Dynamic Discussion

Picking up on a recent post, the "Congregational spirit" means that there will be dynamic discussion in meetings -- particularly spiritual discussion -- and a freedom and openness there. In practice, one may find that this suddenly goes dead when one or two people walk in the door -- or, decisions start to be made on a "ja-skaap" basis (Afrikaans for aye, aye, aye) -- or, people talk about walking on eggs. OBSERVATION: These are things that go far deeper than mere procedure or the "letter of the law" -- deeper even than any apparent domination of a meeting by an individual or individuals -- but they are important.