"A dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself."
-- Archibald MacLeish, poet and librarian (1892-1982)
Do you think for yourself? Do you question things? I question things. I try to look at things in a different way. I don't buy everything I am told. So I have been called a dissenter by those who think I am trying to stir up trouble. Are you also a dissenter?
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry."
-- Thomas Paine, philosopher and writer (1737-1809)
To paraphrase, "Error shrinks from inquiry, truth never does."
So what is the truth? Is FBCAlamo interested in "reaching lost people" or in building a new country-club for worhip? Ask yourself what is the truth. Then ask the pastor why you are not individually reaching lost people. Ask the church staff why they are not individually reaching lost people. Ask your Sunday School leaders why they are not individually reaching lost people.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
- Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)
The facts are, the building is not falling down, it is being systematically ignored and allowed to deteriorate.
Facts are that the truth is being hidden or twisted in the name of Christ.
Facts are that nobody is doing personal evangelism.
Facts are that mass baptisms and "church member swapping" is being substituted for the Great Commission.
Facts are that some folks at FBC would rather have a new building on the highway than reach lost people.
Facts are that softball and pretty chairs are more important than reaching lost people one-on-one.
Don't ignore the facts.
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires."
-Susan B Anthony, reformer and suffragist (1820-1906)
God wants us to move and let the building and the people around it go to Hell. God said to do it. It is God's vision. It is God's will. Nevermind what Jesus said about going and making disciples, it is God's will to abandon our prime location in the geographical center of the county. It is God's will for us to abandon the people who live within walking distance of the church. It is God's will for us to say we are going to sell this building to another church while claiming we must move out because of bees and asbestos and parking. Yes, we know what God wants us to do. God wants new pews and audio/video. But especially, God wants softball for Jesus.
We prayed about it. Yes, God told us that's what he wants.
We even said so in the Crockett Times newspaper.
"True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess."
-- Louis Nizer, lawyer (1902-1994)
To paraphrase, "True Christianity is the life you lead, not the creed you profess."
Talk is cheap. Truth is heavy. Why run from truth? Why not confront error? Why stay silent against error? Why not confront those who say one thing yet obviously practice something else?
"The high minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think."
-- Aristotle, philosopher (384-322 BCE)
So, are you looking for truth? Or are you going to be satisfied with the status quo at FBCAlamo? Are you going to embrace the truth about the situation or are you going to whine "They voted for it" which is itself only a half-truth?
Truth or error?
Dissenter or status quo?
Facts or myths?
Soul Winner or Softball for Jesus?
Are you going to speak up or let error become pseudo-reality?
???
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3 comments:
The "preacher" only cares about sports. He picks and chooses to whom he addresses. Does that sound like a soul winner? He lies, plain and simple that is how the building campaign began, with lies. He has a hot temper if he doesn't get his way. He is overpaid and UNDER worked. He works a part time job with premium wages and benefits. He will never leave. Why would he has it made?He is accountable to no one. His mode of operation is "it is EASIER to ask FORGIVENESS than it is to ask PERMISSION!!. That is what he did after abusing the credit card. If you don't agree with him, he doesn't speak to you. The congregation is scared of him, they are scared he might leave. He has abused his power and authority. He has been rude and disrepectful and allowed deacons to be rude and disrepectful. The old timers need to stand up to him and get him out. The younger generation is waiting on them to act.
Watch and wait: When something goes wrong, it will be easier to ask forgiveness than it was to get permission. If you think I am wrong, think back to the sooccer field fiasco. He went behind the church's collective backs and made arrangements for the church land to be used. People stood up and the league had to find alternative fields. By the way, the choice of fields couldn't be a better site for the "preacher" to witness. That was his excuse when he was caught, he wanted to use the property as a way to witness, well the soccer fields are right by the parsonage, has he won anybody to the Lord yet?? I find it doubtful that he has even left his own yard. He is playing the congregation as a bunch of saps, and they are letting him get away with it. He will put us in debt, and then he will leave. He should leave before the debt has been made.
The motto on the sign on "THE PROPERTY" announces Future Home... Where the Love of Christ Shines. I wonder what Jesus himself feels about that statement considering the actions of the "preacher" and the church body. The great commission is not lived. The biggest thing in that body are CLIQUES. People don't even speak or care about one another. This was in force before the "preacher" divided the congregation into 2 or 3 different camps. Jesus really must be proud to have his name assocaited with such a mess. Brother Gary (a real preacher) said once that if God's work isn't being done, the Holy Spirit will leave. Well, folks, the Holy Spirit has left the building. So it really doesn't matter old or new, Jesus' name has been used in vain. Things need to change, people need to stand up instead of sitting there.
TWO OBSERVATIONS:
ONE: People allow it to happen because they support it. People allow rogue leadership to "act" because they support it.
TWO: People allow it to happen because they don't take action and speak out, they don't STAND PUBLICLY and challenge the skewed figures or the skewed plans or the rogue leadership.
The situation would not have gone this far if more people had PUBLICLY CONFRONTED the situation when it began.
IF you shrink away now and do not publicaly challenge it, nothing will change.
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