Thank you for blessing us with this, Jason, and for your steadfast work with Abide and the broader assemblies of the CRC. This reflection on the correct application of church order and its relation to the covenant for office bearers is articulated nicely and will prove a helpful guide to congregants and office bearers as they consider their own alignment to our three forms and discern any call to leadership.
Thomas, I appreciate the comment and the pushback.
I would only have to say that there is nothing in this article stating that someone who disagrees with our confessions is not considered God's Beloved. That's not the point at all. There are many people who are God's Beloved in many different denominations and I am very thankful for them. Most of my family members are solid, God-fearing believers who are part of other denominations and could not serve in the CRCNA in good conscience. That doesn't mean they aren't God's Beloved, it just means they aren't in the CRCNA, and that's fine.
Here's the point being made in this article: in order to be an office bearer in the CRCNA, you have to sign a Covenant with certain commitments. How can anyone, in good conscience, sign a Covenant while not actually holding to that covenant? How can anyone who no longer holds to that Covenant continue to serve in good conscience? That's the point I was trying to make.
Am I the only one who reads this as “yes you are God’s Beloved, but just not here”? As in go find a different club, because we’re too good for your imperfection?
Maybe as an “outsider” to this whole Abide thing, I’m just not used to how casually harsh you guys are here. To others who read and write this stuff everyday maybe it seems as common as reading a weather report.
Seems the actions of this week say that no, some of us are no longer God’s beloved, nor are we welcome in the Abide club (aka The New Era of the CRC). Wondering with dread what I will see in my church over the next few weeks. Thank you all.
Thank you for blessing us with this, Jason, and for your steadfast work with Abide and the broader assemblies of the CRC. This reflection on the correct application of church order and its relation to the covenant for office bearers is articulated nicely and will prove a helpful guide to congregants and office bearers as they consider their own alignment to our three forms and discern any call to leadership.
Thomas, I appreciate the comment and the pushback.
I would only have to say that there is nothing in this article stating that someone who disagrees with our confessions is not considered God's Beloved. That's not the point at all. There are many people who are God's Beloved in many different denominations and I am very thankful for them. Most of my family members are solid, God-fearing believers who are part of other denominations and could not serve in the CRCNA in good conscience. That doesn't mean they aren't God's Beloved, it just means they aren't in the CRCNA, and that's fine.
Here's the point being made in this article: in order to be an office bearer in the CRCNA, you have to sign a Covenant with certain commitments. How can anyone, in good conscience, sign a Covenant while not actually holding to that covenant? How can anyone who no longer holds to that Covenant continue to serve in good conscience? That's the point I was trying to make.
Hope that helps clear things up a little bit.
Am I the only one who reads this as “yes you are God’s Beloved, but just not here”? As in go find a different club, because we’re too good for your imperfection?
Maybe as an “outsider” to this whole Abide thing, I’m just not used to how casually harsh you guys are here. To others who read and write this stuff everyday maybe it seems as common as reading a weather report.
Seems the actions of this week say that no, some of us are no longer God’s beloved, nor are we welcome in the Abide club (aka The New Era of the CRC). Wondering with dread what I will see in my church over the next few weeks. Thank you all.