From Bradley Campbell in Civil Society
The most surprising moments came in casual observation. Those who spoke against change were at times outraged, hurt, and lost. They seemed to realize they were the minority and it pained them to think their church could move in a different, uncomfortable direction without their blessing. Many threatened to leave the church during their pleas to the assembly. Many warned the church about leaving the teachings of Martin Luther behind. But their pleas were in vain, as the body voted again and again for change. It's like they were on the other side looking in for the first time, experiencing what it's like to feel excluded.
The cigar has disappeared into the night sky. Our conversation is done, for now. The conversations with the aforementioned friends will begin anew in the days ahead. I only hope that I will be able to speak to everyone with the kind of grace, patience, and respect that Lutherans have been able to show one another in these last few days.
Good thoughts from Pub Ponderings What Will Be My Witness - He quotes Bonhoeffer from Life Together
Every human wish dream that is injected into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be banished if genuine community is to survive. He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.
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