Changing Denominations

[tssp]

Rhoni,

I am really sorry to hear of this recent turn of events. I thought things were going well for you and was surprised to see what you had to say. I'm sorry you suffered a recent hurt because I know that even old ones are hard to deal with. My past hurts don't have to do with the church but with a previous marriage. At times I find myself reliving them over and in my mind and in my dreams and feeling hurt and angry all over again. But then I come to the realization that if I don't get over this I will become bitter and it will just eat me up. I have a family member this has happened to and their situation does involve people from church. I am not perfect by any means or an expert on the subject but I do pray that God helps me to forgive and not to be bitter and miserable like my family member who makes everyone else miserable too.

Rhoni, I will pray that God will give you peace and help you with what you are going through and I hope you receive this in the spirit that it was meant.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Okay, just a few things.

Rhonda, I think for so long your identity was being a preacher's wife. You found your fulfillment in being in that role. There is something still there that you can't let go of and it has caused you to not be able to find a good fit.

Without bringing up the past (as you said you weren't going to do), you had to give up being a wife, a preacher's wife and caring for a church all at once. You have wandered ever since trying to find a fit and can't.

I don't know how to fix it, but I think that's part of the root of the problem.

Renda, I said something like this in a post, but maybe I shouldn't have, since I'm not a long-time friend to her like you are. I'm only going by what I've been reading here for a long time.

Rhoni has been on my heart for several weeks now, and I've prayed for her. When she gets everything 'straightened' out, she will have a lot to offer. I pray God's blessings for her.

[Sister Alvear]

Rhoni we went over to the church and prayed a couple hours just wanted you to know you were in my thoughts and prayers.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by LadyCoonskinner

If my post to Rhoni seemed a bit too harsh, I apologize. I do not apologize for what I said, but I do apologize for my tone.

I am sorry for the sharp toned response to your statement.

I also stand by what the experience and context of what I said.

My comments are informative and life experiences.

[Bro-Larry]

In the posts to this thread I see the full spectrum of attitudes expressed. From the friends who supremely care for others all the way down to those who care more about defending a doctrine than lending a friendly hand.

Where do you fall in that spectrum?

[Sister Alvear]

Larry, it is hard to be our own judge please help us and tell us where we have failed. I am sure we all want to do better...Thanks for your words.

[Michael The Disciple]

Rhoni,

If indeed you just considered yourself to be Apostolic-Pentecostal and not a Christian you have made a good choice. I have always thought of myself as a Christian first and anything else secondarily.

I came up first through the Jesus People movement of the 70's. Thats where I first found Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful time to me. I have been through various Trinitarian Pentecostal Churches.

When a Word Of Faith/Charismatic Pastor taught me the doctrine of Oneness which he had apparently received from Neckstats father, the late John Ekstat I was thrilled beyond belief! It glorified Yeshua Messiah in a marvelous way.

Soon afterwards I began a journey into the "Apostolic" Churches. I soon found myself being appointed as an Elder in one. I was told by the Pastor, " Standards are not Heaven and Hell issues just for our Church".

I thought I could go with that. I shaved, took off my watch and ring and seriously attempted to always wear long sleeve shirts and be rigid in tithing.

Not long after that a flow of Evangelists came through the Church and all of them had a steady message of standards with the warning of Hell and you were of the Devil if you did not comply.

I began to be ashamed to ask people to Church. After that first year the Pastor openly preached that the "standards" were one with the teaching of perfection.

This was the final straw for me. If its Bible then let us obey. If its traditions of man leave it alone. Perhaps there is room for personal convictions over some things.

Now over the years I have been involved with several small Apostolic groups. In most recent years I have not been in a local Church period.

Having said that I confess I am what the AFF calls a three stepper. I believe the Oneness message of the Godhead when properly taught is the greatest treasure in this world.

I also continue to believe and teach "Bible Perfection". I have only very very rarely heard that taught in Oneness Churches.

Bottom line is Jesus is the Lord. the term "Apostolic Pentecostal" has no particular force to me. It is a label whereby Oneness people can identify themselves. Im ok with it myself and tho I oppose some things involved in it its part of who I am.

In my own searching for the right Church I could not consider a classic Trinitarian Church. Been there done that. I consider them to be more of a cult than the Oneness groups. They teach Trinitarian heresy and have no understanding of the new birth taught by Yeshua.

Follw Yeshua. What else can be said?

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Neck

Because over the years in the court room of the UPC.

There have been many witnesses for the prosecution and none for the defense.

Yes, sometimes people are looking for some vindication.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Okay, just a few things.

Rhonda, I think for so long your identity was being a preacher's wife. You found your fulfillment in being in that role. There is something still there that you can't let go of and it has caused you to not be able to find a good fit.

Without bringing up the past (as you said you weren't going to do), you had to give up being a wife, a preacher's wife and caring for a church all at once. You have wandered ever since trying to find a fit and can't.

I don't know how to fix it, but I think that's part of the root of the problem.

Having left the same church positions as Rhoni, I can say it's incredibly difficult. No one can know how incredibly difficult this is, unless they have done it. Add to that that she lost her marriage and she tops me in the need to heal department. When she wrote the post about her new years resolution, I asked if she thought she could simply choose to do that because you really can't just choose to do that. You desire to heal, you move forward, you go on but you cannot simply choose healing for yourself one day. That takes time and it also takes an understanding literally given to you by others. I suspect that is because others have stolen so much, you literally cannot just vindicate yourself and go on. The pain was given from outside yourself and the healing must come at least to some degree from outside yourself. The pain came from people with skin and the healing must come from people with skin. We expect horrible words from ultra-cons, that's what they do, it is their business. But when hard words come from liberals, it stings hard. But, not every liberal has lost so much. So, the quest for healing remains. It will come, it just takes time and patience.

[Sister Alvear]

That was a very compassionate post...