Do you AGREE?

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

How do you know I haven't???? How do you also know what has transpired in hundreds of hours of pastoral and ministerial counseling over the years? How do you know what has been shared with me by folks of churches I've ministered in since I preach in both very, very conservative churches as well as churches that many would consider charismatic? How do you know that I haven't been bitter and left a church and labeled charismatic?

You don't... so don't go assuming things until you've asked some questions and really know.

Ok.

How do you know that people just didn't agree with your 'pastoral and ministerial counseling' and left and you decided they became bitter and left?

[Aquila]

I don't want to demonize any specific organization. However, I came out of a very legalistic organization that was only teaching believers to be conformed into the image and likeness of the organization and not the image and likeness of Jesus Christ Himself. Sadly, these individuals will stand before God one day shaped only by their religion. They will be STERILING Pentecostal members of this organization. Sadly... this organization isn't the Kingdom of Heaven.

I love many members of this organization. But I had to abandon it all for the sake of having Jesus.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I don't. So would you say that all people leave a church out of bitterness because you may have done so?

You really should work on your reading comprehension... and quit assuming things.... you're trying to make it sound as if I used some broad brush and said that everyone that leaves is bitter... I didn't. So, though it does seem to be one of your favorite past times to sit and twist the words of others... back off making my words say anything other than they did. Unless you can discuss items based on what someone actually posts.... your attempt to start an argument so you can bash yet another conservative preacher is an effort in futility.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Ok.

How do you know that people just didn't agree with your 'pastoral and ministerial counseling' and left and you decided they became bitter and left?

wow, you really can't read can you?

Pastor and ministerial counseling isn't me telling them to do something... come on, surely your smarter than that. These are situations where they have left other places of ministry... I meet them after the fact, or maybe they came to my church after the fact... and they are hurt... very hurt. They desire to sit down and talk about it. It's me listening, not advising or trying to set them straight... it's me listening.... them telling me their story that has nothing to do with me.

Would be nice if you would just read the actual words posted and not put something in between the lines or assumes it says something more than it does at face value.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Personally, I think it would be natural to be bitter about being taught doctrines of men over the Word of God.

It would be natural, but unproductive wouldn't ya think?

I grew up in false doctrine. I became a member of Oneness Pentecostal churches. They both taught doctrines of men outside of Biblical principles.

Of course when I left both churches, I was .... as some would want to put it...bitter.

I learned to rely on Christ and the Holy Ghost to teach me Biblical doctrine because men want to make Christ's church to be a corporation instead of His bride.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

You really should work on your reading comprehension... and quit assuming things.... you're trying to make it sound as if I used some broad brush and said that everyone that leaves is bitter... I didn't. So, though it does seem to be one of your favorite past times to sit and twist the words of others... back off making my words say anything other than they did. Unless you can discuss items based on what someone actually posts.... your attempt to start an argument so you can bash yet another conservative preacher is an effort in futility.

You sound like the bitter person....and you say this same thing to almost everybody who disagrees with you.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

wow, you really can't read can you?

Pastor and ministerial counseling isn't me telling them to do something... come on, surely your smarter than that. These are situations where they have left other places of ministry... I meet them after the fact, or maybe they came to my church after the fact... and they are hurt... very hurt. They desire to sit down and talk about it. It's me listening, not advising or trying to set them straight... it's me listening.... them telling me their story that has nothing to do with me.

Would be nice if you would just read the actual words posted and not put something in between the lines or assumes it says something more than it does at face value.

If you actually posted all what you wrote here... well maybe I would just read the actual words posted and not put something between the lines or assumes it says something more than it does at face value.

But....you didn't.

[Cindy]

I guess it could be both, some are and some aren't. But as we all know what's inside eventually comes out. I also believe some lose trust and even turn away from God. That is the sad part about following men instead of Christ. I hope most are still living for God and are not bitter.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

It would be natural, but unproductive wouldn't ya think?

No. I think it's part of the process. Like grief. There are stages. Anyone who has lost a significant period of their lives serving traditions of men and human organizations while being told they were serving Christ need to be bitter for a period. Then they have to reconcile themselves with their current understanding without spinning out into crazy living. After this they have to begin the discovery, finding what they truly believe and what is truly in the Bible. Then they can find their rest in Christ Jesus alone.

I don't think anyone would leave with a smile on their face skipping along happy about wasted years, time, and money. Not to mention... all the family they may be leaving behind that THEY WON to the insanity... who now disown them.

I grew up in false doctrine. I became a member of Oneness Pentecostal churches. They both taught doctrines of men outside of Biblical principles.

Of course when I left both churches, I was .... as some would want to put it...bitter.

Good! You should have been bitter with righteous indignation. Just don't settle there. There is a point where the hard feelings must be set aside.

I learned to rely on Christ and the Holy Ghost to teach me Biblical doctrine because men want to make Christ's church to be a corporation instead of His bride.

BINGO! Welcome to the Kingdom.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I guess it could be both, some are and some aren't. But as we all know what's inside eventually comes out. I also believe some lose trust and even turn away from God. That is the sad part about following men instead of Christ. I hope most are still living for God and are not bitter.

It is heart breaking. My ex-wife told me that she's now an atheist.

The things we experienced in church caused her to turn her back on the very notion of God.