- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
We get hundreds of visits each day from people who never register or comment. We might be tiny in number when talking about active participants at any given time, and small in overall number of people who read regularly, but people like us are not small in number in the Church. There is a large number who are “faithful”, active, believing-to-some-degree-in-their-own-way members. That’s important to remember. We aren’t as unique as we tend to think we are.
church0333 wrote:…
To my Brother in Bend, I am trying to stay but as you know it isn’t always easy. It is easier becacause of the encouragement I get from my friends here. I know that we are small in numbers but what a difference it make in my life and the lives of those involved.
Indeed.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Church, I’m glad you had support from the bishop and stake president. I was wondering earlier how people after having a faith crisis are able to stay active without rocking the boat. I can see it does happen. And I guess if a member accuses another member of preaching false doctrine, it might be sometimes that the church was the one that was teaching false doctrine, not the member who made the statement. I’m glad you stuck by your guns and gave the talk in the way you felt inspired. Church, I don’t mean to be contrarian here, but I have to ask – are you being unnecessarily provocative? I, too, immensely enjoyed Elder Holland’s talk and its message. One thing he said that I think is a key is not to lead with our doubts, but to lead with out faith. I’m just not sure it does the members sitting in the pews any good to hear a leader in the ward or stake give a laundry list of doctrines, practices, beliefs or even faith-promoting rumors that the leader doesn’t believe in. It can be very beneficial to the members to hear a leader admit to struggles and attempts to grow faith; I don’t think it does any of them any good, though, to hear the specific doctrines or belief that are the source of doubt or disbelief. Mate, I don’t mean this as a criticism and hope I haven’t offended you. I just wondered what kind of reaction you were expecting?
*lead with ourfaith I really wasn’t trying to bring up tricky issues to cause anything harmful. I just wanted them to know that people don’t all believe the same. I just wanted them to think a little. I have to speak every month, so in June I gave the same type of message but worded it differently and it went over really well. The last think I wanted to do was hurt anyone. I am not at all offended by your question. In fact I like it when I am forced to look at my motives. It makes me think. I should have commented before but like Ray said, I read these topics and use them as my support and don’t often say much. I feel like my brain is not as articulate as some of you giants. However, I would just like to say how great that you are able to share these talks in your current calling. I serve in leadership right now and WISH leaders whom I know feel and think this way would have the guts to say their feelings. I speak my mind plenty in Ward Councils and stake meetings but the comments are not as far reaching as a sacrament meeting talk. For the person who was upset and tattled there had to have been way more who appreciated it. If it were in my ward I would have had to do a “amen brother” from the congregation.So for all of us who wish they could say what you do-THANK YOU! :clap: wayfarer wrote:You did the right thing, and the message you gave has to be given. as the church moves toward the Middle, the hard-liners will fight tooth and nail to hold on to their ways. they obviously cannot question the brethren, but they can nail your butt if you quote what the brethren say that they don’t like.
remember your are talking to those who are quietly suffering. they need to hear your voice, your strength, your hope.
A +1 from me. Don’t give up. This is our church too. When I hear conference talks from people, like the recent Holland and Uchtdorf ones, I can look to the future with some hope.
As I’ve said before. Nearly every ‘middle-way’ point can be made by quoting church leaders. It takes a bit of digging but it’s possible. Keep giving your talks and simply avoid the flack by quoting. No-one can argue with a conference quote or Ensign article… Especially not the hard-liners who think they know the doctrine better than you. They revere conference and the Ensign.
It’s brilliant that your SP is backing you on this. He is awar that your talks are taking some people out of their comfort zone while being a source of hope to others.
Thank you all for your support. I also want you to know that I mine this site for useful ideas and I quote you guys often. It’s like I have all this support staff helping me. I could not have continued in this calling without you guys and that is true in so many ways. Preaching to the choir is a waste of time, IMO. We should be provoked to think at church; otherwise, how do we benefit? We are there to change and improve. Jesus never gave a sermon that did not provoke. We are just so used to being brain dead at church that people don’t know what to do when confronted with the idea that they may be wrong about something and need to repent. hawkgrrrl wrote:Preaching to the choir is a waste of time, IMO. We should be provoked to think at church; otherwise, how do we benefit? We are there to change and improve. Jesus never gave a sermon that did not provoke. We are just so used to being brain dead at church that people don’t know what to do when confronted with the idea that they may be wrong about something and need to repent.
So true, but as you stated, that is what people are used to and people have a hard time with change. I also realize that most people will not think about what they hear at church 5 minutes after church is over, but those that do it I want to help them see that there are people like us that want to belong even though we think differently then the adverage member.
church0333 wrote:in June I gave the same type of message but worded it differently and it went over really well.
church, I applaud you for being bold, but also for altering your delivery to make it more approachable for others. It does no good for a person to feel that they must throw up a wall of defense. If you want to get people out of your way, you attack them. If you want to get people on your side, you rally them. So, well done.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.