Today I received a letter in my mailbox. It was sent from Cedar Rapids, but the author of the letter chose neither to include their return address or sign their name. Obviously, the intent is to be anonymous. Here is what the writer had to say:
"Brian,
"Please stop trashing the Church of Christ! You have no right to do that! You left the church along (sic) time ago! You have no idea what is going on in the church. Get on with your life! At one time you loved the Church of Christ. Don't let a few turn you against it! THINK! Is this what Jesus would want me to do?
"A Christian"
I'm not sure what the author is responding to. If I had to guess, I would say the response is to past postings made to this blog site, which the author is apparently taking issue with. Anyone who reads this site does so voluntarily by seeking it out, so I would think the person who wrote the letter would just decide not to visit the site again.
I have never received an anonymous letter from a co-worker, a neighbor, or a client. Ironically, all the anonymous letters I've received in my life (I would guess 20 or so) have been from "A Christian" -- someone who I have attended church with. Does this seem odd?
I've never really had the opportunity to respond to an anonymous letter. (The author's don't really want a response, hence anonymity. They just want to throw you a curveball and then hide in the bleachers.) But since nearly everyone who reads this site is a person that is well-acquainted with my spiritual life and church background, I'm going to address this one publicly. My comments are in red below ...
"Please stop trashing the Church of Christ!"
I was not aware that I had. I have a lot that I could say about the denomination (or brotherhood, as they like to call it) called the Churches of Christ. I choose not to make many statements about the 12,000 or so churches that go by that name because it serves little useful purpose. Maybe the author is referring specifically to the Central Church of Christ, where I attended for 25 years. I have spoken honestly, and I believe fairly, about some of the reasons why I left that church. I have refrained from saying more than I have out of respect for many friends and family that still worship with that church. "Trashing" implies that I have spoken unfairly, perhaps even untruthfully. I would disagree that I have "trashed" anyone or any group of people.
"You have no right to do that!"
As I see it, I have every right to write whatever I wish on my personal website, just as everyone else has the right to not read it. I would agree with the author that, as a Christian, it would be in poor taste and judgment to express my rights in a way that would intentionally hurt other people. I don't believe I have expressed my rights in this way. If I have, I do earnestly apologize.
"You left the church along (sic) time ago!"
I left the Central Church of Christ 13 months ago after 25 years. Sometimes it does seem like a long time ago. Other times, it seems like not a week has gone by. In the whole scope of things, I don't think it has been very long.
"You have no idea what is going on in the church." (What, no exclamation point?)
I think I have a pretty good idea. My parents, grandparents, and cousin attend church every week at Central. I believe I'm on pretty good terms with the ministers of the church, who I have spoken with on a number of occasions since I left. I have several other close friends who are very involved at Central. So, while I don't know EVERYTHING going on, I know more than many people who attend the church every week.
"Get on with your life!"
Well, I'm trying. I spent 3/4 of my life in one local church. Moving on is hard. It is especially hard for me, because I've dedicated my life to serving Christ through the local church. If the author knows me that well, he/she can not fault my effort for the church. My "church life" and my "non-church life" is the same life ... there is no distinction. Church is a big part of who I am. So cut me some slack if you would. I'm doing my best to move onto productive activity for Jesus apart from Central (I think many of my other blog entries support this), while trying to be supportive of the friends I have left behind at Central who are hurting.
"At one time you loved the Church of Christ."
If the author is referring to the Central Church of Christ, than I would say that I still love the Church of Christ, because I love the people I've known most of my life. If the author is referring to the denomination using the name Churches of Christ, then I would point out that it has been many years since I "loved" the Church of Christ. My parents, ministers, and best friends can attest to an 18 year struggle I have had with some of the doctrines and traditions of the Churches of Christ. If the author of the letter knew me as well as he/she thinks he/she does, the author would know this about me.
"Don't let a few turn you against it!" (There's that exclamation point again.)
I don't know if "it" is Central specifically, or the Churches of Christ as a denomination. But in either case, I don't think it's fair to God or to me to say that "a few" have turned me against "it." However, I would concede to the author that those 20 or so anonymous letters I have received over the years from "A Christian" have not brought me much joy.
"THINK!"
Again, those that know me well know that I have thought and thought about my situation. I have prayed over it. I have cried over it. I have talked with friends and family until I didn't know what else to say. One of the greatest compliments I ever received was from an elder at Central, Larry Stock. Larry and I have not always seen every situation the same way. But several years ago, Larry said he appreciated that whether we agreed or not, he knew that I was prepared and had given my words great thought.
"Is this what Jesus would want me to do?"
"This" must be what the author refers to earlier as "trashing," which I have already addressed. But I would ask the author a question in return. Do you suppose that Jesus advocates the writing of critical, anonymous letters to brothers in Christ, even those with whom you may disagree? I don't think so. In fact, I think Jesus is very clear about how Christians are to love each other. Jesus also gives specific teaching concerning how Christians are to settle disputes. I don't recall anonymous letters being a preferred mechanism.
