What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

After an 8 year absence/hiatus, I recently just moved back to Atlanta, GA. I was attending this great word based Apostolic Church that had excellent Praise and Worship, Excellent preaching and for the most part believed in everything that I stand for. The only problem with this church was that there was a large majority of men (and perhaps women too) who lived alternative lifestyles and were not looking to change yet were faithful to all 3 services and Sunday School and mid week worship. The Pastor preached against sin in all forms from the pulpit (basically he cried loud and spared not allllllllll the time). Over the years people started to die (from car accidents, old age and diseases) and the church has dwindled down to nothing because most of the members died, I mean funerals were taking place back to back (perhaps a few hundred members were back in the mid 90's the church had over 1,000 members with seats in the aisle and all.

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine and he told me that he was told that a friend was told that the Bishop use to be in a homosexual relationship (while being married to the Mother of the church). Now, the Bishop has tons of kids both male and female and most of his sons are dealing with homosexuality from the outward appearance. Do they want to be delivered? Not too sure.

My question is this, if the Word of God is being preached (Acts 2:38 and all) and my soul is being feed, should I fellowship with this church or should I find another church to fellowship with? I'm kinda confused, torn, upset, angry, discouraged all at the same time and I cant even hear from God right now concerning what I should do. Yeah, I can fast and pray but I dont want to make a decision based off of emotions or what "use to be". Currently, I dont think the Bishop is in a homosexual relationship, he is still preaching HARD CORE holiness and I get so much out of his messages. I could even see myself working in a leadership position at this church to help bring the church up from its current state. What would you do. I am just curious to know what people think about this story.....

Now, the twist is this, the person who is claiming the Bishop was in a homosexual relationship no longer goes to the church, nor does the suposid 'lover". This person is also known to act somewhat crazy and tell lies (of which I cant see what he would have to gain from telling lies since medically he is classified as being bi-polar and is out on disability at work right now. So there is a possibility that this story might not be true concerning the Bishop. The Mother of the church was asked why there were so many homosexuals at the church and she responded "We are not going to turn any soul away and we are going to keep preaching to them until deliverance breaks out in there life".

I just want some opinions thats all........

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Leave.

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Sounds like a lot of speculation to me, but the bottom line is what do you think you should do? How comfortable are you fellowshipping there? Only you know what you can deal with. If it seems that the word is proclaimed and not modeled from the leadership, then that is a major problem! That would send up red flags for me.

Follow the Cloud! :D

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Uh, . . . I wouldn't believe this guy because many people love to put down the man of God. You also have to think that maybe it is possible that many people left because the preacher was to hard on the "holiness message" or maybe there are some other issues with sin in the pastor's life.

Either way, why would you want to get involved with a dying church. If the people are leaving I doubt it is because of folks dying physically they are probably dying spiritually.

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Are you for real? You're going to believe what a friend of a friend of a bi-polar friend said (who has a history of lying) about the Bishop?

Something doesn't ring true about this whole post.......because if you knew for a FACT that the Bishop is gay, I'm sure it would be a no brainer. You wouldn't want to go there.

Maybe I'm just confused......

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

The post is 100% true HOWEVER is the story about the Bishop true? That remains to be seen. Besides, I really dont have time to type out made up stories concerning churches. What I know for FACT is that this church is Apostolic. What I know for a fact is that the Bishop can preach the Word. What I dont know for a fact is if the story is true concerning these allegations. When I visited the church last november there were only a handful of "outward appearing" homosexuals as the rest of them had either moved, died or just stopped coming to church all together. Atlanta is a transient city like that.

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Hey Neighbor...what part of ATL are you in?

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

I would talk to the Bishop and spend some time in prayer.

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

Ok... so your back in ATL?! I am so confused! LOL...

Re: What Would You Do? ATL Church Advice
 

LOL dont be confused. I'm a flight attendant. At times in order to keep your job you have to relocate. So, yeah, I've left Dallas and am in Atlanta now. (smile)