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 Convictions will NEVER unite us. |
sheepdogandy |
After the hoopla of the last few days here on Acts.
I wish to throw in my two cents, hopefully without emotional excess.
Several years ago, I preached a morning service during a Camp Meeting at an Independent church.
The title of the message was "The need for common ground".
At the conclusion I shared a true story that I will reveal now.
"One fine day a man comes home from work.
He goes to his bathroom only to be shocked at what he finds.
He calls for his wife and exclaims, What is that?
Wife replies, "That's a toilet".
Again he points and asks. "What is that?"
Wife replies, "That's a toilet seat".
The man declares "It's beige!
Wife replies, "Yes the old one broke and I went to Wal-Mart and bought a new one".
The man again declares, "But it's beige, Holiness people only use white toilet seats, take it back!
The wife fires back "They won't take back a toilet seat, especially after it's been used.
Brethren, I asked, if you are going to dis-fellowship me, please make sure it's for more than the color of my toilet seat.
I said amen and sat down.
The Church is in serious need of unity.
The truth is, our cherished convictions will never produce what we need, a united body of Christ.
Bro Kenny Morris preached the evening service.
His opening statement was "I am here tonight to finish the message Bro Andy started this morning.
From the scriptures Bro Morris revealed that the only condition that will produce unity among the Church is a recognition of the genuine presence of the Holy Spirit.
Only He can unite us.
For all of the consternation over the present condition, tolerance of excess, and differences my hope is in the presence, power and grace that the Holy Spirit imparts to the body of Christ, will bring us together in Him.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
7/14/17 3:50 pm
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Da Sheik |
Andy, before I respond to your post, I have one nagging question I'm still confused about: How do you feel about centralized government? 
Though I'm certain our church cultures are probably quite different, I have no doubt you and I would get along famously in the real world. I think you take some unfair criticism on here but you always take it in stride. I have appreciated your contribution here over the years.
I think you are right about convictions. I will share from my own experience. When churches begin to identify themselves based on personal convictions, the process of isolation is already underway. There are several churches near me that are known for their convictions (i.e. "what they don't" believe in). They recruit and attract like-minded people, but have very little impact on their surrounding communities.
What I have found is that churches who make convictions their primary focus are very divisive. They often don't support state-sponsored events, and begin to operate as independent churches. They hold their own "camp meetings" and invite only speakers who will preach along the same lines of personal conviction. I know of one particular church who will come to camp meeting if their pastor has a role on the platform or if their music ministry has platform time, but they will boycott camp meeting under any other circumstances.
Although rarely articulated this way verbally, the prevailing attitude is that those who do not hold similar convictions are either backslidden or not saved. I respect people who have and hold to their convictions. I have mine as well. But my philosophy of ministry is this; my convictions are between me and God. They don't belong in the pulpit (I'm speaking in regards to disputable matters such as those in Romans 14). There are things scripture allows that I abstain from. There are also things I allow myself because the bible does not specifically prohibit (fried chicken  ).
The Holy Spirit leads each individual as He sees fit. What might be ok for one, might not be ok for another (again, I'm not speaking of things scripture clearly prohibits as sinful). You stated well that the Holy Spirit will be the key to the unity of the Church. And this will only happen when we love one another and don't despise one another in matters of conscience. The weak shouldn't condemn the strong, and the strong shouldn't despise the weak. We each are accountable to God and He is able to make us stand! |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1865
7/14/17 8:01 pm
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sheepdogandy |
| Da Sheik wrote: | Andy, before I respond to your post, I have one nagging question I'm still confused about: How do you feel about centralized government?
Though I'm certain our church cultures are probably quite different, I have no doubt you and I would get along famously in the real world. I think you take some unfair criticism on here but you always take it in stride. I have appreciated your contribution here over the years.
I think you are right about convictions. I will share from my own experience. When churches begin to identify themselves based on personal convictions, the process of isolation is already underway. There are several churches near me that are known for their convictions (i.e. "what they don't" believe in). They recruit and attract like-minded people, but have very little impact on their surrounding communities.
What I have found is that churches who make convictions their primary focus are very divisive. They often don't support state-sponsored events, and begin to operate as independent churches. They hold their own "camp meetings" and invite only speakers who will preach along the same lines of personal conviction. I know of one particular church who will come to camp meeting if their pastor has a role on the platform or if their music ministry has platform time, but they will boycott camp meeting under any other circumstances.
