Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
This is interesting. Honestly, I really have had a problem comporting my understanding of the New Covenant with the obvious Scripture to "obey" leaders. Perhaps this is a sort of bridge between the two. Leaders should not become a replacement for the voice of the Shepherd. But perhaps they are like sharpening stones for our faith, even when (perhaps especially when) we sometime follow them errantly. We must be vigilant to listen to the Shepherd's voice, even as we submit to others. Perhaps, as you say, this interplay of submitting and listening for His voice is how we learn to know His voice better.
I will spend some more time on this thought, but it did speak to me.
Thanks!
Peter
|
Talking about the New Covenant promise of knowing God, what has burnt me (and others) more than anything ... in a nutshell ... is abusive leaders playing God. My most difficult trials ... the ones I could never even discuss here publicly ... were all at the hands of LC leaders who did not know the boundaries of their own office, and instead usurped the role of the Great Shepherd to take advantage of the trusting heart of a young believer. They "played God" at my expense, thinking they were doing His will.
Yet within the LC's there were some leaders who challenged the young people to find the Lord's will on their own. They worked together with the Great Shepherd to help the young ones to grow properly. You mentioned one such brother CR who helped you. I also had some. How I wish they all were this way.
In another post, you mentioned how your father raised some eyebrows by not pressing the party line in Anaheim. He was not alone. This raises huge concerns about the health of the Recovery as a whole. Why is it that those who attempt to keep the Lord and His people first -- are the first to leave. What happens to the whole when only party zealots remain? How does this next generation ever get to find their own faith in God?