Authority people often become authoritarians. Authoritarians appear everywhere: In homes, neighborhoods, offices, schools, athletics, politics and even in churches. They demand one thing from us — unquestionable obedience. They achieve their goal through fear, which they create through anger — by withdrawing, threatening, pouting, hitting, by whatever method works. Their domination relegates us to slavery. “Do what I demand, or suffer the consequences!”
Lifestyles
Published 12:13PM, September 19th, 2008
It’s clear the larger community is bitterly divided. Rather than holding to what is held in common, differences are given huge play over and over again. Each side grows more self-righteous, harsh and judgmental. Labels get slapped on opponents; weak, strong, right, wrong, faithful or faithless, all as attempts to diminish the other person and party. Contempt, attack and verbal sparring have overcome the hoped-for faith, hope, love and mutual respect that every community needs to survive and thrive. What’s a pastor to do?
Published 01:28PM, August 14th, 2008
Tuesday, Aug. 19 is Puyallup’s birthday. In 1877, Ezra Meeker platted our fair city, donating a large portion for community use. Washington became a state in 1889 and a year later, Puyallup was incorporated as a city.