My Story
 

Before I left UPCI SOCAL district (wont mention any names because we know some of the same people) I thought my name was Jezebel Spirit. I was told that because I was being disobedient to the man of God that I would suffer greatly. I was told by other members of the Church not to touch the Lords anointed and that the ground will swallow me and that I needed to repent at the altar. I have to be honest I waited for death and destruction to show up on my door step. I had sermons preached about me and to me and even after we departed the sermon series on spiritual authority continued we had friends that told us thanks a lot for the heavy handed preaching.

The final straw was when we had to stand up and apologize to the entire church, youth and all for going against authority. We were left at the altar as a bloody mess with little concern for our souls. All we did was get married without approval we were told that the pastors will decide when we could get married please and understand we were both in our 40's. We were active members of our respective churches I was the men's leader and was being groomed for bigger things and my wife was on the platform singing specials. We were both serving our local church hard!

It was then we decided the time was now to get out so we met with the pastor the next Sunday morning and we informed him of our decision to leave his church, he was hot and told me that in prayer that God told him to just let us go. We went to a little AOG church that very morning during that very service there was tongues and interpretation and during this interpretation the word came forth that He Himself had set us free from the shackles and bonds and that He has made our path straight and I thought to myself how can God show up here they don't know the truth. Also during our church hunt we went to this church plant that had 5 people and we were 2 of the 5. The pastor looked at me and told me that God would speak to me today but in my head I am like whatever your just trying to grow a church and your wife wears pants. Worship started and the Holy Ghost fell and caused me to bend over and weep uncontrollably it was at this time He told me that He was not well pleased and that none of what we went through were by His hand and that He would he would deal with them in a Godly manner that I would never understand because they love Him.

My dad is still in UPC and has been from the H Richard Hall days. To him I am his backslidden son who would have better off have never tasting the riches of God. He is getting soft in his old age because he asks me once and awhile how was church. I know that like a few here at AFF he thinks that I attend the Temple of Baal with a doctrine of demons. I respect that because I will always know where I stand, I don't agree but I respect.

Someone here on the forums said that other certain Pentecostal church members need to go a little further down the rabbit hole. For the record snakes have been known live rabbit holes.

Today I don't put my hope in manmade interpretation of scriptures because that's all doctrine is but instead I put on my blessed hope and know that mercy triumphs judgment and God desires mercy over sacrifice. It has been a long bloody battle and I have to scars to prove it as do most people that leave a certain oneness organization.

In His Name!

Mike

Re: My Story
 

My brother, I'm so sorry, so very sorry that you went through what you describe here. There is absolutely no call for anyone to act that way in the name of Christ.

I'm about as conservative as it gets, but I find no where in Scripture that provides the pastor any kind of authority to tell people when and when not to get married. The Scriptures teach us that the five fold ministry is there for the perfecting, or equipping of the saints. The purpose of a shepherd is to feed, teach, mend, and strengthen the sheep... but he can never direct every single step and think he can keep them from ever stumbling.

God called us into ministry to teach, reprove, edify, build.... and equip. It's the pastor's job to bring the Word forth, and equip you to actually think for yourself and work out your own relationship with God in fear and trembling. Of course they are there for further advice if needed, but he must let you walk, and perhaps even fall. I set the table, but I can't dictate what gets done with what I place out there... Grace is about people having the chance to even make different decisions than I would for them.

Of course, pastors are to come to us in love and compassion if we are caught in sin, but there are no scriptures that give a pastor the kind of authority you note within your post.... that right there is a man operating in fear, and his only way to control the fear is to control the people... and that's not what he's been called to do.

I will continue to lift you up in prayer, and pray that God sends you someone in your life that will be able to fulfill the true directive of the five fold ministry, and that will love on you, care for you, guide you, challenge you... and yes, allow you to even mess up... all the while being in your corner praying you succeed in Jesus.

I also pray for this pastor you mention... that somehow, they will see the freedom there could be in their ministry if they get back to shepherding. That somehow they will see there doesn't have to be any compromise of principles or standards by allowing people to grow, walk at their own speed, and learn from mistakes.

Re: My Story
 

Although I am saddened by the pain "navy" has experienced, I love this sort of thread and the responses they always receive.

Those that have been freed (thousands) relate to the story.

Those who are still a part of the old way respond to these stories by saying things like "well, I am conservative but have never seen or heard of anything like this."

And I laugh. There are thousands (yes, thousands) of these stories on AFF, but you have never seen or heard of anything like this before?

You've never seen or heard of anything like this in your own real-life circle?

Navy, if I were you I would thank God EVERY DAY that you have been rescued.

Re: My Story
 

I am so sorry for your sadness, and the horrible mess that you and your wife have had to go through.

Re: My Story
 

How long ago was that? Most churches, and I'd even say all, in the So Cal District are VERY moderate and progressive. That would never happen in my circle of churches

Re: My Story
 

BTW I assume you meant Southern California? I noticed you are in Florida?

Re: My Story
 

We have been out almost 6 years now and we moved to Jacksonville a couple of years ago.

Re: My Story
 

I'm not so far away from Jacksonville. It's a nice city!

Re: My Story
 

In a way, aren't you glad that you and your wife went through this?

Re: My Story
 

Jermyn thats funny because my wife and I talk about that very thing, it just shows over again that God uses all things to the good, but not all things good!