Kind regards,

LM

Thanks for the comment, mmartin. It is all a little astonishing. The reaction of some to my post reminds me of the crowd in “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

I made a minor edit in your lest sentence, let me know if you thought I didn’t get your meaning there.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

I think all this hair-splitting over what is church vs. a convocation vs. whatever is borderline silly. I think anytime people gather together for the express purpose of praying, singing praises & hymns, & hearing authoritative speaking from & about the Bible, that gathering constitutes a worship service and the speaking is preaching. If she had simply given her testimony about her salvation and about her ministry, no problem. But she was clearly preaching. This is something Dan had to have known she did on a regular basis, even if both of them called by a different name.

Sophia above makes many good comments.

I will say, that is honestly I’ve [n]ever heard someone refer to teaching and writing about the Bible as “Sexy.” But now I have.

Exactly, well said.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

The message is now available at Sermon Audio without disclaimer that this is just a convocation or pep talk or testimony. http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=northland
Thank you, again, for your willingness to post a differing perspective from the justifications and circle the wagon efforts du jour. About this time last year we had the Pizza and Praise to sort though! Other sites are so concerned that we are attacking or blaming a perceived slippery slope whenever we critique or try to “prove all things” that they oft-times lose the objectivity they wish others to strive for.

Some similar concerns that make his response lack clarity or make his arguments self-defeating to me are:
1) To have asked her to agree to “not preach” seems to mean that she has in the past? Where is the caution to just not simply “go there” with a chapel speaker. Does this not make the assertion that she is complementarian less credible?
2) If chapel setting is not the church or a service then why worry if she’s preaching or not? Why try to differentiate between a normal chapel and a convocation?
3) To say, “While the Lord used this to bless many students and staff” and “I think she blessed many, many people” is reminiscent of the traditional new evangelicalism speak as in “We might have done something you think is wrong, but never mind that, we were blessed anyway, and we’ll invoke the Lord’s name to make it okay.”
4) “I do not believe God has called women to the primary teaching and preaching ministry of the church as elders/pastors.” What does that mean? That they can be co-pastors? That they can instruct men in other contexts? Some clear definitions of how he defines and applies complementarian and egalitarian would seem most useful at this point.

I did appreciate the clarity of the following:
1) “This is true especially given how we have traditionally used chapel in the history of Northland.”
http://www.ni.edu/campus-life/chapel
2) “If there is anyone to blame, it would be me.”
However, it seems to me that he negates that with, “it would be me for not better considering the setting and context.” But hasn’t he already explained away the setting and the context and rejected the concept that it was indeed preaching? I don’t understand what we’re to blame him for…except perhaps for more of a kerfuffle with the response?

As a parent, apart from the question of the appropriateness of instructing adult men from God’s Word, I am also disheartended at the inappropriate phrases and demeanor throughout the “time of sharing”. While I don’t question her good intentions, talent, or testimony, I do question this chapel message, its presentation and the defense of it being lifted up as a fine example of serving the Lord. “…The imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God” is a worthy goal.

Jim, I didn’t approve your second comment, too much like a personal attack. Also deleted a line in the first comment.

As for whether Patz clearly spoke to the issue, I guess that’s a matter of opinion.

Maranatha
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Patz did a good job of explaining the kerfuffle. NIU is not egalitarian

There might be some by me! This phone app is a pain! But at least it helps me post comments in a relatively timely fashion. Can’t seem to edit them though, and typing is s-l-o-w!!!