Welcome
to Dialogue: Discerning
Church Membership, Part I
Booklet
#3
Questions for Discussion/Reflection
Conversations with the Undecided
- In the fourth paragraph, Kathleen shares how she uses the Bible
to solve human dilemmas. Is this an effective use of the Bible? How
do you depend on the Bible to discern God's will for yourself?
- This article challenges us to decide which biblical teachings and
commandments to obey literally and which ones to "hold" within a broader
framework. How do you decide which of the Old Testament teachings have
a priority for us today? How do you decide which of the New Testament
teachings carry more "weight" for you, and why?
- What is the ultimate instruction from the Bible that gives shape
to the decisions that you make in relation to others? How do you express
it?
Authority: "Bread" or Grace Enough for All
- Dorothy's first sentence states: "All church members possess and
exercise authority as a sacred trust." How do you express authority?
In what way is authority a "sacred trust?" How does your personal authority:
(a) grow through your attention to scripture? (b) take shape
through tradition? (c) expand through knowledge (d) find
meaning through experience?
- Dorothy asks: "By what authority might church members endorse basic
principles of biblical truth-rather than literally lift a few verses
from their cultural and historical context-as decisive for inclusion
in God's family?" Name and apply two or three basic principles of biblical
truth.
- Respond to the following observation and question: "Partners in
same-gender friendship are often deprived [by opponents] of two qualities
of being fully human-identity and community" Who can presume to belong
while stripping others of their identity as believers, their freedom
for group worship or pastoral care?
"Homosexuality" and Church Membership: A Model of Power for Unity and Renewal
- John suggests three questions that candidates for membership might
be asked. Could you answer these in the affirmative? If all the members
of your congregation would live by the positive answer to these questions,
what changes might transpire? How might your life change?
- John writes, "In the cross Jesus revealed God's power and the method
of reconciliation of the world." How does your congregation demonstrate
the inclusive nature of God's reconciliation? How is the power of God
exerted through your interaction with sexual minorities?
- Again quoting John: "Mennonites face a choice between dividing
over homosexuality or uniting over peacemaking." Recalling that peacemakers
are blessed, what will you and your congregation do to help in peacemaking?
These questions (pp. 47, 48) are intended to stimulate your reflection
on the topics discussed by the writers. We hope that families, small
groups, and Sunday school classes will find them helpful. Addresses
are included so that you may send questions and comments to the writers.
However, we believe that the greatest benefit will come from discussion
among small groups, including with people whose viewpoints complement
and differ from yours.
Kathleen Kern, 293 Brooksboro Drive, Webster NY 14580
klaskern@aol.com
Dorothy Yoder Nyce, 1603 S. 15th Street, Goshen IN 46526
John K. Stoner, 728 Fulton Street, Akron PA 17501
jstoner@ecapc.org
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