The key is testing the spirit and finding if it be true or false. And that can really only be done in a mature relationship with God, and is best done with spiritual help and encouragement from a good body of believers.

My life is not my own. Neither are the lives of those around me who call themselves Christians. If I am attempting to live according to some concept of personal choice, then I am living a lie.

John H: Thank you, as well.

Re: The Presby’s behaving politely, as well as my not acknowledging the possibility of reasonable disagreement. Amen to both. I suppose I could have filled in more with a description of my relationships within the church. And included a sentence or two of how I dig around afterwards to learn if anything from the preaching got under the skin of anyone., So, I suppose that I’ve omitted both of those possibilities.

I’m a Minister of the Word & Sacrament; I’m one of the Presby’s. And, I could fill in tons more of the nature of my familiarity with this congregation, and their familiarity with me. It’s an omission, albeit a selective one on my part.

So, I would have welcomed impolite behavior! I was expecting the possibilities of unreasonable disagreement! For many within that particular congregation-although it does not take much imagination to include other congregations- the only expectation of hearing a message from God is from the lectionary readings and preaching on a Sunday morning: that is is it.

I am not sure what you refer to when you write the following:

My response would be this: if I had a dream or vision of this nature, am I required to obey it? If I don’t obey it, am I disobeying God?

Forgive me if what I originally commented on lead you to this reply. But, I think I understand your point:”required to obey it?” No. “Am I disobeying God?” I don’t know!

But, we both agree here on something prior: that God may have spoken to someone- me, you, a Presby- in a dream/vision and now we are in the unusual (to be sure) situation of having to respond. Perhaps we would agree on this response: I would commend the risk of talking with one another, and your idea from above that fear might prevent one or more from speaking up is well put here. Nonetheless, some communication risks would need to be taken to assist the one receiving the dream in a discernment process.

I’d conclude by suggesting that, John H, we’re probably a lot closer on this matter than not, i.e., that the people who hear our preaching and teaching stand to benefit from having increasing expectations that the Lord still communicates with us, although that form or media may not always be tidy, scheduled, “on-demand”, pain-free, or accessible through a table of contents.

Thanks for your comment, and I’ll aim to make your concerns explicit in my next message.