Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

A friend of mine, that makes me look liberal by the way, attended a church for a Revival Service last night.

He already knew this church was more liberal than he is, and knew the evangelist was liberal. But he and his wife went anyway.

They asked him to greet the people, he did. He testified... and layed into them in his testimony and exhortation.

Then, during the preaching, he gets up off the second row and walks out with his wife... and creates a scene then.

When he told me this morning what he had done, I corrected him. To me, he already knew what he was going into, plus if he accepted the invitation to testify as a guest, he should be respectful, encouraging, and once taking that invitation, I think he's obligated to stay during preaching... no matter what goes on short of them trying to sacrifice babies and small children in the altar, LOL.

There have been times that I've had to leave a service because something was going on that was totally out of the Word and wasn't anything I should be a part of. Those have been few and far between. But I think my friend was just wrong for his behavior...

So... here's the question.... ever had a time you had to just get up and walk out of service because of something that was going on? How did you handle it? Was there any aftermath?

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Not that I recall. Felt like it a few times! Once recently, in fact.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

About a year after we were married, my wife's church (and now mine by default) had gotten a new pastor a few months before and he started teaching a class to married couples (only) just before Sunday morning service. To this day his teachings on "marital relations" were so out of whack and over the top (and I've mentioned it here many times) that people still can't believe it. After the class was over we looked at each other and left the building before the service even started.

We never went back (OK, we did once for a wedding and again a year or so later for a funeral) as members.

I guess this doesn't qualify as "walking out during the service" while it is going on but it is the closest example I/we have.

As I think about it more there have been a few times over many years where I was sick and left early..... (I tend to get very bad ear infections.)

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

See, you didn't go intending to walk out... and even tried to stick it out. To me that's the only time its acceptable.

I told my friend, he knew what he was getting into, and I think he just went to make a scene and come off as holier than thou to these folks. I told him, "You're the reason holiness Apostolics have such a bad reputation... can't get along with anybody except yourself."

Needless to say, he's not happy with me right now. But I think he was in the wrong. Sure the guy preaching was in error, if what he tells me the guy really said.... but that doesn't mean he should cause a scene just to prove how right he is to these people.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

I would have walked out on his testimony!

How dare a visiting minister "lay into them."

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

You are correct!

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Librul.

:heeheehee

BTW: :yourock

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Well, his pastor has a reputation for doing the same thing when he visits other churches.... really bad.

And they brag about it...love to say, you should have heard me tell them people a thing or two. I've got to the point I won't visit conventions or services with him and his wife.... and I know she gets embarrassed by how he does.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

So sad that they don't see that as wrong.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Is it really any different than some people who come here and make some bold proclamation, then are never heard from again? No doubt many are telling their church members over the pulpit or on other message boards to their preacher friends how they "set them straight!".

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Bro. Robbins,

I believe your correction was on point, and in my opinion what a real friend would do / say. Just because I disagree with someone does not mean I need to be mean, condecending and rude.

Obviously, it comes across as arrogant, and proud...neither of which the Lord is pleased with. And you were right, stunts like that give Apostolics a bad name and it is unfair to those who preach the truth in LOVE.

You were right..

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

What we did WRONG here was not attempting to meet him in private and discus our concerns. I highly doubt anything would have changed but at least we would have met our obligation. Since we did nothing (and again, most likely nothing would have changed HAD we done something) a year later most of the people, who at first disagreed with him, were now "coming around to his way of thinking" regarding marital relations.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

And, did they seriously think they would change anyone or make them feel wrong? Nope.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Could be... but hardly as damaging as doing it in a service, where there are new converts, possibly some lost folks, young people, etc. The immediate damage of their stinging words and stinking attitude causes much more damage than someone taking a swing in this forum at someone. Bragging over that level of damage and harm is almost to the level of an abomination to me.

I'll say this... yes, I'm conservative, and yes I have some strong convictions and beliefs. But I will never approach the pulpti with an agenda or vindetta. God didn't call me to set anybody straight. I preach the Word, and lay the meal before them. They decide to eat or not. Yes, the Word should challenge us all... but was never meant to be a weapon used on one another... but a tool.

