I am 48 years old. I came to the Lord and received the Holy Ghost in 1980, just 2 weeks after my 15th birthday. I have been at this church for three years and started attending here due to a geographical relocation. I was a member of the church where I previously attended for 17 years. I have a long way to go, but I passed spiritual adolescence long ago.
It is interesting that your default position is to defend the pastor. Why is that? Why do you think I should stay?
Have you read my other threads that describe what my family has been through, and recent comments of my pastor?
I am not defending him and I do believe what you have said is the truth. Why should you stay? I just don't want to be another guy who tells someone I do not know what they want to hear.
So, thinking about how horribly Saul treated David, he (David) humbled himself and endured the mistreatment. He did what was right in the Lord's eye and as his reward for being faithful was that he was made King.
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
I have a pastor, thankfully I don't attend an Apostolic church, so for that reason I have not offered my advice.
When my wife and I left, we sat down with our old pastor and told him we were leaving and told him why. The one thing we did not do is ask his blessing, his blessing would have came with curses.
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Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
Scripture is its own interpreter. Nothing can cut a diamond but a diamond. Nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture" Thomas Watson.
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
I don't attend church anywhere. I suggested you talk to him face to face. You better not listen to me!
I was a very faithful church attender for 19 years. My husband and I pastored for 10. I personally think that counts for something. As a matter of fact, I know it does.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
You're right Steve, I noticed that not one person commented on my advise, folks just can't receive godly counsel, can they!! LOL
Fact is, most folks will work things our for themselves, they just want someone to listen to their situation, then they do what THEY are able to do. They really don't want someone to tell them what to do.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
If they are indwelt by the Spirit, trying their best to live for the Lord, and assembling with other belivers in some fashion, how are they then ungodly?
If they are indwelt by the Spirit, trying their best to live for the Lord, and assembling with other belivers in some fashion, how are they then ungodly?
Just an observation most folks advising don't have a pastor and some do not even attend an Apostolic church. Remember what David said about the counsel of the ungodly.
Elder, i certainly did suggest moving forward with the letter... not because I endorse the option but because the individual is going to do this no matter what.
in my experience, trying to convince leavers to stay never really works out well.
I know that no pastor likes to lose someone. Ive had more than one conversation with my pastor on the subject. I love my pastor for his love of people. He is kind and longsuffering and has never once just "let go" of someone. BUT there have been times when I have suggested to him that subtraction has meant addition to the church.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Elder, i certainly did suggest moving forward with the letter... not because I endorse the option but because the individual is going to do this no matter what.
in my experience, trying to convince leavers to stay never really works out well.
I know that no pastor likes to lose someone. Ive had more than one conversation with my pastor on the subject. I love my pastor for his love of people. He is kind and longsuffering and has never once just "let go" of someone. BUT there have been times when I have suggested to him that subtraction has meant addition to the church.
This is very true. As a Pastor for 4 decades there has been very few folks I wanted to see leave. I loved them even the unruly hold a place in your hearts. But there are times your peace means more than their presence. I confess when I was younger I probably did not handle it as good as I should have. I was hurt and felt as if I had failed. But at least the last 25 years I have handled it much different if someone wanted to leave I tried to make it as less painful as I could. I wanted to leave the door open for them and I did not want to become their enemy. Generally after their departure would be very dark days for me personally where I would examine every dealing I had with them and their children. Yes honestly there were times some of the blame was at my door and other times it was no ones blame things just happen. But as I type this I see faces of years ago where they are I don't know but I do know this I love them yet dearly and hope for their best. Parting generally comes with such sorrow. That is my story.
This is very true. As a Pastor for 4 decades there has been very few folks I wanted to see leave. I loved them even the unruly hold a place in your hearts. But there are times your peace means more than their presence. I confess when I was younger I probably did not handle it as good as I should have. I was hurt and felt as if I had failed. But at least the last 25 years I have handled it much different if someone wanted to leave I tried to make it as less painful as I could. I wanted to leave the door open for them and I did not want to become their enemy. Generally after their departure would be very dark days for me personally where I would examine every dealing I had with them and their children. Yes honestly there were times some of the blame was at my door and other times it was no ones blame things just happen. But as I type this I see faces of years ago where they are I don't know but I do know this I love them yet dearly and hope for their best. Parting generally comes with such sorrow. That is my story.
Elder Epley even my old pastor, I have rekindled a friendship back with him. I got saved under his hand.
We do the best we can. In the big picture we are all broken people in need of a Savior.
He did what he understood to be the right thing from his experience and I did what I needed to do for my little family.
Deep in me is love for him when I look back on the times we served together.
I plan on taking a trip back to California and one of the 1st none family members I will see is him and we will break bread and will fellowship the difference.
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Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
Scripture is its own interpreter. Nothing can cut a diamond but a diamond. Nothing can interpret Scripture but Scripture" Thomas Watson.
Hybrid Mode
