A Thinking Man asks the Right Questions | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Ted McDonald said:     - June 6th, 2015 @ 7:41 pm

    Clear the rubble - I am back. Not here to debate. Here to ask a serious question about Conferences. Do not care specifically about the SBC. I know Baptist churches are autonomous. What is the practical use for Conferences? How do they effect or affect me a layman? Maybe you need to write an article.

    Gene gives answer:

    At long last, we have someone asking for clarification between writer and average church member wondering WHAT HAPPENED?

    First --- WHAT IS A CONFERENCE?

    That is a general term and each group has its other terms which are the same:

       •  In US or NC government it is the Legislature

       •  In Beaufort County government it is the County Commissioners

       •  In Baptist work it is the Annual Meeting of the NC Baptist State Convention

       •  In Methodist work it is the Conference headquartered in Raleigh / meeting in Fayetteville

       •  With Catholics, there is the Pope and Cardinals

       •  With Presbyterians, it is the Presbytery

       •  Those in various groups can use whatever individual or group which is OFFICIAL

       •  For example: Democratic (Republican) National Committee / Nominating Convention / etc.

    Such a group is designated by Constitution and By-Laws specifying name, which is what, the basic guideline for conducting meeting activities like Roberts Rules of Order / Senate Rules / House Rules / how they are elected or appointed / etc. It is outlined by a Flow Chart (if simple is needed) / Bible / Constitution of the United States---any written document leading the members to understand what their organization is supposed to do and how they act.

    You choices in the Flow Chart are Top Down or Bottom Up as extremes. The whole purpose in a democratic organization is to let the voices of the people who support and give to it be heard. The larger the group, the more voices and views exist. Groups form within the main group. Sometimes there is peace and unity. At other times there is discord and fighting.

    The way it coincides with organizational realities:

    The greater the pressure and diversity, the more a group has to try and bring about consensus or ultimately split and divide. It is replicated in nature with the difference between plant and animal---Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Oder, family, genus, species---if you remember your biology. All of them are mental constructs to organize in the same fashion as we build a clock, but need a leap year on our calendar to once again align with reality.

    The human mind wants order. A Psychotic mind is usually ruled by chaos and insanity. If you grow naturally, as most minds do, reality gets some organization in the human mind trying to bring order out of chaos. Today there are theories of Creation / History / Philosophy / Education / you can name them to infinity and beyond. All this depends on an ability to use abstractions and words.

    Any particular Theology/Philosophy begins with a DEFINITION OF TERMS. The same applies to any law before the NC General Assembly or elsewhere. The formula tries to inform people, but it is always some abstract notion. At times stuff is tacked on to sneak it past the body. A perfect example is our NC decision to make Fracking legal. The next week our legislators made it a felony to disclose the chemicals used in the process! Something is fishy here over OIL. It is Crude Oil over fish oil --- which is natural and not endangering the environment.

    With Ancient Man they used cave wall drawings! Carvings on the Great Cathedrals of the Old World had gargoyles frightening uneducated people. Carvings tell the stories of their history so all can see even if they can't read the language. It prompts the viewers to ask: "What does this mean?"

    All our autos now have gone to universal symbols! A rabbit indicates "fast" and a turtle "slow." You flip on your lights and a symbol pops up on the central control panel. It is a way of overcoming abstract words with symbols so more people can figure out. Still there will be some who might think you can turn your vehicle into a turtle or rabbit---literally! The problem is in understanding or misunderstanding / whether you are literate or "spiritual." Just having words or symbols does not solve people problems or picking leaders and ways that please you.

    Churches are supposed to honor God. Christian ones honor Christ. Jewish ones are still awaiting their Messiah. Muslim ones believe Mohammed it the Great Prophet --- but cite Jesus as another such individual. All tend to trust their leaders for TRUTH.

    The vast majority of any membership are followers rather than leaders! Most simply follow whatever they were doing as children with their parents. Wise followers always ask good questions before they are lead to a slaughterhouse.