We are all so close to walking away from our church right now because of a bunch of garbage that's going on. Please pray for our church and for our family.
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
Sometimes, God closes doors in our church family to cause us to move on. My prayers are that you find another church that not only challenges your faith, but enriches it as well.
Things are not resolved yet, but I guess there has been possitive movement. I still need to do some mulling. And to be honest, I'm waiting for someone to apologize to me. When that happens, then I'll be ready to go back and continue to be supportive. And if it doesn't happen, Teddy is liable to kick someone's butt!
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
I know how it is to have to leave church because of "trouble"... It hurts like heck!
I just tried to do my best to get along with others, but when relationships between me and my friends and family there were beginning to be hurt, that was when I knew that it was time to go.
I hope that you have a good outcome to your situation. Take care and hang in there! You are a member of God's family, regardless of what some "church" says.
I'll be praying for your situation!!! May God show you His way.
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Be yourself!!! Don't try to fit into someone else's mold, you won't fit!!! And that just leads to utter misery!!! Live life to it's fullest in Christ's love every day!!!
Here's my 2 cents . I'm making a very long story short. Seven years ago there was an UGLY split in the gay church I attended. (Yes things happen in all religions and settings). One member (named Harry) of a 3 man board was ousted. The pastor, "lied" about why Harry was ousted in front of the congregation one Sunday. A member who knew the "truth" (Sally) confronted the pastor. An ugly confrontation of words ensued. The following week the minister came into church, passed out a letter and resigned, and left us hanging. We called the ousted board member Harry to come immediately and talk to us. The following week we were locked out of the church, and met on the sidewalk outside for 3 months in the California winter (rain/cold). Thus the division and we were considered the "other" group. We then moved to a hotel to meet and conduct services and start another church. The original pastor came back to the building and opened it up and resumed Sunday Services but refused entry to anyone, who joined the "other" group.
Fast forward to present (7 years later) A beloved member of the original church passed away. He was well loved by both congregations. The funeral (with casket) was held recently in the original church. The hatred is still buried within the old pastor that he refused entry to Harry and Sally.... even though our group (the others) has forgiven him and buried the hatchet if you will. It was sad to see that the original minister had changed and become more like Benny Hinn and even his prayers were in such dramatic style a la TBN.
Those who attended the service, were told that we should not retaliate (or in my case write a letter of displeasure) but pray for the souls of the old minister and his congregation. God will deal with them in their own time. As I indicated in an earlier post, your feelings could be God moving within you to move on to another group or congregation. I'm sure that God was moving when our original congregation split, and that he had a plan for us "others".
Again sorry for the rant, but since I could not write the letter I wanted to the old Pastor, I needed an outlet here.
Maybe it might be inspiration for you to move on..... a new calling. Best Regards Dave
I completely understand your need to "rant", Dave. Besides Teddy, there has been a wonderful lady from my Sunday school that has allowed me to vent to her. I don't think this is about moving to another church. I just think that there were some hard lessons for me to learn. Please know that this will always be a safe place to vent, for whatever reason.
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Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. ~Paul Tillich
It hurts like heck!
. I'm making a very long story short. Seven years ago there was an UGLY split in the gay church I attended. (Yes things happen in all religions and settings). One member (named Harry) of a 3 man board was ousted. The pastor, "lied" about why Harry was ousted in front of the congregation one Sunday. A member who knew the "truth" (Sally) confronted the pastor. An ugly confrontation of words ensued. The following week the minister came into church, passed out a letter and resigned, and left us hanging. We called the ousted board member Harry to come immediately and talk to us. The following week we were locked out of the church, and met on the sidewalk outside for 3 months in the California winter (rain/cold). Thus the division and we were considered the "other" group. We then moved to a hotel to meet and conduct services and start another church. The original pastor came back to the building and opened it up and resumed Sunday Services but refused entry to anyone, who joined the "other" group. 
