Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
My problem with "group culture" is not just the abuses that can take place (which are many) but also because of how easy it is to be "good at it," simply by mastering cultural norms, as one might in any other human organizations. There's nothing "spiritual" or faith-based about it. ... It is too easy precisely because of "human nature" for people - especially in groups - to replace "faith" with human culture and mores while calling it "faith."
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What I think balances the tendencies noted above by
Peter, is that being in a group which is "affiliated with" the chrisitian faith (using LSM terms tongue-in-cheek), one also trying to find God while there. One is ostensibly "following in the footsteps of the flock", and consciously or unconsiously absorbing the group culture, trying to fit in. But in the Christian assembly one is also listening for the voice of the Shepherd. "My sheep hear My voice"... and here is the rub- what if the Shepherd says something different than what is coming from the podium? What then?
I think in a flock with healthy, balanced and humble leadership, those other voices will rise from within the group and they will be heard as from the Lord. In a group with unhealthy leadership issues, anyone fielding an inconvenient truth will find oneself like Jeremiah, being lowered into a pit.
I recall when I began to hear from the Shepherd apart from the "interpreted Word" and openly questioned the word from the Maximum Brother, and was told, variously, "You just need to pray about it more, until you get it", and "your heart is dark", and "you have ambition and are trying to draw others away after yourself". And those were the polite counsel! I tell you, I had no idea I was so evil! And just for thinking differently from the group.
But I knew it was the Shepherd's voice. I could say that "My heart was burning while He opened to me the scriptures" (Luke 24:44) and "My heart trembles before Your word" (Psalm 119:161). It was the Word, it was the Spirit, so I had to listen.
Now, I must hasten to add, I have not always been obedient to the heavenly vision. Seeing something and obeying it are two different things. "Blessed is he who hears; more blessed is he who obeys" (Luke chap 11). So I am not pretending to have laid hold. I just am saying that even while I am within the flock, I don't always hear the Shepherd's voice from within the flock. Sometimes it comes from the wilderness.