[Peter Debelak]

Dear Unregistered:

I understand that I am arguing for more emphasis on the individual walk, but I do not see where in my posts you gathered that I am or aim to be "answerable to no one." I do not meet with an identifiable group, but I do meet regularly with groups of people consistantly, with whom I have built up intimate relationships and with whom I am open to correction and even submission.

Just last night (and every Tuesday), I meet with a group of 8-15 brothers - ranging from ages 21-75 with the majority of them over age 40. Most of them meet in some formal group or another, but our particular group doesn't seek to carve out its own identity. It is a very open and intense gathering - and the relationships built continue in daily fellowship most days of the week.

A few nights ago, I met with an older brother who actually used to be my elder (as in, he was an elder in the local church). These days, I still fellowship with him and even submit to him - but as my elder (older and wiser believer) not just because he's my elder (office holder in a formal congregation).

These are but two examples of corporate fellowship that exists in my routine life, even though I don't claim "membership" of a formal organiztion. But importantly, I am not advocating that this is some sort of "model." My argument is about emphasis even if one belongs to a formal group.

Regarding "disdain" for groups, I would argue its harder for "members" of a particular group to have mutual respect for folks who don't meet with them (I'm not saying it doesn't happen - its just not as easy). I have routine and mutual fellowship with Catholics, Baptists as well as evangelical protestants. The last time I took communion was in a Lutheran Church. And I have an immense respect for the faith of my relatives who are members of that church.

In just about every post I have argued that an individual Christian walk - IF it is healthy - WILL NECESSARILY result in corporate fellowship. If and when I develop a disdain for corporate fellowsship, or my life is devoid of it - that is a RED FLAG that my individual walk is unhealthy.

People respond to me as if that is just "pontificating". Why the reluctance to even entertain a slightly different way of seeing the dynamic between "individual" and corporate spiritual walk. You again approach me as the "teaching father (or mother)". That has more apparant audacity and "disdain" and lack of opennesss than you cliam my posts exhibit. I don't bristle at folks disagreeing with me if I sense there is mutuality in the fellowship. I do bristle at the uni-directional teaching when its clear you weren't listening in the first place.

Thoughts?

In Love,

Peter

P.S. Again, I would be more than happy to have one-on-one fellowship and share some more personal aspect to where I am coming from and why. But if you are only interested in making public points to a larger audience, don't use me as a punching bag to make points about other "rogue Christians" you've encountered in the past AND THEN say you're not open to one-on-one fellowship.