Featured Church Conflict: I was called an arrogant Idiot, and to attend a Calvinist Church!

I'm probably still on your ignore list :smilewinkgrin:

You said his approach and words were "not biblical" ...

He approached you individually - sounds quite biblical to me... point taken.

His words were sharp and to the point and may not have been as gentile as they could have been.... point given.

Suck it up and learn brother!

I might guess that an outdoor, open-air preacher would tend to be hardened and insensitive to the criticism and critique of others.

You went into teaching this Sunday School class saying that you would not hold back from teaching the truth - which, while sounding quite exemplary also tells me that you will teach only "your" truth.

I could see that a conflict would occur a mile away.

Somehow you need to get off your high horse and begin teaching a simple lesson without using Calvinistic jargon that provokes conflict.

I'm a "Free Grace" kind of guy, my co-teacher comes from a Calvinistic Presbyterian background - we get along just fine, highlighting differences of approach when they occur [granted we are currently teaching through the OT so the opportunities are not as sharp and defined as they might be in the NT).

Use it as a learning/teaching opportunity and find a way to resolve it yourself without running to the leadership like a ninny.

Rob

 

I am pretty sharp with math, this "other stuff", you know, the metaphysical stuff at times confounds me. I could say more.....

But thank you for your graciousness.

 

:applause::applause::applause:

 

Could it be, brother, that they believed you would preach Calvin instead of Christ?

 

Or perhaps they don't know for sure if you will break off into a Calvinist rabbit trail instead of teaching what is necessary? It's just a thought.

 

I think that probably is the case. If the church is decidedly not of the reformed persuasion, and knowing that a member is, they most likely pursue caution in assigning teaching and instructional duties. Most churches, of any "persuasion" with strong leadership do this.

 

Certainly, grown men and women can disagree and still hold valuable and insightful conversations. However, most pastors and church leaders do not wish to have some in their church teaching differing theological vectors. It can cause friction and in some cases division. With so many different opportunities available, why would most want to be in a position different from their theological comfort zone? Those that do, for reasons other than your own, often view themselves as theological missionaries.

I personally left a church which made a paradigm shift, and the fact was clearly communicated that anyone wishing to "teach" other than "HISTORICAL BAPTIST" doctrinal positions would not be tolerated.

The church I now attend was not my first choice....but I am so very glad I gave it a chance. I cannot now see myself in any church radically different from the Strategic Partners of North Point.

Say and criticize all that you will about Andy, but the simple and undeniable truth is, his leadership and church model is reaching TENS of thousands, particularly those who are often ignored by the more mainstream churches, for Christ.

 

You're too gracious, Brother Dave. There are times I have crossed the line and went into the "personal zone". But it's not the Calvinist 'tude taking holt. I did that as an Arminian, too.

 

Brother Evan.....just a word of advice...it sounds like some of the members of your's, and your wife's church, are gonna do everything possible to choke you out. I pray that this is NOT the case, but from what you've stated on here, they may be overtly showing you the door....

 

Ahhhhh..........noooooo, not going there. Be well.

 

Which is fine if that gets his wife off his back. God moves in the direction of truth. This might be a blessing. Let it play itself out.

 

Good advice....and quite sound...:thumbsup:

 

Rob.......the leadership asked for this "Blended" approach so they should deal with any problem that happens down line. If the leadership made this bed, it is they that should learn to lie in it. This is not Evans fault.....he got railroaded into this situation in the first place by his wife & this clown of a pastor (who was told repeatedly that Evan preferred a Calvinistic church). From my prospective, this guy deserves what he gets. Maybe its he that needs to learn the lesson & not Evan.

Evan, your just being who you are and what you believe you need to be in Gods kingdom.....these are your beliefs (shared by many good Christians) & they are to be respected. If you do not respect your own beliefs, how would you ever expect others to respect you for your convections & beliefs? Trust me they wont. Seriously, does God want you compromising your own beliefs? Would you not be disengenious to both God & yourself if you were to compromise? YES, you would & thats the ultimate .....ahhhh, weenie.....neither hot nor cold & he gets spit out. Right!

 

We all do this. For some it is just human reaction, for some it is too much pride in one's position. With YOU, I know the former is true.

 

BUT -- what happens if they show him the door, but not his wife?

 

Then she needs to support her husband and walk out the door with him, hand-in-hand, imo...