Well, the ICOC Unity Proposal Group has gotten their work done. The proposal has been drafted and is complete.
Unfortunately, you can’t see it yet. (EDIT: I guess it came out today, 2 days earlier than intended but still several days after some recieved it.) It was sent out to certain church leaders and others. I’m not sure who got on the list and why. My minister evidently did not get it, or so it would seem from an email I received from him yesterday. I have a copy, but only because a friend got it off an anti-ICOC site where it had been published and sent it to me. I’ve only read as far as the first page introduction to see that it has explicit instructions against electronic distribution. So I closed it and will read it after it’s officially released, it says Monday the 13th. No offense to the brother who sent it to me, I just couldn’t in good conscience read it if the authors didn’t want it public yet, even if I think that’s silly.
But I wonder, why all this secrecy and clandestine spreading the word to only certain leaders? Are only some leaders important enough to receive it in advance? If it was meant to go to all leaders and only did not because of a lack of contact info, do they mean to imply that the leaders are more important than the run-of-the-mill members?
Once again we’ve managed to create a controversy over a side issue (distribution of the Proposal) that will distract and taint the actual debate on the proposal itself. It seems so silly, but maybe it’s just me.
I’ll be reading it this week as will the other deacons and our minister, I’m sure. I’ll be able to comment on the actual content then.
Though I have an opinion on whether we as a church will sign it, I’ll keep that to myself until it’s been read and debated. Sorry.
Month: March 2006
Site Issues
I’m having some issues with my host right now. I’m getting a lot of 500 errors when doing anything with the site, including posting comments. I’ve got a support request into my host (1 and 1) on it, but I’m not holding my breath for a resolution. They’ve been less than helpful in the past. Even though my hosting is paid up through the end of the year (I’ve got a 3 year free promotional plan), I’m actively looking for a new host now. You’d think a free introduction would give them an opportunity to shine and win you over. Not in this case.
What that means is sometimes the ‘recent comments’ list doesn’t update and you may get an error when posting a comment. Hopefully I’ll get it resolved soon.
Meanwhile, I’m 9 comments away from 1,000 comments. Who will be the lucky one to post the 1,000th comment? Hurry, there may be a prize! (Not likely. 🙂 )
Romans 12 – 13
Romans 12:1 – A living sacrifice. Living is ongoing, constant, consistent. The old sacrifices were one time, occasional. Who we are, what we do and how we live ought to be a continual sacrifice.
Romans 12:6 – “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: …” (ESV) We all have gifts that differ, therefore we will have service to God that differs, offerings that differ. Yet they all are pleasing to God. I heard it said once that in the old ICOC we favored one gift – evangelism – heavily over all others. Maybe 20% of our members had this gift, this person said. What that meant was that the other 80% felt that they never measured up, that they weren’t good enough. I feel that we are finally getting to a place where we can honor the varying gifts in our membership. I am excited about what will be revealed as we do.
Romans 12:10 – The second half of this verse in the ESV says “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Outdo one another. Go overboard to show honor. Whatever level I can go to to honor my brother, it is never too much. I wonder, do I have that spirit?
Romans 13:1-7 – I see nothing in this passage indicating that we are to agree with or support whoever is in power. We are to respect them and submit to their authority, but we do not have to agree. I’m not sure that I can see in this how it means that we are obligated to obey every law to the letter. Speed limits come to mind, but’ that’s just because it’s my nature to want to drive fast (I generally do not, I stay within 5-10 MPH of the posted limit). But what of building codes? Other traffic laws? Laws regulating car maintenance and safety? There are laws dictating any number of things, some pretty ridiculous. Are we in sin each and every time we violate them? I think that this is more about respect and submission. That submission can be in the form of obedience and compliance, but that was not Paul’s main point. His point was larger than that, to our hearts and our attitude to those in authority. Obedience can be made through clenched teeth and mumbling under our breath. Does that fulfill this passage?
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