I reminded by friend again this morning that Ephesians 4 says that he was called for the "perfecting" or literally the "equipping" of the saints. I asked him via text, who did you equip last night? Who did you give something to last night that made them stronger in their walk with God, that encouraged them to keep on going on when they made the effort to come out to Revival on a Thursday night... who did you equip by "laying into them."

He hasn't texted back... and may not.... oh well.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

I agree it is far worse in person. There is still far more weight behind the words of someone when you are physically in there presence.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

So he told you to brag - - sad.

Guess he thought you'd agree with him. So glad that you upfront with him!

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Actually, yesterday he told me he was disappointed in me. God has led me to join a small, very struggling church here in Nashville. They and their organization need some help, and I want to help. The women cut their hair, wear make up, some of the men wear shorts during the week, etc.

And yes, I have stronger standards personally and wish they did. I do believe there is some "error" (for lack of a better word), but they are still within the family of God, and I feel like that's where I need to be.

He said, so when you've taught and preached, your telling them they need to clean up, right? Cause granted, I'm pretty strict and conservative.

I told him no... that's not my place... and not why I was sent there.

So he said yesterday that I was already starting to backslide... I said my principles and convictions haven't changed. I'm trying to make a difference there. So he says if I don't spout off and lay into them I'm backslid....

I'm not concerned, actually somewhat affirmed. I don't have to lay into them, and don't have to "correct" them to make a difference and still believe what I believe.

Frankly, he needs to grow up and be reintroduced to Jesus.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

You have to wonder how he gets invited to testify?
To be held up as fractious later, maybe?

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

I have to wonder about the inputs that leads a person to act out in such a manner.

It is acting out. Petulent children act out.

If my friend acted in such a manner, my first response would be to reconsider the relationship.

Do I want to be associated with someone who acts in such an ungodly manner... in the Name of God?

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Amen!

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Just trying to love on him brother... Just trying to be who I think Jesus would be... Jesus knew how Judas would stab him in the back and betray him, but he still befriended him. I'm upfront and honest with him, am truthful of when I think he's out of line, and try to provide a contrast in perspective. He knows he doesn't have my approval, and everyong we know knows I don't condone it... but I'm just trying to love on him until Jesus says distance yourself.

And to the person who asked why he was invited? The pastor of this church is his uncle..... yep, his uncle!!!!!!!

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

you are a good man Brother Robbins.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Well...I was trying to figure out what could have possibly made him feel so "at home" by laying into the congregation with his testimony.

Here it is...pastor is his uncle.

I've found that people say and do hurtful things more to family than to their peers because they have this so-called "safe feeling". They know how much they can get away with...sometimes even with outrageous behavior, their family forgives them.

Would he have done this in one of the larger churches to congregations who would not have put up with it?

So...he dug his hole, now he will have to eat crow with his family, unless they let him get by with his actions.

Sincere new converts will not let this fiasco deter them from living for God. God still takes care of His little ones.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

LOL, Sorry, you're giving him way too much benefit of the doubt... known him for years. I've seen him walk into Apostolic churches, and the pastor come up and never know him from Adam. Us introduce ourselves, the pastor realize we're ministers, and welcome us. The pastor ask us to stand and greet the people and give a word of testimony... as is very common in special Revivals etc in the Apostolic churches around here.

I've always just greeeted, tried to say about 2 or 3 minutes of something encouraging and thank them for welcoming us.... and it never fails... if they don't line up with my brother's ruler... even if they are complete strangers, he'll take up to 15 minutes of "laying into them". Twice I have went to the pastor afterwards and said, I'm so sorry for what the guy I came with did. Both invited me back, but said please don't bring him, LOL.

I don't visit services with him and his good wife anymore... too much danger. Last time he did this, was a service with over 300 in attendance. I wanted to crawl under my chair.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Going to have to disagree with you to a point on the bolded. A forum isn't a service - but- it can (and this one does) impact a far greater number of people.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

May be a larger number of folks, but most folks that approach an online forum come expecting dissenting opinions, provocative discussions, and disagreements. People enter in a forum like this expecting opposing views for discussion, thereby most come with some defenses in place and let "lay into them" comments roll off of them pretty easy. It doesn't create as much division and disharmony as this is not the same type of gathering. The number of folks may be larger... but the impact is less deep because of the nature most approach it with.

