a church problem

Pray about what to do of course. Here is one solution that comes to mind.

Talk to the person who took them down and find out why. Reason with the person about taking someone elses property so they will return it. If he thinks owls are evil, explain what happened to the person who gave the owls. Maybe you could talk to the person about yielding the the weaker brother with a weak conscience out of I Corinthians 8 and Romans 14. Pray that things don't blow up.

 

This makes me laugh ... I realize it is not funny to you when you have to deal with it, but it is funny. As the guy who wants them up what biblical function of the church is being furthered by them being up. Ask him why make a scene about something that the Scriptures never address. What kind of scene can he cause?

I don't think owls are evil. That may be as bad as the guy complaining about taking them down. If the guy has talked to you, I would ask him those questions, explain that the owls serve no good purpose for furthering the mission of the NT church, but do indeed look less than excellent and therefore reflect poorly on the church. Tell him that they are down and if he would like them back, he is free to take them back.

This is one of those distractions that makes no sense to get deeply involved in. If this guy is bent out of shape over two plastic owls, then there is something wrong with his spiritual sensitivities.

 

God made owls. On the other hand, God made snakes, too. If the one man's point is to keep birds/rodents from making homes in the garage, just put some plastic snakes in good locations. It worked for us.

 

It is amazing what Satan will use to cause trouble. The problem is not the owls - there are heart problems involved here.

 

Tell those boys to solve their own problem. This needs the attention of a kindergarten teacher. Tell those boys to grow up.

Preach some Sunday on Matthew 28:19,20 and what God requires in making disciples. Sounds like those people have nothing better to do than make trouble and waste time. Life is too short to spend it watching everyone else.

If the church had a little persecution this isuue would not be an issue at all.

 

Both true and false at the same time...

Many people have been taught for eons that owls/black cats/etc. are used in and are symbols of evil/occult. In that context, of course you wouldn't have an owl around. But people forget that God created owls, and that they serve a useful purpose in His world. (That is to locate turkeys during spring turkey season!)

So, those people are following their teaching, and are being very sincere. But would they also be in favor of shooting any living hootie owl that landed on the church property?

 

The person who took them down is guilty of breaking the eigth commandment (stealing), which is a crime. If you know who the person is, you have an obligation to disclose that person's identity. One's religious views on owls does not give one permission to commit a crime. If you know who it is, and you keepp it to yourself, you could be guilty of conspiracy in his crime.

 

Asumption is gossip.

 

What about Lev 11:16-17, Deut 14:15-16, Psalm 102:6?

 

Resign?

You can't be serious.

Consider these words to another young pastor...

I understand that no one enjoys conflict. I understand the fact that you are asking yourself "what have I got myself into?" No one promised us smooth sailing in this line of work, though. As Paul says, endure this affliction, and be thankful that it isn't a more serious issue- you'll be thankful for the experience in due time.

 

I think "stealing" is probably over the top. The person who took them down might have a good reason why he took them down. He might not have known who put them up there. In any event, until you talk to the guy who is upset there won't be any solution. Tell this guy "This is nothing to be upset over ... get over it ... There are people with real needs and you are upset about two plastic owls."

I would go visit him perhaps ... or maybe just pull him over after the service and take 5 minutes. I would not endure an argument with him about it. His point is so ridiculous that there is nothing to argue about ... Just explain the situation ... and move on ...

 

Look, perhaps if you explain the purpose of the owls to whoever took them down they will put them back up. I am assuming of course there was a purpose. Here we put up plastic owls because they scare away the pigeons and doves and we don't have to clean up as many bird droppings.

 

Nothing ... some things are not worthy of dignifying with a response. Drop it and move on ... IMO.