On The Vine
Hoping to Bear FruitArchive for Personal
Silent Majority
Many years ago, we began a journey together on a ship called the ‘Oasis’.
The captain set the course, simple, straight forward, and we all got on board, with hundreds boarding the ship at various ports along the way.
The beloved captain, took a fall, but the crew stood ready, to stay the course.
The first mate took the wheel, and we moved forward, together.
The crew became concerned, and came to the new captain, saying ‘I believe we are off course’.
The new captain assured them, ‘we are on course’.
But the ports we began to stop in, were not on the original course. Some of the crew and passengers recognized the foreign ports and began to disembark, looking for new ships to get them back on course.
The new captain’s words continually assured the crew and passengers that he had not changed course.
And yet there was no denying the evidence, the ship had most certainly changed course.
Most of the crew and the majority of the passengers decided to disembark, some speaking to the captain first, some leaving quiet and confused, some feeling they had no voice at all.
Eventually, the new captain himself recognized the change of course and set sail on his new craft, ‘the City Church’; taking a few remaining crew members and passengers; leaving the ‘Oasis’ to drift away.
Passengers and crew members of the ‘Oasis’ now scattered at various ports; as they work to get back on course, perhaps can’t help but grieve what was once a beautiful ship, setting sail on a simple course.
Over the last several months, perhaps years, so much has been said and done, but in the simplest of terms, the Silent Majority has spoken.
“This was not the course we set sail on when we boarded the ‘Oasis’”
My Prayer for the Silent Majority
May God hear the voice of all who lost their home,
May he bring them into fellowship, especially at His throne.
May God hear the voice of those who left in tears
May He comfort their heart and quiet their fears.
May God hear the voice of those who left confused,
May he bring clarity, where His word was misused.
May God hear the voice of those who left betrayed,
May he bring restoration, To relationships frayed.
May God hear the voice of those who left offended,
May he bring confirmation, their rebuke be commended.
May God hear the voice of those who left mad,
May His righteousness remind them, anger isn’t always bad.
May God hear the voice of those who left defeated,
May He remind them, their gifts are needed.
May God hear the voice of those who left in pain,
May He mend their broken hearts, Their efforts were not in vain.
May God hear the voice of those who stayed behind,
May His promise be true for them, “Seek and you will find”
May God hear the voice of those who are misled,
May they be reminded, ‘for your sins, Jesus bled’.
May God quiet the voice, of those who’s words deceive
May He bring to mind the simple truth ‘in whom did you first believe’.
May God’s voice be heard, may truth resound,
May He comfort His people, to His heart may they be bound.
To Talk or Not to Talk…
Knight Shadow, I returned to chat, but you seem to have decided you’d rather not talk. (I got that impression because you blocked my comments). But I do wish to respond, and clearly have the freedom to do so on my own blog. (I will make this my last attempt and if you don’t care to continue our chat, unlike you, I will bow out gracefully, atleast for now).
I am the original anonymous. My anonymity was simply because you don’t know me. I have never been a member of your congregation. We did meet once, when I attempted to have a face to face conversation with you, asking a question about something you taught. You didn’t care then who I was, not even enough to make eye contact with me, and your answer to my question was so vague I walked away wondering if there was really an answer at all.
So based on my experience, while you say you are open to discussion, the truth is you don’t want to talk to me unless I agree with you. I am keenly aware of a pattern among members and elders in your congregation, who seem to exit or be asked to leave when their questions become to hard to answer and they keep pressing for that answer rather than walking away like I did.
I am all too familiar with your communication style. Whenever two statements of yours conflict you simply respond by saying ‘someone misunderstood’. (You poor soul, so often misunderstood.)
The ‘other side of the story’ is always wrong, and you find your self never at fault.
What are the odds that you are never wrong? (Perhaps you should try that out in Vegas!)
This tactic of yours is nearly impenetrable. But there are some who are wise to your ways, some from the outside, some from the inside, some who have been turned inside out. Praise God they are free from deception and confusion!
There is a way to have a conversation and prevent the confusion and you are already familiar with it, it is called the written word. The beauty of having a conversation in writing, is that your words are your words, not to be twisted or changed later. And the beauty of the world wide web, is that the discussion takes place with witnesses. (in keeping with Matt 18.)
The heart of a pastor would certainly want the flock to be safe, to feel safe.
So if this forum offers a safe way for questions to be asked and answered, and you are willing, then let me know. Contrary to your assumption, my goal has not been to cast accusations, my goal has been and remains The Truth. Questions asked, questions answered, truth revealed.
Whether or not you are willing to work toward that goal, remains to be seen…
