Truth is, we are all a bunch of flawed folks, trying to present ourselves as acceptable to God. The irony is, He knows the truth, and that should humble us all. Which leaves us with one true option: fall on the grace and blood of Jesus.
One thing I don't get is all of the angst from some of the crazy things a few extreme pastors do.
I am not a church jumper. I attended only two churches over a 25 year period and only made that change because my job moved me.
However, if a pastor did some of the nutty things I read on this forum that hurts people and is definitely not biblical, out of line, and over the top. I would leave that church in a flash and find one with a godly pastor with the heart of a shepherd and priest.
When you let nutjob control freaks affect your life in a major way as some people let happen you are just as wrong as they are letting it happen or not removing yourself immediately from the situation and going to a healthy one.
Now I know many times it is not that easy as family members and friends are involved but I still feel it is wrong to give these people that much control over your life, happiness, walk with God, etc.
You will never find the perfect pastor or church but you certainly don't have to settle for submitting yourself to a train wreck.
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Imagine him as your pastor!!! That would be a whole new forum!
To be honest, Steve Epley is someone I'd consider for a pastor if I were in his area. I believe he has a true heart for people. Real people. In real life.
This is the internet.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
One thing I don't get is all of the angst from some of the crazy things a few extreme pastors do.
I am not a church jumper. I attended only two churches over a 25 year period and only made that change because my job moved me.
However, if a pastor did some of the nutty things I read on this forum that hurts people and is definitely not biblical, out of line, and over the top. I would leave that church in a flash and find one with a godly pastor with the heart of a shepherd and priest.
When you let nutjob control freaks affect your life in a major way as some people let happen you are just as wrong as they are letting it happen or not removing yourself immediately from the situation and going to a healthy one.
Now I know many times it is not that easy as family members and friends are involved but I still feel it is wrong to give these people that much control over your life, happiness, walk with God, etc.
You will never find the perfect pastor or church but you certainly don't have to settle for submitting yourself to a train wreck.
I understand what you are saying. I can't totally agree on always leaving. Sometimes God wants us to stay, see the situation through and be a stabilizing factor when he moves a man like this.
There are times that He gives the saint direction to leave, as He knows how much they can bear.
I remember pleading with God over a situation and why He wouldn't do something. He spoke to me in prayer, "I cannot execute my wrath speedily."
I was relieved to hear that because that meant He would use that same perspective in my life as well! In that particular situation, He moved us. We couldn't wait the nine years for things to change. Others were able, but God saw that our family couldn't handle it and gave us direction to leave.
You are aware of one situation where we were directed to stay and see it through.
I adamantly feel that we MUST, at all costs and for all purposes, follow the will of God. We cannot make these decisions for ourselves.
He knows where I need to be and what he needs to put in me, change in me, etc. If I jump and run, without His direction, I will have lost learning some major things in my life to become what He had always intended for me.
To be honest, Steve Epley is someone I'd consider for a pastor if I were in his area. I believe he has a true heart for people. Real people. In real life.
To be honest, Steve Epley is someone I'd consider for a pastor if I were in his area. I believe he has a true heart for people. Real people. In real life.
This is the internet.
I agree, however, you'd have to stop cutting that hair!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
One thing I don't get is all of the angst from some of the crazy things a few extreme pastors do.
I am not a church jumper. I attended only two churches over a 25 year period and only made that change because my job moved me.
However, if a pastor did some of the nutty things I read on this forum that hurts people and is definitely not biblical, out of line, and over the top. I would leave that church in a flash and find one with a godly pastor with the heart of a shepherd and priest.
When you let nutjob control freaks affect your life in a major way as some people let happen you are just as wrong as they are letting it happen or not removing yourself immediately from the situation and going to a healthy one.
Now I know many times it is not that easy as family members and friends are involved but I still feel it is wrong to give these people that much control over your life, happiness, walk with God, etc.
You will never find the perfect pastor or church but you certainly don't have to settle for submitting yourself to a train wreck.
I believe submitting yourself to a pastor is kind of like submitting yourself to your spouse. You're committed to them, but if they become controlling and abusive, you need to find help. Sometimes a direct talk with them makes things even worse!
We all like to believe that our spouses are a perfect match for us. A good relationship takes BOTH people working hard to make things work! Sometimes, a complete break is necessary and healthy for both parties!
__________________ Words: For when an emoticon just isn't enough.
Linear Mode
