I get emails —
Allow me to explain why I am writing. In short, here is what you may want to know: I preach for an “anti” church of Christ. I have been on a spiritual journey the last 2 years that has led me to a much more “progressive” position. Your blog has been a blessing to me for which I cannot begin to express my gratitude.
This journey has been liberating and terrifying. The reason I am writing you is because I have no idea what to do. I am at the end of my rope with my ministry. I have been trying for over a year and a half to patiently, slowly, and methodically, move this church toward an understanding of grace and love. A few members of the congregation know of my “new views” but most of the church does not.
I want to stand up and tell the church that it’s time for a drastic change, a different hermeneutic, a better understanding of the Holy Spirit, a Biblical understanding of grace and the gospel. Yet I do not want to cause a division in this church. I love these people. That’s what makes this so difficult. I want them to feel the freedom available in Christ, but what if they don’t accept it? I don’t want to cause problems between them. I don’t care if they fire me but I DO NOT want to hurt this church. I would love to see this church as a group move in a better direction, but I am afraid that the CofC tradition is too deeply ingrained here.
I don’t know what to do. I have thought about calling a meeting with the men of the congregation (we don’t have elders) and just coming out and telling them what’s going on. Then they could decide if their hearts are in a place that is willing to study these issues or if they would rather just get rid of me.
As I said, I don’t know what to do. I don’t like feeling like my beliefs are a secret, but I am confused as to what I should do.
Thank you for reading this email. I hope you can get back to me.
The putting-into-effect process
I get emails —
I don’t post a whole lot of personal notes, mainly because I live a pretty boring life. I have no interest in posting my choice of breakfast foods on Facebook. Again: boring. And unlike Edward Fudge, I can’t announce the 20 different churches in 20 different denominations where I’ll be speaking. So posting much of anything just makes me feel so, you know, inadequate.
