Advice Needed: How Would You Respond?

Comments

• Man, some people are just weird. Was this person expecting us to say, "Oh my gosh, he/she is right! What have we been doing all these years!? Let's change!"

  1 and 2) Yes, God's meaning is sharp and concise and amazing... but the arrival at that conclusion and that meaning is specific to the individual. What leads me to God's truth or how I feel comfortable getting to that truth is going to be different than other people... The truth, however; doesnt change and is not individual.

  That is the freedom and flexibility offered by "non-denominational" churches. Often with sects that have more rigid "rules" around what you can do to be close to God, how you can pray, etc... there is a distance between the believer and the truth.

  3)If all the speakers and teachers within a church have the same agenda and core beliefs, then there is no problem. The idea that having multiple teachers creates an issue, polity-wise, is only true if there is dissention and disagreement. Dissention and dissagreement among a church government is what is preached against in the Bible... unity and consistancy among who is teaching is actually very Biblically sound.
  

  Also, allying with other churches despite their varying beliefs can be dangerous. But it depends on the reason for the aliance. Fostering cooperation among all of God's churches is such a positive thing! Emailing criticism without understanding... is such a negative thing.

  Nick | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• This doesn't merit a response. The author is primarily interested in picking a fight, not a discussion.

  -It's not inconsistent with the priesthood of believers to call the church St. Pauls.

  -Exploring God is not the same as accepting multiple understandings of Him.

  -We have the freedom to differ over peripheral passages. We do not have the freedom to differ over core doctrines of orthodox Christianity.

  -I must have missed those passages about only having one person speak during the entire service.

  -"A biblically sound church is one that will thrive"- is St Pauls in decline? I had to leave the last membership meeting early, but surely there would have been something in the blog about this?

  Unfortunately, I recognize the contentious temperament common to fundamentalism. This is an invitation, not to a discussion, but to a detailed and one sided listing of where we are failing the Kingdom. Have mercy.

  Stephen Bell | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• I think the best response would be prayer. For the individual, for the individual's church.. for our church. Because yes God moves us at St. Paul's in different ways but we are just trying to keep up with him after all. He knows all of the details and can make it right.

  Chelsea | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• I think this is just such a positive sign now that I think about it. When God moves in someone's life, the enemy attacks. So we must be doing something right!
  

  Thanks curmudgeoned fundamentalist for reminding us that our work at St. Paul's is important enough to draw the attention of the enemy.

  Nick | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• I'm sure God gets as tired of this behavior as human parents do when they have to keep yelling into the living room, "stop hitting your brother..."

  Grace Dolan | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• The name "St. Paul's" is just one way that acknowledges the catholic (meaning universal, not Roman) history and continuity of the historic church, and our desire for a strong foundation "built upon the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph. 2:20.

  Secondly, we "seek to be a place where people can explore Christianity for themselves" because we believe in God's revelation to people, specifically through His incarnation. God has chosen to reveal Himself so that the world may freely witness His Body and decide whether or not to believe in His Gospel of salvation. A Gospel that is not incarnated into this world is not the Gospel of Jesus but rather an invitation to a form of gnosticism with Christian cultural trappings.
  

  If you've "mastered" the ONE meaning of Scripture, chances are you haven't interacted with your brothers and sisters and how the meaning of God's Scripture is more robust than you can imagine, though never contradictory. Instead of mastering the meaning of scripture by distilling it into one proposition, allow Scripture to master you as you humbly enter the Story of God and conform to it.

  I'm sorry to hear from you that we believe in things which you say are contrary to Scripture, but you haven't explained to this brother-in-Christ how this is so. Perhaps you are right in some of these beliefs from Scripture, but I'm sorry to inform you that your actions up to this point(the manner of your communication) can only be described as inconsistent with scripture (Matt 18:15-17). If you would like to see your brother repent from unbiblical beliefs and practices, please bolster your case by obeying Scripture yourself! Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

  Mat | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• Thanks all... keep them coming!

  HERE IS WHAT I ACTUALLY SENT:

  Hi [Name]

  I was just forwarded your email from our teaching pastor Vince Gierer. I was away last week, so did not get a chance to meet you. We appreciate your visit to St. Paul's.

  It seems obvious from your email that you were less than thrilled with your visit and that St. Paul's is probably not the church for you. If you are looking for a church I would be happy to make some recommendations that might meet your needs more effectively.

  Again, thanks for your email and I pray you have a blessed week.

  In Christ,

  Rev. Benjamin Dubow Lead Pastor

  HERE WAS HIS RESPONSE

  "I go to a thriving biblical church and I have no interest in going to St. Paul's. I want you to answer for those doctrinal questions I brought up."

  I think I am done responding now...

  Ben Dubow | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• You mean you're not going to try to explain the doctrine of tongues, baptism, polity, and eschatology in 50 words or less?

  Where would you even begin to elaborate on these topics in an EMAIL?

  Bethany | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• Sheesh...And what can you gain if you answer his questions to his satisfaction? No wonder Jesus spoke in parables to Pharisees :)

  If a parable wouldn't get him, I would pray that he'd be overwhelmed by God's grace so he'd take himself a bit less seriously. I'm not usually into the sort of thing, but I have a feeling that a good dose of tongues might be a fun addition for such a person to get over themselves ;P

  Mat | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• Even though I take on any chance for a good argument(or debate to be PC haha)I have to say this one should go in the ignore category and put in the famous "File" for the future. Thats what I do with obserred emails or letters. I also have a file for encouraging notes. Ben I'm surprised that you even responded at all. I agree with most above that things like that are simply attacks and do not edify the body. My only response would be what church do you go to so I could talk with your pastor.

  Jason Aronne | Wed 22 Oct 2008

• Great answer Ben. You have much more important things to do with your time than to defend your church from every person outside the church who disagrees with the way you do things (especially if they have no interest in ever attending your church). I have a feeling that any other defense you give will lead to more back and forth that you don't have time for.

  Eric | Thu 23 Oct 2008

• Or, if you're in a more gracious mood, you can thank him for his concern for your church's spiritual well-being, and let him know that while his questions are all very important ones, as a pastor you have many responsibilities to the flock God has entrusted you, and that, contrary to ignoring him, the church leadership has determined that answering emails such as these from people who do not attend the church is very low on the list of priorities that God has called you to.

  Eric | Thu 23 Oct 2008

• I like that Eric... thanks!

  BD

  Ben Dubow | Thu 23 Oct 2008

• If the author has no interest in going to St. Paul's, then why the concern about our doctrine of faith? I agree with Jason, if anything, I'd make a pastor-to-pastor connection if he/she doesn't let the issue go.

  Tracy Anderson | Thu 23 Oct 2008

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