how do we take more responsibility for our own actions and approaches to faith and life. So often we rely on institutional approaches like membership which tells us what we should do or believe. It replaces grace and the need to dialogue when we don’t agree. To journey to the light is to journey in the light and embrace the difficulties and uncertainties that entails. To ditch the security blanket of the known, the institution, the rules, and regulations To take responsibility for our actions, to challenge the actions of others and so grow and become fellow travellers of light.
SUNDAY PAPERS – THE SUPPLEMENT
A CO-OPERATIVE LOOK AT LIFE, MISSION, EMERGING CHURCH AND ALL THAT
Personally, I think there needs to be a mix of both. YWAM is big on personal responsibility but sometimes to the polar extreme. Yes we have to take responsibility for our actions but sometimes we need to have clear boundaries and lines of authority. That is not to say that we can’t challenge.
We need to be in a conversation with our God at times…
how do we take more responsibility for our actions? we have to grow up and stop blaming, denying and defending. We have to take responsibility for our response instead of saying things like, ‘you made me feel’, ‘it was her/his fault!’. In terms of god – we need to take repsonibility for the god we have constucted and worship.
It all depends what you are talking about. I disagree that Membership tells us what to believe. Yes there are things within a membership that you agree to but within a denomination you have a wide spectrum of differing views – and if there is a healthy membership we can dialogue and get on without massive divisions.
Membership is a good thing. It does not have to be a negative. Membership has many positives, as anyone that has worked with young people knows, membership can give a real sense of ownership and responsibility. …..Mind you some people do talk their membership like a pinch of salt..
To be a member of a church, a family a club, a tribe, a football team demands certain committments and its very important and a postive contribution to our wellbeing. However to be part of the the club, family, peer group etc demands certain codes to be respected. In terms of young people the codes may include clothes, music, language, values and attitudes. In terms of Church they may ask for time comittmetns, money, language, beliefs and values to be adhered too.
The difficultly for the tribe/ herd to deal with is when one person wants to act or beleive differently – this essentially threatens the group security and eventually that person will be excluded.
True this happens but it is possible for people to co – exist without exclusion…it can be a positive environment..but it is so often negative. Sometimes it is better to leave a negative environment and find like minded people. It is not good for both parties if it is negative and destructive…for example I know some places that disapprove of women in ministry….that might not be the best, supportive environment for women called to leadership/ ministry.