The Epic, Pt. 54

Elder Ramirez continued the email dialogue on March 10, 2009.

“Dear [Brother G],

“I have carefully reviewed your response and feel that we are ready to take the next step. I will contact pastor DeSilva to set up the meeting as soon as possible. However, I still need from you the names of the two individuals who will be joining you for this meeting. I will ask the same of pastor DeSilva so that we can have consistency in this process. Please remember that the agenda for this meeting is to respond to pastor DeSilva’s proposal. You have stated that you have objections to his proposal, and so these objections must be clearly stated in this meeting.

“Finally, as to the spelling issue, I have simply copied what was sent to me by [Elder B] on December 12… I have tried to keep this as original as possible so that there would be consistency in our process.. Thank you for your interest in seeing this issue resolved. I look forward to receiving the requested information. Have a blessed day.

“Jorge A. Ramírez”

In the months since the Group’s spokesgroup had initially been formed circumstances had changed for some of its members, who found that they could not continue in the role. So the Group made some changes in the membership of the spokesgroup in preparation for the next meeting with the conference. Brother G continued to be part of the spokesgroup. Brothers H and R were replaced by Brother X and Elder C. Sister L became an alternate. The names of the reconstituted spokesgroup were sent to the conference on March 17.

April 16 was set as the date for the next meeting. In confirmation of this and the other meeting arrangements Elder Ramirez sent the following message on April 8, 2009.

“Dear [Brother G] and pastor DeSilva,

“It appears that we are set to have our next meeting on Thursday, April 16, at 6 pm. We will meet at the Buccaneer House. The purpose of the meeting will be to give specific details of the group’s objection to pastor DeSilva’s proposal, presented during our last meeting in February. During that meeting, pastor DeSilva made the following proposal:

“Pastor DeSilva submits the following proposal for discussion and as a possible solution to the disagreement between current church leadership and a group of members of the Takoma Park church, on the present governess structure:

“‘To add the support and accountability board as part of the church ministries board, as drawn in a flow chart.’

“This proposal is subject to the following conditions:
"1. Proposal does not in any way suggest that the present governess structure has been outside the church manual boundaries.

“2. This proposal is subject to discussion and final approval from the Takoma Park church in business session.

“[Brother G], please understand that this meeting is for the sole purpose of presenting your objections to this proposal. I would encourage you to have an outline, clearly indicating your objections. You and the two other representatives will have 20 minutes to present your case. At the end of the 20 minutes, pastor DeSilva and his two members of the church leadership will have 20 minutes to respond to your objections. After their turn, you will have an additional 10 minutes to add any closing remarks. Pastor DeSilva/members of the church leadership will have the final 10 minutes.

“In closing, please remember that the purpose of this process as outlined in Matthew 18 is to ‘gain a brother.’ While we may disagree on some issues, God’s church cannot be divided. I pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare our hearts as we come together seeking harmony. Thank you for working with me on this issue. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me. ;I wish you all a blessed day.

“Jorge A. Ramírez”

Next: The Objections

Religious