Re: Your Opinion Please...(long post)
Submitted by Ray on February 12 1999 at 06:56:22
In reply to Your Opinion Please...(long post) Submitted by Pastor Tim on February 03 1999 at 01:00:39
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Pastor Tim, I haven't visited the site and don't intend to do so. I'm at a stage in life where I can just sit back and maintain my interest by observing the reactions of those who have visited the site. A question I had is what the kids felt was happening to them because of their participation. It's the kind of question that can only be answered in hindsight, though. You mention that they love it. How will they consider their particapation after 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? Meanwhile, continue to discern the lead of the Holy Spirit. What is needed is to recognize that doubt, dispair, mistrust, fear -- all these and more -- thwart the work of the Holy Spirit which can transform any human enterprise to produce its fruit of love, joy, peace, faithfulness, humility, self-control, etc. And recognize also that the higher you fly, the harder the fall if something goes wrong! Be watchful of all the kids that none is left out or forced into doing something they don't enjoy. I remember from the early 70's when I was the leader of a youth group and we decided to provide entertainment for one of the monthly visits to a unit at a local state hospital and what we decided to do was a spoof of a fashion show. I'm still not sure whether it was their older sisters who talked them into it, or what, but among other things, with some pleasant piano background music and commentary we had 3 early-adolescent brothers showing the latest in sack dresses: the plain sack, the spring sack, and the nylon sack. A 100-pound burlap feed bag with holes cut out for head and arms was the base for all three -- and was the plain sack. The spring sack had bed springs sewn on it and the nylon sack had long nylon stockings sewn all around! Talk about chances of things going wrong! Three bashful boys in rediculous drag prancing around in front of adults, most of them strangers, 25 miles from home on a midweek night, in an unfamiliar day room of a mental hospital, under the watchful eye of their pastor (not me!). As I recall, we pulled it off without any major problems, and it was well received all around -- not that they'd do it again, but it was fun once! I think you are aware of risks and dangers. Use sober judgment to continually evaluate the balance of risks and dangers and benefits, not judgment clouded by the lingering doubts and fears of either yourself, parents, or observers. What I have found woefully lacking in the Christian Church in the present era is support for such Christian freedom. Christ preached a radical righteousness that got him crucified! His followers today would rather be safe and not make waves! Sometimes it takes waves to know the fullness of the Holy Spirit! Wish you all well! Ray |