I had my Grace blog locked down due to some spam/splogger issues. I forgot to open it back up, so I just did that now.

Anyone can register now:

registration link for Grace blog

Note: I will NOT allow ANY discussion on that blog relating to ubf whatsoever. If someone wants to discuss grace and related theology, that is fine.

I was trying to register, log in and post a comment but could not find the link to register.

I was going to comment and state that the word for grace (χάρις) is repeated 156 times in the NT: http://westloop-church.org/index.php/messages/new-testament/52-titus-messages/255-grace-the-key-that-unlocks-the-bible-titus-211-15

I think that this post addresses well that we Christians should not use legalism as an excuse for disobeying God’s word and God’s commands: http://thecripplegate.com/shooing-away-the-legalism-boogeymen/

Merry Christmas.

By the way, in the future if you want to add gratuitous comments re: Protestantism vs. Catholicism, please show a little more consideration and do so not on this article but on this old article below:

http://www.ubfriends.org/2010/10/19/a-discussion-stuck-in-limbo/

Mary Christmas!

If those “entailments” do not become “entanglements” and as long as we are free to contextualize those entailments so that we do not rebuild the Old Covenant, then I agree fully.

We simply must get back to expressing the gospel as news and declaring what God has completed, and then living out that truth. Obedience will fall into its proper place when we do that.

I part ways with Christendom and go outside the gates when those “entailments” in human conduct become absolute, rigid walls.

Fr. Barron’s irenic responses to questions regarding praying to Mary and the saints, relics, and the papacy were the “best” explanations and responses I’ve ever heard that were not defensive but quite plausible. There were no questions or discussions about purgatory.

Fr. Barron’s 10 minute introduction sounded totally evangelical, which all Protestants would ascribe to and agree with. Then he made a funny comment, saying, “If I were to explain why I am a Catholic, it would take several semesters.”

After the conversation ended, I told Christy and my son Paul (who both also attended) that if when I had first become a Christian in 1980 and that if I had attended a parish where Fr. Barron was the presiding priest, I would likely still be a Catholic today.

You mentioned “theological and practical differences” between Protestant and Catholic positions. What differences, if any, came out in the discussion?

For sure, the only way for us Christians of all stripes to ever present a united loving front to the world would be to focus on the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

“…if Catholicism leads with its doctrines, it will devolve into an intellectual debating society, and that if it leads with its moral teaching, it will appear fussy and puritanical. It should lead today as it led two thousand years ago, with the stunning news that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and the joy of that proclamation should be as evident now as it was then.”

The full article is at
http://www.realclearreligion.org/articles/2013/12/04/the_joy_of_evangelism.html

1. The gospel is, first and foremost, news—great news, momentous news. That is why it must be announced, proclaimed—that’s what one does with news. Silent proclamation of the gospel is an oxymoron. Godly and generous behavior may bear a kind of witness to the transformed life, but if those who observe such a life hear nothing of the substance of the gospel, it may evoke admiration but cannot call forth faith because in the Bible faith demands faith’s true object, which remains unknown where there is no proclamation of the news.

2. The gospel is, first and foremost, news about what God has done in Christ. It is not law, an ethical system, or a list of human obligations; it is not a code of conduct telling us what we must do: it is news about what God has done in Christ.

3. On the other hand, the gospel has both purposes and entailments in human conduct. The entailments must be preached. But if you preach the entailments as if they were the gospel itself, pretty soon you lose sight of the reality of the gospel—that it is the good news of what God has done, not a description of what we ought to do in consequence. Pretty soon the gospel descends to mere moralism. One cannot too forcefully insist on the distinction between the gospel and its entailments.

“All animals are created equal but some are more equal than others.” George Orwell, Animal Farm.

“Too many (Christian leaders) behave as if they believed not in the priesthood of all believers but in the papacy of all pastors.” John Stott, Calling Christian Leaders. – See more at: http://www.ubfriends.org/2010/11/04/why-do-we-have-divisions/#sthash.PLfGEWjz.dpuf

oh, come to the Lord, that ye may have real life!

Are you saying to UBFriends that we should be silent?

