MM, you raise some very good questions. From my experience, the only venue of "discussion" for young ministers is to address their questions in a Oneness Apostolic Forum/Symposium where basically the company line is propagated & defended.
In all the years I was in the org, there was NEVER one single time that there was open dialogue w/o fear of repercussion or ostracism. As long as this continues there will be a huge "sucking" sound OUT of the org as these young men have internal discussion among themselves arriving at conclusions from their search not their org's dogma.
I remember a long standing UPCI bible study called, Search for Truth. I fear that the search is no longer for truth but for the best way to apologetically prove accepted dogma.
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"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
MM, you raise some very good questions. From my experience, the only venue of "discussion" for young ministers is to address their questions in a Oneness Apostolic Forum/Symposium where basically the company line is propagated & defended.
In all the years I was in the org, there was NEVER one single time that there was open dialogue w/o fear of repercussion or ostracism. As long as this continues there will be a huge "sucking" sound OUT of the org as these young men have internal discussion among themselves arriving at conclusions from their search not their org's dogma.
I remember a long standing UPCI bible study called, Search for Truth. I fear that the search is no longer for truth but for the best way to apologetically prove accepted dogma.
Apparently the old guard is so afraid of having to give an answer deeper than- old paths, old landmarks, or that's the way we have always done it, they would rather the young preachers leave. Sad.
As long as this continues there will be a huge "sucking" sound OUT of the org as these young men have internal discussion among themselves arriving at conclusions from their search not their org's dogma.
Another great point, since there is no wish to discuss change on the part of the status quo, the young preachers are forced to have internal discussions.
Therefore finding their own way without the benefit of the elder's wisdom.
Furthermore, the second they meet in private (for fear of retaliation) they are branded subversive.
Another great point, since there is no wish to discuss change on the part of the status quo, the young preachers are forced to have internal discussions.
Therefore finding their own way without the benefit of the elder's wisdom.
Furthermore, the second they meet in private (for fear of retaliation) they are branded subversive.
A lot worse .... than "subversive".
They are accused of dividing the Church ... which amounts to the kiss of death.
Not only will they lose the young ones, they will also lose the smart ones. I am convinced that they WANT to believe. They just want to put their belief in something that has more substance than "old paths or ancient landmarks."
I'm a skeptic. I'm not skeptical because I don't want to believe...I'm skeptical because I DO want to believe. I just want to make sure that when I say something, it's verifiable. That's the reason I don't forward ANYTHING unless I've checked it out first. I don't like to get taken and I don't want to deceive anyone either.
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"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
Not only will they lose the young ones, they will also lose the smart ones. I am convinced that they WANT to believe. They just want to put their belief in something that has more substance than "old paths or ancient landmarks."
I'm a skeptic. I'm not skeptical because I don't want to believe...I'm skeptical because I DO want to believe. I just want to make sure that when I say something, it's verifiable. That's the reason I don't forward ANYTHING unless I've checked it out first. I don't like to get taken and I don't want to deceive anyone either.
As I see it ... the next batch to leave will leave the org with some serious brain drain ...
Those whom we label patriots the British once called rebels.
The verse most often bandied about by certain conservative cliques is rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft 1 Samuel 15:23. The part not explained is the rebellion is against God, not man governed organizations.
Yes the pastor of the local assembly is to be honored, respected, and unless teaching directly contrary to the Word, followed. But when an organization places tradition on par with scripture, and then refuses to even allow discussion by young ministers how can they not expect either rebellion or mass exodus?
The Bible tells us there is a time for everything. Sometimes what appears to be rebellion could actually be looked at as "GROWTH".
sigh. the more things change the more things stay the same.
It doesnt matter what one does, another generation will arise and rebel. MrMind rises to the level of every other "new" generation that has come down the pike.
You remind me of something I heard on the radio the other day.
a youngster called into a talkshow to explain why he dropped out of highschool and why he refused the education provided by the "state"
Such a well spoken young man, but the message he was so intent on delivering was so clearly off base.
Well anyway, good luck with your quest Don Quixote.
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