Plow Creek Mennonite Church

Sunday Meditations

Commitment to Entering with Trust and Openness into Church Decision Making

Adult teaching discussion led by Jim Foxvog
Sunday, April 22

These are some notes from a lively discussion on definitions and scriptures related to our commitment to trust and openness in church decision making. I'm sorry, but lots of individual's further insights, that made this a valuable discussion, did not get recorded.

Definitions:

openness n. state of being open

open

transparency, free from concealment: overt: not secret or hidden
vulnerability - unprotected - willing to be broken
being willing to talk
must be in touch with our own emotions
honesty
willing to explain and hear others' explanations
it helps to have others willing to hear
ready and willing to hear and consider
open minded
be clothed in Christ
trying to resemble Christ
exposed or vulnerable to attack or question
unprotected
characterized by ready accessibility
unbiased and unprejudiced, receptive, willing to change one's own ideas and ways
frank, communicative

Trust

believe we won't be hurt
don't need secrets
put our hope in something
conscious decision not to control
includes some level of risk
depending
involves asking
foundational in relationships
security
grows with positive experiences
keep hope in Jesus
trust is earned
assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone
to place confidence
to permit to do something without (or in spite of) fear or misgiving

What do we trust in? Trusting in people is different from trusting in God. Whom we really can trust is God. Isaiah 12.2

What scriptures apply?

2 Cor 6.11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections,

Hebrews 2.11-13 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me."

Unity

Philippians 1:27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (united souls)

Trust and openness come from unity. We have the same Holy Spirit. When we each have the HS guiding us, we will be in unity. We come together with the same desires, the same purposes. Not to please ourselves, but to honor, obey, please God. Our purpose is "striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." Assume God is at work in each of us.

Do not lie.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices

Be at Peace

1 Thessalonians 5:13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Love (etc) one another

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Romans 12:10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Romans 14:13 Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Romans 15:5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Colossians 3:9, 122-14 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices .... Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Ephesians 5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Acts 15 is a good example of spending time together to deal with and important and emotional controversy, listening to each other, and praying together.

How do we trust when we have experienced untrustworthy people?
John 2.23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.
But later Jesus was very open and vulnerable, leading to his death -- which led to his victory!

Mat 24.10-11 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

1Cor 1.25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Being open and trusting is foolishness to this world. But we also trust in someone greater.

How can we be open when we have been hurt? In the early 1990's a severe betrayal of trust was revealed at Plow Creek. Many people left. Many here have experienced God's healing, relating to this event and other betrayals in our individual past experiences.

home Who We Are People Documents Mission Spirituality Relationships What's New Links Come Visit Village Store Picture Gallery Calendar Contact Us Site Outline Search Plow Creek site	Plow Creek Mennonite Church Sunday Meditations Commitment to Entering with Trust and Openness into Church Decision Making Adult teaching discussion led by Jim Foxvog Sunday, April 22 These are some notes from a lively discussion on definitions and scriptures related to our commitment to trust and openness in church decision making. I'm sorry, but lots of individual's further insights, that made this a valuable discussion, did not get recorded. Definitions: openness n. state of being open open transparency, free from concealment: overt: not secret or hidden vulnerability - unprotected - willing to be broken being willing to talk must be in touch with our own emotions honesty willing to explain and hear others' explanations it helps to have others willing to hear ready and willing to hear and consider open minded be clothed in Christ trying to resemble Christ exposed or vulnerable to attack or question unprotected characterized by ready accessibility unbiased and unprejudiced, receptive, willing to change one's own ideas and ways frank, communicative Trust believe we won't be hurt don't need secrets put our hope in something conscious decision not to control includes some level of risk depending involves asking foundational in relationships security grows with positive experiences keep hope in Jesus trust is earned assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone to place confidence to permit to do something without (or in spite of) fear or misgiving What do we trust in? Trusting in people is different from trusting in God. Whom we really can trust is God. Isaiah 12.2 What scriptures apply? 2 Cor 6.11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, Hebrews 2.11-13 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." Unity Philippians 1:27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (united souls) Trust and openness come from unity. We have the same Holy Spirit. When we each have the HS guiding us, we will be in unity. We come together with the same desires, the same purposes. Not to please ourselves, but to honor, obey, please God. Our purpose is "striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." Assume God is at work in each of us. Do not lie. Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices Be at Peace 1 Thessalonians 5:13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Love (etc) one another John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Romans 12:10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 14:13 Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 15:5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, Colossians 3:9, 122-14 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices .... Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Ephesians 5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Acts 15 is a good example of spending time together to deal with and important and emotional controversy, listening to each other, and praying together. How do we trust when we have experienced untrustworthy people? John 2.23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man. But later Jesus was very open and vulnerable, leading to his death -- which led to his victory! Mat 24.10-11 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 1Cor 1.25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Being open and trusting is foolishness to this world. But we also trust in someone greater. How can we be open when we have been hurt? In the early 1990's a severe betrayal of trust was revealed at Plow Creek. Many people left. Many here have experienced God's healing, relating to this event and other betrayals in our individual past experiences.
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