More Thursday ?'s

Got a few new questions, deep and otherwise, that I'll throw out tomorrow. For now, I wanted to wrap up these earlier inquiries. Craig asked some deeper questions for our consideration:

1. Say you've been meeting with a couple guys for about 8 years with the object of accountability and bible study and prayer. You all went to the same church. But then life happens and time goes on and now, after 8 years, you all go to different churches with different focus and vision. You're thinking that you need to move on--you don't always see eye to eye with these guys. It's been 8 years and you need a change. But when you've approached the subject the guys still think this meeting together is great and don't want to stop. How do you handle this situation? Do you still just keep meeting? If not, how do you stop getting together without hurting their feelings?

In this "hypothetical situation", if you're looking at it as "just keep meeting", you've already left. There are probably already hurt feelings - if "accountability" was one of the first tenets and you've all split so far in so many directions. Eight years is a long time for guys on the same track at the same church - what you've accomplished is amazing. But if you don't feel like it's worth your time, the other guys would probably be better off without you. Or whoever might be going through that, not "you" per se. They're hurting you by wanting you to stay, and you're hurting back by hanging around. Things change, things hurt - we move on and forgive and love anyway, don't we?

2. What do you know about Christian Science and what are the major doctrinal issues with it?

Not much. Would have to google it and that would mean giving someone else's answers, not mine.

3. Say you have a friend/co-worker who grew up in Christian Science. How do you share the love and power of Jesus with him, now that he's moving to SC for a job change?

Is this co-worker moving to Columbia? I would start with something other than, "you know CS is completely wrong and heretical". I'd like to meet this hypothetical friend if he's moving to the area, get to know what's up with all this, see where the dialogue takes us so I can learn through the relationship, too. The "love and power of Jesus" will be there - part of the deal, don't have to force or manipulate, just be real and honest and buy the first round of latte's.

Thanks, Craig - great questions, real or "hypothetical"!