House Church Talk - RE: women & house churches and me

[Jonathan Phillip Lindvall]

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 13:28:55 -0700
> From: "Claire Bennett" <clairebnntt at cox.net>
> Subject: House Church Talk -  women & house churches and me
> To: <House Church Talk  at housechurch.org>
> 
> I live in San Diego and attend a small home group here, and am somewhat
> involved with a second home group less regularly than I used to.  With a
> very small group, if some people don't show up, it would be difficult to
> have only men participate, someone might end up talking to himself :)
> 
> I did briefly e-mail JL when he answered something I mentioned on this
> list.
> The problem is, I assume when someone has a website, that their articles
> represent their true opinions.  I would feel really uncomfortable sitting
> in a meeting where the women were silent.  I don't know if some of these
> people would attend our meetings as it doesn't follow their rules.
> 
> I was told that some people would not participate in various hc lists
> because women did - they considered it women not being silent.  The women
> from these groups don't participate on these lists, likely their husbands
> disallow them from being corrupted by women like me :)  Maybe that is the
> danger is someone is a likeable person and doesn't share their agenda
> until
> they have gained the trust of others, but the agenda remains nonetheless.

Hi Claire. I've been following some of this discussion with a fair amount of
grief, as you can imagine. Written communication is good for setting forth
precise details, but is not very good for communicating our hearts. I simply
hope you'll try to hear my heart in this. I am trying to do the same with
what you write.

I am not at all offended when folks disagree with my understanding of
scripture. I could definitely be the one who is wrong. But I do hope you and
others will not assume that those who interpret scripture in similar ways to
what I do are malicious in our intent.

Yes, I have an agenda, in that I believe God has called me to teach what I
think the Holy Spirit has shown me from scripture. What I teach is not a
"hidden" agenda. I have chosen to expose it for all to see. I am likely
wrong in areas where I think I'm right. Yet that is the case for all of us.
If you have the grace to show me where I am wrong, I would honestly consider
it a kindness.

As it is, I have felt rather attacked rather than appealed to. I have
appreciated the moderating words of various ones on the list who have
encouraged you to try to connect with me personally. I wish I had known you
are from San Diego. I was just there this last weekend visiting relatives. I
would have delighted to fellowship with you and others you walk with (if you
would welcome me despite your perception of my hang-ups).

I live about six hours north of you, and you are welcome to come and visit
us and the saints we walk with anytime. There are a couple of other
opportunities for us to meet in person, if you are interested. Donald
Telian, a brother from another house church several hours further north of
us, and I will be presenting house church seminars in Riverside and Orange
Counties in the next couple of months. 

Donald and I don't agree on everything, and the saints I walk with don't
agree with each other on many details. Yet our unity is in the Spirit. Even
though I don't imagine you would be convinced on any points where you and I
disagree, I honestly think you would come away encouraged in the Lord and in
His heart for His bride, the church, gathering simply (and scripturally)
around Him in relational, New Testament church-life.

Here are the announcements for the two seminars:

--

Riverside County, Calfornia

On Saturday, May 15, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Donald Telian and Jonathan
Lindvall will present a free interactive HOUSE CHURCH SEMINAR in Riverside
County. The seminar will be held at the Creighton home in Romoland,
California.

Donald Telian is an engineer and father of eight from Oakhurst, California.
Jonathan Lindvall is an educator and father of six from Springville,
California. They both are international speakers and are involved in house
churches in their own communities. They will present Biblical teaching on
Christians gathering around the Lord simply, in one another's homes, and
illustrate their teaching from their own experiences.

Although no child care will be provided, families are welcome to bring
children who will stay with their parents.

For more information or directions, please contact Jim Creighton at
909-928-2390 or <Jim at creightonfamily.org>. RSVP is not required, but is
appreciated.

--

Orange County, California

On Saturday, June 19, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Donald Telian and Jonathan
Lindvall will present a free interactive HOUSE CHURCH SEMINAR in Yorba
Linda, California. 

This seminar will be held at the Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House, 4701 Casa
Loma Avenue in Yorba Linda, between the 91 and 57 fwys (about 3 miles either
way). Mapquest directions are available at
<http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=
&address=4701+Casa+Loma&city=Yorba+Linda&state=CA&zipcode=92886&submit=Get+M
ap>.

Donald Telian is an engineer and father of eight from Oakhurst, California.
Jonathan Lindvall is an educator and father of six from Springville,
California. They both are international speakers and are involved in house
churches in their own communities. They will present Biblical teaching on
Christians gathering around the Lord simply, in one another's homes, and
illustrate their teaching from their own experiences.

Although no child care will be provided, families are welcome to bring
children who will stay with their parents.

For more information or directions, please contact Robert Carrillo at
909-465-6474 or 909-489-2047 or <n21truth at hotmail.com>. RSVP is not
required, but is appreciated.

-- 
You can subscribe to the free Bold Christian Living E-mail Newsletter by
sending a post to <boldchristianliv-subscribe at welovegod.org>.

God bless you.

Jonathan Lindvall                    Lindvall at BoldChristianLiving.com 
Bold Christian Living              http://www.BoldChristianLiving.com

PO Box 820                                         Voice 559-539-0500
Springville CA 93265                               Fax   559-539-0804

...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it...  Phil. 1:6