Elephants in the Room

OnTheFritz · #1 05-13-2008, 03:17 PM

Hi all:

Short time listener, first time caller...

I attend a UPC church in the Dallas, TX area. I've been a member of christianforums.com for a few years, but I have been looking to be part of a more focused assembly.

Our pastor recently posed a question to the readers of his blog that I thought would be interesting to pose to a wider audience. It has to do with "Elephants in the Room" as it relates to underlying themes and concerns that a church body may have that should or should not be addressed over the pulpit. Depending on how conservative the congregation is, those issues could include jewelry, hair length, skirt length, etc. Or, maybe it involves issues like divorce, alcohol, etc. I would be interested to see what your thoughts are. Here is a link to his question and my responses on the topic. Would love to get some feedback either on my site or here in the forum.

http://www.halfwritings.com/?s=elephants

I'm happy to have found this forum.

AmazingGrace · #2 05-13-2008, 03:48 PM

Welcome... I too am from the area... hmmm wondering if I know you (dont remember this sermon so I am doubting it lol)

OnTheFritz · #3 05-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah - it actually hasn't been a sermon yet, just a blog post. Pastor is just looking for concerns in order to be able to possibly address them over the pulpit later.

AmazingGrace · #4 05-13-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerrickS

Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah - it actually hasn't been a sermon yet, just a blog post. Pastor is just looking for concerns in order to be able to possibly address them over the pulpit later.

DO you by chance go to Hargroves?

OnTheFritz · #5 05-13-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

DO you by chance go to Hargroves?

I don't go to Hargroves, but I have friends and family who do (or did before they moved). I actually go to Abundant Life in Plano - Jeff Hennigan is Pastor (used to be Pastor Rigdon).

If you read through the rest of my blog, you'll see that I lean pretty progressive

Sam · #6 05-13-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerrickS

...
Our pastor recently posed a question to the readers of his blog that I thought would be interesting to pose to a wider audience. It has to do with "Elephants in the Room" as it relates to underlying themes and concerns that a church body may have that should or should not be addressed over the pulpit. Depending on how conservative the congregation is, those issues could include jewelry, hair length, skirt length, etc. Or, maybe it involves issues like divorce, alcohol, etc. I would be interested to see what your thoughts are. Here is a link to his question and my responses on the topic. Would love to get some feedback either on my site or here in the forum.
...

Well, in my opinion, Holiness is something we are, not something we put on. WE ARE HOLY because the Holy Ghost lives in us and He is our holiness. Jesus is not just our righteousness but He is our holiness also.

In my opinion, things like:
dress length,
sleeve length,
hair length,
facial hair,
jewelry (whether it's on fingers, wrists, ears around a neck, or inserted in flesh as a piercing),
caffeine,
tobacco,
alcohol,
clothing color,
necktie (cloth necklace),
sandals or open toed shoes,
chocolate,
etc. etc.
is none of my business but
is between a servant and his/her Master (Romans 14:10-12)

Brother Price · #7 05-14-2008, 04:16 AM

The major elephant in the room as I see it is religion. We are so determined, some of us, to live in the traditions and doctrines of the past, and defend them with zeal. However, when the Bible contradicts those traditions and doctrines, many choose the easy path and stay with those things which edify not Christ, and bring glory to man.

I stand strong in the principle that if one cannot back up their doctrine 100% with scripture, it is not a true Bible doctrine. Most religious doctrines (tithing, standards, futurism) have no basis in scripture, but have been passed down from one generation to another as so. The major elephant, religion.

OnTheFritz · #8 05-14-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Price

The major elephant in the room as I see it is religion. We are so determined, some of us, to live in the traditions and doctrines of the past, and defend them with zeal. However, when the Bible contradicts those traditions and doctrines, many choose the easy path and stay with those things which edify not Christ, and bring glory to man.

I stand strong in the principle that if one cannot back up their doctrine 100% with scripture, it is not a true Bible doctrine. Most religious doctrines (tithing, standards, futurism) have no basis in scripture, but have been passed down from one generation to another as so. The major elephant, religion.

I agree with that 100%.