It’s Official: Covenant Brethren Church

[Sudsy]

Thanks for all the input regarding my post. I am not puzzled by the pursuit of following the bible more closely but rather that many of those who split off into the various groups in Christianity think they are more 'Spirit lead' and their interpretations of scripture are indisputable.

Seems to me Paul saw this occurring in the early church as some were following the teachings of one teacher over another and his word to them in 1 Cor 3 was that they were acting as 'babes in Christ' and were showing how 'worldly' they were in their dissensions. Imo, this human (as Paul put it) approach to becoming the 'true church' has done more harm than good in presenting Christianity to the world. Could it be that we all are remaining as 'babes' as we draw our lines and argue on what is Christian and what is not ? Is there such a thing as flawless fruit inspection ?

I don't know how all these early church teachings differed from one teacher to another and these in 1 Cor 3 would not have access to all the writings as we do after the NT was assembled and I think the warning Paul gave is one to keep in mind. Jesus knows His sheep and they follow Him. Not perfectly, as like sheep we are prone to wander. Nor do any of us understand clearly as we see through a glass darkly.

I think it is easy to use terms like the 'authority of the scriptures' to support our own interpretations as we see them as black and white instructions. But we can't get around the fact that those with opposing understandings of the same scriptures also refer to the 'authority of the scriptures' as they feel lead to believe. Personally, I don't need a local fellowship of believers to agree on anything but the core beliefs in Jesus that brings about salvation. Others believe to fellowship with other followers of Christ we need much more than this. I doubt I will ever 'sign on' to a 'statement of faith' or a 'church covenant' to become a 'member' of any local group of believers. That is, unless I hear better scriptural arguments supporting this need than I have received to date.

Anyway, as history has shown, I would not be surprised that this example of a break off into another stand on what the scriptures really means will someday break off again as is common amongst Anabaptists. Another one to add to the chart of Anabaptist splits. Is it scriptural to use words like 'Covenant' and 'Brethren' in a NT group title ?

Jesus is the one and only Truth. I believe to know Truth is getting to know Him better that will cause us to love one another despite our varied understandings of NT writings. The Truth sets us free from many things.

[temporal1]

.. Jesus is the one and only Truth.
I believe to know Truth is getting to know Him better that will cause us to love one another despite our varied understandings of NT writings. The Truth sets us free from many things.

As i’ve wondered similarly, it dawned on me that Jesus Christ, Himself, was “the breakaway” that changed the world ever after. This makes me think that “breaking away” may be unavoidable on earth?

[Sudsy]

.. Jesus is the one and only Truth.
I believe to know Truth is getting to know Him better that will cause us to love one another despite our varied understandings of NT writings. The Truth sets us free from many things.

As i’ve wondered similarly, it dawned on me that Jesus Christ, Himself, was “the breakaway” that changed the world ever after. This makes me think that “breaking away” may be unavoidable on earth?

I believe, yes, there certainly was a "breaking away" demonstrated by Jesus and to me that was a breaking away not only from worldly views and lifestyle (i.e. pursuing treasures on earth) but breaking away from cold, law following religion. The same trap that the Pharisees fell into is one many Anabaptists (mainly those considered 'conservative' ) fall into. The love and mercy Jesus showed by pursuing those lost in the world is not high on our practise. It is more one of "keeping away" from the unclean (like the lepers in Jesus day) when Jesus demonstrated "go and share" the good news of salvation. I don't think the church was ever meant to be a group that isolated themselves from the world or other believers that didn't see eye to eye with them on everything. Jesus last prayer was that we be one as He and the Father are one but we obviously are not co-operating on our end.

Regarding following NT scriptures, as man selected them as God speaking to all of us regardless of situation and time, and taking them as literal as possible in how they were written is not one I share. Someday each of us will account for what we believe and have followed as truth. Did we follow man or the Holy Spirit who was given to lead us into all truth ? A sobering thought to me as I get closer to that day. God be merciful to me a sinner.

Anyway, regardless, I hope this new group will be an active part in furthering the Kingdom of God here on earth. May their stand for what they believe bring many into Kingdom life.

