Quite honestly, I cringe whenever I hear the term. When we judge a person by the condition of their appearance instead of the condition of their heart, we walk a fine line.
Hey, you started the thread, using the term. I just used your term.
I just figured if he doesn't want to call any of them liberal, he must be a liberal that doesn't want to be seen as a liberal. Something like Josh's word play with Facebook in another thread. A liberal is always someone who is more liberal than we are, regardless of who we are.
Last edited by Hats Off on Tue Aug 13, 2019 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
steve-in-kville wrote:One thing I appreciate about the forum is the diversity we have. Both current setting as well as backgrounds and upbringing. Its interesting to read about each others views on church applications and the reasoning behind them, so I created this poll, more for my own amusement but to also start discussion as people see fit.
You can vote on all that apply.
I have read some of the other threads. To be honest I am not certain I know what most mean by liberal. Could we identify what liberal and conservative mean in the context of this discussion?
I would have preferred to vote none of the above.
So you truly are a liberal.
I suppose. Does liberal=bad and conservative=good? I would see Jesus as conservative with wealth and liberal with love.
I do think much of this is relative to our cultural background and framed by external appearances. I was born into an Eastern Mennonite Church, experienced acceptance and love in a Southeastern Mennonite Church in the hills of WV as well as SMBI (pre-remodeling days), spent time in Hope, Keystone, BMA, and now in LMC. Many would see that as a journey toward being more liberal. Although my wife and I have not changed external appearances, use of TV and internet, and pretty much everything on the list.
Lehman Street Mennonite Fellowship. I think that is EPMC's split. There's another new one called Hebron that may be the same conference.... can anyone confirm anything?
Quite honestly, I cringe whenever I hear the term. When we judge a person by the condition of their appearance instead of the condition of their heart, we walk a fine line.
Hey, you started the thread, using the term. I just used your term.
I just figured if he doesn't want to call any of them liberal, he must be a liberal that doesn't want to be seen as a liberal. Something like Josh's word play with Facebook in another thread. A liberal is always someone who is more liberal than we are, regardless of who we are.
AnthonyMartin wrote:
I have read some of the other threads. To be honest I am not certain I know what most mean by liberal. Could we identify what liberal and conservative mean in the context of this discussion?
I would have preferred to vote none of the above.
So you truly are a liberal.
I suppose. Does liberal=bad and conservative=good? No. I would see Jesus as conservative with wealth and liberal with love. Yes. Okay, I am going to have to agree with your latest post as well.
I do think much of this is relative to our cultural background and framed by external appearances. I was born into an Eastern Mennonite Church, experienced acceptance and love in a Southeastern Mennonite Church in the hills of WV as well as SMBI (pre-remodeling days), spent time in Hope, Keystone, BMA, and now in LMC. Many would see that as a journey toward being more liberal. Although my wife and I have not changed external appearances, use of TV and internet, and pretty much everything on the list.
On the Mennonite spectrum and in relation to Steve's poll, I would see you as liberal. However, the words liberal and conservative are relative terms or take on the meanings we assign them. On the US political scene, I would almost rather be identified as a liberal than a conservative. On the Canadian political scene, I would rather be identified as a conservative than as a Liberal.
We've had so many splits around here. I thought EPMC's split was called something else.... could be wrong.
Northeast is a split from Pilgrim, long after Pilgrim split from Eastern, who in turn split from Lancaster.
Appalachian is a split from Eastern, primarily over the issue of Internet, but the rumours I hear are that there is also a change in viewing how much authority bishops have to force decisions on their congregations. According to the rumours I heard, Appalachian resulted from Eastern members who feel they had the decision to allow using Internet forced on them, and they prefer a (slightly) more congregational method of governance where the consent of the congregation is required before permitting something that was formerly prohibited.
steve-in-kville wrote:Lehman Street Mennonite Fellowship. I think that is EPMC's split. There's another new one called Hebron that may be the same conference.... can anyone confirm anything?
Lehman Street - I would not describe as an EPMC split. Maybe a splinter at best, considering that Wilmer Martin and some of his people did come from EPMC.
Hebron - Is Northeast, split off of Pilgrim - Initial leadership consisted mostly of the original leadership of the Pilgrim movement
Appalachian - Split off of EPMC last year, receiving bishop oversight from Meadow Springs Old Order Mennonite Church until summer 2019 when they ordained their own bishop.
