Holy Conferencing - What's That?

[Theophilia05151]

Hi All, 

We have a grand tradition in the United Methodist Church that is getting more press and practice these days as we have come to a greater state of disarray over a topic we can't seem to come to agreement. The tradition to which I refer is called "holy conferencing." John Wesley promoted this way of seeking to understand another, rather than tearing them down. 

I thought you might be interested in these 8 principles of holy conferencing - 

1. Every person is a child of God
2. Listen before speaking
3. Strive to understand from another’s point of view
4. Strive to reflect accurately the views of others
5. Disagree without being disagreeable
6. Speak about issues; do not defame people
7. Pray, in silence or aloud, before decisions
8. Let prayer interrupt your busy-ness .

I think we would do well on here to ask people a lot more questions in order to clarify from where they are coming than to jump to make a pithy, pointed opposing statement.

Enough said. Love on, friends.

 

[*Zion*]

After reading this, I'm a big fan. Conference on 

[Theophilia05151]

Here is an article...that goes into a bit more detail...

http://mnumc-email.brtapp.com/files/eefiles/documents/holy_conferencing_study_guide_2012.pdf

[Theophilia05151]

This is good too...as well as some of the writings of Kevin Watson from the vital piety blog...

http://pendel.s3.amazonaws.com/2224E48AC8494AAE98E89045FD4E6772_3 - Guidelines for Holy Conferencing.pdf

[Theophilia05151]

I think my favorite part in teaching about this is when I get to tell people to stop being so self-righteous when they pray for others. Only God really knows what another needs. Seek God's best for others, not what you think will fix them!

 

[woundeddog]

5 hours ago, Theophilia05151 said:

Hi All, 

We have a grand tradition in the United Methodist Church that is getting more press and practice these days as we have come to a greater state of disarray over a topic we can't seem to come to agreement. The tradition to which I refer is called "holy conferencing." John Wesley promoted this way of seeking to understand another, rather than tearing them down. 

I thought you might be interested in these 8 principles of holy conferencing - 

1. Every person is a child of God
2. Listen before speaking
3. Strive to understand from another’s point of view
4. Strive to reflect accurately the views of others
5. Disagree without being disagreeable
6. Speak about issues; do not defame people
7. Pray, in silence or aloud, before decisions
8. Let prayer interrupt your busy-ness .

I think we would do well on here to ask people a lot more questions in order to clarify from where they are coming than to jump to make a pithy, pointed opposing statement.

Enough said. Love on, friends.

 

I'm good on points 2 through 8 but Jesus made it clear that not everyone is a child of God-- we are all Gods creatures  but not all his children , He said some people had the devil as their father

[Theophilia05151]

Hi woundeddog, 

 I would really like you to say more about that before I say anything. At first blush, I have to say that were all created in the image of God and the same breath of God that breathed life into Adam, breathed life into me. I am sure that this will come down to differing opinions about how we interpret Scripture. I would say that I balance what Jesus said (which in my opinion was a hyperbolic figurative statement) with the account of creation where God gave humankind life. I think it's important to look at the whole of Scripture. YHWH often refers to Israel as YHWH's son, or child. 

The greater part of this, is that, in humility, I truly do not want to set myself up as deciding who is and who is not a child of God and demeaning others to say they are not children of God. I have done that and it hasn't gone well. Yet, when I sincerely offer myself in love and believe the best of everyone, treating them like they are in truth the child of the most high God, things go a lot better. Again, I am not God, who has made it very clear that my little bitty part is to love in a large way.

BUT, I am really, really not wanting to argue over a post that is about not arguing...  Kind of defeats the point.

 

[Theophilia05151]

That first sentence should read, I would like to say more, but before I say anything I would like to ask you how you differentiate creature and child. Define them and tell me how I should treat each, please. Thanks.

[Ezra]

6 hours ago, woundeddog said:

I'm good on points 2 through 8 but Jesus made it clear that not everyone is a child of God-- we are all Gods creatures  but not all his children , He said some people had the devil as their father

I agree.  All should be encouraged to enter into the family of God.  But some will not obey the Gospel.

[woundeddog]

6 hours ago, Theophilia05151 said:

Hi woundeddog, 

 I would really like you to say more about that before I say anything. At first blush, I have to say that were all created in the image of God and the same breath of God that breathed life into Adam, breathed life into me. I am sure that this will come down to differing opinions about how we interpret Scripture. I would say that I balance what Jesus said (which in my opinion was a hyperbolic figurative statement) with the account of creation where God gave humankind life. I think it's important to look at the whole of Scripture. YHWH often refers to Israel as YHWH's son, or child. 

The greater part of this, is that, in humility, I truly do not want to set myself up as deciding who is and who is not a child of God and demeaning others to say they are not children of God. I have done that and it hasn't gone well. Yet, when I sincerely offer myself in love and believe the best of everyone, treating them like they are in truth the child of the most high God, things go a lot better. Again, I am not God, who has made it very clear that my little bitty part is to love in a large way.

BUT, I am really, really not wanting to argue over a post that is about not arguing...  Kind of defeats the point.

 

Hiya Theo!

First we should afford all people dignity because they are created in Gods image, so all people have value and God loves them.

John 8 41-45 indicates that although some think they are Gods children they are not, and Jesus goes on to say not only are they not Gods children, but they are in fact children of the devil because they do not love the truth

⁴¹ Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

⁴² Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

⁴³ Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

⁴⁵ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

 

so if in fact Jesus is saying that these people do not have a saving relationship with God we should do what we can to teach them the truth--if we just try to make everyone feel good by not thinking they may not be saved we are doing them a huge and I mean HUGE disservice by not doing our best to bring them into the family.

Saying some one is a sinner is by no means a negative thing- God himself says we are all sinners- if a person does not see them selves as a sinner they will not feel the need for a savior-- if they dont come to Jesus they will go to hell---if we really love them we will talk about the sinful condition and share the gospel with them so they wont go to hell. I do not believe that the Lord will deal harshly with me if I mistake a saved person for an unsaved person while trying to minister to them the gospel.

I would rather make someone feel bad on this temporal plain than to make someone feel the fires of hell for eternity

 

Yes we all came from that one breath of life in the garden, but that does not mean that we are all his children--- his creation yes but not children by adoption

Edited June 5, 2016 by woundeddog
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