Post by Mark on Sept 6, 2008 6:03:22 GMT -8
The internet is a great tool for getting a lot of information and connecting with people with whom we may never have otherwise met. Being an administrator on this forum and being anti-internet would undoubtedly lack some sense of credibility.
At the same time, I am very concerned about what such a device as this has the potential to do to us as a religious community. It somehow reeks of all the kids sitting around the dining room table text messaging their friends around town. There is a distancing, an anonymity, and unrealness to this environment. We cannot replace the local congregation of believers who gather together to worship, to serve and to learn from one another.
I strongly (as in, cannot possibly shout loud enough while holding you white-nuckled to the ground by the scruff of your neck) encourage you to be part of a local community of believers. Even if this means printing off pages from this forum and having one person that you can share these things with on a regular basis, do that. If you have to put an ad in the paper, do that (I did, by the way). You cannot sit in front of a computer (or any device that is not flesh and blood and consider your self part of the living community of the Messiah.
What spawned this diatribe is a post on another thread where a person suggested that, while they can't get answers from their local congregation, at least they can come here. It frightens me that we may be the object by which a wedge is driven between believers, of that the authority of the local congregation is usurped by what some guy said on the internet. Please use us as a resource and as a tool; but not as an alternative to the relationships you really need in your local community.
If you're having trouble finding a group, please PM me and I'll do everything in my power to help you out. If you and members of your local congregation are in conflict about the things we believe, you can include me in the dialogue; but, please, please, please don't make this arena your religious happy spot, while ignoring the community and culture that Adonai has placed around you. If you are a wife who is learning to walk according to
and not involving youro husband in these discussions, you are placing your family at great risk. If you are part of a Church that is against but secretly learning to apply the ways of Adonai, you are doing your pastor(s) a huge injustice.
It's my desire that we be a great tool of encouragement and learning here at Ahavat Elohim. It is my prayer that we not become a justification for isolationism and anonymity.
Be blessed.
Mark
At the same time, I am very concerned about what such a device as this has the potential to do to us as a religious community. It somehow reeks of all the kids sitting around the dining room table text messaging their friends around town. There is a distancing, an anonymity, and unrealness to this environment. We cannot replace the local congregation of believers who gather together to worship, to serve and to learn from one another.
I strongly (as in, cannot possibly shout loud enough while holding you white-nuckled to the ground by the scruff of your neck) encourage you to be part of a local community of believers. Even if this means printing off pages from this forum and having one person that you can share these things with on a regular basis, do that. If you have to put an ad in the paper, do that (I did, by the way). You cannot sit in front of a computer (or any device that is not flesh and blood and consider your self part of the living community of the Messiah.
What spawned this diatribe is a post on another thread where a person suggested that, while they can't get answers from their local congregation, at least they can come here. It frightens me that we may be the object by which a wedge is driven between believers, of that the authority of the local congregation is usurped by what some guy said on the internet. Please use us as a resource and as a tool; but not as an alternative to the relationships you really need in your local community.
If you're having trouble finding a group, please PM me and I'll do everything in my power to help you out. If you and members of your local congregation are in conflict about the things we believe, you can include me in the dialogue; but, please, please, please don't make this arena your religious happy spot, while ignoring the community and culture that Adonai has placed around you. If you are a wife who is learning to walk according to
and not involving youro husband in these discussions, you are placing your family at great risk. If you are part of a Church that is against but secretly learning to apply the ways of Adonai, you are doing your pastor(s) a huge injustice. It's my desire that we be a great tool of encouragement and learning here at Ahavat Elohim. It is my prayer that we not become a justification for isolationism and anonymity.
Be blessed.
Mark
