I don't really know how to write this, but your series on narcissism in the church has really given me a case of the "feels".
First, I want to say thanks for resurrecting the the Door. It is a needed voice to keep the church in line!
Second, I am a conservative-ish Evangelical. But, I am not a hayseed anti-intellectual. I have two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate from accredited Universities and a Seminary. (Does mentioning this make me a Narcissist?) I was a public School teacher for 21 years and planted a church 16 years ago. Anyhow, I just want to say that I, and most of those I associate with, are just doing our best to try and lead our churches. I am so sorry about your bad experiences with church. I'm not sure about any specifics, but your experiences are oozing out of your words as you write. I can assure you that I love God and love people and my objective as a pastor is to build His kingdom without really giving a flying rip about my own notoriety.
So, here is my point. As you are talking about gaslighting, I am feeling attacked by you. Now me even responding to you feels like I am trying to gaslight you, you know, saying you are just making this all up. That is not what I am saying. I'm just saying that we are on the same team, and we just have slightly different interpretations of things. You can be a satirist, while still affirming the positive things that exist in church. Keep up the fight. Just remember who your enemy really is. Don't become a mirror image of those things you hate.
It's kind of funny how I took this so personally. Must have struck a nerve, eh? I know it was not your intention. I'll keep myself, like Focault said, "Present to God and present to people!" Been hurt by narcissists in the church, too. Also, I think the church is more than just a human institution, but people have sure jacked it up over the years. Thanks for your good work. RW
Hi Becky,
I don't really know how to write this, but your series on narcissism in the church has really given me a case of the "feels".
First, I want to say thanks for resurrecting the the Door. It is a needed voice to keep the church in line!
Second, I am a conservative-ish Evangelical. But, I am not a hayseed anti-intellectual. I have two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate from accredited Universities and a Seminary. (Does mentioning this make me a Narcissist?) I was a public School teacher for 21 years and planted a church 16 years ago. Anyhow, I just want to say that I, and most of those I associate with, are just doing our best to try and lead our churches. I am so sorry about your bad experiences with church. I'm not sure about any specifics, but your experiences are oozing out of your words as you write. I can assure you that I love God and love people and my objective as a pastor is to build His kingdom without really giving a flying rip about my own notoriety.
So, here is my point. As you are talking about gaslighting, I am feeling attacked by you. Now me even responding to you feels like I am trying to gaslight you, you know, saying you are just making this all up. That is not what I am saying. I'm just saying that we are on the same team, and we just have slightly different interpretations of things. You can be a satirist, while still affirming the positive things that exist in church. Keep up the fight. Just remember who your enemy really is. Don't become a mirror image of those things you hate.
Love to you all,
Ron
It's kind of funny how I took this so personally. Must have struck a nerve, eh? I know it was not your intention. I'll keep myself, like Focault said, "Present to God and present to people!" Been hurt by narcissists in the church, too. Also, I think the church is more than just a human institution, but people have sure jacked it up over the years. Thanks for your good work. RW