The SIAFU Guidebook

64 The SIAFU Network Guidebook

Objection 3: We are skeptical about the motives of SIAFU; shouldn’t we be more than a little suspicious of any outside influences on our church?

The Argument: “We are doubtful about SIAFU and what its motives might be. Why should we set up another structure in our church, Chapters or anything else? You can never be too careful when some outside organization wants to tinker around in our life together. How do we know that folk won’t use this as a pretense to mess with our church?”

The Answer: SIAFU only operates under the blessing and authority of the leaders in the congregations that host its Chapters.

The SIAFU Network was designed intentionally to operate only with the full blessing of the leaders of the congregation. In other words, unless the pastor or leaders of the congregation or organization grant their explicit permission for a Chapter to function in the church, no Chapter will operate. Furthermore, Chapters cannot function on their own; they must convince the pastor and/or leaders of the church or organization that a Chapter would edify and strengthen their life together, or they will never be approved to start. Since we believe that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth (and not a SIAFU Chapter!), we affirm that our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ is demonstrated through our connection and submission to legitimate pastoral authority in a church. SIAFU Chapters do not stand alone; they require a church or Christian organization’s endorsement and permission to operate. We blocked out the SIAFU Network to always function in response to and under the authority of the pastor or leaders of the congregation or organization to avoid any appearance of outside interference in the life of the church. No Chapter can be in commission without the knowledge and blessing of the spiritual leaders where the Chapter is hosted.