Above Reproach
Well, the question has come up about what the phrase "above reproach" means. I think there are two guiding principles in the phrase itself that are important. It seems to deal with the public nature of a possible sin and/or the seriousness of the sin.I think, though, that the answer won't be found as much in the phrase itself as it will be found in the community interpretation of the phrase. Each community needs to decide for itself what these standards are and should be. It shouldn't be just one person's interpretation or even a small group's interpretation of what it means, but the whole community must work through what it means to be above reproach in that community.
This kind of thing is not done often in our churches, so we have to work through what it means. There's a real fear that this process will result in a "wrong" theology and that we must appeal to "experts" in these cases, but the whole church is the called out people and must argue this type of stuff through to faithfully communicate Christ and demonstrate the kingdom of God to the world around us. We've got to decide this as a community rule, and then stick to it (that's the important part!).
Well, those are my thoughts. Let's engage in a little community hermeneutical interpretation and decide what we think about it here in our little corner of the web.
posted by Wayj @ 4:57 PM
7 Comments:
Really good answer to start off with. It's scary to think one would open themselves up to "molding" like that. I think we worry about what people think about enough already but this would be a more righteous critique. Still scary to think I would ask my community how they would agree someone should live.
Yeah, I hear what you're saying about being "too" concerned, but I think that getting it out in the open will actually take a lot of the pressure off of you guys (if we're talking about the E's specifically) that may not exist in real life. I bet that a fair and reasonable (and grace-filled!!!!!) standard could be easily set and then people would know what to expect from leadership and the leadership would know what's expected from them.
Seems like this can get out of hand, but this is where we trust the Holy Spirit to do his thing and really lead the community where he wants it to go.
Hmm, I hear what you're saying but let me nuance our language a bit. Instead of being "up to" the community, what I mean to be saying is "mutually discerned by" the community. I think there are some non-negotiables, but if they don't become a part of the process of community discernment, they can be left unsaid.
We're of the Baptist tradition, and so our natural reaction is to ban anything that has the potential to go wrong, but we've got to fight against that tendency here.
The process isn't one of just the community coming up with stuff on its own! It is the three-way dialogue of the Word the World and the Church and all three must be taken into account.
The process of deciding what "above reproach" means is not so that we can have a boundary and punish people who cross it, but it is meant to make the process of selecting leadership a community event (think Paul and Barnabas being chose from the community in the midst of prayer) and not just that of one person or a small group.
It also build the faith and knowledge of every member of the community. They have been forced to search Scripture on their own, but are kept from reading it prejudicially by hearing what others have gotten from the text as well.
i also think that heart plays into it a lot, just as it does throughout the faith. if someone in leadership screws up, i think being "above reproach" also involves maturely handling the matter in a Christlike and biblical way. to knowingly continue in sin or rebel against the community standard puts that person in question. i love to see church leaders be above reproach in the way they handle conflict because that is often when you see how the church is truly set apart from the world.
WHAT!!! Taking a nap with someone? Good Lord bring revival upon this woman and her napping ways. Just kiddin'. Great discussion folks. I think we should give whoever asked this question a gold star. I shall name it the gold star of above reproacheosity. It is a joy to read what you guys are writing.
Thanks
I think Nat's comment points out something very specific that we need to keep in mind.
The community you work with will define these things a LOT differently. If you work with age groups of 15-18, 19-22, or 23-30 year olds, they'll each define relationship issues based on what type of relationships the majority is engaged in.
I'm sure Jake and Cristy shake their heads and laugh at the bulk of "Ringers" that are consumed with dating issues, but they have to put up with people stressing and working to define those boundaries because the VAST majority of people there are not married.
I do think that in our sex-drenched culture, we need to define "above reproach" in terms of sexuality first and foremost. But there are a lot of other issues to work through as well. What about people that just treat others like crap? What about how we treat the poor/oppressed? (the Bible seems to have LOT to say about that one)
I may start a new thread (any suggestions???) soon, but I'm really enjoying this so let's keep going!
(post written side note: CRAP THIS IS LONG... SORRY)
Why couldn't we have started this blog about a year and a half ago? Most of you who have posted know the inner turmoil I have dealt with regarding this issue. I kept wanting a "black and white" from Jesus when I prayed for wisdom on the subject. I am still so blurry it's not even funny. The turmoil has lessened, but I don't know if it is because I have learned or "been enlightened" (as some of my superfree friends have termed it) or if it is just because there is no real drama going on right now. I do appreciate your teaching/comments... I know, I know, you're thinking, "But meg will probably cry...." Yeah, maybe, but I still need input from people I love and trust. =) Jared, I appreciate the comment about us avoiding all things which could possibly be dangerous. That is totally what I have to fight.
Two things:
1) In all things, we can trust the Lord to lead us where we need to go. With that trust, comes peace. Not all things are black and white! But God is the same. We have to trust that the shaping/guiding process is in effect. A wise friend told me that in order to learn most things we have to work through the process ourselves, being guided by the Holy Spirit/Word etc, rather than just having the answer land in our laps. That can mean teetering around and over lines at times. Basically making mistakes and learning... on either end of the spectrum. And in that, you (I) can't be all up in arms about everything. I need to know that it will work out in the end, and processes are not bad things.
2) The heart is also a big issue for me. We don't have to prove we are free... we just live that way because we are in Christ. Sometimes it seems there is almost a rebellious attitude. "Screw what you think... I'm free in Christ... and you're not." Rather than loving people into that freedom. Ro and Dru did a great job of never making me, hooli, and some other JCreek staffers feel like a moron as they helped us BEGIN to unpack our backgrounds, views, and mindsets. It seems, however, within the rising number of people in our age group (and community) who are realizing the freedom we do have, there is a growing sense of legalism in the opposite direction. "We're right, you're wrong. Be like us, we are free. If you don't do this, you are bound." There has to be freedom/grace offered to both those who do and those who don't.
Here's my question:how does the attitude of my heart (teachability, humility, willingness to change) play into the process of learning what being above reproach means. Do we really have the ability to hold up the process? And how does that harm a ministry like the Ring? I'm not concerned with my being right as I am with the possibility of my leading others astray.
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