I go cause of my wife... do I believe in some of the things they do not really and we have two boys I fill like when they get old enough to ask questions me and my wife will sit down and talk about it....Other then that I just sit and chill and don't get caught up in the "Extra Biblical hoopla" that goes on sometimes... So it's just a church and all churches have there weak points so I just basically go to make her happy...And yes we have had our spats over things...Mostly the tongues and how they are being used in the church.....
I would have to agree with your post. Whatever you do, don't isolate yourself from
the ones who care about you.
When I first left, I thought they hated me,despised me, and didn't love me!!!!
In reality................they were just disappointed. Really disappointed!! I was a
5th Generation UPC!!!
God has really been good to me and my family. He was good then. And he is still good! I was blessed
to be able to preach in a lot of good churches, Conferences, etc....
My family served on the district boards, I was a big part of the Organization. I still
have great friends, ministers, pastors, who are in the UPC, and I can call at any time, if I just wanted
to go and preach.
Just love your family!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some will never understand. So don't try and defend
yourself. Just LIve It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OEFM... it ain't easy, but you can do it! Get away! Don't do it a little at a time! Make the break. Pray, make up your mind and pray some more. And the thing that helped me as much as anything was when I made up my mind to simply open the Bible and let it say what it says. Don't read it from the prospect of it backing up your religion, denomination or for an argument. You don't have a religion. You have a God!
The problem with talking to "this one" and to "that one" is that "this one" is going to tell you like "this one" believes it and "that one" is going to tell you like "that one" believes it. And then if you talk to your Pentecostal family they are going to put a guilt trip on you and tell it like you know they believe it. Some times we have to work out our own salvation with "fear and trembling." Since 1980 I have not had the first falling out nor argument with any of my family and I have several that are still UPC. (I just don't discuss it with family!) Maintain your integrity and that doesn't mean telling someone off because they don't see it like you do!
When you've made up your mind, again, don't discuss it with your family. Let them know you love them but that for now you're not going to argue about religion. ......2Ti 2:15* Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
One of the problems is that there are more different Pentecostals than you can shake a stick at. Even in the UPC you can find a mixture of different beliefs, standards, doctrines and ideas. That was one of the things that caused me to leave the UPC in 1980. Every church you went to in the district was operating by a different set of rules it seemed. (Yes, I just painted with a broad brush, but the rules were surely many). It just seemed to me that if we were all operating from the same book, (be it Bible or Manual) it might ought to be more similiar than it was, more the same.
Don't get bitter. And discussions with family and friends at this time can bring about bitterness. And another thing that I would encourage you to do is always keep in mind that you could be wrong about something. Don't develop the idea that you know it all and have it all figured out. I'm still figuring out some things and have come to a better understanding for some of the things that I believe by reading on this forum. My feelings were that I didn't want to just make a change to be making a change, nor did I want to go from one error to another error.
Pray and read! Don't read for argument sake. Read for understanding! Keep an open mind! Pray and read! Don't look for me to give you the answer nor anyone else on AFF. If you start collecting doctrine from AFF you're gonna be a messed up dude! There is enough variety (and maybe nuts...Timmy! just kidding Timmy) on this here forum to drive you nuts! (including me!)
I am praying for you and hope that these few words will help you. Love you in Christ! Hope this makes sense!
Been Thinkin
Great post. The thing that stood out to me most was your opening statement. "Make the break quickly, don't drag it out." I know that many believe it's wise to take things slow when making a major change. Truth is, people are gonna flip out anyway. I've had to learn that twice. The next time I make a major transition, I'll just do it. Get it over with and start the healing process sooner.
I have been Pentecostal for over 20 years. Bottom line..I donn't believe it any more.
Don't believe what exactly?
I have been going through the motions for awhile for the sake of family and friends but am tired.
If your heart is not in it it will tire you out.
I believe in God, but the pentecostal god is kinda bogus, he doesn't deliver on their promises.
The best statement you made is you believe in God. That is the MOST important thing.
Second give an example of the pentecostal god doesn't deliver.
How do I ditch this religion without hurting everyone I love?
The steps of a rightous man are ordered by God. Trust in Him, and follow Him, not man and make sure your heart is in the right place and you are not letting deception creep in.
If you put your faith in man, he will disappoint. If you put it in God HE will be faithful. Doesn't mean He will answer all your prayers the way you want Him to. Second, examine yourself and see what has brought on the disappointments.
No matter what you decide to do, keep God the main thing.
__________________
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
I have been Pentecostal for over 20 years. Bottom line..I donn't believe it any more.
I have been going through the motions for awhile for the sake of family and friends but am tired.
I believe in God, but the pentecostal god is kinda bogus, he doesn't deliver on their promises.
How do I ditch this religion without hurting everyone I love?
Re: How do I leave
Pelathais,
why? Is that also a term I know nothing about?
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