Wednesday, April 23, 2008

When God Speaks (2)........

AND SOMETIMES HE SAYS "NO"!
Continuing from the March 2 post:
Ten years later, our youngest daughter was about to graduate from high school. Dana and I had been growing more dissatisfied with our church – mostly with the leadership’s reluctance to implement or even allow Spirit-led changes in methods, practices and ministries, and I frequently found myself out on the “edge of orthodoxy” and being increasingly marginalized. My role as a deacon, Bible class teacher and as a frequent participant in the public worship was being reduced continually, and we felt the need to move on and change congregations, but we stayed due to some good friends and to allow our girls to complete their Youth Group experience. Our attitude and our words were increasingly negative. The church was entering the process of selecting additional elders that spring, and several friends wanted to submit my name. It seemed like I would be a controversial nomination, but I was praying for guidance. The weekend we were out in Midland attending the Stream in the Desert worship conference, I got my guidance in the middle of the night, as I clearly understood that I should not allow my name to be introduced into the elder selection process. I did not fully understand why, at that time.
More later....

1 comment:

Trisha said...

Thanks for writing this, Greg. You were a breath of fresh air to us when you came to Glenwood! I'm thankful for so many reasons that you were listening to the Spirit's lead. What a blessing you and Dana have been to us and so many others! We love you both.