I'm leaving my church. Please pray.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

Geez...definitely not your first rodeo.

No. But at least there are not moral issues involved this time. These are more matters of principle.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Originalist

Here I go again, not being able to capitalize on having "connections". Anybody else whose pastor was a district superintendent would be benefit from having such a connection. it never seems to work out for me. I always have to end up confronting somebody, though I run from confrontation.

In 1988, during his scandal, I had to tell Jimmy Swaggart something he did not like. Though it was said respectfully, he screamed in my face.

In 1989 I was the youth pastor of a man who started having Mike Murdoch and other hyper prosperity preachers come and preach their garbage. Many people were concerned and I told them we owed it to the pastor to not have secret meetings, but to be honest with him about our concerns. I volunteered for this unpleasant task. Of course he accused me of being disloyal and of planting seeds of doubt in those saints' minds. He needed a scapegoat. He was pastor of that church 10 years to the day. Three months after resigning, his wife left him. What nobody knew is soon after I arrived at that church, his wife began to confide in me of their horrible marital problems. I was only 23 and this rocked my world. The church continued to grow and thrive the whole time. I later found out that both the pastor and his wife had had affairs while pastoring that church.

After that I was under a pastor of a 1500 member AoG pastor who got busted for going to strip joints. A man watching the news reports recognized this pastor as the man who had tied him up and pistol whipped him over a bad ecstasy deal. Several women came forward and said he had raped them in the church office. They had gone to the AoG privately because they did not want the whole church to suffer reproach. The AoG sided with the pastor until he was finally exposed. The ladies sued the AoG and won. The AoG tripped all over themselves apologizing for not taking them seriously.

Now I'm faced yet again with having to be "Nathan", though the present situation is not as bad as the others I've mentioned. Why me? I feel like I'm the one who needs a Nathan. How did this happen? I promise I try to avoid these kinds of things. Here we go again.

I can relate to that. Now, I just try to avoid that kind of stuff altogether and feel it is not my job to correct other people's problems. I run away from it. It's just bad for me and my family emotionally and I finally figured out that my emotional health matters, no matter how many people say I am obligated for some reason to "confront" these people.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

We are in a tight spot now, but we feel we need to stay. I know from experience that when you can't take anymore, you can. And you only find out after the battle is over that He never did put more on you than you can bear.

WOOT! Thank you, Jesus - Today I have been delivered!!!!!!

That's all I am sharing. I am one HAPPY, HAPPY woman!!!

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

WOOT! Thank you, Jesus - Today I have been delivered!!!!!!

That's all I am sharing. I am one HAPPY, HAPPY woman!!!

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

WOOT! Thank you, Jesus - Today I have been delivered!!!!!!

That's all I am sharing. I am one HAPPY, HAPPY woman!!!

Tell me! What gun did you just pick up??

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Tell me! What gun did you just pick up??

Mosin-Nagant

[KeptByTheWord]

Sounds like you've been through more than one tough rodeo Originalist... just now reading through what you've posted, as I've been busy with company this week. Will be praying for you.

Your relationship with the Lord is the most important thing that will carry you through this difficulty. Trust and follow the leading of the Lord as you pray about this situation, and remember, that storms were promised to us... not lives of ease and comfort. Read the gospels again as well as the book of Acts just as a reminder of the kind of life Jesus lived, and what kind of things were dealt to the apostles and church as they just tried to follow Jesus. The answers you find in the Book will be the answers that will save and direct you through this storm. God Bless you Bro, and you and your family will be in our prayers!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

WOOT! Thank you, Jesus - Today I have been delivered!!!!!!

That's all I am sharing. I am one HAPPY, HAPPY woman!!!

Oh no you can't! Do tell! ....

just kidding... whatever it is you're shouting about, I'm happy you're a happy woman!