Exactly! This is exactly how it goes. Satan turns the honest and sincere calling of people around. Quite often the leadership are just as deceived if not more so than the following – without a sweet clue as to how they are being used to coerse others. Taking people through continuous weekly religious observations and many other distractions and they might not necessarily be spiritually nurturing anyone. Just giving them crumbs and holding them at distance apart from God with just enough God activity that makes them think their on the right track.
i think that most people are aware of when they are being coerced. i would suggest that people’s need for acceptance is so strong (not a bad thing) that some choose to comply. so in other words, i bet that most folks probably have a clue or two, but the need to be needed often wins.
Kari ~> That’s scary when you think about it. If most people are aware of when they are being coerced and the need for being needed and accepted is what allows them to accept being coerced what is that saying about them?
rod – i think they are just average people who fear losing connection with what they have even if it is familiarity vs. authentic relationship. I think that a pat on the back, one’s name mentioned from the pulpit or some basic flattery is all many people need to make it through the year. if they are lucky enough to get into the pastor’s home for a quick visit (or an indoctrination course), then the buy-in is close to 100%.
a person then feels an intrigal part of a community (something bigger than themselves). they also have fear of trying another community. they would rather that people know about them and to know details about others in their familiar surroundings rather than allowing themselves to be fully known by others and to really connect deeply with others. so all i think it says about many people is that we are frail humans with fears and needs. it seems to me that usually those who boast about having real community do not have a sweet clue what it really is (in my opinion anyway)…I think RV is an exception.
David Hayward is an artist trapped in a pastor's body, stripping to the essential.
Exactly! This is exactly how it goes. Satan turns the honest and sincere calling of people around. Quite often the leadership are just as deceived if not more so than the following – without a sweet clue as to how they are being used to coerse others. Taking people through continuous weekly religious observations and many other distractions and they might not necessarily be spiritually nurturing anyone. Just giving them crumbs and holding them at distance apart from God with just enough God activity that makes them think their on the right track.
i think that most people are aware of when they are being coerced. i would suggest that people’s need for acceptance is so strong (not a bad thing) that some choose to comply. so in other words, i bet that most folks probably have a clue or two, but the need to be needed often wins.
Kari ~> That’s scary when you think about it. If most people are aware of when they are being coerced and the need for being needed and accepted is what allows them to accept being coerced what is that saying about them?
Coercion and manipulation – 2 things we can live without in the church.
rod – i think they are just average people who fear losing connection with what they have even if it is familiarity vs. authentic relationship. I think that a pat on the back, one’s name mentioned from the pulpit or some basic flattery is all many people need to make it through the year. if they are lucky enough to get into the pastor’s home for a quick visit (or an indoctrination course), then the buy-in is close to 100%.
a person then feels an intrigal part of a community (something bigger than themselves). they also have fear of trying another community. they would rather that people know about them and to know details about others in their familiar surroundings rather than allowing themselves to be fully known by others and to really connect deeply with others. so all i think it says about many people is that we are frail humans with fears and needs. it seems to me that usually those who boast about having real community do not have a sweet clue what it really is (in my opinion anyway)…I think RV is an exception.