Quote:
Originally Posted by JTULLOCK
All of these are how I am. I was too firm and too elite. Now I am not. I am for Grace! I am not for unconditional Grace like you can live anyway you want and go to Heaven. What I truely mean there is that sleep around, drink around, murder, etc and be saved I do not follow. Maybe those are extremes but I believe you understand. I did come to the stark reality that we, the Pentecostal Chuch, preached Grace to the sinner and not to the saint. IMO There is/was no room for personal convictions. I did not let people have their own convictions, at least the ones I went to church with. I was not balanced at all. It was sickening actually. Then I had my eyes opened. The truth is I could go to a UPC church and be fine except I do not want to go where I know the Pastor preaches things I do not believe/follow. I do not want to be a hinderance or burden to those that attend that do follow. The one thing I will say about all is that I will follow what ever conviciton God gives me, no matter how tight. I changed because my belief was not a God conviction it was something I followed cause a preacher told me I had to or go to hell. I didn't like my options so I chose 'his' message and not His message.
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JTullock,
Thank-you for your honesty. Many Pastors have apologize to their congregations but they too were a prodict fo their upbringing. It is wrong to force ones opinions or personal convictions off on others, whether you are a pastor or not. Peace comes from living your wown convictions, and within your own value system, while not judging others for doing the same.
Blessings, Rhoni