I said something under the thread "Existing Assemblies" that I want to repeat here. Yes, I was hurt by the racism of the Assembly leaders. Yes, I am angry about it. But I want to remind everyone - including those who were hurt by the racism and who are angry about it - that we must not descend to an "us against them" mentality. Colossians 3 clearly states that all of us who have received Christ have a new identity, "in which there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." The old identities we had were totally incapable of getting us to Heaven, because they were merely different flavors of fallen humanity.
I appreciate the willingness of many of you out there to empathize with the suffering of those of us who suffered racism in the Assemblies. I want to remind us all that because George and many of his leaders embraced a wide variety of evils, it should not surprise anyone that racism was one of the things they embraced. But it was by no means the only thing. I was hurt by racism - but I was not the spouse of one of the wife-beating husbands (for a couple of obvious reasons!). And there are serious things that others suffered that I did not suffer. We need to be willing to understand and support each person who has been hurt, harassed, molested or in any way pained by George and his gang. I need to look beyond my particular grievances to see how you all were hurt by Geftakysism.
Lastly, I feel like I'm in the cleanup stage of the aftermath of a really bad tornado or earthquake. I am sure that many of you feel this way as well. We cannot excuse those who did wrong as part of the Geftakys assemblies. But we will sooner or later need to figure out how to live according to the Sermon on the Mount, how to love our enemies, how to pray for the reconciliation of wrongdoers who have done us wrong. That time may not yet be, but it is a goal to work toward.
mithrandir
I have to say a hearty amen to this post. As angry as the denial of some ignoramuses on this topic makes me, at some point those of us who truly believe the truth of the gospel will have to live it! My only regret is that among all the dear friends I had in the assemblies, the vast majority fo whom, ironically were white, there were not many more like Paul who withstood even Peter to the face "because he was be blamed". Praise God some did!
It is important also for us to keep in mind that the great indictment we have seen from so many is not merely a display of unforgiveness and bitterness as some would have us to believe. What we have been seeing and what indeed as been absolutely necessary is the harshest of indictments of a
truly evil system!That notwithstanding, I have been encouraged these days to think of things that are lovely. I am deeply grateful to God for the remarkable friendships I formed over many years in practically every single assembly in the Midwest and in many other places, some of these dear friends I had even forgotten about( right Marcia?).
Witness the great fun and fellowship there is even on a BB like this if you know how to read properly. The rumors that we are all sourpusses here is greatly exagerated.
I do agree with the above post though. For those of us who have been called to serve God and care for his flock, there must ever be a careful balance maintained between standing for the truth of God, and displaying the compassion, humility, and love that uniquely distinguishes the Son of God from all other men. In this we admittedly often fail, particularly when shamed by the terrible inaction we saw on the part of the former assembly leadership.
That notwithstanding, I have been greatly blessed, encouraged, corrected, instructed and edified by the wonderful posting company on this BB. God reigns!
Verne
