One of my pastors...

[Willow]

One of my pastor's wrote a response today about my article about rock star christianity and pathology in the pulpit.

He didn't agree with much of what I said. I'm dying to share what he said with you all. I thought it brought a balance to my essay. However... I have asked his permission and will wait. In the meantime, it's brought up a lot of emotions in me. I trust and respect this particular pastor and it is painful to share my thoughts and be disagreed with. However... I am a big girl and he is a big boy. We can agree to disagree. We all don't have to think alike... right?

[exwitchoz]

IMHO... Agreeing to disagree is a sign of growth and maturity Amy...

I for one would much rather find myself in the position of disagreeing with someone who's opinion I respect than find myself in total agreement with someone whose opinion I don't... ;)

Don't sweat it...

My Pastor and I agree on many things.... but we disagree on more than a few too... He is the first to say that we are two different people with two different ministries and that God has equipped us with different views and personalities to suit those ministries... but so long as we both put Christ first and foremost then we truly are "one Body but many parts" (1Cor. 12:14) and Viva L'difference!!! :)

[Willow]

Thanx Jean Luc. Your input and support was much needed tonight. I have shed more than a few tears and need to be at a meeting in a half hour. I have to get it together!!

This pastor is a blast from the past... however... he has also recognized the pathology from the group we both were in several years ago.

[Willow]

OH well.. he said he didn't want me to share what he wrote... it's for my eyes only. I would have liked for you all to see it.

[Jerry]

Funny Willow,,,,,,anything I write can be shared with anyone,,,,,,but then I am not trying to manipulate anyone ;) Sweetie,,,,,a truly honest person never finds themselves in total agreement with the group of which they are a part......:)
Love Jerry

[SpinningHead]

OH well.. he said he didn't want me to share what he wrote... it's for my eyes only. I would have liked for you all to see it.

Caution! Caution! Red flags flying high!!!

If he talked about it and wrote about it...then it's to be shared w/ whomever would read it!

Love letters from high school boyfriends are to be "for your eyes only"...and even then we show our girlfriends!! :D

Seriously...if you can't share it...throw it away! his OPINION is not worth the paper it's written on!

[Willow]

Yah... I think I'll just take the encouraging stuff and leave the rest behind unless it proves to be right.
He was using names of people and churches, but I would have blanked those out.
It's his perogative, but I truly am disappointed. I feel the same way about whatever I share on email or the web belongs to the public.

[Hope 98]

I wouldn't know how to attempt to agree to disagree, but I've found myself able to do that in the context of mutual respect in a relationship.

It may be a bit easier to come by if we simply realized not one of us is nearly close enough to God to have anything over anyone else.

The only one who WAS close enough to God to hold it over our heads, went quite far out of his way NOT to. In fact, he made a very painful choice to serve us.

OK - I've given myself something to think about.

Willow - I respect your courage in sharing something that has brought out your vulnerability. I am sure that you'll be OK.

[Janice]

Yah... I think I'll just take the encouraging stuff and leave the rest behind unless it proves to be right.
He was using names of people and churches, but I would have blanked those out.
It's his perogative, but I truly am disappointed. I feel the same way about whatever I share on email or the web belongs to the public.

Your asking his permission and then honoring his request not to share shows that you are a woman of great integrity.

Go Amy! :D

[Jo Jo]

Jerry wrote:
Funny Willow,,,,,,anything I write can be shared with anyone,,,,,,but then I am not trying to manipulate anyone

Bingo!

I'm sorry that happened Willow... it's very difficult when someone you like and respect doesn't agree with you. It hurts.

I like what Jerry said on the matter.

[DiligentLily]

Willow, it sure is good that you are honoring his request! Very decent of you, and above and beyond. My abuser, at one point, insisted that I copy him on every e-mail I wrote to anyone in which he was mentioned, so he could be sure to 'correct' it if he didn't like what I wrote. At the same time, he was forwarding my e-mails to people without running it by me. Paranoid. I suspect there's a little paranoia in your pastor, too.

[Willow]

Willow, it sure is good that you are honoring his request! Very decent of you, and above and beyond. My abuser, at one point, insisted that I copy him on every e-mail I wrote to anyone in which he was mentioned, so he could be sure to 'correct' it if he didn't like what I wrote. At the same time, he was forwarding my e-mails to people without running it by me. Paranoid. I suspect there's a little paranoia in your pastor, too.

Yes... he has a lot to lose if the wrong person read what he wrote. I do care about he and his wife. Although, they are still in some heavyduty black and white thinking patterns for sure.

[Willow]

Janice thanks! How are you feeling sis?

[Willow]

Thanks Hope and Jo Jo. It's easy to share vulnerable stuff here. It was difficult to share something vulnerable with him. I kinda knew it would get a negative review. I'm not sure why I did that. I guess I just had to be sure.

[Janice]

Janice thanks! How are you feeling sis?

Feeling soooooooooo much better THANK GOD!!!! Looks like back to work early next month.

Red count is low and I'm anemic so, I'm still tired alot but other then that things are well!!!

Woooo Hooooo!!!!

Now if my pc will get better I'll be in great shape!

[Willow]

That's a very good report. SOunds like you are on the mend!