Is the grass truly greener....on the other side?!?

[ILG]

okayyyyyy.........................

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by ILG

okayyyyyy.........................

How about:

Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by unitedpraise10

The church that I refereed to here in Missouri, literally transformed within a couple of months. Thats pretty quick...I think. I've had been there several times over the years, and always that it was a power packed church. Very Apostolic, if thats what you wanna call it. I recently visited, and there is no sign that it was a UPCI church at all. It's crazy....

In Romans 12, we read: (KJV)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Would you say a church was TRANSFORMED or that it CONFORMED!

Not to offend! Just asking a question!

Falla39

[ILG]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

How about:

Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Oh definitely. I can just feeeel it.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by ILG

I can only speak for myself. My husband and I pastored for 10 years. For most of those years, I was a true believer. I was completely sold out and gave everything I had and then some. I didn't see any holes in the doctrine. In time, I began to see holes in the doctrines. The fact that people treated us like ........ the whole time we were in the UPC left no hard decisions. If the doctrine is incorrect, there is no need to put up with the ......... The grass is definitely greener. We don't attend church anywhere. I am much happier. I am not saying this route is for everyone, but at this stage in my life, it is the best thing I ever did. I may never return to anything. I do miss community, but since there never was a whole lot of that anyway, I probably more miss the idea or dream of what I wanted church to be more than what it really was.

ILG, I find your post sad. I am sorry you were seemingly faced with such difficult decisions.

Speaking for myself, I feel because I was a true believer and did not place my confidence in man-made denominations I was never set up for a similar departure from church and what you call "community".

Having to choose I may very well have made the same choice as you. Thankfully, it's not at all necessary for me.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by unitedpraise10

The church that I refereed to here in Missouri, literally transformed within a couple of months. Thats pretty quick...I think. I've had been there several times over the years, and always that it was a power packed church. Very Apostolic, if thats what you wanna call it. I recently visited, and there is no sign that it was a UPCI church at all. It's crazy....

Perhaps your expectations are beyond what is required to be UPC?

Are we talking style of worship?

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

ILG, I find your post sad. I am sorry you were seemingly faced with such difficult decisions.

Speaking for myself, I feel because I was a true believer and did not place my confidence in man-made denominations I was never set up for a similar departure from church and what you call "community".

Having to choose I may very well have made the same choice as you. Thankfully, it's not at all necessary for me.

I just want to say, that I appreciate that you say that if you had to choose, you may have made the same choice. The problem for me was that I as a true believer both in the sense that I believed wholeheartedly in God AND in what I was taught....so that when what I was taught came crashing down....I felt there was no real decision to make. It was time to walk away. I would have stayed had my husband chosen to do so, but there was no need, since he also chose to walk away. Staying would have been very difficult and probably even more taxing on our health. Our health had already taken a severe toll. I firmly believe the right decision was made. It has also brought a lot more peace with my extended family as they never supported what we were doing. The fact that the church treated us so badly factored in. There was no reason to stay and every reason to hightail it out of there.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

ILG, I find your post sad. I am sorry you were seemingly faced with such difficult decisions.

Speaking for myself, I feel because I was a true believer and did not place my confidence in man-made denominations I was never set up for a similar departure from church and what you call "community".

Having to choose I may very well have made the same choice as you. Thankfully, it's not at all necessary for me.

The beauty is they didn't walk away from God. Some do.

[Falla39]

Someone who had left their first love, would later say, "I always thought the grass
would be greener on the other side, but it was amazing how quickly it turned brown"!
I have also heard those who said, "IF I could only do it over, I would not have done this
or that!
Also those who said, "If I could only have seen what I see now"! or "If I could only go
back and do it over"!
Then there are those who will say how much better it is now! And there are always some
who are too proud to say, "I made a mistake".
This could apply for more than one situation. Anyone who left a marriage too hastily,
a good job situation while angry, or a good church, following others who were dissatified,
or other!
If we are following GOD, we will seek His WILL. If we are following man/men, we will go
where/when he/they go. Sometimes we may need to stand still, even though others are
moving on. I'd rather travel ALONE with GOD, than to travel with a multitude who is out
of the Will of God!
When in doubt...DON"T!!!

Falla39

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

The beauty is they didn't walk away from God. Some do.

And this is true too. It seems to be a problem with denominationalism in general.

I am in reasonably close fellowship with several non OP churches. I can assure you that this issue is not limited to Pentecostals, UPC, standards, or Oneness view of scripture.

The exit is a very busy place in most church denominations nowadays. And as you point, out very often those departing are distancing themselves from their faith entirely.