I know how you feel.When I first got saved I attended a home missions church and there was no one to fellowship unless the men were off shore and then their wives could come pray with me at church or go out to eat otherwise I hung with Pastor and his wifey and son.
I have seen both views hit on but I want to say that my church was so wonderful to me when my divorce happened... it was very hard and very public as he was the music director there. It tore me up yet the church people were so wonderful...
Ummm well... he and she left immediately so not sure... then 2 weeks later he got shipped to Iraq and hasnt been back since really sooooooo........... But they didnt condone his actions... Thats as far as I will go on that topic
I believe that divorce is a wide sin but Christians seem to misplace their feelings on it. Especially in the Apostolic / Holiness movement. We seem to hold down the wounded like Brother Price said. It's sad and again a huge trial that many people in this world face. Just like all sins Jesus can wipe that clean. Wash it in the blood of Jesus and it comes out white as snow.
I think it comes from fear that the prevalence of divorce in the world will infiltrate the church. I know in mainstream Christianity it's become much more accepted and so instead of being kind, longsuffering, gentle with the hurting or even the sinning... Church folks get freaked out and do a lot more damage.
There has to be balance... we have to stand for marriage because there is a very real enemy who attacks our marriages and homes, as well as our own humanity that causes marital strife... but we also have to be filled with love toward those who are facing this, and understanding.
It's a delicate balance.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I've heard that statistic, but I strongly doubt it that its accurate, at least as far as Acts 2:38 saints are concerned. That statistic seems to be based on all people who identify themselves as "Christians", or active churchgoers, not Apostolic saints per se.
So since all the polls/surveys on this are mainly dealing with Baptists, Evangelicals, Methodists, etc., that will definitely skew the numbers, but we in the Apostolic church cant look at the published "divorce rate among Christians" as really being accurate for the Apostolic church. As far as I know,theres never been a true poll or survey of the divorce rate among Apostolics. But I'd say the rate is very low. If I had to take a best guess, I'd say probably in the 5-8% range or so, just from what I've observed over the years. (I'm sure some of the Apostolic pastors here can give us a more accurate estimate.)
It's been my observation that what becomes ok in mainstream Christianity often (in time) infiltrates Apostolic ranks as well. It's growing.. it's a growing issue. It's easier and easier for Apostolic saints to give up on their marriages, because the idea that God doesn't want me to be unhappy is shouted from the mountaintops these days... And the amount of television that is watched now, the ideals of the world are being constantly pushed into the minds of Apostolics... like the proverbial frog in the pot, the change in our own hearts is almost inperceptable (sp?) at first.
I'm not being harsh toward those who've had a marriage break up.. please don't think that for one minute! Every circumstance is different.
I just know some folks very personally in the Apostolic church world who've gotten sucked into the "there's no hope of it ever changing so let's call it quits" mentality. Family members included.
Often one party is more willing to work thru than another, which makes it hard.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Do you feel church people are harsh toward those in the church under going a divorce?
I have friends who tell me that they felt treated very badly and they were the innocent party.
It happens so much now in church, there is not that big a fuss over it. There have been several in our church over the last year, and it is business as usual after a month or so.
Does anyone really believe the percentage is that high in the Apostolic church? I say not even close. I'd say not even 10%, if that much.
I think we can agree though, whatever actual the number is... it's still too high.
.
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
It's been my observation that what becomes ok in mainstream Christianity often (in time) infiltrates Apostolic ranks as well. It's growing.. it's a growing issue. It's easier and easier for Apostolic saints to give up on their marriages, because the idea that God doesn't want me to be unhappy is shouted from the mountaintops these days... And the amount of television that is watched now, the ideals of the world are being constantly pushed into the minds of Apostolics... like the proverbial frog in the pot, the change in our own hearts is almost inperceptable (sp?) at first.
I'm not being harsh toward those who've had a marriage break up.. please don't think that for one minute! Every circumstance is different.
I just know some folks very personally in the Apostolic church world who've gotten sucked into the "there's no hope of it ever changing so let's call it quits" mentality. Family members included.
Often one party is more willing to work thru than another, which makes it hard.
I have known some to suffer abuse for years over the "its going to change mentality" as well.I don't think anyone is rejoicing to just call it quits.
I have known some to suffer abuse for years over the "its going to change mentality" as well.I don't think anyone is rejoicing to just call it quits.
You don't know me, so you don't know the spirit in which I post.
I know there are abusive relationships.. my mother in law was beaten with a belt by her husband in places where bruises would not show to the public... my husband was punched in the face at a young age by his father... they obviously divorced. I am very aware of abuses... and there are definitely circumstances that require the marriage to disolve. I've never insinuated there weren't...
But the fact is... I have two close people to me... one a relative, who've ended their marriages because they didn't work through it... Apostolics...
One party in each marriage wanted to work through it... and the other party just wanted it over... the ideals of the modern era have crept in to Christianity.
My point is that divorce is rising in the Apostolic ranks, and it scares some church folks and thus they are hard and harsh on those who go through this...
Then there are the Apostolics who are just plain idiots and it's just fodder for them to talk and judge.
You have to have love and compassion and longsuffering when dealing with these issues, as well as standing for marriage at the same time.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
You don't know me, so you don't know the spirit in which I post.
I know there are abusive relationships.. my mother in law was beaten with a belt by her husband in places where bruises would not show to the public... my husband was punched in the face at a young age by his father... they obviously divorced. I am very aware of abuses... and there are definitely circumstances that require the marriage to disolve. I've never insinuated there weren't...
But the fact is... I have two close people to me... one a relative, who've ended their marriages because they didn't work through it... Apostolics...
One party in each marriage wanted to work through it... and the other party just wanted it over... the ideals of the modern era have crept in to Christianity.
My point is that divorce is rising in the Apostolic ranks, and it scares some church folks and thus they are hard and harsh on those who go through this...
Then there are the Apostolics who are just plain idiots and it's just fodder for them to talk and judge.
You have to have love and compassion and longsuffering when dealing with these issues, as well as standing for marriage at the same time.
Sister you took offense and did not have to.It was not a personal attack but its hard looking at the suffering of others from a safe vantage point.Its easy to say things when you aren't the one suffering.I don't think the statement divorce is on the rise can be properly validated.I haven't seen alot of divorce in the last twenty years.There have been a few but I haven't seen alot.I suppose life happens to all its just more noticable within a group of people who preach against divorce.
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