. He works at McDonald's part time, not because he needs the money, but this is what he told me:

"I do this for two reasons, one because it helps me stay in touch and make contact with the members in the community, but another reason is, this is the ultimate form of servitude in our culture. People don't care who I am when I'm behind this counter, they just want their food, and they yell at me if it's not done right. And I have to smile and apologize and make it right. So, it keeps me humble, and gives me a chance to witness and express the love of Christ to them".

Not sure how you may feel about this, but I thought it was awesome!

Sounds like a man that wants to have the right spirit. I congratulate him.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I think you had a great thought Esther, thanks for sharing.

Thanks Sister. Do you do foot washing in Brazil?