thrifty,
I would think it is illegal also. But there are many branches of the Baptist denomination and I am not well educated on the specific points of their differences.
I know that many denominations are being called to come together under Christ and lay aside many of their differences, this seems to be causing conflict with in the denominations. But those who choose to bicker will never be satisfied and will always find something to justify the bickering and murmuring. It's always been that way, ever since Cain answered God and said am I my brother's keeper.
It's been my experience in resolving conflict amongst the brotheren, which I did throughout the 90s from church to church many denominations mostly conflicts between pastoral staff and board members, and most of those were power struggles. That God appoints all authority, and God has given us authority, but we are crucified with Christ nevertheless we live but it is not us but Christ lives in us. So all authority is truly God's. Jesus' authority was from God's authority, and he said I do nothing but what I see my father do in haven.
So going to the God-given authority in any particular situation and honoring that authority no matter who it rests upon, finding a place of submission to the true Godly authority will bring change. Whether we consider the change good or bad should not hinder our decision to heed to his voice. This will usually bring tremendous anger or tremendous piece. For example, the day the 70 disciples left after Jesus had told them unless you eat of my body and drink my blood you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, they became offended, then he said does this offend you? And they all left. Mind you these were disciples that had gone from city to city casting out demons healing the sick in the name of Jesus, these are the disciples that when they had returned Jesus rejoiced and said I saw Satan fall from heaven like a shooting star.
So how could they be so offended by such a sermon? Well they want to be, things were't happening fast enough there was no land purchased they had no great sum of money Jesus wasn't acting much like a king, in their eyes things just were not working out. He gave no explanation, he did not sit down with them and explain how everything was going to work out eventually, He just watch them walk away. When He turned to the 12 He asked what about you? They said we have nowhere to go we know you are the Christ!
Now I don't think they enjoyed the sermon much either, and I often wonder what it was like that first night that the 70 were gone as they sat around the fire looking at each other wondering what is going on. I also wonder when the 70 returned home what they said to their friends and family, so you were out following Jesus and He was to be the next great king and now you're back, what happened? You can fill in the blank from their.
So the ways of the Lord are mysterious and we are a very peculiar people! But sermon oriented Christians will struggle in these days. And that's why I believe Mr. Phelps is targeting sermon oriented babes in Christ.
If you would let me just expound for a moment, I think If I were going to make a sign, I would make one that said" maybe it's time to try church again" or "the Lord is good even if people aren't"" test drive a new church there's lots of new features" maybe something like "if you find yourself feeling lost maybe it's time to stop and look at the map".
I'm rambling now I'm very sorry, preached whole sermon and probably clog up the board. But thank you for your post. Val
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