September 28, 2009 6:12 AM
Sam wrote:
The trip (into ACTS) is over, but the journey has just begun. Paul has a tough time convincing a group of senior Jews in Rome. But to those he couldn't 'convert', he left them a powerful message, right from their own Scriptures, from the book of Isaiah. It reminds me of the preached at NLCC....hardly hearing with his ears as he has closed his eyes. I want to share the email he sent to me.....I'll copy-paste it into this blog (may take two bloggings...don't know). Regardless, we know that...
God is good.
(I'm going to jump into Romans next, to learn more about baptism...oh yea, got a book yesterday from North River Church of Christ, called Born of Water...What the Bible Really Says About Baptism. Can't wait to read and learn from that one. Reply to this
It has recently come to my attention that a few Sundays back you were unhappy with my conveyance of the Theological Stance that New Life Christian Church adheres to with respect to the matter of one's obtainment of salvation. I would like to point out to you that this position is not a derivative of my own personal conviction but rather that of one that has been established by the former Pastors and the Elders as well as the Congregants of New Life Christian Church who have by virtue of their Attendance set themselves in Agreement with New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith. As a reminder to you, and in all fairness to myself, I would like to also point out to you that New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith has been in place and practise long before my arrival, and it has been, and still is presently and readily available online for all (including yourself) to view. (I believe that you will find that New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith is, and always has been very matter of fact leaving no room for any misunderstanding what so ever with respect to this particular Congregation's Belief as pertaining to the manner in which one ultimately receives their salvation).
With regard to the tone of your reference of the Church having conducted "House Churches Before ???", I make no hesitation in conveying to you that I do not appreciate any inference what so ever that I may have had anything to do with their cessation here at New Life as this was a matter that had also been established prior to my arrival. With further respect to the tone of your reference to the former "House Churches", I believe that what you stated, and the manner in which you conveyed it, that it could easily be construed by some to have contained within it some negative undertones as to your support of the New Life Christian Church's present Elder Board and your lack of Agreement and Support of them as well. Dennis I would have you to know as I have publicly conveyed to all that it is my full intention to see the re-utilization of Small Groups once again here at New Life in order to assist in the various needs of the New Life Christian Church Congregation all within their proper timing for such.
In your email and invitation to some New Life Christian Church Members stating that you were wishing to conduct a "House Church Home Meeting" this Sunday (09/20/2009) at 10:00 AM, need I remind you that this is the exact time that the Church Body of New Life Christian Church has collectively chosen to gather for their Corporate Time of Worship? Should I assume from your knowledge of our Service Schedule, and the Fact that you have indicated that you had previously been in contact with various Members of this Congregation concerning your Opposing Viewpoint of that of the New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith (and myself) as to the manner in which one secures their salvation, to be cont: Reply to this
September 28, 2009 6:19 AM
Sam wrote:
that you are at this point in time are "Feeling Called of God" to give the Direction to, and supply the Leadership Responsibilities of, this Local Church Body (or at least perhaps to as many Members as you may be able to exact influence upon)? To Date Dennis your Actions and Approach to your Doctrinal Difference with this Church (For this has merely been my affirming Doctrinal Position as well) can only be seen as being "UnBiblical" in Nature, "UnEthical' in Practise, and "Divisive" in its Design, and for this as the Sr. Pastor of New Life Christian Church it falls upon me to unapologeticaly "Reproove You Strongly" for your approach to this matter at this time. In addition, as the Pastor of New Life Christian Church (and I believe that I convey the collective stance of the Elders) I must inform you that neither I nor The Elders of this Church can attach our Support much less Endorsement to any such "Meeting" which you are attempting to construct (Apparently for the sole purpose of gathering "Support" for your Opposing Opinion as to the Interpretation of Scripture). This Collective Stance of the Leadership of New Life Christian Church is partialy due also to our determination that this "Meeting" would be led by an Individual (such as yourself) who claims to contest for Biblical Accuracy when in fact you have not even so much as adhered to the most Basic Biblical Instruction of the Matthew 18 Principle of first coming to Me / Us with your Openly Conveyed Offense. As you have plainly stated Dennis with respect to the manner in which one secures their salvation you have "An Opinion" to which you are of course entitled. However, I would like you to know Dennis in no uncertain terms that although I respect "Your Opinion" with regard to this very important matter neither I nor the Elders of this Church can successfully lead this Congregation into a position of being a Unified Church Body based solely upon your "Opinion(s)" (nor even upon the opinions of others ) which is why we at New Life Christian Church have provided to you as well to others our Official Statement of Faith. With individuals wishing to adhere themselves to New Life Christian Church coming from a variety of Denominational Backgrounds and Theological Perspectives our Statement of Faith has been designed to Unit Us as a Congregation. However, in cases evidently such as yours it can also serve to establish the parameters in which ongoing Fellowship will be possible in the days ahead. With that being said Dennis I would respectfully encourage you therefore at this time to seek Fellowship at another Church which embraces your Theological Perspective as to the means in which one obtains their salvation this Sunday. As you had previously expressed this as being your option should you find us at New Life Christian Church being unwilling to depart from our previously Adopted and Conveyed Statement of Faith (which we are unwilling to do) ........more: Reply to this
September 28, 2009 9:47 AM
Sam wrote:
I would encourage you to implement your option to attend elsewhere at this time.
