Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2015 10:54:20 GMT -5
Do you go to meeting for what you can get out of meeting or when you can get out of meeting. Privilege or Obligation?
The same goes for convention meetings. God may be using a friend to get a message to the workers. Are they not mouthpieces for God to use to spread his message to others? Or is it PRIDE that is the REAL problem here?
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hberry
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Post by hberry on Jul 27, 2015 12:45:33 GMT -5
Our pastor speaks for 45 minutes each Sunday, plus a separate one hour bible study prior to the sermon, and we all wish he would speak longer. It is a joy to hear the Word taught clearly. We have bible study in our small groups during the week to spend time sharing personal thoughts and desires around the Word, and for my growth in Christ, this format works much better for me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2015 12:59:12 GMT -5
In my youth, it was common practice to let friends converse in the meeting tent openly, until 5 or so minutes before the start of the service. Then someone (a worker of course) would knock on a bench with his pocket knife, whereupon the gathering would silence.
In inquiring as a younger worker why that practice ended, a vague answer about it not showing enough respect for God in the meeting place was the only response I got. None of us dared question the authority about such things. Anyone else old enough to remember a knock on a bench before decorum and quietness in the meeting place at all times became an unwritten rule, now being apparently actually put in writing?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2015 13:04:22 GMT -5
Well, if it was okay for Paul to put it in writing that the women must stop chatting before (or during) a service, then it's okay for the Workers, too. Generally a Worker will mention it from the platform every so often. Haven't heard it mentioned in the last five years or more, so it's a rare requirement. I do love the respect of the meetings.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2015 13:46:30 GMT -5
Decades ago several children probably ages 4-5 or so were playing meeting in the convention tent. One little girl was "the worker" and got up on the platform.
When I saw it, I smiled and passed them by. However on my heels came a fierce older man worker. He stopped and gave them a dressing down (cursing?) to last them a life time. I pitied those small children, and yet did not have the courage in those days to confront that man. Later, that "worker" was exposed as having sex with female workers, and CSA. However, I sincerely doubt those children continued in that fellowship.
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Post by rational on Jul 27, 2015 14:10:49 GMT -5
In my youth, it was common practice to let friends converse in the meeting tent openly, until 5 or so minutes before the start of the service. Then someone (a worker of course) would knock on a bench with his pocket knife, whereupon the gathering would silence. I probably missed the '5 minute warning knock'. Sounds like a lot of extra time to be sitting on a hard bench!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2015 14:23:24 GMT -5
In that same time period, the whistle on the boiler would blow about 15 minutes before each service. People would then move to the meeting place quite quickly, taking their seats. In my family, woe to the youth who did not appear there at or near the,time their parent sat themselves. Small talk and chatter prevailed until the knock.
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Post by snow on Jul 27, 2015 16:46:46 GMT -5
In my youth, it was common practice to let friends converse in the meeting tent openly, until 5 or so minutes before the start of the service. Then someone (a worker of course) would knock on a bench with his pocket knife, whereupon the gathering would silence. I probably missed the '5 minute warning knock'. Sounds like a lot of extra time to be sitting on a hard bench! I was thinking the same thing. Ha! I usually scurried in at the last moment.
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Post by withlove on Aug 1, 2015 18:33:45 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing. We have 15 to 20 that speak in our meeting. Testimony time alone would take 1hr 15min to 1hr 40 min Last Sunday We had 15 friends and two workers took parts we were done in 1 hr 10 min. with the whole service Every Sunday... We had a few people who were very brief in their testimonies so it balances out about little over an 1 hr. On behalf of the people who don't speak very long...keep in mind that they may have much more to say, but are keeping it as short as possible to account for the people who think they can get away with more time. I used to wish people would divide up the time into equal fractions, and not take more than theirs. A worker said once that you can still share the rest of your bread later on if you want over lunch, but taking more than your share of time in meeting isn't fair. My guess was always that people who speak longer feel like they have to say everything the Spirit said to them. If everyone did that, it could take forever. It's a little arrogant to assume that you (not Nathan, but anyone) have more revelation than someone else.
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jay
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Post by jay on Aug 2, 2015 0:35:55 GMT -5
Just remember to be considerate of others, share your little loaf of bread you have gleaned during the week, NOT to preach at others. Everyone bring their own favorite dish, then we have great potlucks in the meetings.I quite agree. Our Elder speaks like he thinks he his a Preacher , Most of us Refocus on something else !!.
