The comments regarding Sunshine's position within Joe Beam's model were very interesting. Mr. Beam's article is also good because it gives the reader a grasp of the dynamics of our brotherhood sociology. These things might at first seem trivial, but I have for a long time found an understanding of these dynamics to be very helpful.
So where do you see yourself on the model? How do you feel about where you see yourself? And do you think Mr. Beam is on-track with his article?
Again to see the article click here.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
So fun! Let's do it again!
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13 comments:
I'll go first. I see myself as open. I have noticed, however, that I tend to oscillate from a leaning toward cautious to a leaning toward exasperated.
Of course, self perceptions can be misleading, so if you see me differently, please comment. You will not hurt my feelings if you call me a zealot.
I just keep thinking about the first time I had ever heard the word "zealot". It was on Toy Story. Remember the little green guys who were in that big tank thing and Woody was trapped in there with them all. Buzz was pulling him out and they all keep grabbing on to him trying to either stop him or go with him. He hollered back at them "STOP IT, YA' ZEALOTS!!"
HAHAHA!
First of all, I liked that part of Toy Story as well. But I did not see an answer for how Jennifer sees herself. So how about it girl! I am teasing Jennifer.
I see myself with a mind in the open category as well. I am usually "open" to new ideas. But something in the Cautious description describes me perfectly, I would worry about "losing or harming a relationship with people in the traditional church". So my heart would lead me in that direction.
So I see myself stuck in the middle of those two groups. I tend to be that kind of person in my daily life as well, open to new ideas but not wanting to step on too many toes of the people who like the old ideas. I still haven't figured out who leads, my logic or my emotion. A tough balancing act.
I am with you, Aaron, on two points.
First, I, too, noticed that Jennifer seems to be avoiding the real question here. What are we going to do with her?
Second, I have very similar thoughts to you regarding the cautious group. I, too, want to maintain the connection to the traditional CofC. However, he named a characteristic of exasperated as willing to fellowship the Christian Church. Well, I do not see the differences between them and us as fellowship level matters. So that is what I was getting at with my oscillation expression.
Oh! I forgot to answer the second question. I feel pretty good about where I am at. I am excited about the future possibilities.
I like Gabe's thoughts about looking before you leap. How about praying before you leap. If your going by the Word, then whether you change or stay the same is obsolete. But there are many areas where we can grow and should.
I agree with Jason, I like where I am now; but I say that knowing that I need to continue to grow spiritually as I live in the world. If we lived in a vacuum, then change is not nessecary, but we don't and God did not plan for us to. So we have to adapt as needed without devaluing our faith or straying from His Word.
I agree, Gabe.
Aaron and Gabe have raised a couple of key points.
First, the diversity in our congregational family is a great strength. Of course, we must remember to value that diversity.
Secondly, in our consideration of our traditions, we must strike a balance. We must on one hand, not allow ourselves to slavishly follow tradition and thus stifle growth; on the other hand, we must value our tradition and heritage, renewing its essence in today's circumstances.
Easier said than done!
P.S. Jennifer, we are still waiting!
I guess I'd have to classify myself as a searcher with an occasional drift outside the box into cautious territory. I think I sometimes impress folks as a satisfied, but I think I'm a bit too proactive to fit into that paradigm...
Hey you guys! I've been in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for Winterfest all weekend and just got home at 4:30 this evening (Sunday). ----Only to find out that I was missed (and picked on). ;)
I really havn't posted anything about where I see myself being amoung the list of things on Joe's website on purpose. As I was reading through the tons and tons of "mega chatty kathy" stuff on that website, I became overwhelmed and stopped reading. I figure it's much like how all of you feel when I type something in one of my multiple and every growing number of blogs.
What has always been easier for me is if someone tells me who they think I am. Then I can think about it and let them know if I feel they are right or wrong. I mean, I know what I believe and I know how I feel about issues but I really don't know how to nail down a particular "name" for myself. If you all would like to help me, that would be great fun for me. I am naturally an analyzer of people and situations but I am always discovering more and more about myself as I go through life. Alot of things from my past have been surfacing lately and I'm currently analyzing those things and trying to figure out what to do with all that junk as far as using it to better my life for the future. I know I am a thinker, but I am also pretty ditzy sometimes. I mostly act upon my emotions and find great delight in learning from my mistakes and in turn teaching others to avoid those same mistakes my my own example throughout life.
I do know this about myself:
All I ever desire to do, is to do the right thing according to God. That's all the plans I have for my life.
OK, having said all of that, see if you guys can decipher what "title or name" I would have according to Joe Beam......if you want to, that is. ;)
OK, Jen, since you asked...
Satisfied.
Bear in mind, satisfied according to Mr. Beam's model denotes satisfaction with the institution of the CofC. It does not suggest that you are not continuing to strive for greater faith and devotion in your personal relationship with the Lord.
I say that because I notice you typically do not challenge traditional CofC teachings or advocate for any change in the status quo of our brotherhood polity.
Generally, I see you as one who intends to uplift and encourage. You typically call our attention to issues of purity and piety in our daily lives.
Feel free to disagree or turn the analytical tables on me.
Wow! That makes me sound nice, but I just have no idea if that is really me or not. I read it last night as soon as you posted the comment, Jason. I've been thinking and thinking about it. I've come to the conclusion that I don't know if that really IS me or if that is something that I'm wanting to be (striving for). I have always wanted to change the world by just having lived in it the way I'm suppose to, according to God's rules for a happy and full life. I want to be known as an encourager and I will at times quietly refer to myself as something I really, really want to be----"Sunshine's Barnabas".
There are things that I have problems with within the church as a whole and within our specific congregation but I only share those thoughts and feelings with my husband in the privacy of our home. I do this, so as to not do any harm to the rest of the body of Christ by complaining about issues. But, I will say, I am not afraid to be bold and speak the truth. I just feel there are some things that need to be kept quiet amoung people and spoken only to the ONE who can fix everything. My mouth will always be a problem for me and I will often pray that God talks through me and shuts ME up. I do alot of damage without Him and I hate the sound of my voice. He is the one I want to hear coming from my mouth, my heart, my mind and my soul.
I want to think of myself as a protector of the body and a protector of the word. Although, God is perfectly capable of protecting Himself. I just don't want to stand by idly while injustice is being committed against His children and His beautiful name.
So, I want to believe you are exactly right about your description of me, Jason. I just don't know. I do know I want to be satisfied and I am with God. It's people that make it hard for me...hahaha! I want revival in the land!
Oh boy, here goes:
I'm exasperated, but I'm not at all inclusive. I'm not satisfied that the "traditional" church that we know is any where near what the original church was. I'm not for anything goes either. I think this whole "Church of Christ" vs "Christian Church" is a bunch of self-righteous, judgmental poppycock that Satan is stirring and winning. I think that a congregation worrying about association with a "label" ie, "Church of Christ" is as denominational as it can get and I don't care how loud you yell NON-DENOMINATIONAL. I think our worship is complacent and unfeeling (and here's a definition of complacent from dictionary.com: Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned).
I better stop but not before I say that our history shows the way we have expressed our pride of bible knowledge ranks us right up there with the Pharisees, when God knowledge should throw me face first onto the ground and I'll cover my head with ashes in humility.
Just my opinion.
Whew! Amen, Scott! Great comment. I feel the same way about how we approach worship. I'd like to see us all get to a place where we can't get up off the ground because we can't get over how Holy and Amazing HE is. Those are the best 2 words I can think of at the moment. I always have a hard time coming up with words to accurately express God. I personally believe it's impossible! ;)
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