Reconciliation with "the system"?

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[BTDT]

I've been mulling this over in my mind for quite a while now, and it's still half-baked, so please bear with me.  The recent vacating of the Bill Taylor excommunication brought it to my mind again, so I'll toss it out here for discussion.

The whole time I was in GC, I don't recall a single leader, or group of leaders, ever doing something to me or at me that would require some sort of personal reconciliation now.  There was no excommunication, no public rebuke or embarrassment, nothing at all like that.  No animosity toward me that I can recall -- they were all just doing what they thought was right and good. (It was neither right nor good, of course.  And good ol' compliant me, I fell for it and went along with it.)

Rather, what was so damaging to me (and many, many others like me) was "the system" we all lived in.  That deceived, damaging system that has been described so well within the virtual walls of this forum. 

So, is there really a meaningful process of "reconciliation" with a system?  I'm not thinking of forgiveness here, which is something done by one party toward the other(s), but a mutual thing.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm really looking for a reconciliation, or an apology.  Maybe both. 

I once would have thought that the "apology letter"/"weakness letter" was what I was looking for.  It seemed so at the time.  It said what was wrong with the system, and how it would be changed. However, it sure seems like at least some GC churches have thrown that out the window, and the movement as a whole seems to tolerate that, so I don't think it counts any more, at least not for me. 

What are your feelings and thoughts?
-Ed-

[Linda]

Rather, what was so damaging to me (and many, many others like me) was "the system" we all lived in.  That deceived, damaging system that has been described so well within the virtual walls of this forum.

So, is there really a meaningful process of "reconciliation" with a system?  I'm not thinking of forgiveness here, which is something done by one party toward the other(s), but a mutual thing.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm really looking for a reconciliation, or an apology.  Maybe both.

I once would have thought that the "apology letter"/"weakness letter" was what I was looking for.  It seemed so at the time.  It said what was wrong with the system, and how it would be changed. However, it sure seems like at least some GC churches have thrown that out the window, and the movement as a whole seems to tolerate that, so I don't think it counts any more, at least not for me.

I totally agree. While I'm happy to hear that they have removed the phony excommunication from Bill Taylor, the unbiblical manner in which the whole thing happened has not been dealt with publicly, at least. That would require repentance and a somewhat public apology on the part of those who would not let the man speak.
 
This should not be forgotten:

http://gcxweb.org/Audio/ExcBillTaylor-12-09-1976.aspx

[EverAStudent]

Ken Sande of The Peacemaker fame stated that reconciliation follows forgiveness and is the restoration of fellowship between an offended party and the offender; and reconciliation of such a quality as to put the two parties back at the place of fellowshiph where they were before the offense took place.

It is difficult to conceive of becoming reintegrated in fellowship with GCC leadership.  Sure, I would like to fellowship with them at the same level as with any other believer I might meet on the street, and I think I could do that.  But I have no desire, no intention, and no purpose in becoming reconciled with their system as I do not wish to return the relationship to exactly the way it was before I left. 

At this moment, our "relationship" or "fellowship" (between me and GCC) is likely as good as it could get on this planet.  They do not tell me what to do, how to think, what they think my secret sins might be, who to associate with, or fill my head with false interpretations of Scripture.  For my part, I do not attend their services and so do not cause them aggravation.  We are at peace, though we do not actively fellowship. 

I do not think further reconciliation is possible or desirable until the leadership repents of the false accusations they cast upon me, apologizes for mistreating me, repents of their false interpretations of Scripture, and repents of their elder-knows-best approach to personal decision making.  In other words, I do not think reconciliation with an unrepentant "system" is possible.

[Linda]

Well said, EAS. Thank you.

[AgathaL'Orange]

Well, I am not going to reconcile.  Instead I plan to reveal the truth to every person I can, all over the WORLD!  No, all over the UNIVERSE!    I'm being funny, but really, seriously, I have no interest in reconciling with the system.  I could be friends with people in the church, but it wouldn't be a real friendship of truth telling and mutual support I don't think. 

[blonde]

                                                                  Agatha says.....

Well, I am not going to reconcile.  Instead I plan to reveal the truth to every person I can, all over the WORLD!  No, all over the UNIVERSE!  Smiley  I'm being funny, but really, seriously, I have no interest in reconciling with the system.  I could be friends with people in the church, but it wouldn't be a real friendship of truth telling and mutual support I don't think.

If this is true about what Agatha says, why do people ream me (i.e. slang-to yell at or berate) when I question Mark Darling and say the same things about him and his so-called minestry in Minneapolis?  I guess I want an honest answer from this group.  Agatha says she'll tell the WORLD.

-Blonde

[AgathaL'Orange]

I was kidding about "telling the world".  Not reconciling with GC. Doesn't mean personal or in person attacks... Not sure who is berating you!  I'm sorry if you've gotten that from me inappropriately.

[blonde]

I never did from you Agatha.