Jesus is the perfect example of one who lived in the Second Stage of Life. But would anyone in history ever regard Jesus as being silent? If Jesus was silent (praying and depending on God without saying anything) he would not have been crucified and he would still be alive in the flesh today, don’t you think?

We get your silence – but frankly add it to the article that Ben wrote some time ago. Otherwise talking about silence just reminds us that we should not speak ill of the abuses from seniors.

Silence to contemplate and broaden (or develop) our relationship with Jesus is indeed fundamental. But it has nothing to do with the dialogue here. Once again avoidance of the issues in UBF.

I am almost at the point where I can never take a word you say seriously anymore. You are publicly advocated everything that is wrong even if deep within you feel otherwise. Words sound well thought out and politically correct, but in the end I get the impression that the victimized in UBF can eat cake.

What is so wonderful on the other hand is that this blog is open to anyone who comes a knockin’. That includes parents of first year students or any student for that matter. Anyone with a head on their shoulders can examine that no serious issues get answered when you have been challenged to state clearly. You conveniently disappear everytime someone asks of you what seems too much.

We all know “silence” here is not “just not talking” with our mouth shut. We need to talk, dialogue with love and respect continuously. This “silence” and “solitude” is Jesus’ life style. It has been tested and proven right way by the Benedictin monks for more than 1500 years. Bonhoeffer talked about it and many modern thinkers talked about it as the only solution of the unhealthy aspects of Christianity.

I understand “Silence” is a life of contemplation and listening to God and living constantly before the presence of God 24/7. It is a constant practice to try to gaze the beauty of Jesus. It is to trust in Him and accept his Sovereignty as the ruler of history. It is to accept our Father’s love which is much greater than our human ‘evil’ fathers. His way of rule is so powerful and unfathomable like a flowing river that we cannot change the flow with our hands.

It was interesting to hear from Richard Rohr who said the second stage of life usually starts around mid fifties.

Thanks for highlighting those articles. One reason I love Joe and Ben so much is because they understand the “silence issue”. I don’t always agree with Joe and Ben, but at least they are not silent.

One effective way to get people’s attention, especially the “natives”, is through songs and visualizations.

I’ve blogged about the silence issue numerous times. Sometimes I just want to shout say something!. So many times the past 3 years I only heard the sound of silence.

When leaders of an organization are silent about criticisms or concerns, such as what happened in Winnepeg ubf, the leaders allow their group to become cult-like. Accusations of being a cult then become obvious.

The end result is an endless cycle of chewing through people that is best expressed by the Sisyphus Syndrome.

By Ben:
http://www.ubfriends.org/2012/05/18/silence-and-solitude-bonhoeffer/

By Joe:
http://www.ubfriends.org/2013/03/04/when-silence-speaks-volumes/

As gc said, they are silent because they think they are like Jesus who did not say a word to defend himself before his crucifixion. (This is an even worse justification for silence, because Jesus was sinless and perfect, while no one else–not even the best Christian leader–can ever claim.)

Sadly, I think that the silence of some UBF leaders is culturally conditioned. They might quote Proverbs where if you remain silent you will be perceived as wise! They take the “high road” by remaining silent, believing that this communicates how noble and dignified they are, and how much they are “above” the pettiness of noisy complaining sinners.

Worst of all, silence communicates dishonesty, inauthenticity and an unwillingness to be transparent. Sadly, those who continue their inflexible stance on silence do not realize this.

So, you are not concerned with the ‘Why’ among people? It does not matter that some members who remained many decades and some for a few years just got up and walked?

Woe to the husband or wife who returns home to find everything the same, but something missing. What is missing? There spouse has gone missing and is only represented by a momento of sorts. (I am in no way promoting divorce, but rather using the analogy to contrast that the ‘why’ does matter.)

Silence is insisted, but what would you do if you carried out your usual routine of many years to one day discover that no one had said a word but just vanished? You call, you visit homes, you ask neighbours….but there is no sign anywhere. You just can’t understand…the cars and minivans are not even in the driveway – where could they be?

Maybe people should be silent – and then maybe their silent departure will have a blistering and thunderous sound.