"A Christian"
I'll take your word for it, since I don't know who you are.
I don't like anonymous letters. They are generally written by people who are upset and want to make themselves feel better by making you feel worse. When I opened this letter today, the author achieved his/her goal. But because I don't like anonymous letters, I am sending a link to this blog article to five men who are in leadership at Central, so the shepherds at Central are fully aware of the activity of its sheep. While I don't know EVERYTHING going on at Central (since I have been away for ALONG (sic) time), I do know that the elders met with the church just a month ago and discouraged anonymous letter writing.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
(Clearly signed),
Brian Hagerman
P.S. I apologize for the spacing problems. Whenever I blog from my home computer I have this problem.
8 comments:
To anonymous: I do not know your motivation in sending your letter. I do know sending your letter anonymously is cowardly. Even more important, it is not the Biblical approach. In Matt. 18 Jesus specifically outlines how you are to contact your brother if you think he is in error. The approach is person to person, not anonymous letters. If you know the scriptures you are probably aware of these instructions from our Savior. That you choose to ignore them you shows a sinful nature. I have prayed for you and ask others to do so also. If I knew who you were I would humbley ask to talk w/ you one on one as Jesus said. Please do not sin again and send an anonymous response.
Brian,
You're so cool!! I give you a hearty "AMEN" to your response. I heard someone say a while back that everywhere Paul went it brought revival or riot, but everywhere I go they serve tea. Receiving a letter like that validates the fact that you are on the front lines fighting the battle -- "doing the stuff" as John Wimber would have said. May your tribe increase!!
Curt Gallmeyer
I've often heard of those whose policy is to discard anonymous letters without even reading them. There's a lot to be said for the policy, though I've never been successful at implementing it myself. :-)
I still can't believe that people think anonymous letters work or are biblical.
Do they think their rant will make you change your mind? Do they really think they are just "turning a brother in the right direction" or "teaching the truth in love"?
I'm sorry that ministers still get these, but I feel more sorry for those that are so angry that they spend time to write out their anger on paper and send it to the person their anger stemmed from. It's a waste of time and sinful.
Boy! (notice the exclamation mark), I always knew you were a trouble maker! (again, notice the exclamation point). All I can say is that I admire you for standing up for the truth. We are to follow God, not men or denominations. When the writer wrote, "don't you love the church", I hope he did not mean the CofC. Scripture is evident, we are not to follow Paul, Apollos or any man or denomination. We are to follow God and Him alone. Brian, stay true to the faith and the Word of God alone! (This is a good exclamation point). May God bless you and keep you.
Blake Bottomley (please note that I signed this).
Dear Brian...
I am a work in progress. So just a little about me: I have followed A. Campbell’s CofC bunch for almost 60 years. Along the way I collected a couple of degrees. I also preached for some years.
More recently, I have come to read N T Wright (Google that name) and I have found that the difference between them (Wright and Campbell) is like night and day. Wright has helped me see deeper and embrace more mystery. I am more excited by God and his leading. I feel like the young prophet aided by the older to see the air is full of “chariots of fire” that are with us.
Now, I have recently come to see the church (all of them) as “earthen vessels.” Flawed, broken, scared and scared. Some more and some less reflective of God’s glory. I am hoping to look forward and wean away from being purely critical.
Seems to me that Campbell’s approach while useful at points but was focused on the externals and the “true church” and less upon love for God.
The unity AC sought via the method he generated has helped but has not brought about much real healing. Like AC a dedicated debater then, so too, as a group the CofC has become issue-oriented bunch and its history reflects multiple splits (now some eighty subgroups). There has not been any real historic evidence of the CofC breaching the lines that divide the CofC and any other group -- at least since Barton W Stone’s bunch linked up with A Campbell’s.
The ecumenical movement has fared better and yet has not proven itself to be an effective unity movement in the end.
The charismatics have operated from an altogether different approach and their impact has been world wide. It has important aspects to learn from but has often been co-opted into a divisive approach by those that major on signs and gifts rather than the giver.
Finally churches that are driven by their dry and barren doctrines are dying. They will be eventually all be reduced to less than 20 minutes of “worship” by people voting “no” with their feet and checking out mentally “sleeping in the pews.”
On the other hand there are those preaching gospels of health, wealth and abundant/enriched living -- sans a cross. They attract many whose ears are tickled, but you already know that, huh? Their end seems predicted while popular and full of cheap grace.
Vigorous worship like that experienced by Ezekiel happens when we sense we are actually in the presence of God!
Today I seek him and his presence and trust that “they (others) will come!” Nevertheless “many followed him no more” so it will never be a popularity movement. Still it is what I seek and can never get enough of.
In the end after 60 years I am attending a church down the road too; Presbyterian. More of that story is on my own blog.
I'm jealous. I don't think I've ever gotten an anonymous letter in my life. I must not be getting anyone riled up!!!!!!!!!!
-GSU
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment