Somebody makes an error in judgment and we voice our opinion and concern about that by holding back financial support that has negative ripple effect? That speaks louder than writing letters of concern to department heads? Holding back finances can cripple a whole department doing lots of great things.
Folks, we got a great topic here that we can discuss, but we need to keep it on-topic and avoid individual and/or organizational-bashing....
The topic(s) that we are discussing:
a) Why are certain individuals considering withholding their financial support?
b) Is this an acceptable method to express their belief(s). If so, why? If not, why?
c) What would be short-term and/or long-term repercussions of such actions?
Please be aware this if this thread digresses/regresses to individual and/or organizational bashing, it could potentially be re-closed....
The delay for this particular decision was the result of numerous AFF staffers being unable to review the thread and share their thoughts/feedback over the weekend....
*taking off AFF Moderating hat*
Carry on....
__________________
"Rules without relationship lead to rebellion." Dr. James Dobson
"You don't need a license to preach, or teach, or win souls." RonB
"In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength." Robert E. Lee (1807-1870)
Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing. ~ John Andrew Holmes
I don't want to be misunderstood as applauding pastors withholding their offerings over the NAYC incidents, but I do want to address something in your post.
It is a fallacy to compare a pastor's relationship with and responsibility to a man made organization with the relationship of a saint and their local church.
Never the twain shall meet.
I do understand the frustration of the grass roots with a WEC that seems less and less in touch with them...I'm not sure withholding money from those who need it is the best way to express it though.
But the UPC is the the Church, and elected officials are not "Master Pastors" in spiritual authority over other pastors.
So your analogy doesn't hold up.
That false concept is one of the biggest problems in the organization.
I can say this because I am a member.
I was also a licensed minister in the UPCI for 20 years. I can tell you that I heard over and over, "It's your responsibility to give the money, God will deal with the recipients if it's being misused and mismanaged".
I believe my analogy is on target, because I pastored for a number of years, and felt the sting of withheld offerings if I preached something that stepped on someone's toes. However, the fact that my income was affected by something that I did that others didn't agree with did not just affect me - it affected my family, innocent bystanders, if you will.
So, for me to with hold money from missionaries, innocent bystanders, because I didn't agree with what happened at a youth congress would fall into the same category.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
I was also a licensed minister in the UPCI for 20 years. I can tell you that I heard over and over, "It's your responsibility to give the money, God will deal with the recipients if it's being misused and mismanaged".
I believe my analogy is on target, because I pastored for a number of years, and felt the sting of with held offerings if I preached something that stepped on someone's toes. However, the fact that my income was affected by something that I did that others didn't agree with did not just affect me - it affected my family, innocent bystanders, if you will.
So, for me to with hold money from missionaries, innocent bystanders, because I didn't agree with what happened at a youth congress would fall into the same category.
Good insight....
The classic "I'm not going back to that restaurant because they had bad service" (no pun intended hehehe)
__________________
"Rules without relationship lead to rebellion." Dr. James Dobson
"You don't need a license to preach, or teach, or win souls." RonB
"In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength." Robert E. Lee (1807-1870)
Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing. ~ John Andrew Holmes
this is a reaction to how frustrated the members of the UPCI are right now. that frustration is on every side of every issue.
hundreds of conservitives will leave if TV passes. hundreds of mod/liberals will defy the organiztion if it doesnt.
and out of 9,000 members, less than 4,000 even care about that issue. at least 5,000 if not 6 or 7,000 members dont feel like the things that matter to them matter to the organization.
the 2 extremes are sucking up all the oxygen.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
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