Finally @ Joe, ‘What time is it?’ – Time to speak! It is time for a long and serious heart to heart between two believers.

‘What time isn’t it?’ – It is not time to maintain appearances and titles and lord over others.

Good questions:

“The question for ubf leaders: What time is it? The question for ex-members and those who are being marginalized: What time is it?”

I can answer for myself. The first word impressed on my soul from the Holy Spirit a while back was “Stop”. I was compelled to stop ubf activity and see what would happen. So for several years, it was time for me to stop. Stop and listen and find God.

Lately the new word impressed on my soul is “connect”. I am compelled to connect myself and my family with good, caring, loving people and connect with 2,000 years of Christain history, and connect with pastors and people around the world. Hence, my Skype talks announcement. Skype talks were already taking place before my announcement, and Lord willing, will continue.

In regard to speaking or being silent, the Lord has turned my “speak up voice” on and I don’t see it turning off any time soon. In ubf language, God gave me one word through Leviticus 5:1 “If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.”

It is time for me to speak up and speak up I will. I practiced James’ idea of silence and solitude for 24 years. Now I intend to practice speaking up for 24 years. I will speak up and speak out and will be against the ubf heritage until my dying breath.

Yes you heard that correctly. I am opposed to anyone who supports or propogates the ubf 12 point heritage system. I will fight against such a system the rest of my life. I will speak out and speak up for the gospel of Jesus and will oppose ubf as a vocal critic, as long as the Lord enables me to do so or until the Lord turns off my “speak up” switch.

Perhaps some “silent leaders” think that the way Christ followers follow Jesus is through following them. So when the followers become “sincerly unsilent” it is primarily perceived as “ungrateful, unthankful, childish, rebellious, rude, immature.”

When such leaders give direction and make decisions for others, they are loud and clear. It is unfortunate that they become “silent” when heart to heart matters are to be discussed.

James, I’m sure many if not all people will love this quote. But interestingly 5 people dislike your comment and only 1 liked it. Probably, you will say that you do not care whether or not people like or dislike your comment. Nonetheless, you might learn a lot of wonderful mysteries if you truly want to understand why more people disliked you comment than liked it.

certainly silent meditation is a bless-ed practice at times, anywhere;
yet unsilent advocacy is also a bless-ed practice at times, anywhere;

the question is brotherhood vs hierarchy & scripture meaning vs symbolism;
too often leaders of anything feel unsilent toward underlings who are expected to be silent; but when the day comes for followers to be sincerely unsilent, leaders are suddenly silent..

‘slipping back into dualistic judgments and divisive words.’ perhaps we should be more concerned about dualistic ACTIONS & divisive ACTIONS..
israel had trouble for idolatrous/corrupt actions, not mere ideas/words;
pharisees had trouble for self-righteous/unjust actions, not mere ideas..

we all make mistakes, but do we try to improve/reform?

or do we excuse those with status while condemning those without?
this is the core corruption of the world that must be faced/unimitated by believers

“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”

The question for ubf leaders: What time is it?

The question for ex-members and those who are being marginalized: What time is it?

He said, “Silence is the only language spacious enough to include everything and to keep us from slipping back into dualistic judgments and divisive words.”

If an environment hinders people from seeking God and being united with God then there is something wrong. Stop humouring people with sincere but apathetic comments. I would really like to say that UBF is a good and healthy place to be but I cannot. The more that we undermine the ills of the organization and each other in carrying it forward the more people will leave.

Ubfriends can be a scapegoat for why people are leaving – but where are the lies. Most testimonials published and added here are done so after one has had time and experience.

Anyway, seniors make opinions about juniors – essentially it has been argued several times about letting native leaders lead 100%. What judgments and strong opinions are holding all of Korean leadership in stage one?

but hey i’ve had enough, peops want stay like they are or let others stay as they are, go ahead, just don’t cry later when normal life consequences don’t work out the way grp wants

So spineless apathy is the second stage of life? I smell b——t.

Let’s get back to Ben’s article here. ubf is scared of grace. I’d ask your opinion but since you’re so advanced an in the second stage of life you have none.

I’d also ask your opinion about the latest numbers that show your ministry is in decline, numbers that back up every word Joe and Ben and hundreds of others have been saying and predicting, but I suppose you have no strong idea about this human knowledge which is just “poison” for our soul.

Over the past 4 years:

27% decline in cash donations (offering)
59% increase in administrative costs
105% drop in net assets
$42K deficit in 2012
17% drop in ISBC attendants *
50% exodus of longtime leaders in Toledo UBF

James, your ministry is in a downward spiral. Maybe you could at least care enough to share a quote about how to get out of such a death spiral? Dr. Henry Cloud has some good ideas about how to do just that. And his first suggestion is to “make a log”, writing down and documenting everything that is happening and sifting through the log to discern facts about why the decline is occurring.

Richard Rohr said, “In the second half of life, we do NOT HAVE STRONG and FINAL OPINIONS about everything, every event, or most people, as much as we allow things and people to delight us, sadden us, and truly influence us. We no longer need to change or adjust other people to be happy ourselves. Ironically, we are more than ever before in a position to change people–but we do not need to–and that makes all the difference.”

It is interesting that he said if you are too confident and have strong opinions based on human logic or knowledge, you are not in the second stage. If you talk too much or too loud, you are not in the second stage. I tend to agree with him.

I also don’t understand what this has to do with the container and two stages of life. How can using titles and authoritarianism be a container for the gospel? It can’t. As a container, authoritarianism is like an old wineskin. Why do you want to put new wine into an old wineskin? You know what’s the outcome of such foolishness is and we experienced it in practice.

Please, if you give us parables or good advices, always explain how concretely you want to have them understood or see them implemented. Otherwise they are just hollow phrases that are convenient to hear, but change nothing and do not even help to understand each other’s position.

My question to you James is this: Do you think UBF as a whole is still functioning like an organization in the first stage of life?

I understand that the 1st stage of life is necessary. But it was never meant to be permanent.

For those of you who do not have time to read the book, Rohr’s 1 hour lecture is an excellent summary and synopsis of his book which I highly recommend to everyone:

What do you think about the Korean pastor and about the church? If it is the Korean culture (I saw in ubf very similar things) then can anyone consider such Korean churches (and corporations in case of ubf) Christian and healthy? (And I’ll submit an article about some part of ubf teaching and there will ask some more questions about the Korean culture and about whether a cultural Korean is able to practically put Christianity above the Confucianism).

These days I read a book, “Falling upward” recommended by Ben. The author said there are two stages of life. The first one was to build a container and the second stage is to fill it the substance in the container. This is a quote from the book.

“Thus the first journey is always about externals, formulas, superficial emotions, flags and badges, correct rituals, Bible quotes, and special clothing, all of which largely substitute for actual spiritulality (Mt 23:12-32), yet they are all used and needed to create the container. Yes, it is largely style and sentiment instead of real substance, but even that is PROBABLY NECESSARY. Just don’t give your life for mere style and sentiment. Pope John XXIII’s motto might be heard here: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.” That is second-half-of-life hard won wisdom.

In this global and multicultural age we have more serious challenges in regard to spiritual unity. Yes, we have to strive to fill the container with substance beginning from ourselves.

I have said for years that our salary structure needs to be re-examined and revised. But it is rejected because certain people want to have the decision to control (and hide) who gets how much. As long as this is so, it will continue to promote a clandestine culture which is damaging and honestly unChristian.

Controlling information reminds me of the B.I.T.E. model that Brian has spoken of in the past. Controlling information is also the way to be manipulated by leaders.

Worst of all, controlling information is not representative of our biblical trinitarian God who is transparent for all to see.

I personally have issues with how our UBF staff is being paid, especially with some younger staff being “underpaid” compared to older staff, which is supposedly “secret” as to how much they are being paid. In my opinion, such longstanding secrecy should become transparent for all UBF members to see, since it is our tithe that is being used to pay our UBF staff.

the way i see it, problems are golden opportunities: ubf can lead the way in use of resources/end up at head of class of churches, or hoard more than others/end up bringing up the rear..

that’s what we need, someone more scholarly than me to post a proper use of church funds article postulating how much is godly to spend/save/reserve/etc

** A very very very simple thing to do is to post these public documents/figures on our official UBF websites and humbly ask for prayer for God’s mercy, wisdom and help to turn things around.

But then again this would be too shameful to expose, even though such financial data are publicly accessible by anyone.

Perhaps someone will wake up when they see the latest ECFA financial numbers reported by ubf?

Over the past 4 years:

27% decline in cash donations (offering)
59% increase in administrative costs
105% drop in net assets
$42K deficit in 2012
17% drop in ISBC attendants
50% exodus of longtime leaders in Toledo UBF

I posted an article on my blog about the state of decline in ubf ministry.

I am sorry to say that the smell of missionary superiority, imperialistic inclinations and elitist exclusivity might be the most offensive of all in all of UBF. It is most offensive not just because of ethnic and cultural and seniority pride. But it is offensive and very sad primarily because it blurs, obscures and even obliterates the glorious gospel of God’s grace (Ac 20:24).

until human desire for greatness is restrained, spiritual fruit can not flourish

we are but ‘grasshoppers’ who must choose wisely what ‘master’ God Almighty is trying to offer us..

servant must not be of God but man; when people serve God they feel great, when they serve man they feel humble; Jesus is Son of God but son of man

St Francis Assisi started Friars Minor=lesser brothers

change happens from top down, but only by those courageous/wise enough to reverse flow of man’s habits to God’s ways

Chris has been even simpler – and I already thought he had been simple. We should adapt to the values and identity in the NT as Christians. This does not stop us from being proud of heritage, but it does establish our values upon Christ and not what may be around us.

I remember that Samuel Lee wanted UBFers to become people with a “smell of the Bible”. However, the obsessive use of honorific titles such as “Missionary”, “Shepherd”, “Pastor”, “Dr.”, “Mother” has a completely different smell, a smell of confucianism. – See more at: http://www.ubfriends.org/2013/04/24/is-ubf-scared-of-grace/#comment-11068

This reminds me of a great article by John Frye that I read yesterday. Frye wrote:

“The tendency of too many evangelical pastors is to pronounce endless moralisms and to offer a smorgasbord of holiness hints and rules. There is musty smell to this approach. The odor is the absence of the Spirit. We create a distasteful atmosphere driven by what we hear and what we see. Very few take the time to contemplate why this endless litany of “Bible-based” principles, guidelines, steps and how-to’s is not producing a holy church. These holiness helps pile up and begin to smell offensive. In our sincere desire to urge holy living, we think we are smarter than the Holy Spirit.”

The full article is here.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/09/27/pastors-the-spirit-and-discernment/

If that’s what important, then it should be a total non-issue for all of UBF to immediately abolish all titles, to dissolve all life-long, lording-over shepherding relationships, and publicly confront the decades of substantiated spiritual abuse and authoritative control exercised over its members. Or is this statement to “not lose sight of what’s important” a secret code for “don’t look at what we’ve swept under the rug”?

“Ben made a good point that missionaries in America should humbly learn the American culture more and adapt to them.”

It would be good if you could also draw consequences from your conviction. For isntance, why don’t you make a proposal in UBF to abolish the use of titles in the church? As the president, your proposal would have some weight. And nobody could tell you “you can leave if you don’t like titles” as they told my former friend in UBF. Btw, I notice and appretiate that you wrote “Ben” and not “Dr. Toh”.

That’s why Christianity needs to be contextualized in each country. The important thing is that we do not lose sight in the essentials of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

Ben made a good point that missionaries in America should humbly learn the American culture more and adapt to them.

“when people approach each other from different backgrounds and there is a lack of elasticity in accepting the others’ point of view. And of course, the larger responsibility must fall to the one who carries the mantle of leadership and exercises the majority of the power in the relationship.” – See more at: http://www.ubfriends.org/2013/04/24/is-ubf-scared-of-grace/#comment-11050

The problem is not that people have different backgrounds, it is a lack of reciprocity in accepting the others’ point of view. I can appreciate why leaders from Korea or other places like titles, but my appreciation for their viewpoint wasn’t reciprocated; I didn’t feel any appreciation from them as to why Canadian students don’t like titles, only accusations of “proud!” “rebellious!” “anti-authority!”. If there was a mutual understanding (“you like titles because of your culture, and I don’t because of my culture, and its all good”), that would be fine. But of course, that was rarely the case. There was one culture paradigm that always won. Guess which one it was?

It reminds me of an article on this very subject that appeared three years ago, which newcomers to the website might not have seen.

http://www.ubfriends.org/2010/10/14/shepherds-or-sheep-who-sacrifices-more/

This is a question for the ages!!!

Ben, as you asked – why can’t the Korean missionaries embrace and integrate even after forty years? In reflection I find the funniest aspect of this whole excusing of the behaviour from Koreans comes directly from the origins of UBF. We always read the beautiful and romantic story of Sarah Barry who did not live like other Americans but chose to live and adapt among Koreans. It was this that moved them greatly because she was not like the rest of those Yankees or Megooks!

Btw, I have no problem with the titles – it is my daily life. It is also unavoidable because my in-laws and wife!

Honestly, it is really not simply the matter of addressing each person as “shepherd” or “missionary.” But it is PRIMARILY the attitude that the shepherd or missionary has “OVER” their sheep that has been the source of countless past problems, and sorry to say, ongoing problems as well.

Considering that our missionaries have been in their foreign nation for one, two, three and coming up to four decades, it is sad that many of them have not embraced the indigenous culture. As a result they cannot but impose their foreign culture upon their native sheep, and then judging and assessing them based on their own cultural expectations in the name of Christ and Christianity.

I seriously pray and hope that we may have such a dialogue in person face to face on many many many occasions. Otherwise, UBF will likely become not an international ministry which it claims to be. Instead, it would simply be an ethnically Korean church, which is what is already happening in many UBF chapters including Chicago.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with being a ethnically Korean church. I personally just don’t think it is being honest to call ourselves an international church, when we refuse to embrace the indigenous culture, which results in regarding the indigenous people as being inferior and even sub-human, even if this is not consciously intended.

And it took for many many years for me to change my fixed idea to the American culture because in Asian culture it is extremely impolite, rude, immoral to call other person first name! The only exception was that it is OK to call first name to your very close friends from elementary school or high school. All other settings it is severely prohibited.

The following video clip shows each family members we call with certain title instead of first name. It is extremely complicated that nobody in the western culture can comprehend.

Actions are calculated ways to entrap anyone who is soft enough to respond to crocodile tears. You who strike me with the bamboo stick – back off! – When I do what God likes but what you don’t like what is the trouble? Oh yes, you have visions of me being your Abraham or Sarah of faith. You want to the same recognition as your shepherd who raised up so many faithful shepherds and missionaries. You want the website news bulletin to publish your name and great WORKS.

In reality I can appreciate the hurt feelings or emotions of such leaders who have been mediators of God’s grace when their student leaves or does not fully appreciate what they have done. But I will add that nothing should be expected in return for your efforts – you want to emulate Jesus? – go ahead! But remember that many people he served forgot about what he had done soon afterwards. Also, a couple even blamed him for it when they were caught with fear! I am not placing judgment upon those who left or were “unthankful”. Such students have already paid their dues through meddlesome phone conversations or even ones in person. Such students have also taken advice and either acted or not on it. Such students have permitted certain boundaries to be crossed that no one would have otherwise been allowed to cross. So, who has sacrificed more?

For the blessings that shepherds have poured out upon students becomes irrelevant when simplicity is not just placed upon Jesus’ forgiveness and the salvation for the lost – NO! I want (NEED) you to be a member! I NEED you to commit – so – I can report to HQ that I have raised up one person, no two people, no one hundred people!! I don’t want to be a face that no one knows…..(it really matters to Jesus….no it really just matters to me and the machine!)

sounds like Mosaic (Moses type) old testament system; believers must repent of old testament theology: it discredits Christ’s new covenant, it enslaves for human benefit, it wastes/damages lives..

Another problem with the shepherd/sheep paradigm of UBF is that the shepherds act as “mediators” of Gods blessing. Samuel Lee taught very explicitly that if people obey him, they will receive blessings, otherwise curse. The shepherds give “orientation” or “direction” that needs to be followed, replacing the direction by the Holy Spirit. The shepherds also judge if somebody is spiritual or unspiritual. In UBF, you feel well if your shepherd is pleased with you, and you feel uneasy if your shepherd is not satisfied. Even the blessing of marriage is dispensed to you through a UBF shepherd. That way, UBF shepherds become “mediators” of God’s grace.

This is a problem that Martin Luther addressed in his teaching of the priesthood of all believers. It’s a serious issue, the whole book of Hebrews is devoted to it. 1 Tim 2:5 sums it up as well in the verse: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men.”

The unhealthy shepherd/sheep paradigm that is so prevalent in UBF certainly needs to be seriously seriously (re-)addressed. It has clearly resulted in the human shepherd functionally and practically taking on the role of God and the Holy Spirit (in far too many instances with far too many horrible consequences for many). This is clearly not biblical, as many have already expressed.

May God have mercy on us.

I meant that the use of titles is not a significant moral or doctrinal issue. But perhaps one could argue that it represents a hidden attitude of phariseeism, pride, self-righteousness, and legalism, which is definitely not a minor issue. And of course, as you correctly pointed out, it is in direct disobedience to the command of our Lord.

“Its the apprentice system for sure…”

There are some who use apprenticeship as a defense of the ubf shepherd/sheep worldview. I object.

Apprenticeship was highly used in the skilled trades industries, and still is, in things like the auto industry. Apprenticeship programs are very different from the ubf shepherd/sheep teachings.

For starters, apprenticeship programs have a speific goal, similar to mentoring programs, to help you become an expert and an equal peer. The program is for a specific amount of time and has clearly outlined qualifications, plans and goals. You know what you are getting into. There is no sudden “marriage by faith” requirements that pops up out of nowhere.

For example:

“Journeymen (and women) possess specialized skills that are always in demand. The road to becoming a skilled trades worker at Chrysler begins with the Chrysler-UAW Apprentice Program.

The Apprentice Program is an 8,000-hour program including over 700 hours of training at a local college or university and various on-the-job training assignments.

There are seven apprentice
training classifications:

Tool & Die Technician
Electrical Technician
Mechanical Technician – Machine Repair
Mechanical Technician – Millwright
Mechanical Technician – Pipefitter
Jitney Repair
Mechanic Diesel

To become a qualified applicant, an individual must submit proof that he or she has completed two semesters of high school or college algebra or geometry, or a combination of both, with a “C” average or better.

When additional training is being planned, current Chrysler employees will be notified by announcements posted in Chrysler facilities. Notices may also be posted at community agencies within a facility’s geographical area to attract qualified external candidates.

If an individual successfully completes the test and meets the required qualification, the candidate will be considered for placement based on their elected trade as openings occur.”

Source: Chrysler apprenticeships

Regarding shepherd and sheep. Hmmm….
Upon first glance UBF certainly has its weaknesses. Not all, but many attempt to make a universal impression or feeling about the social dynamics. Although you hear these words, a new comer cannot always see the bigger picture (depending on their backgrounds and motives). They might be “sheep” but they get spoiled with so much attention that for those who are less concerned with terminology and language it is not the first objection.

Its the apprentice system for sure – you learn from me and so on….
Your first step is wrong – unless I say so! Once you have been here for one year, you are now one year old in Jesus. Do I learn from you? No, you continue to learn from me.

We can laugh at Kungfu Panda and the like, but that’s exactly what is expected from us in the shepherd and sheep dynamic. No matter how great we are or become – we are never above our teacher. Moreover, we must demonstrate this courtesy with every unflinching effort. (…and do not bite your lip or breathe a sigh….I am watching and listening to your every move.)

