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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
The bad words spoken from a pulpit against another church will not be a God issue.
The words however are taken at face value by many saints.
They take on the attitudes of the minister.
Thus the thought you get what you preach.
If you preach against another church then your church members will continue to talk bad about those folks.
When these ignorant men just need to shut up and do the Lords work in their ministry and church.
That is my point....
Thanks for explaining. I see your point. You are talking about the surface (physical) power of words. I was in reference to a deeper Spiritual conflict at hand. (i.e. prayer)
However, we don't know that the words spoken were "bad." Misplaced indignation perhaps, but not "bad" of themselves.
There is plenty of Bible for what they are doing, if done in the right spirit, for the right reasons.
If this is not the case, and "bad" or false words were used, then they will answer for it.
I have some similar experiences here. I've been the subject of such harsh pulpiteerisms. At first the words work, but over time people become curious because the witness didn't hold, and then your true friends, and those with the right spirit seek you out.
My advice is to let the words fly if nothing can be done peaceable, and runneth thine own race.
Theoph--
I don't think there is ever any reason to call some other preacher's name or church name from a pulpit in a bad or critical manner. These men do not even know us, only what they've heard about us. It is based on standards mostly, and some doctrinally. Some of what was said has NO BASIS of truth at all; just idle gossip.
Yes, they were ultra con churches, one UPC, others not.
I think because we are growing rapidly, preachers think we are a threat. It's really funny, because we rarely get people from Pentecostal backgrounds. Most all of the people we reach are from other denominations (non-Spirit filled) or just sinners from the streets!
West Jackson Baptist (the biggest church in town) is across the street from us and they have a picture of our church up in their prayer room, to pray for us and our success in this town. What a show of the love of Christ!! They are being must more Godly than the Pentecostal ones who slam us to their saints.
Theoph--
I don't think there is ever any reason to call some other preacher's name or church name from a pulpit in a bad or critical manner. These men do not even know us, only what they've heard about us. It is based on standards mostly, and some doctrinally. Some of what was said has NO BASIS of truth at all; just idle gossip.
Yes, they were ultra con churches, one UPC, others not.
I think because we are growing rapidly, preachers think we are a threat. It's really funny, because we rarely get people from Pentecostal backgrounds. Most all of the people we reach are from other denominations (non-Spirit filled) or just sinners from the streets!
West Jackson Baptist (the biggest church in town) is across the street from us and they have a picture of our church up in their prayer room, to pray for us and our success in this town. What a show of the love of Christ!! They are being must more Godly than the Pentecostal ones who slam us to their saints.
It's an epidemic ... Sherri. The UCs in their zeal do not see they are sick. You are right ... there is absolutely no reason to call out other preachers in this manner ... but it's DONE IN THE NAME OF TRUTH ... absolutely SICKENING .... if you ask me ....
West Jackson Baptist (the biggest church in town) is across the street from us and they have a picture of our church up in their prayer room, to pray for us and our success in this town. What a show of the love of Christ!!
Amazingly (wonder of all wonders... yeah, right.:sshhh ) this thread only took a few posts to delve into another "UPC = Antichrist" thread. Thankfully Sherri was more tactful in that her opening post didn't point a finger at anybody.
Sherri, I appreciate the fact that you wanted to discuss a dilemma that you are facing. I also appreciate the fact that you didn't do it in a 'the UPC is evil' way. It speaks of your character.
I think that the quick pointing to the UPC or 'UC' Churches actually does a disservice to what she sincerely wanted to discuss. The fact is that it does happen and it happens on EVERY side at one time or another. I've preached too many meetings in too many Districts and sat around too many tables with UPC, Independent, ACI and other preachers to not know this is the truth.
Sherri, it's unfortunate that it happens... yet it does. It takes character to stay out of the mudslinging. When I came to my city 19 years ago I was here ONE DAY and a 'concerned Elder' who was a Pastor took me aside and told me every reason that I should hate the man across town (a split from years ago) and work against him every way I could.
Being the kind, laid back type of person I generally am () I stood up, shook his hand and headed for the door. When he asked where I was going I told him, "My Brother, I came to this city for a revival and not for a feud. I'm going to have revival and if someone hates me for it then they can be my enemy but I will not be theirs."
Ironically, through time several things fell uniquely into play:
1. I have had a great revival in this city and our Church is blessed in every way.
2. My neighboring Pastor and I have a good relationship in spite of a few differences in standards.
3. The 'concerned Elder' has now retired from Pastoring and started coming to my Church because, in his words, "I respected him from the first time I met him. He didn't take long to prove he was worthy of that respect."
If I had taken up the battle then I, along with my Church, would have been the losers. I'm glad I didn't.
To be on the receiving end of criticism by other churches or pastors within a community, town or city is not a new thing. Is it okay for them to do that? No, probably not, but I'm sure they feel that they're within their rights to do that and would justify doing so.
__________________ Smiles & Blessings.... ~Felicity Welsh~ (surname courtesy of Jim Yohe)
It's an epidemic ... Sherri. The UCs in their zeal do not see they are sick. You are right ... there is absolutely no reason to call out other preachers in this manner ... but it's DONE IN THE NAME OF TRUTH ... absolutely SICKENING .... if you ask me ....
It's truly sad what some folks feel they can justify in the name of defending the truth. The truth doesn't need to be defended, it only needs to be preached in love and it will overcome every resistance it meets on the way to making one free.
People who call down other churches and ministers from their pulpits don't know what spirit they are of. What we know is that they don't have the spirit of Christ. To be a Christ "ian" is to be of Christ. There is much that is said and done in the name of the Lord that is not "of Christ".
So one day Jesus and his disciples were walking along talking and Jesus says
"offenses will come. Men will say bad things about you"
the disciples say "Lord increase our faith"
Jesus says "you have enough faith already"
interestingly enough, Jesus said in another place that casting out a devil took the same amount of faith.
Sherri, it seems you and Eddie are blessed.
Mt 5:11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
) I stood up, shook his hand and headed for the door. When he asked where I was going I told him, "My Brother, I came to this city for a revival and not for a feud. I'm going to have revival and if someone hates me for it then they can be my enemy but I will not be theirs."
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