Do you AGREE?

[Sister Alvear]

I HEARD IT SAID during a teaching that the common denominator among those that turned charismatic was bitterness. Do you agree? Why or why not...and of course our opinion of what charismatic is will vary...

[Sister Alvear]

And may I add most of us that have been in ministry for any time KNOW we will all get hurt and we KNOW bitterness is a terrible monster that only makes wounds deeper and destroys...Our family was deeply hurt some time ago but all during the ordeal I prayed not to become bitter. I knew becoming bitter would only destroy my soul.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I HEARD IT SAID during a teaching that the common denominator among those that turned charismatic was bitterness. Do you agree? Why or why not...and of course our opinion of what charismatic is will vary...

I disagree with the bitterness part. I think at some point in time some people start to question what they are told over the pulpit and what is actually written in the Bible.

[Bro. Robbins]

Some would even argue it's the catalyst for most... I'm not sure if it's the reason... but sure is one of the main things packed away in all their baggage they take with them.

[AreYouReady?]

But, on another note....I also think that there are Oneness churches who lost their first love. It is better to leave loveless churches than to stay and become bitter.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Some would even argue it's the catalyst for most... I'm not sure if it's the reason... but sure is one of the main things packed away in all their baggage they take with them.

Unless you've became bitter and left a church, how would you even know what is in the minds of people who leave?

Or is it just a handy excuse a preacher might use to explain why somebody leaves?

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Unless you've became bitter and left a church, how would you even know what is in the minds of people who leave?

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.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I disagree with the bitterness part. I think at some point in time some people start to question what they are told over the pulpit and what is actually written in the Bible.

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

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

How do you know I haven't????

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

[Amanah]

Let me give my humble opinion (based on my limited personal experience) on this subject.

I think that Hard Core Ultra Con preaching that was legalistic, divisive, controlling, and verging on cultish, drove some to look for more compassionate ground.

But, once you pull up the anchor and start drifting in search of something that doesn’t crush your spirit, you can be in danger of being lost at sea.

So here we are precious ones, some firmly anchored on higher ground, some ship wrecked and sifting thru the ruins, some drifting and looking for the light house.

Anyone remember this song:

Captain please ride my capsized vessel
Don’t let me drift out any further from shore
Search out the rocks that threaten to break me
Don’t let me wonder out, alone anymore.
When I first started out
I thought it fair sailing
in no time at all
my ship hit the storm
I barely can make out, your form on the shoreline
I'm asking for help Lord, save my soul from harm.

I don't think I have the words right, and I can't remember who sang it, but it's on my heart atm.