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Post by fixit on Aug 2, 2015 15:13:55 GMT -5
Ok - so I've just read a letter addressed to all friends in the area regarding the upcoming conventions in New England and New York. The main thought - asking people not to speak too long when giving testimonies so that others will have a chance to express their thoughts and so that the visiting male worker designated to speak will have at least 30 - preferably 45 minutes to express his thoughts. The letter was careful to note that the friends testimonies are indeed important - as important as any of the workers messages. But one needs to consider that there is only so much time for all to speak and on and on and on.. Ok. I need to keep this in mind - be brief, be brief, be brief. Here are some of my concerns and battles that I've had over the past year between conventions. -My children are being pulled in all sorts of directions - most away from Christianity and into secularism -the proliferation of porn on the internet that encourages cheating,etc - anything to create divorce and broken marriages. -the increasing attacks and persecution of Christians around the world -that I don't think I can make it - that I need HELP! -how do I live as a Christian in this world -how do I interpret the Word of God correctly and more.. and I get a letter about keeping testimonies brief? It's unfortunate that this thread fizzed so quickly. The OP makes an interesting observation, that a pastoral letter is focussed on repressing testimony input of the laity instead of addressing any of the many pressing issues facing the fellowship.
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Post by bubbles on Aug 2, 2015 15:59:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess I'm just frustrated. I will read my Bible and pray more and talk less I guess lol Please be kind Bert - I've been in "the way" for many years and have come to realize that most of the concerns are directed toward "affairs of the kingdom" That is where, it appears, most of the activity is directed. I am looking for something more than that at this point in my life.. Timber I hope you find the answers you are seeking. I know when I have been in a similar place as you the answer doesnt come where I expect it too. Keep knocking and the door will open for you. When we become desperate the pressure of that forces a change.
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Post by rational on Aug 2, 2015 16:56:59 GMT -5
It's unfortunate that this thread fizzed so quickly. Perhaps it reflects the interest. I don't think there was any mention of repressing people's testimony.
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Post by SharonArnold on Aug 2, 2015 17:01:19 GMT -5
Ok - so I've just read a letter addressed to all friends in the area regarding the upcoming conventions in New England and New York. The main thought - asking people not to speak too long when giving testimonies so that others will have a chance to express their thoughts and so that the visiting male worker designated to speak will have at least 30 - preferably 45 minutes to express his thoughts. The letter was careful to note that the friends testimonies are indeed important - as important as any of the workers messages. But one needs to consider that there is only so much time for all to speak and on and on and on.. Ok. I need to keep this in mind - be brief, be brief, be brief. Here are some of my concerns and battles that I've had over the past year between conventions. -My children are being pulled in all sorts of directions - most away from Christianity and into secularism -the proliferation of porn on the internet that encourages cheating,etc - anything to create divorce and broken marriages. -the increasing attacks and persecution of Christians around the world -that I don't think I can make it - that I need HELP! -how do I live as a Christian in this world -how do I interpret the Word of God correctly and more.. and I get a letter about keeping testimonies brief? It's unfortunate that this thread fizzed so quickly. The OP makes an interesting observation, that a pastoral letter is focussed on repressing testimony input of the laity instead of addressing any of the many pressing issues facing the fellowship. First of all, I have a great deal of respect for you as a human being, and how you have shown up - and continue to show - up on this board. If I was still a 2X2, and you and I were attending a meeting, I know our eyes would meet across the room and there would be just a deep sense of knowing, and of kinship. It is probably something we would never talk about, or even acknowledge privately, even if there was opportunity. That's just the way it is. But when I read timber 's posting, the thought comes into my mind: "What are YOU being called on to do here? I don't think you are really want direction (and I do not think you need it,) It is time to look within, and to be a leader, however God lays it on your heart." But...I know he knows this already, as do you.
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Post by fixit on Aug 2, 2015 17:45:49 GMT -5
I can relate to Timber's concerns - probably because I've had similar concerns for many years. Nero fiddles while Rome burns.
Review suggested having a chat with the writer of the pastoral letter. I haven't found workers generally to be interested in feedback from concerned laity but this might be different I suppose. We haven't seen the words of the letter, perhaps the writer encouraged feedback?
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Post by fixit on Aug 2, 2015 18:52:56 GMT -5
I can relate to Timber's concerns - probably because I've had similar concerns for many years. Nero fiddles while Rome burns. Have your many thousands of posts on TMB over many years helped or do you find Nero continues to fiddle while TMB fizzes and Rome burns? Is it still burning and Nero still fiddlng despite the dedicated efforts of the likes of yourself over all these many years and thousands of posts? Yes, it's still burning. But you knew that.
