I have Left the UPC Church

[tbpew]

Mich,
thanks for about the 10000000000th time of being a great example of openness and subjecting yourself to the views of others.

I am hopeful that you are joining a set of completely diverse seekers that will help discuss and help shape patterns and conduct for our shared experience in the body of Christ. Helping set in order the things pertaining to each member of God's own body and how these precious, blood-bought members connect with each other.

The familiar, building-centered model with a founding/senior member-minister is pretty well understood for its pros and cons. The reasonable question is "Who built it, God or a man?". The answer to this will point to who we being discipled by, the Spirit of God or the spirit of a man?

There is no lack of potential dramatic and intimidating rhetoric out there. A pretty good representation of the doom-n-gloom, for those who look beyond the central building-based gatherings to find God, has been represented here.

Enjoy the journey.
Celebrate the growth opportunities.
Ask God to lead you to initimate assembly where every participant contributes. Your soul can be greatly prospered where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus.

Smile, be happy, your God takes care of the sparrows and he knows what you have need of.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by tbpew

Mich,
thanks for about the 10000000000th time of being a great example of openness and subjecting yourself to the views of others.

I am hopeful that you are joining a set of completely diverse seekers that will help discuss and help shape patterns and conduct for our shared experience in the body of Christ. Helping set in order the things pertaining to each member of God's own body and how these precious, blood-bought members connect with each other.

The familiar, building-centered model with a founding/senior member-minister is pretty well understood for its pros and cons. The reasonable question is "Who built it, God or a man?". The answer to this will point to who we being discipled by, the Spirit of God or the spirit of a man?

There is no lack of potential dramatic and intimidating rhetoric out there. A pretty good representation of the doom-n-gloom, for those who look beyond the central building-based gatherings to find God, has been represented here.

Enjoy the journey.
Celebrate the growth opportunities.
Ask God to lead you to initimate assembly where every participant contributes. Your soul can be greatly prospered where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus.

Smile, be happy, your God takes care of the sparrows and he knows what you have need of.

Thank you TBP!

Originally Posted by Michlow

I certainly don't plan on it! But keep praying for me!

I most certainly will. Are you going to another church right now, or are you just seeking God for yourself at home?

I know how it can be about not going to a UPC church, because I have been there, done that, and bought the shirt. I have had many issues with them because of some of the things that they do at UPC churches, which has nothing to do with God. I also believe that for the most part, there are some great UPC pastors out there that love God enough to only preach the truth.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by WordPreacher

I most certainly will. Are you going to another church right now, or are you just seeking God for yourself at home?

I know how it can be about not going to a UPC church, because I have been there, done that, and bought the shirt. I have had many issues with them because of some of the things that they do at UPC churches, which has nothing to do with God. I also believe that for the most part, there are some great UPC pastors out there that love God enough to only preach the truth.

Right now I am kind of in Limbo. My husband and I are having church in our Home (which means he is actually going to church, which is a bonus )

I have made no decision whether or not I will look for another church, try to find a home church, or just gather with other believers as the Lord has not given me my next step at this point.

Originally Posted by Michlow

Right now I am kind of in Limbo. My husband and I are having church in our Home (which means he is actually going to church, which is a bonus )

I have made no decision whether or not I will look for another church, try to find a home church, or just gather with other believers as the Lord has not given me my next step at this point.

Well, I know how that can be, but the Lord can lead you to where He wants you to be. Be strong and of good courage, because the Lord is with thee.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Right now I am kind of in Limbo. My husband and I are having church in our Home (which means he is actually going to church, which is a bonus )

I have made no decision whether or not I will look for another church, try to find a home church, or just gather with other believers as the Lord has not given me my next step at this point.

Mich,

Please hear me when I say this. Make sure that your husband and you go to the same church. My wife and I are not attending the same church. She is going to the one she was raised in. I and other were burned by that church so I have been attending another one. I refuse to go back to the other one. But my wife is not following me either and it has put a real, real tough strain on our marriage. By the grace of God we are still doing ok, but it takes so much more work than it should. Please make sure that it is a decision made by both of you!

[Michlow]

To my secret lurker friend who is reading this right now: Hurry up and register already, I need more people in my amen Corner!

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Michlow

To my secret lurker friend who is reading this right now: Hurry up and register already, I need more people in my amen Corner!

AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Bring back you old avatar, pleeeease!

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Timmy

AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Bring back you old avatar, pleeeease!

Naahhh...I think this was fits my new image a little better

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by WordPreacher

Well, I know how that can be, but the Lord can lead you to where He wants you to be. Be strong and of good courage, because the Lord is with thee.

Thank you for your kind words.

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

Mich,

Please hear me when I say this. Make sure that your husband and you go to the same church. My wife and I are not attending the same church. She is going to the one she was raised in. I and other were burned by that church so I have been attending another one. I refuse to go back to the other one. But my wife is not following me either and it has put a real, real tough strain on our marriage. By the grace of God we are still doing ok, but it takes so much more work than it should. Please make sure that it is a decision made by both of you!

My husband is not much for church in the first place, he goes about 2 or 3 times a year, usually the major holidays, if it means he would go more often, we can go whereever he chooses. (But I don't have too much confidence that he will actually choose a place, he just doesn't care enough)