tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post8581610249415587043..comments2023-12-26T10:22:04.630-05:00Comments on Things of My Soul: A Few Thoughts About Church Disciplinary Councils and DisfellowshipmentPapa Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-31532121900853213752012-01-10T15:59:08.416-05:002012-01-10T15:59:08.416-05:00This may be quite irrelevant,but as the wife of so...This may be quite irrelevant,but as the wife of someone who has served on disciplinary councils,I know of his particularly merciful nature.I also know that he does not serve fools gladly. I've seen his anguish,and genuine desire to make God's love manifest,and his complete absence of revenge or malice towards individuals involved.I actually believe that he was changed deeply by the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-49278992819214904622012-01-05T22:19:21.942-05:002012-01-05T22:19:21.942-05:003) "In the vast majority of instances the des...3) "In the vast majority of instances the desire for an "open" council would be irrelevant but I am aware of instances where the evidence presented was in dispute or the interpretation of said evidence was difficult and in those cases a bit of sunshine would incent participants (all of them) to be as deliberate and careful as possible." <br /><br />I have been involved in Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-55752798618227145762012-01-05T22:18:52.322-05:002012-01-05T22:18:52.322-05:00I think your concern absolutely is valid, Paul - b...I think your concern absolutely is valid, Paul - but the format of the council is supposed to address that concern. I know it doesn't always, since the format also is subject to individual alteration by the participants (especially the presiding authority), but, point by point: <br /><br />1) "I think if the accused / disciplined individual agrees to an "open" council then Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-51599512984207126802012-01-05T14:51:32.445-05:002012-01-05T14:51:32.445-05:00I have to quibble with your blanket statement that...I have to quibble with your blanket statement that "We are not supposed to hear the other [institutional] side." I think if the accused/disciplined individual agrees to an "open" council then those making the disciplinary decisions ought to be subject to inquiry and be obliged to provide the rationale for the decision. So many of the potential causes for church dicipline arePaulMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-25277634847765580472012-01-04T23:10:32.610-05:002012-01-04T23:10:32.610-05:00Thank you, Patty. I always appreciate your commen...Thank you, Patty. I always appreciate your comments, and I REALLY appreciate this one.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-56024654019491700552012-01-04T17:05:42.702-05:002012-01-04T17:05:42.702-05:00Having been disfellowshipped myself and having kno...Having been disfellowshipped myself and having known close friends and family who have been excommunicated and then re-baptized, I have come to see the mercy and beauty of the church disciplinary councils. It's hard to explain to people who have never experienced formal church discipline and then gone on to full repentance and fellowship the weight that is lifted when this happens. <br />Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01088835513981961640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-39461795245411604522012-01-04T14:18:09.788-05:002012-01-04T14:18:09.788-05:00"I think the church crosses the line when it ..."I think the church crosses the line when it pretends to broker your relationship with God through men." <br /><br />Fwiw, Howard, I agree with you when it's worded that way. I don't think that is the purpose of disciplinary councils, so when they are approached that way, I agree that it often isn't healthy or right. <br /><br />Having said that, I do believe the Church can&Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-3906143572410233762012-01-04T13:41:00.081-05:002012-01-04T13:41:00.081-05:00I think the church crosses the line when it preten...I think the church crosses the line when it pretends to broker your relationship with God through men. I have been in the ironic position of having a strong testimony being completely repentant and square with God but still at odds with the church or at lease with one of the church's representatives.Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09007746538745044815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-39950003097505664192012-01-04T10:06:32.326-05:002012-01-04T10:06:32.326-05:00Thank you, b&a, for sharing that perspective. ...Thank you, b&a, for sharing that perspective. It's not waht I addressed in the post, but I really appreciate it - and it is amazing sometimes what the Spirit can teach us when we are ready to listen. As much as I wish you hadn't gone through those particular experiences, I'm very happy you've been able to receive the insights you described in your comments. <br /><br />TruePapa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-80905834633392691342012-01-04T04:57:04.408-05:002012-01-04T04:57:04.408-05:00This post revived an old pain.
I typed something ...This post revived an old pain.<br /><br />I typed something and then I erased it realizing that I was wrong and trying not to pin point what had really taken place because somewhere it was loading a leader's plate a little more when I have been trying not to feel as bad as I should concerning what he did.<br />I don't know why it suddenly became clear and with this clarity I realized thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com