The challenges that both our Churches have experienced around issues of inclusion of all human beings in recent years have reminded us that God is always at work ”“ on us, within us, and among us. Some have judged our smaller numbers as faithlessness but it may actually be the Spirit’s way of pruning for greater fruitfulness. If we see ourselves standing at the foot of the cross, any such judgment will be far less important than our response. Jesus has given us to one another ”“ all of us ”“ and we will not live faithfully if we forget who it is we see or seek in those others. The body of Christ has need of all its diverse parts, working together, for the building up of God’s beloved community and creation.
Read it all and there is a Christian Post article there on this subject also.
I guess that’s a comforting thought—those of us on the outside looking in have been pruned off by the Holy Spirit.
Maybe she is saying that TEc has been the one pruned from the tree so that the tree will be more fruitful.
RE: “Some have judged our smaller numbers as faithlessness but it may actually be the Spirit’s way of pruning for greater fruitfulness.”
Heh — spin away, KJS . . . it’s a pleasure to watch. And fun also to note that the constant chants of “we’ll be growing and thriving as flocks of the progressives join our church — the dissent is a mere drop in the bucket” have ceased now. Took a while for reality to set in and to come up with some memes to explain it away.
Merger talks begin.
“Welcome to the concept of decline as growth! Aren’t we SPECIAL?!”
Difference is actual horticulture experts don’t slice off the healthiest, fastest growing fruit.
Brian #6: Yes, precisely. That’s evidence that the “pruning” was the wrong way.
Delusional pabulum from the homilist who brought you an entirely new and original view of Acts 16. More of the same, it seems.