USA National Election: The night before

[Tek7]

And that's what I see you as asking of Tek that he's trying to sensitively tell you he can't do - wanting him to take on some measure of pastoral duties and responsibilities that you and maybe other members aren't finding elsewhere - and that's not something you're likely to find any internet forum being able to provide, much less a gaming forum.

Agreed.

Your post reminded I'd written last month that seems appropriate to repost here:

A local church is where followers of Christ meet together in person regularly to worship and teach the Word of God. A local church is led by a pastor, who is the spiritual leader of the church. A local church will have a narrower statement of belief, such as The Baptist Faith and Message. Many pastors will and should, when appropriate, teach what God's Word says about controversial topics. A local church is also the primary vehicle by which Christians serve and support fellow believers outside their immediate family, though it is by no means the only.

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:19-25, ESV)

One of my goals as leader of the CGA community is to encourage believers who are not already attending and involved in a local church to find one that teaches sound Biblical doctrine, join, connect with fellow believers in a face-to-face environment, and find a place to serve. Christians are called to be engaging in community with each other. While I understand from personal experience how uncomfortable it can be to join and get involved in a local church (especially after negative experiences), the Bible doesn't leave us the option to go it alone. We are instructed to meet together. Scripture commands it.

I can also speak from personal experience that while online community can be a valuable addition to local church involvement, it can not and will not serve as a substitute because it was never meant to.

But now I'm starting to repeat what I posted before, so I'll end my post here before I start talking in circles. :3

 

[The Mighty Gerbil]

Expecting ideological consistency and parity in the things one professes to believe is not asking for pastoral care. At this point I don't even think people are actually reading my posts so I'm out until Tek inevitably posts something leftist again and I have to fight him. Laters.