True. I am just saying that to have a range of acceptable practices in a church, you need to have a church full of mature, principled people who don't love the world, nor the things of the world.Josh wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:59 pmWhat existing constituencies would meet the criteria of not being transitional? This would end up being some ultra-conservative groups, some of BMA, some of the Amish groups that left the main OO like the Dan church, Swartzies, Holdemans, the Scottsville-type churches, and so forth. But these groups are already very happy fellowshipping amongst themselves, and furthermore, think it's not a good idea to associate with people who are quite a bit more worldly (or quite a bit less).Ernie wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:23 pmIn my mental hypothesis, those who grew up in Plain Anabaptist church would be expected to keep being Plain, and those who grew up in Evangelical churches and other not as disciplined backgrounds would be encouraged/expected to head in the direction of adding more disciplines to their lives, not less.
They would be uncomfortable working too closely alongside each other. To give an example, Holdemans decided they don't want their young people participating in CAM type of activities, because it was too confusing for the young people to be around people who seemed to have a good spiritual life, yet were doing things like watching movies on their phone, listening to recorded music, and taking lots of photographs.
Likewise, a lot of more conservative Mennonites wouldn't want to associate too closely with Holdemans because they would feel our clothing is too worldly or they would be bothered by differing definitions of prohibited D&R.
The Scottsville-type churches don't want to be around Anabaptists who drive cars because they don't want their people to get into the habit of being comfortable hiring drivers.
In short, to find unity, there is more needed than simply a desire to not be transitional.
A few examples:
1. On the conservative side, you might have folks who dress very distinctly but simply. (e.g. straight cut coats that are like a jacket without all the fineries) At the other end of the spectrum, you might have folks who wear thrift store clothing, but everyone in the church is dressing modestly.
2. On one side, you might have folks who live very simply, and engineer their own way of getting their van started such as a push button to run the fuel pump for 15 seconds prior to trying to start the car, and a metal rod sticking out of the dash that adjusts the vent. (I rode in such a vehicle recently.) On the other side you have someone who drives a good serviceable vehicle, and does not attempt to justify luxurious expenditures.
3. On one side you might have folks who refrain from all internet. On the other side you have folks who have internet as a tool, but don't use it for endless entertainment, social media, movies, and watching sports.