[Ferd]

Originally Posted by POWERUP

Ok, Ok...................I am not trying to talk out of both sides of my mouth........But, i will
say that when I decided to leave what some call the Mothership, traditions, etc..you
get the picture.

I was UPC the first 36 yrs. of my life. I am now 39. When I turned 30(having been in
pulpit ministry since my early twenties) I started scratching my head about some of
beliefs.

So. Guess what? For around 6 yrs. I just stayed where I was. Great church. I was
there 20 plus years. I had been in every part of ministry except being actually the Pastor.

I was still preaching the same way I had always preached. I would often talk with some
of my minister friends, who felt the same way I felt. They were just afraid to Rock the
Boat!!!

Got to admit it to you guys. It was tough trying to decide to leave a church that I had
been part of for so long.

But, it made it a lot easier when they ask one of the associate pastors wife to take
her hair down, and put it on a girls shoulder so she could be healed!!!

Oh sure, I talked with the pastor, went through the whole thing of ,what made you
all of a sudden stop believing standards?

I just looked at him..................yep just like that. Keep in mind that my whole family
is in the ministry. Served on the district board. I knew everyone.

So when I made that leap of faith.................I have never looked back. I love my family.
but its not the same. I knew that when I left.

So yes. I knew they would be hurt, I would feel hurt. I would feel like they didnt love
me anymore. But really, they were just dissappointed in me. Trust Me. You can't help
but love a guy like me!! LOL..........

This is an awesome post! Well said.