Healing The Heart Retreat--Live Blog (3)

10:32 - Ken began by rehearsing the previous areas we covered in the earlier session this morning. We need to hear what the Lord is trying to tell us, He put the pain there, He has something to say.

Woody shared that we need to be careful to avoid stating "Ah ha". Trying to fix our current problems by focusing on our past. The church is God's, NOT ours. Obey Him. Do we trust God to add and remove over time people from the local body as it pleases God and His will. We cannot put God in a box, there is no ONE like Him.

Patti G. stated that she is not hearing where or when in our history did the congregation or body understand that they were no longer Congregational Led instead of Elder Led or vice versa? Did the body understand how it was being led?

Ken's response was that God's kingdom works on trusts and that he believes BBC has had a break down in this area - between the congregation and the leadership (full time and lay leaders).

10:41 - Vic asked Helen - When did the lack of trust between leadership and congregational members occur? Helen stated that people felt like they no longer had a voice in what took place when they changed from Congregational rule to Elder rule. They didn't get to do what they used to do. Ken stated - if we trust them, it's ok, if we don't trust them, then it's not ok.

Lucas asked - why did the change take place, how was it brought it about? Dave H talked about the nominating committee process and how leaders were chosen or selected. Is the problem because BBC is a non-denom. chruch in that we do not have a system of government established as do other churches do in specific denominations? Ken stated that again it comes back to a matter of trust between the leaders and members, because if there is no disconnect, there is confidence in decision making.

10:56 - Chris C stated that he's hearing frustration from people regarding statements like "we can't tell you" or "we don't know" and that the communication is a significant issue. We are uncomfortable because of our history with those types of responses. What is Christ telling us though: even if you don't trust a board or people, I'm not asking you to decide between the two, I'm asking you trust Me, submit to the Lord's leadership.
Do we forgive others like Christ forgave us? Trust Christ and depend on Him and His choices of leaders to help us get through.

Jim H. shared that we had 35 years of successful history with great programs - then we began to transition and have problems. Similar to Church of Ephesus where Christ said you are doing great things...but you left your first love. Is that what Christ saying to us? Ken asked did we have a source of pride years back when BBC was known around the world as the church to visit when your in D.C.? Possibly. Lucas - we care more about what people think about us rather than what Christ thinks about us. God is gracious and He uses flawed instruments to accomplish His purposes.
Gary stated that one over arching statement is that God may be saying that BBC has become YOUR church and no longer MY church. Ken asked if that's true, then where would God put the pain to get our attention. Leadership? Trust? Lack of Outreach? Attenders? John K asked what was done in the last few months of Pastor Butch being at the church to attempt conflict resolution? Dave stated that every attempt was made to try and extend his time at BBC but it was beyond the point of his being willing to stay. The real issue was that he was preaching longer messages and people didn't want that. Ken stated the issue is who is listening to who? When trust breaks down, we tend to look out for our own interest because we begin to only trust ourselves. Milt stated that there seems to be a failure to have a teachable spirit and accountable heart before our leaders. Dave H stated that perhaps the real issue behind the length of preaching is really an issue of control?

11:25 - Ken has directed us now to discuss the time in our history of Larry Katz as Pastor and what occurred during those years (1976-1986). Ron asked: What type of authority structure was established for Larry as a new pastor coming into the ministry? Dave shared that Larry worked intensely to understand the history of the church and where it was coming from. He brought in a new look that smoothed the transition, and Larry did his homework. He had a little bit more experience in ministry than the previous pastor. Renee wanted to know what it was like when Larry left - why, how? Dave suggested we start earlier: Larry started his ministry losing 125 people from the previous pastor leaving BBC- significant bodily wound. Jim Dubbs was the Youth director. Jim was very close to Butch. It was very controversial when Jim left. There were a lot of great things still continuing to take place in BBC in spite of all the side issues that were going on and being dealt with by leadership.

11:55 we are preparing to break for lunch / final comments are being shared that as a church we need to at least know that there are issues that are going on (confidential or not) that we need the body to be in prayer over - to avoid distrust.