For those that left the UPC...

[SeekingOne]

Thanks ForeverBlessed, I did not leave due to standards. I actually did not realize those lies until I joined this forum. I am sure my old church tells people that I never believed in "the standards" and lived a lie while I was there, but I was just as deceived as the leadership on that on.

I left due to a bunch of other delusional thinking and spiritual abuse that goes on there. It is one thing to say that Jesus comes before your family, but when a bunch people decide they ARE Jesus (come in the flesh)and therefore what the leaders say is above anything else is down right scary.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by SeekingOne

Thanks ForeverBlessed, I did not leave due to standards. I actually did not realize those lies until I joined this forum. I am sure my old church tells people that I never believed in "the standards" and lived a lie while I was there, but I was just as deceived as the leadership on that on.

I left due to a bunch of other delusional thinking and spiritual abuse that goes on there. It is one thing to say that Jesus comes before your family, but when a bunch people decide they ARE Jesus (come in the flesh)and therefore what the leaders say is above anything else is down right scary.

I understand and have seen it in action and seen and even experienced the control over the years.

I had a friend leave about the same time I did, they went to another church. Most of my family seems to just ignore the changes and even I've been ignored. I think maybe from embarrassment...or they might not really know what to do or say...who knows?

However, I read emails daily from a friend who left the same church I left... she was on Pastor's staff. She would forward me the emails and texts often crying, what do I do now? The condemnation and judgement that poured from him as he tried to manipulate and control her with guilt. He proclaimed judgment upon her household.. it was ungodly. I prayed and counseled her to keep her heart right, just stay focused on the Lord and where he was leading their family. The same pastor talked with me and told me that I was going down a road I would never recover, advised me to quit listening to others, but he knew I was not coming back.

I realize that not all churches or UPC pastors have control issues, but unfortunately there has been enough of it within. The closer I get to the Lord and learn of him through his word, do I realize the error of things that others never give a second thought.

Try to stay focused on what is right and stay above the fray of talk... thinking on things that are pure. Forgiving those offenses and things that have inflicted pain. It is the only way to heal.

blessings.