Regrettably but Confidently, I can assure you from over Twenty Five Years of Ministry Experience that neither You nor I (nor the Leadership of New Life Christian Church) will waver from our Theological Perspectives as to the Interpretation of Scripture as pertaining to "The Means In Which One Comes To An Obtainment Of Salvation" should we sit in constant dialogue for the purpose of doing so. With this fact being established within the hearts of both Yourself and Ourselves I therefore I see no point in utilizing our precious Time and Energies in attempting to "Convert One Another " to the enlightenment of the scriptures as we interpret them to be. Therefore I wish you the very best in the coming days and want you to know that "The Doors to New Life Christian Church Are Open To You" at anytime that you are, (A). Able to walk in agreement with New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith and, (. Willing to convey support towards the New Life Christian Church's Leadership Team.
Respectfully Submitted To You By,
Dr. David G Lion. D.D., Ph.D., Pastor, New Life Christian Church, Douglasville, GA. Reply to this
The trip (into ACTS) is over, but the journey has just begun. Paul has a tough time convincing a group of senior Jews in Rome. But to those he couldn't 'convert', he left them a powerful message, right from their own Scriptures, from the book of Isaiah. It reminds me of the preached at NLCC....hardly hearing with his ears as he has closed his eyes. I want to share the email he sent to me.....I'll copy-paste it into this blog (may take two bloggings...don't know). Regardless, we know that...
God is good.
(I'm going to jump into Romans next, to learn more about baptism...oh yea, got a book yesterday from North River Church of Christ, called Born of Water...What the Bible Really Says About Baptism. Can't wait to read and learn from that one.
Reply to this
Dear Dennis.
It has recently come to my attention that a few Sundays back you were
unhappy with my conveyance of the Theological Stance that New Life
Christian Church adheres to with respect to the matter of one's
obtainment of salvation.
I would like to point out to you that this position is not a derivative
of my own personal conviction but rather that of one that has been
established by the former Pastors and the Elders as well as the
Congregants of New Life Christian Church who have by virtue of their
Attendance set themselves in Agreement with New Life Christian Church's
Statement of Faith.
As a reminder to you, and in all fairness to myself, I would like to
also point out to you that New Life Christian Church's Statement of
Faith has been in place and practise long before my arrival, and it has
been, and still is presently and readily available online for all
(including yourself) to view.
(I believe that you will find that New Life Christian Church's Statement
of Faith is, and always has been very matter of fact leaving no room for
any misunderstanding what so ever with respect to this particular
Congregation's Belief as pertaining to the manner in which one
ultimately receives their salvation).
With regard to the tone of your reference of the Church having conducted
"House Churches Before ???", I make no hesitation in conveying to you
that I do not appreciate any inference what so ever that I may have had
anything to do with their cessation here at New Life as this was a
matter that had also been established prior to my arrival.
With further respect to the tone of your reference to the former "House
Churches", I believe that what you stated, and the manner in which you
conveyed it, that it could easily be construed by some to have contained
within it some negative undertones as to your support of the New Life
Christian Church's present Elder Board and your lack of Agreement and
Support of them as well.
Dennis I would have you to know as I have publicly conveyed to all that
it is my full intention to see the re-utilization of Small Groups once
again here at New Life in order to assist in the various needs of the
New Life Christian Church Congregation all within their proper timing
for such.
