tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post4715449730431851929..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Frustration and FragmentationPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-24720604742869285442010-03-27T23:24:23.109-05:002010-03-27T23:24:23.109-05:00I agree with Pastor Stiegmeyer. This is a problem...I agree with Pastor Stiegmeyer. This is a problem in our culture, not just in our Synod...as you addressed with the compartmentalization of our lives. <br /><br />When the Synod had its most recent delegate gatherings regarding the Blue Ribbon Commission, there was STRONG opposition and mocking regarding the fact that they assigned seating at the tables like they would in elementary school. My husband was a delegate, and he was incredibly happy about it. After all, elementary schools use seating assignments to lower the risk of bad behavior, cliquishness, and to keep everyone involved. Because people from different perspectives and congregation types were at the same table, REAL discussion and exchange of ideas was more possible than if the little groups just sitting in their corners complaining about the other groups.<br /><br />Disagreeing is one thing, but you can't ever hope to reach agreement when there is no desire to hear the other perspective.Lorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884972624061544755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-69053170298168951302010-03-27T15:30:31.255-05:002010-03-27T15:30:31.255-05:00Thank you for your excellent blog post. I agree w...Thank you for your excellent blog post. I agree with you and I think you have identified many of the factors at play. I am not without guilt on these matters, but I do want to do better.<br /><br />This problem, as you know, is not just true of our beloved Synod, but also of our American society. The polarization is palpable.<br /><br />Another factor is that whenever you say you disagree with someone, they hear you it as if you are saying, "I hate you." It is possible to disagree with someone and not hate them. We are so sensitive.Pastor Scott Stiegemeyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673629123931502344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-27484617110222792392010-03-27T14:15:16.365-05:002010-03-27T14:15:16.365-05:00Your story about eating at a table with no one tal...Your story about eating at a table with no one talking to you perfectly describes the one year I spent in the Volunteer State. Outside of my supervisor and a few other friendly pastors (you included), few would talk to me. Perhaps it was the "Fort Wayne Vicar" stigma, perhaps not. Regardless, civility among brother pastors who disagree is nearly non-existent.<br /><br />And I am guilty of what you speak. Kyrie eleison.Rev. David M. Juhlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319689931375689421noreply@blogger.com