Brothers, we are not cops.

Two recent events with some neo-Reformed congregationalist elders (i.e., not Presbyterian) have recently become an irritation, and have forced me (yes, FORCED ME) to vent a bit…It’s either that or do something about which I will have the right to remain silent.  

STOP trying to shepherd God’s people with legalism, defensiveness, ignorance, and partiality. You come off as callous, incompetent martinets.

Shepherding by mail: Your sheaves of ‘cut and paste’ missives scraped from the ESV and your misguided and misinterpreted books of order CANNOT be called take the place of who think they can shepherd by letter, an inanimate thing, are self-deluded – WHEN has letter ever accomplished what personal attention would?

Elders who think their wife’s offense is itself grounds for confrontation. First, they should just throw the codpiece away – they have no need for it. But a few things are in my craw, as it were, and I have to say…

An accuser asks no questions. 

An accuser seeks to dominate.

An accuser loves to bring the club of the law.

An accuser is self-righteous bully, and loves to abuse others.

Proverbs 18:17

Accusation without proper information is abuse and slander.

An accuser hears something, or reads something and immediately, rushes to the accusation. 

Oh, and one last aphorism: 

The job of Accuser of the Brethren is taken; are you following the accuser or the Redeemer?