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Post by Asking on Nov 12, 2007 18:43:22 GMT -5
So much inconsistency and ambiguity in this "truth" fellowship among different fields, sets of workers, generations etc. Can something be wrong in Iowa and right in Arizona and vice versa? In some places friends are given worker talks and excommunications for things that are openly done in other regions. Such as beer/wine in central Europe, casual clothing in US conventions, X mas trees in Australia, women wearing pants in the Pacific Northwest, divorce-remarriage in Indiana-Illinois, TVs in Texas/Colorado etc..
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Post by déjà vu on Nov 12, 2007 20:47:27 GMT -5
This is the reason why the F&W, should have a statement of Faith it would eliminate a lot of frustration
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Post by the problem on Nov 12, 2007 20:57:10 GMT -5
The problem though is that the 2x2s themselves don't know what they or their church believes, either officially or unofficially.
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Brenda
Senior Member
Posts: 652
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Post by Brenda on Nov 12, 2007 21:11:16 GMT -5
had the same issues when I was a 2x2-- Thing is their way is right today yesterday and forever-- so yiou cant fight it
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Post by tell me on Nov 13, 2007 20:06:16 GMT -5
I believe the professing saints set the standards as much or more than the workers/servants. Certain hardlined saints with money can have much influence in the Kingdom.
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Post by Leonard on Nov 14, 2007 14:27:29 GMT -5
Always follow the money. He who has the gold sets the rules.
IF this is the way That "GOD" wants his people to be then he would want everyone of them to worship him the same.
Because this is a cult the cult leaders have to listen to the flock in certain areas to maintain number of followers and funds available. If the leadership is to harsh they loose followers.
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Post by diet coke on Nov 14, 2007 14:47:55 GMT -5
The problem though is that the 2x2s themselves don't know what they or their church believes, either officially or unofficially. Why is this a problem? And especially, why are differing standards a problem? Granted, we are all struggling to figure out what God wants, but if the trend is becomming more personal rather than institutional, that seems like a GOOD thing. I sure don't want a "statement of faith" that would alienate me from others because of my inability to agree 100%
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Post by a believer on Nov 14, 2007 20:34:04 GMT -5
The problem though is that the 2x2s themselves don't know what they or their church believes, either officially or unofficially. Why is this a problem? And especially, why are differing standards a problem? Granted, we are all struggling to figure out what God wants, but if the trend is becoming more personal rather than institutional, that seems like a GOOD thing. I sure don't want a "statement of faith" that would alienate me from others because of my inability to agree 100% The problem with the group being different in different places is because they say that they are the same the world over, and use the scripture Jesus is the same, yesterday , today and forever to claim their sameness over the world. They claim that when it is not true. Workers have been put out for preaching something different to what the group believes. So how does one know what they believe if they don't know what they are supposed to believe. Many in the meetings don't know what they believe and believe salvation is in meeting in the home and the workers going out homeless and 2x2. Many don't know anything apart from that and are unable to speak to outsiders about what they believe because they don't know. They have an unwritten statement of faith (you can hear these in sermons) so why not put it in writing for outsiders to see. I feel it is part of trying to hide things from outsiders. Did Jesus hide anything? No, he hide nothing, the Bible tells us. The workers try and say that the Bible is their so called statement of faith, when it is not. It is their interpretation of the Bible, so why not put their interpretation of the Bible out there for others to see instead of hiding their light under a bushel. I certainly would not go to a church that is not open about it believes.
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Post by diet coke on Nov 14, 2007 20:40:49 GMT -5
I certainly would not go to a church that is not open about it believes. I guess this is the key point where we differ. I would go for Christian inspiration and to feel close to God, knowing before I ever stepped foot inside the door that my beliefs would surely be different. Hopefully, we are not too closed-minded or easily offended to find the Spirit where others are able. But I hear ya about the f&w teaching about sameness all over the world! There isn't even this "sameness" in our own little gathering.
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Post by a believer on Nov 14, 2007 22:31:26 GMT -5
We are not talking about believing everything the same as others, we are talking about basic fundamentals of belief. I am sure that most in meetings would believe that ministers should be homeless and go out 2x2s. That people should met in homes, etc... these are basic fundamentals of your fellowship that most agree on in your group. What is wrong with putting these in a statement for all to see.
I would say that most people in most churches would believe their churches statement of faith. It is not agreeing with everything everyone in the church believes, it means these are basic tenants of our faith that this church adheres to. A page or two of fundamental believes of a particular church so people can access the key aspects of a group.
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Post by Geoff on Nov 15, 2007 2:54:44 GMT -5
I've been in about 15 different denominations. None of them were consistent, same, identical, etc.
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