So my wife and I have decided to look into possibly attending a different church. We have always gone to an oneness UPC church and now we have decided to check things out at a different church. The church we have visited and are interested in preaches acts 2:38 and has had wonderful services every time we have visited. The church preaches the same message our church does but doesn’t seem to focus on the traditions our church focuses on. They seem to really love one another and are very welcoming when we visit.
MY pastor is aware of this decision and gave us his blessing to search for what it is we think we need. I have always been active in my church and have held positions and have always respected the rules because I was in leadership. I have decided I can’t do it anymore and I needed be true to who I am and my wife feels the same so this is the reason for our search.
Members of our current church heard we visited this other church and they are now praying for our salvation and have labeled us as backslidden and their faith in us has diminished..This was in an email I received from one of them.
How can this be?? I can’t believe people have this mentality.
Im writing this hear because I don’t in anyway want to offend those that go to my church or disrespect my Pastor but Im so confused...why on earth would people think this? DO we (UPC) tradition holders really think we are the only heaven bound people out there? Like I said we were just visiting and looking around with the POSSIBILITY of leaving but now why would we stay?
Its hurts to think people who have been friends with for so many years could turn their back on us so fast. I in no way would condemn them for holding certain traditions and staying where they are so what gives them the right to do it to me?
Anyway guess I just had to get it off my chest so I didn’t regret calling or emailing someone!...
19,
Folks get disappointed that people they love no longer embrace everything that they were, and in a sense they feel personal rejection. So don't let it become personal with you, just love them anyway, though it may be at a distance.
Walk the paths that God has set before you, and quickly move beyond the emotions of justifying the decisions that you are making. If you have a good conscience toward God move on in His paths. Love those from your current church relationships, but don't argue and defend your decisions, let the love of Jesus shine.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
So my wife and I have decided to look into possibly attending a different church. We have always gone to an oneness UPC church and now we have decided to check things out at a different church. The church we have visited and are interested in preaches acts 2:38 and has had wonderful services every time we have visited. The church preaches the same message our church does but doesn’t seem to focus on the traditions our church focuses on. They seem to really love one another and are very welcoming when we visit.
MY pastor is aware of this decision and gave us his blessing to search for what it is we think we need. I have always been active in my church and have held positions and have always respected the rules because I was in leadership. I have decided I can’t do it anymore and I needed be true to who I am and my wife feels the same so this is the reason for our search.
Members of our current church heard we visited this other church and they are now praying for our salvation and have labeled us as backslidden and their faith in us has diminished..This was in an email I received from one of them.
How can this be?? I can’t believe people have this mentality.
Im writing this hear because I don’t in anyway want to offend those that go to my church or disrespect my Pastor but Im so confused...why on earth would people think this? DO we (UPC) tradition holders really think we are the only heaven bound people out there? Like I said we were just visiting and looking around with the POSSIBILITY of leaving but now why would we stay?
Its hurts to think people who have been friends with for so many years could turn their back on us so fast. I in no way would condemn them for holding certain traditions and staying where they are so what gives them the right to do it to me?
Anyway guess I just had to get it off my chest so I didn’t regret calling or emailing someone!...
If someone is taking the time to pray for your salvation, it must be because they have strong feelings about the situation. Technically speaking, if they feel you are lost for some reason, or at least going in that direction, I would be disappointed if they didn't pray about it.
I wouldn't worry about it--just realize that it isn't going to hurt you to have someone praying for you, whatever the reason.
The best thing you can do is remain friendly and open. Shutting people out, or showing your frustration will confirm their worst fears. If these are people you've known for years, then I would assume their concern is heartfelt, and try to appreciate it on principle.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Because OPs have a long tradition of shootring their wounded. Not that you are wounded, but that you are percieved (by them) to be wounded. I know it hurts, it stinks, but thats the way it is. As long as you "submit" as long as you follow the rules and stay inside the box, you are one of THEM. But just try tyhinking for you self, or try following what you believe the Lord is leading you to do, its to the Backslid Bin with ya. I know. Been there for a long time now.
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
Traditions are as strong in such circles as they are in the Catholic Church. And the partisan mentality in the Catholic church is just as present, too.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
I am supposed to believe that you have been in leadership in a conservative UPCI church for years now and you are “shocked” that those folks are worried about you since it seems you are “going charismatic”?
Get real dude, you know full well what the attitudes are in conservative circles about those who are more liberal than they are. And if you have been any kind of leader at all, you know the people of your church as well as you know anyone on the planet.
So you are “shocked” because it helps your conscience or you aren’t shocked at all and this is just another chance to “bash the UltraCons”. Or maybe you aren’t in leadership at all. I don’t know which it is but there is a lack of honesty happening here and I suspect you are the one you aren’t being honest with.
Don’t blame these people for you turning your back on them! Yea, I said it! YOU are the one walking away, they haven’t gone anywhere. YOU are rejecting what THEY ARE. It isn’t the other way around. Ostensibly (according to you) you have been teaching these people for years how to act and look. Now you are walking away from your own teaching.
This is about YOU bro. It is not now, nor has it ever been about the people you have been going to church with that aren’t changing.
So here is a bit of advice…. MAN UP. Accept that this is your deal not theirs. Be kind to them and stop acting all shocked that they are shocked and even appalled at your actions. If you are going to make the change, then get with it. Get it done and deal with the fall out and take ownership of your own actions.
And before anyone starts thinking I am a conservative, think again, I have never been a conservative. I never will be. But I have never once in all my life tried to put what I am on other people.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
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