Quote:
Originally Posted by NaturalLog
We all expect the elders to be at their best all the time; but they are also fallen human beings. So I would say elders who are known to have a gentle and temperamental disposition, you can freely fellowship with almost anything. Otherwise..., be careful and exercise some discernment.
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My experience with absolute brothers actively going on in their localities any fellowship is relative. There's "an elephant in the room" you just don't venture to. It will only result in sharp words and offenses. Choose your words wisely.
Something I considered for many years. Let's just use the word Responsible brother to capture the term of Co-worker, elder, or deacon. Being fallen, like any brother or sister are not immune from peer pressures, fear of man, etc. No one especially in their function as a responsible brother wants to be labeled as "not being absolute enough". By that point they're more likely have invested a decade or more in the local churches. To be ostracized would affect them socially since a large sphere of their social life is centered in "the church-life". So, I always wondered what do "Responsible brothers" really think? No way could they be "absolute" every waking moment.
Though I haven't posted on it for several years, an uncle of mine served as a responsible brother in several Washington state localities. In his later years in retirement he and my aunt were geographically removed from the local churches. The year prior to his passing, my uncle was not the absolute "Responsible" brother he had been in prior years. Instead there was reminiscing of ones who had left such as John Ingalls. Verbally asking "I wonder what happened to John Ingalls". (This was back in 2013). I was guarded and didn't know quite how to react or respond to the conversation we were having other than to listen.