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Now we get "controversial" and I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed coming up with these. PS These are my actual, slightly toned down, opinions and beliefs.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
14. In what ways do you think the church should witness to justice (race, gender,
political and economic discrimination)?
The church should be in the forefront, welcoming those who have been treated unjustly directly into their hearts, homes and power structures. We should also not support the unjust actions of others, not financially, not through our actions nor through our inactions.
15. What is Christ’s call to simplicity? Integrity of speech and behavior?
The call to simplicity is not about things, but about intentions. Every time Christ talks about things, He does something interesting. He changes the subject. In doing this Christ is telling us that things are not what is important, our focus is. If we focus too much on things, either in their presence or absence, we lose sight of what our true focus is to be. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” The things will come and go, but if our focus on on doing God’s will, then we will be living the essence of the simplicity of Christ.
We are called to be ambassadors to the world. That means we do what other ambassadors do. We embody the best of God’s kingdom to the people we are around. We must weigh the words that come from our mouths to see that they communicate the correct impression of our King. Our actions will speak with more power than our words ever will, so even more than our words we must think about the impression of the kingdom that our actions will give.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
More fun questions
We are starting to get into the deeper questions now, and I started having fun answering them.
11. How would you explain the nature and purpose of worship? How do you view
times of unprogrammed, or “Open Worship?”
The purpose of worship is to bring glory to God, and what happens in church buildings is the least significant portion of it. A meeting for worship should be the culmination of the multitude of worship acts committed throughout the week, where God can be praised for his use of us earthen vessels.
I have come to greatly appreciate the times of “Open Worship”. As I have been more active in the leadership and planning of the programmed worship, I find it harder to receive during those times, and when the unprogrammed time comes I am relieved of responsibility, and am freed to receive. Having a time of quiet in the midst of a busy, hectic life, and the busyness we can experience in church can be a solace to us if we can learn to embrace it.
12. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? How would you encourage members of the Friends Church to exercise their spiritual gifts in ministry during a meeting for worship? What are your views on women in ministry?
Spiritual gifts exist to build the church and expand the Kingdom of God. I would first spend time discerning what the gifts of a church are. Then I would find and point out opportunities for them to use those gifts. I would also find resources for learning so that people can develop and grow in their gifts.
Women have the same Spirit that men have, and should be held equally responsible for the use and development of their gifts as men are.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
11. How would you explain the nature and purpose of worship? How do you view
times of unprogrammed, or “Open Worship?”
The purpose of worship is to bring glory to God, and what happens in church buildings is the least significant portion of it. A meeting for worship should be the culmination of the multitude of worship acts committed throughout the week, where God can be praised for his use of us earthen vessels.
I have come to greatly appreciate the times of “Open Worship”. As I have been more active in the leadership and planning of the programmed worship, I find it harder to receive during those times, and when the unprogrammed time comes I am relieved of responsibility, and am freed to receive. Having a time of quiet in the midst of a busy, hectic life, and the busyness we can experience in church can be a solace to us if we can learn to embrace it.
12. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? How would you encourage members of the Friends Church to exercise their spiritual gifts in ministry during a meeting for worship? What are your views on women in ministry?
Spiritual gifts exist to build the church and expand the Kingdom of God. I would first spend time discerning what the gifts of a church are. Then I would find and point out opportunities for them to use those gifts. I would also find resources for learning so that people can develop and grow in their gifts.
Women have the same Spirit that men have, and should be held equally responsible for the use and development of their gifts as men are.
13. How do you understand, and respond to the traditional Quaker testimony in the
area of war and peace?
I wholeheartedly agree with it. The goal of the kingdom of God is to bring all people into a reconciled relationship with God. It is really hard to reconcile dead people. Seriously though, Jesus teaches us that we are to love our enemies, not just personal enemies, but our cultural, social and societal enemies as well. Jesus had every opportunity to drive the oppressive Romans into the sea, but instead said “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
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