[MaxPC]

.. Jesus is the one and only Truth.
I believe to know Truth is getting to know Him better that will cause us to love one another despite our varied understandings of NT writings. The Truth sets us free from many things.

As i’ve wondered similarly, it dawned on me that Jesus Christ, Himself, was “the breakaway” that changed the world ever after. This makes me think that “breaking away” may be unavoidable on earth?

I believe, yes, there certainly was a "breaking away" demonstrated by Jesus and to me that was a breaking away not only from worldly views and lifestyle (i.e. pursuing treasures on earth) but breaking away from cold, law following religion. The same trap that the Pharisees fell into is one many Anabaptists (mainly those considered 'conservative' ) fall into. The love and mercy Jesus showed by pursuing those lost in the world is not high on our practise. It is more one of "keeping away" from the unclean (like the lepers in Jesus day) when Jesus demonstrated "go and share" the good news of salvation. I don't think the church was ever meant to be a group that isolated themselves from the world or other believers that didn't see eye to eye with them on everything. Jesus last prayer was that we be one as He and the Father are one but we obviously are not co-operating on our end.

Regarding following NT scriptures, as man selected them as God speaking to all of us regardless of situation and time, and taking them as literal as possible in how they were written is not one I share. Someday each of us will account for what we believe and have followed as truth. Did we follow man or the Holy Spirit who was given to lead us into all truth ? A sobering thought to me as I get closer to that day. God be merciful to me a sinner.

Anyway, regardless, I hope this new group will be an active part in furthering the Kingdom of God here on earth. May their stand for what they believe bring many into Kingdom life.

Likewise. I am of the opinion and experience that God gathers many workers with many different skill sets for the harvest. Our mission is to work on our own discipleship walk; explain our beliefs with joy; and to pray God works on hearts for their free will choice to accept Him. I do not see all of us in competition. I see us as fellow workers in the mission to bring the Gospel to all.

[Wayne in Maine]

I'd be interested in the list of churches in this new conference. I haven't heard about the Maine BRF churches joining it, but I don't have much contact with folks there anymore.

[MaxPC]

I'd be interested in the list of churches in this new conference. I haven't heard about the Maine BRF churches joining it, but I don't have much contact with folks there anymore.

Wayne, perhaps if you go to their website and ask for a list they can provide it. From my perusal of that website, it is not quite finished yet and has pages under construction.
https://covenantbrethren.org/

[ohio jones]

over years, i’ve kinda hoped for a forum thread on Catholicism

Feel free to start one, but in the meantime the Catholic posts are hopping over to Bunny Trails.

[temporal1]

over years, i’ve kinda hoped for a forum thread on Catholicism

Feel free to start one, but in the meantime the Catholic posts are hopping over to Bunny Trails.

Ok. With 14 posts (if i counted correctly in BTs) that was more than many threads!
there is enough right there to begin a thread.
Because the posts were mostly directed to Max, i would prefer he initiate a thread, if he wants.
Because Heirbyadoption is Brethren, with the principal questions, i did not find the posts off-topic. But this is not my decision.

[cmbl]

What's interesting, there very same chain of events led to the Dunkard Brethren division so many years ago: there was a conservative movement within the conference, a published newsletter (The Bible Monitor) and eventually that movement broke ties and became their own entity.

Interesting indeed. Do these Brethren splits tend to happen at a slower pace than Mennonite splits? I guess before Eastern formed, there was the MMM conservative group. But a whole movement with newsletter? That doesn't seem to me to be the Mennonite pattern.

[Judas Maccabeus]

What's interesting, there very same chain of events led to the Dunkard Brethren division so many years ago: there was a conservative movement within the conference, a published newsletter (The Bible Monitor) and eventually that movement broke ties and became their own entity.

Interesting indeed. Do these Brethren splits tend to happen at a slower pace than Mennonite splits? I guess before Eastern formed, there was the MMM conservative group. But a whole movement with newsletter? That doesn't seem to me to be the Mennonite pattern.

My opening guess would be that the meetinghouses seem to be titled in the name of the district, rather than the local church. This is a powerful disincentive to a split.

J.M.