Robert Scoble's visit to Fellowship has been revisited, this time on Monday Morning Insight. Each time Scoble's article is discussed, it provokes a great deal of heated debate and this time is no exception. The comments in this case are well worth reading, including ones by Scoble and Terry Storch. What is a bit different about this case is that it's an argument between the already convinced. I think most outsiders would be surprised to discover how much fun churches have criticizing other churches.
I've found over my brief four years in ministry that every church and church leader must battle against one thing constantly - arrogance! Most churches are clear on two things: the inerrant truth of scripture and, a close second, the inerrant method of presenting it. No matter where a church falls (large/small, city/suburban, cutting edge/traditional) you'll find those who feel they have little, if anything, to learn from another church. And at the same time, will effortlessly offer unsolicited criticism of fellow servants and their work.
As I told Scoble in a brief exchange, he has proven to be more gracious and open-minded than many of us on our best days.
It would seem that the church at large has much to learn about being humble in our dealings with one another. (Myself included.) Our capacity for pride is pretty amazing, and goes largely unchecked when we get into the habit of thinking in terms of "my church," "our church," "they don't do this right," or "we do this great." Seems as though it's easy to forget we're one body.
We're the only ones who shoot our wounded.
Posted by: shua | November 16, 2004 at 09:52 AM