'Dialogue' is a convenient cop out for leadership

Print Article

"Let's dialogue" is often code language and a convenient out for leadership that views most issues of contention as merely "procedural" in addressing resolution. The problem is that faith and church requires "conviction" to make it work in the longer term. And therein lies the issue. Some matters of conviction are such that people simply need to disagree and move on—into separate churches and organizations—in peace and respect for each other. In other words, agree to disagree and move on. In some cases this finally mercifully stops the annoying and badgering of each other.

This is not intended as a statement of perspective other than suggesting it is OK to disagree to the point of parting ways organizationally. I live in a community where any number of good and faithful Christians worship in churches not closely affiliated with my Mennonite Church USA congregation.

Current Stories

Articles

• Moved by the Spirit
• A life-changing event
• Does Jesus still matter?
• Growing in faith

News stories, digests and Meno Acontecer

• Twins find more common ground at Bethel
• Protester sparks look at safety practices
• Church remembers bombing anniversary
• Work instead of worship on Sundays
• NEWS DIGEST - Nov. 3
• Quilting connects generations of women
• Sister-care event offers 'sowing' circle
• MWC is growing
• New obituary policy

Columns

• About the moratorium
• The spirit of Jesus empowers us
• A missed flight
• Afghanistan needs help, not bombs

Readers Say

• Helped start one of the first MYFs
• Saddened by Southeast Conference action
• Will MC USA see a drop in membership?
• 'Dialogue' is a convenient cop out for leadership
• We need a field trip
• Missed the invitation
• Remembering Maynard Shelly