From such a response, I realized that there is a generational gap (and perhaps a cultural one as well) in the mindsets of some leaders. From their viewpoint, not making a stark distinction between “sheep” and “shepherd” or leader and follower was horribly proud and rebellious. It seemed implausible to them that students disliked titles because it introduces rigidity and formalism into a relationship that they want to be open, personal, and rich, or they disliked calling people “sheep” because it was depersonalizing and demeaning. And so, while students’ motives were pure and praise-worthy, it was perceived oppositely by leaders whose worldview was direction. The result was that both felt badly towards the other, relationships could never solidify, and inevitably the fellowship eventually dissolved.

I think this is a good example of how a relatively minor issue can bring a lot of trouble when people approach each other from different backgrounds and there is a lack of elasticity in accepting the others’ point of view. And of course, the larger responsibility must fall to the one who carries the mantle of leadership and exercises the majority of the power in the relationship.

There is only one shepherd, only one teacher, only one head, and all believers are brothers and sister, they are His sheep, disciples and followers.

A personal, lifelong, involuntary “shepherd” who has to approve our decisions and supervise our morality is simply not what the bible teaches in any sense.

Even the human shepherds mentioned in a few places in the bible have nothing to do with treating people like sheep. Such passages have everything to do with the human shepherd being transparent so people can see the Lord.

I’ve thrown out the “shepherd/sheep” paradigm and now see the “God/human” paradigm present plainly in the bible. There is one Lord, one Father over us all. Jesus is the one Shepherd that we return to as our overseer.

An excellent book to think further about these things is What We Believe And Why by George Koch. [Kindle version]

That book begins with the God/human viewpoint:

“There is a God. It’s not you.”

When I worked as a teacher at a university I saw some students entered the room and were talking about ubf shepherds who called them “You are sheep”. The students laughed a lot. Was it a good fishing by ubf shepherds? The fishing looked stupid at best.

And it is ok if someone calls him/herself a sheep. But it is not so if someone else calls these same people (who are happy to call themselves “sheep”) “sheep”. The same is true with the word “shepherd” or “pastor”. If some people respect ans trust a man in Jesus then they themselves can choose him to be a pastor in their church. It is not good if someone just chooses himself and calls and makes himself “a shepherd” for others.

There is a joke in Russia. Two people are quarelling.
– You are crazy!
– It is you who are crazy!
– You are a fool!
– It is you who are a fool!
– And I think you don’t look even like a fool!
– What?! Don’t I even look like a fool?!

To call themselves and to call someone else “are two big differences” (as they say in Odessa).

This is surely true only with God who is our Chief Shepherd.

But if any human dares to claim that role of “shepherd” over another human, then the potential and likelihood for much abuse certainly exists, as many have already sadly experienced.

Unfortunately, the word “sheep” (plural) in Russian have some connotative meaning of being stupid, not able to make own decisions, acting like a crowd. And “sheep” (singular, fem. gender) has a very offensive slang meaning of being very stupid, actually having no brain. “Hey, sheep!” is used if one wants to offend a girl/woman and it would then surely bring a quarrel or a fighting.

1. UBF has traditionally referred to newcomers as sheep. That word suggests someone who is incapable of taking care of himself and needs to be taught, fed, managed and directed by someone else. People from collectivist cultures might not mind being called sheep, but people from individualistic cultures may find it offensive.

2. The image of a sheep bound and awaiting slaughter is ok if the sheep is a representation of Jesus. But in an environment where “sheep” is a euphemism for a newcomer, the implications aren’t very nice.

Here is the full comment: http://westloop-church.blogspot.com/2013/09/incessant.html?showComment=1380091098987#c3392192559797081883

It would appeal most and be understood most by Americans and westerners who appreciate rapid fire American colloquialism.

The gist is this: Most Christians, including perhaps many UBF Christians think and act as though the gospel is the gospel of sin management, and self effort, and good intentions, and acceptable behavior, and sinning less, and putting on a mask, and pleasing God, etc. The invariable result is always becoming tired, burdened, uncertain, disillusioned, pretentious, self-conscious, overly sensitive, defensive, guilty, etc.

Only the gospel of grace breaks this cycle. So-called “discipleship training” worsens it!