MennoNet.com

Why do you expect Amish & Mennonites to behave better than other Christians?

For example, today I saw Eastern Orthodox girls dressed immodestly and smoking. How would you feel if I complained about this and said “I expect better from the true apostolic church”?

Just for the record I personally am alright with being held to a high standard. For me part of that high standard is learning to extend grace to the rest of my fellow men. Not always very good at that.

Josh wrote:Why do you expect Amish & Mennonites to behave better than other Christians?

For example, today I saw Eastern Orthodox girls dressed immodestly and smoking. How would you feel if I complained about this and said “I expect better from the true apostolic church”?

Well, the topic I posted in was "What is our opinion of the wealthy among us?" Not about smoking and dressing immodestly-
I am used to reading a lot of criticism towards other Christian groups from Anabaptists- have read plenty here and in publications like Heartbeat of the Remnant- this was about 'wealth' and it prompted me to ask the question-
I am not surprised that you saw EO girls dress immodestly or smoking- they aren't 'taught' to, and should be taught better, and I do see that as a problem. I think the witness of Christians is important.

But who sets the standard?

Holdemans, for example, have a rather high standard about excessive joking around, to the point a convert I know got put out for a year for his un-serious speech.

Now he’s very cautious what he says and never jokes around.

Is this really a good thing?

Josh wrote:But who sets the standard?

Holdemans, for example, have a rather high standard about excessive joking around, to the point a convert I know got put out for a year for his un-serious speech.

Now he’s very cautious what he says and never jokes around.

Is this really a good thing?

That sounds a little harsh even in regard for the early church... That being said, it looks like it worked.
I can say I'd have trouble fitting in with that group... I of course know nothing of the sort of jokes he did or what he is cautious about saying. This also may have followed the proper Mathew 18 model and been proper. We can always dispute if something had been too severe, but I would rather their model rather than traditional CM excommunication model...

Josh wrote:Holdemans, for example, have a rather high standard about excessive joking around, to the point a convert I know got put out for a year for his un-serious speech.

I'd never survive...

ohio jones wrote:

Josh wrote:Holdemans, for example, have a rather high standard about excessive joking around, to the point a convert I know got put out for a year for his un-serious speech.

I'd never survive...

Yea, I couldn't pull that off either. I mean some of us need that type of laughter in our lives. Especially if I know no one (fairly common), then its fairly useful breaking the ice.

I could not survive in that environment either. It simply is not me.

My opinion of the wealthy among us is that we are challenged in many ways for the state we are in and must be careful to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Phlippians 2:3

From what I read of many on this forum I suspect I am one of those 'wealthy among us'. If Jesus is ruling in my heart and is transforming my thinking to His, I will see everyone as He does. "But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law." James 2:9 NLT

Josh wrote:But who sets the standard?

God should.
What is His heart on wealth and joking?

"High standards" are always low as compared to God's standards, and often blinding too...