Most folks don't expect to attend a Revival meeting at their own church and have some little preacher that is visiting get up and tell them how wrong they are and how they're going to split hell wide open when he was asked to greet them and testify. It's an unexpected shot from left field for them...

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

they can riposte! Give him a hearty Amen! lol
sweet--you are at the perfect distance, imo.

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And I have to disagree with you. I don't know why the dynamics of this forum change sometimes. Sometimes vile, hateful words spew out of people's hearts, and cut other people's heart. The difference is here they get called out on it some. Maybe if you had called this "brother out" on his behavior it might change things. Since your "loving" him hasn't. But, I guess it might be hard to be that courageous for the people he is laying into. Hope this isn't too critical.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Yep :highfive

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

What was he teaching?

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

You're post isn't too critical, it's irresponsible. Sister, either you didn't read the whole thread, or you didn't read it close, because I stated at least a couple of times that I did call him out on it... that's very obvious in what I've said. Loving him or calling him out isn't an either or... it actually can be a both.... that's where he doesn't understand that and apparently you don't either.

As far as this forum... again, you didn't read what I wrote close enough, so I'll break it down again for you. With all due respect Sister, I never said that people couldn't be nasty, argumentative, and even vile about it. The difference of this forum and the church service is that people come to internet forum's for dialogue and discussion, and the possibility of nastiness and vitriole are possibilities that anyone with a clue knows happens in internet forums. They'd have to be totally naive to the very nature of internet forums if they don't think there's gonna be someone pulling inappropriate punches every now and then in them. They come to these forums, unless they are absolutely naive and live under a rock, ready for it.

But I would assert very few go to a church service on a Thursday night just trying to support thier church and do what's right and expect a little scrawny preacher that is visiting to get up and lay into them when he was just asked to testify and greet them. Surely, you can see the difference? I mean, isn't it obvious?

And yes, I don't really appreciate your post, because I can't see if you have read my posts thoroughly how you could ever come to the conclusion you did in your reply. Just doesn't make sense to me.

SideNote: NUMBER ONE PET PEEVE IN INTERNET FORUMS!!!! People not reading posts thoroughly and then decide to post something off based!!!

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Good stuff. And a very good idea. Maybe go with him to visit a church and when invited to testify, make sure you go second. Then after he "lays it to them", you testify against preachers "laying it to them" and more on the love of Christ.

See if he walks out during your testimony.

Just make sure you drive yourself there.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Then I would be out of line. The place for correction for a deed is first in private according to Matthew 18. I would be just as bad as he is if I did it like that.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Of course,

What was I thinking. :heeheehee

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

I meant to call him out in when it happened, not later. Stand up when it happens, was my point. But, you don't agree with that probably either.
And yes, I did read and comprehend what you posted.

I was shocked the way some posted on this forum when I first joined. And really got into it with some for what I called "Pastor Bashing", language, etc. Attitude matters even on forums.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Pretty sure Cindy could pull it off...

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

:highfive

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

:thumbsup

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

Then I would submit with all due respect sister you hadn't searched out the nature of the majority of Internet Discussion forums, even church related. Most people realize that is unfortunately parr for the course in these types of venues.

Regarding calling him out there... then I would be as wrong as he is. Unless you can find me scriptural basis for doing so, Matthew 18 shows that I am to go to him privately. I do not go places any more (as I stated earlier) with him and his good wife.... but even if I did, I would be causing just as much confusion and out of order as he is to correct him right there.

If you can provide me the Scriptural reference where I would be in order, then please provide and I'll reconsider.

Re: Ever Walked Out of a Church Service???
 

I think you did the right thing Bro. Robbins and even more so since the pastor was his uncle. His uncle probably knew what to expect from him, so he shouldn't have called on him.