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Post by whyisitso on Aug 3, 2015 1:57:17 GMT -5
Ok - so I've just read a letter addressed to all friends in the area regarding the upcoming conventions in New England and New York. The main thought - asking people not to speak too long when giving testimonies so that others will have a chance to express their thoughts and so that the visiting male worker designated to speak will have at least 30 - preferably 45 minutes to express his thoughts. The letter was careful to note that the friends testimonies are indeed important - as important as any of the workers messages. But one needs to consider that there is only so much time for all to speak and on and on and on.. Ok. I need to keep this in mind - be brief, be brief, be brief. Here are some of my concerns and battles that I've had over the past year between conventions. -My children are being pulled in all sorts of directions - most away from Christianity and into secularism -the proliferation of porn on the internet that encourages cheating,etc - anything to create divorce and broken marriages. -the increasing attacks and persecution of Christians around the world -that I don't think I can make it - that I need HELP! -how do I live as a Christian in this world -how do I interpret the Word of God correctly and more.. and I get a letter about keeping testimonies brief? Timber: You have expressed your thoughts about the letter to TMB readers. Did you express them to the person who wrote the letter to you? With all due respect I'm not sure a person who has to write about the importance of 'be brief be brief' in a letter like this would be too concerned what the flock would think. On another note about others who've written the need to keep things short in the meetings I used to get a bit aggravated when some would 'ramble on' but then realised what's another 10/15 mins added onto the fellowship meeting when this might be the only 'conversation' this old dear has in the week. They most likely spend quite a few hours reading and meditating and it might just be helpful! It was a good lesson in patience for me Quite happy to sit and listen unless of course there were young families with small children. In that case I think an hour was long enough! JMO
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Post by jondough on Aug 3, 2015 14:14:17 GMT -5
Whyisitso Are you also Timber? Just wondering... since you have taken it upon yourself to answer a question addressed to him about a letter you have not seen.
But this is entirely acceptable on TMB your fellow minded posters will heartily agree with the ' meaningful' response you have posted to a question you were not asked about a letter you have not seen! Welcome to TMB! I thought that was the point the point of a public forum (vs a Private Message), that any who read could also comment. Maybe I'm wrong. I've done the same thing many times, but am always willing for correction if needed.
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Post by fixit on Aug 3, 2015 14:38:46 GMT -5
Whyisitso Are you also Timber? Just wondering... since you have taken it upon yourself to answer a question addressed to him about a letter you have not seen.
But this is entirely acceptable on TMB your fellow minded posters will heartily agree with the ' meaningful' response you have posted to a question you were not asked about a letter you have not seen! Welcome to TMB! You've got it, Review. TMB is an internet discussion forum: A discussion forum is hierarchical or tree-like in structure: a forum can contain a number of subforums, each of which may have several topics. Within a forum's topic, each new discussion started is called a thread, and can be replied to by as many people as so wish.The forum itself is hierarchical, but the members aren't.
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Post by whyisitso on Aug 3, 2015 15:38:57 GMT -5
Whyisitso Are you also Timber? Just wondering... since you have taken it upon yourself to answer a question addressed to him about a letter you have not seen.
But this is entirely acceptable on TMB your fellow minded posters will heartily agree with the ' meaningful' response you have posted to a question you were not asked about a letter you have not seen! Welcome to TMB! I learnt it from you...
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Post by What Hat on Aug 6, 2015 12:15:51 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess I'm just frustrated. I will read my Bible and pray more and talk less I guess lol Please be kind Bert - I've been in "the way" for many years and have come to realize that most of the concerns are directed toward "affairs of the kingdom" That is where, it appears, most of the activity is directed. I am looking for something more than that at this point in my life.. The real question is why you can't get the other things you want from other sources. In your original post - -My children are being pulled in all sorts of directions - most away from Christianity and into secularism -the proliferation of porn on the internet that encourages cheating,etc - anything to create divorce and broken marriages. -the increasing attacks and persecution of Christians around the world -that I don't think I can make it - that I need HELP! -how do I live as a Christian in this world -how do I interpret the Word of God correctly
My thought is that the f&w worship is what it is, and it's certainly of value, but only going to address this list to a certain point. The problem with the friends' lifestyle is that they do present a totalizing view, and demand a certain level of exclusivity in terms of your mindshare and time and attention. But a significant part of this totalizing effect can be due to our own laziness and following the pack. We're not all cut from the same cloth. I'd suggest stretching the boundaries a bit, and perhaps you already are. Participating on this forum is one way to do that; you can discuss issues and engage a variety of worldviews and viewpoints. I wonder if you could get more of that within your social circle. I still attend a coffee meeting once a month with some of the friends, and we shoot the breeze about whatever comes up. If you don't have such a thing, then why not start one? Or take a night course in a topic of interest - religious studies, sociology or history. That's just a couple of the things that I/ we did, but to paraphrase Hamlet, "there are more things in this world, Horatio, then are dreamt of by your religion". But don't write off the value of what you do have in your fellowship with the friends group. But a re-assessment of its place in your life might be in order.
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