Although rarely articulated this way verbally, the prevailing attitude is that those who do not hold similar convictions are either backslidden or not saved. I respect people who have and hold to their convictions. I have mine as well. But my philosophy of ministry is this; my convictions are between me and God. They don't belong in the pulpit (I'm speaking in regards to disputable matters such as those in Romans 14). There are things scripture allows that I abstain from. There are also things I allow myself because the bible does not specifically prohibit (fried chicken ).
The Holy Spirit leads each individual as He sees fit. What might be ok for one, might not be ok for another (again, I'm not speaking of things scripture clearly prohibits as sinful). You stated well that the Holy Spirit will be the key to the unity of the Church. And this will only happen when we love one another and don't despise one another in matters of conscience. The weak shouldn't condemn the strong, and the strong shouldn't despise the weak. We each are accountable to God and He is able to make us stand! |
Yeah!
What he said.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
7/15/17 8:48 am
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| I can't believe you didn't know that only genuinely sanctified folk only use white toilet seats. An they keep the bowl white too. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/15/17 3:00 pm
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Chicago27 |
| Personal convictions divide us. That's why they are called "personal." it is not for anyone to put their personal convictions on someone else. They have enough trouble working out their own convictions. |
Friendly Face
Posts: 253
7/15/17 4:13 pm
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Carolyn Smith |
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Cojak |
| sheepdogandy wrote: | | Da Sheik wrote: | Andy, before I respond to your post, I have one nagging question I'm still confused about: How do you feel about centralized government?
Though I'm certain our church cultures are probably quite different, I have no doubt you and I would get along famously in the real world. I think you take some unfair criticism on here but you always take it in stride. I have appreciated your contribution here over the years.
I think you are right about convictions. I will share from my own experience. When churches begin to identify themselves based on personal convictions, the process of isolation is already underway. There are several churches near me that are known for their convictions (i.e. "what they don't" believe in). They recruit and attract like-minded people, but have very little impact on their surrounding communities.
What I have found is that churches who make convictions their primary focus are very divisive. They often don't support state-sponsored events, and begin to operate as independent churches. They hold their own "camp meetings" and invite only speakers who will preach along the same lines of personal conviction. I know of one particular church who will come to camp meeting if their pastor has a role on the platform or if their music ministry has platform time, but they will boycott camp meeting under any other circumstances.
Although rarely articulated this way verbally, the prevailing attitude is that those who do not hold similar convictions are either backslidden or not saved. I respect people who have and hold to their convictions. I have mine as well. But my philosophy of ministry is this; my convictions are between me and God. They don't belong in the pulpit (I'm speaking in regards to disputable matters such as those in Romans 14). There are things scripture allows that I abstain from. There are also things I allow myself because the bible does not specifically prohibit (fried chicken ).
The Holy Spirit leads each individual as He sees fit. What might be ok for one, might not be ok for another (again, I'm not speaking of things scripture clearly prohibits as sinful). You stated well that the Holy Spirit will be the key to the unity of the Church. And this will only happen when we love one another and don't despise one another in matters of conscience. The weak shouldn't condemn the strong, and the strong shouldn't despise the weak. We each are accountable to God and He is able to make us stand! |
Yeah!
What he said. |
Also an AMEN to DaSheik! Very good comment. I like it.
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
7/16/17 11:08 pm
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Cojak |
| Chicago27 wrote: | | Personal convictions divide us. That's why they are called "personal." it is not for anyone to put their personal convictions on someone else. They have enough trouble working out their own convictions. |
Welcome aboard. Good choice.
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
7/16/17 11:10 pm
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| Personal convictions |
Change Agent |
| Is being a Democrat or Republican just personal convictions that should not separate us? If that is so churches would have to outlaw political views from the pulpit. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1449
7/17/17 7:55 am
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sheepdogandy |
The color of one's toilet seat is a personal conviction.
Murdering unborn babies (abortion) is not.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
7/17/17 1:05 pm
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| Personal Convictions |
Change Agent |
Based on Sheepdogs strong belief I guess Republicans and Democrats do not need to go to the same church. My personal belief is that women shouldn't abort babies and that insurance shouldn't be taken away from the poor that can't afford it. I go to church with both Republicans and Democrats and don't have any idea whats in their heart.
Do you know whats in the heart of your church members? Its not always what comes out of their mouth. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1449
7/17/17 2:44 pm
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