In your email and invitation to some New Life Christian Church Members
stating that you were wishing to conduct a "House Church Home Meeting"
this Sunday (09/20/2009) at 10:00 AM, need I remind you that this is the
exact time that the Church Body of New Life Christian Church has
collectively chosen to gather for their Corporate Time of Worship?
Should I assume from your knowledge of our Service Schedule, and the
Fact that you have indicated that you had previously been in contact
with various Members of this Congregation concerning your Opposing
Viewpoint of that of the New Life Christian Church's Statement of Faith
(and myself) as to the manner in which one secures their salvation, to be cont:
Reply to this
that you are at this point in time are "Feeling Called of God" to give the
Direction to, and supply the Leadership Responsibilities of, this Local
Church Body (or at least perhaps to as many Members as you may be able
to exact influence upon)?
To Date Dennis your Actions and Approach to your Doctrinal Difference
with this Church (For this has merely been my affirming Doctrinal
Position as well) can only be seen as being "UnBiblical" in Nature,
"UnEthical' in Practise, and "Divisive" in its Design, and for this as
the Sr. Pastor of New Life Christian Church it falls upon me to
unapologeticaly "Reproove You Strongly" for your approach to this matter
at this time. In addition, as the Pastor of New Life Christian Church (and I believe that I convey the collective stance of the Elders) I must inform you that neither I nor The Elders of this Church can attach our Support much less Endorsement to any such "Meeting" which you are attempting to construct (Apparently for the sole purpose of gathering "Support" for
your Opposing Opinion as to the Interpretation of Scripture). This
Collective Stance of the Leadership of New Life Christian Church is
partialy due also to our determination that this "Meeting" would be led
by an Individual (such as yourself) who claims to contest for Biblical
Accuracy when in fact you have not even so much as adhered to the most
Basic Biblical Instruction of the Matthew 18 Principle of first coming
to Me / Us with your Openly Conveyed Offense.
As you have plainly stated Dennis with respect to the manner in which
one secures their salvation you have "An Opinion" to which you are of
course entitled. However, I would like you to know Dennis in no uncertain terms that although I respect "Your Opinion" with regard to this very important matter neither I nor the Elders of this Church can successfully lead this Congregation into a position of being a Unified Church Body based
solely upon your "Opinion(s)" (nor even upon the opinions of others )
which is why we at New Life Christian Church have provided to you as
well to others our Official Statement of Faith. With individuals wishing to adhere themselves to New Life Christian
Church coming from a variety of Denominational Backgrounds and
Theological Perspectives our Statement of Faith has been designed to
Unit Us as a Congregation. However, in cases evidently such as yours it
can also serve to establish the parameters in which ongoing Fellowship
will be possible in the days ahead.
With that being said Dennis I would respectfully encourage you therefore
at this time to seek Fellowship at another Church which embraces your
Theological Perspective as to the means in which one obtains their
salvation this Sunday. As you had previously expressed this as being
your option should you find us at New Life Christian Church being
unwilling to depart from our previously Adopted and Conveyed Statement
of Faith (which we are unwilling to do) ........more:
Reply to this
I would encourage you to
implement your option to attend elsewhere at this time.
Regrettably but Confidently, I can assure you from over Twenty Five
Years of Ministry Experience that neither You nor I (nor the Leadership
of New Life Christian Church) will waver from our Theological
Perspectives as to the Interpretation of Scripture as pertaining to "The
Means In Which One Comes To An Obtainment Of Salvation" should we sit in constant dialogue for the purpose of doing so.
With this fact being established within the hearts of both Yourself and
Ourselves I therefore I see no point in utilizing our precious Time and
Energies in attempting to "Convert One Another " to the enlightenment of
the scriptures as we interpret them to be.
Therefore I wish you the very best in the coming days and want you to
know that "The Doors to New Life Christian Church Are Open To You" at
anytime that you are, (A). Able to walk in agreement with New Life
Christian Church's Statement of Faith and, (
support towards the New Life Christian Church's Leadership Team.
Respectfully Submitted To You By,
Dr. David G Lion. D.D., Ph.D.,
Pastor, New Life Christian Church,
Douglasville, GA.
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author, good work
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Winter is over! Hooray!
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I heard somebody here?
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author, good work
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Winter is over! Hooray!
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Better to be without logic than without feeling.
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Where can I read more about this?
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ok! theme revealed... thanks
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