Leaving a church community (Full Version)

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prophet -> Leaving a church community (4/14/2008 10:36:58 PM)

Recently, we have had a change of the priest in charge. Fortunately of unfortunately, the word 'in charge' speaks for itself in our type of denomination.

During the charge of the ex priest, he was able to keep out most types of extra bibilical practices and teachings especially the neo charismatics influences. Howver,the new charge has begin to bring in such practices as he sees them as good for church growth with the documented 'success' and experinece.

i am not for all this neo charismatic stuff and influences which i consider leaven that the devil has managed to slip into the church.

Question is when does one leave the church community? My ministry has been to be watchman for our community. Has worked well with the old charge. but the new one just gives comments like

quote:

If it is a wrong decision I am answerable to God


inspite of the questions that i bring to him and which remain unanswered.

i do not wish to be in obedience to a pastor who teaches stuff which i consider to be extra biblical
However, i do consider my ministry as one to be obeyed.

i have prayed and i believe that the Lord has given this :

quote:

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.


Please pray for me and family so that we will make the right choices according to His will.

Thanks and Shalom



faithfulservant_ -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 2:08:06 AM)

I would only leave a church if I was moving out of town. Otherwise, it is important to establish yourself at one church. Having said that, it is also extremely important that your church is not preaching against the word of God. There are lots of false teachers out there so you need to make sure that your pastor is preaching the word of God. Throughout my life, I left 2 churches voluntarily, because of unbiblical teachings.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." (2 Peter 2:1)

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)



prophet -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 8:31:00 PM)

FaithfulS,

Thanks for your reply.

i have been in this community for the last 15 years.

Unfortunately, this has to happen.

i am praying what is the priority now.....my calling or my family?

Shalom



earthless -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 8:47:04 PM)

Family is your first ministry.



prophet -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 8:55:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

Family is your first ministry.


Earthless

Thanks. But, if family.....what aspects first?

a) their ministry

b) their protection from these tachings

c) others

Shalom



lw9 -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 10:35:12 PM)

quote:

Prophet: Question is when does one leave the church community? My ministry has been to be watchman for our community.


I can only answer for me, not for you, so this is only my perspective. Also, I don't know the extent of what your church is getting into, so again I will only speak from my point of view.

If a church is clearly headed down the wrong path and is rebelling against God's word with no will or desire to repent and turn around, I would have no problem leaving. Scripturally we are told to turn away from those things. If I had brought my concerns as far as they can go to the head pastor and he will not budge, then that is going to be the direction of the church and there's nothing I can do to change that. I will not remain in fellowship with a church that openly rebels against God. I don't have children, but if I did I would be very concerned about what they might learn from a church going in the wrong direction. I would not want them to be influenced by destructive teachings or practices.

quote:

Please pray for me and family so that we will make the right choices according to His will.


I will.



prophet -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 11:00:18 PM)

lw

Thanks for your input. Appreciate it very much.

Shalom



lw9 -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/15/2008 11:18:28 PM)

prophet:

No worries. I'm just truly sorry that things are not going well with your church. Hey, whatever His decision, I pray He will give you clear guidance and wisdom on this matter. God bless you!



crankius -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/16/2008 12:32:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lw9
If a church is clearly headed down the wrong path and is rebelling against God's word with no will or desire to repent and turn around, I would have no problem leaving. Scripturally we are told to turn away from those things. If I had brought my concerns as far as they can go to the head pastor and he will not budge, then that is going to be the direction of the church and there's nothing I can do to change that. I will not remain in fellowship with a church that openly rebels against God. I don't have children, but if I did I would be very concerned about what they might learn from a church going in the wrong direction. I would not want them to be influenced by destructive teachings or practices.


I agree with lw9.

Prophet, I pray the Lord leads you and your family.



earthless -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/16/2008 8:10:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: prophet

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

Family is your first ministry.


Earthless

Thanks. But, if family.....what aspects first?

a) their ministry

b) their protection from these tachings

c) others

Shalom


Family - as in your spouse, children, your home.

Church ministry does not come before that.



BibleL7 -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/17/2008 4:37:18 AM)

As to when to leave a church I would have to say when He says to. I will keep you in prayer. If it were me, I would pray on whether the Lord wanted me to stay to help the congregation to know that what is happening is not biblical, but if not as the Lord had prepared the congregation by way of the former pastor then perhaps the Lord is leading you to another place. Prayer is of course the first answer. Oh and if the false teaching is spreading and it is taught by children's teachers dont know if you have Sunday school or kids church but if that is a concern then I would definitely get my children out of that church and pray about your staying. If you feel the scripture you quoted is what the Lord keeps bringing to mind then perhaps it is time for you to move on. Pray for the congregation and remember the Lord can put someone else there to counteract the false teaching who does not have family concerns. I will say that your ministry is needed in other churches as well and the Lord also changes ministries at times. One thing I have witnessed is people thinking they had to continue in the same ministry and see it deteriorate the ministry and the minister. There is a reason that the Lord had sabbatical years to rest the land and the workers of it. When the Lord leads one to leave a certain ministry He will usually lead to another or He might want you to rest for a time then lead you to another ministry. Too many times people wear themselves down in ministry for they think that the Lord put them there and they must put it first. One of the pastors I know of always taught that priorities should be first and foremost your relationship with the Lord, second your relationship with you spouse, then family, then ministry. Oh the family he usually referred to was his children. For if you put ministry first it will not be good for your family or the Lord.

Remember when Elijah was in the cave the Lord said He had seven thousand others that had not bowed their knee to Baal. He was letting Elijah know that He had other servants He could use, and Elijah did not have to take care of everything on his own. We are to do as we are told and not think that we are only ones the Lord is using. Also remember if He chooses to use someone else that does not mean you are good enough or doing what you are supposed to. Sometimes He likes to give others a chance to minister. You may not see why or how the Lord is working things out but then if we could do that then He would not be God. His ways are much higher than ours.

Just the opinion of a small town preacher



PastorPatricia -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/17/2008 4:06:09 PM)

Hi, What church are you attending, you say Priest-in-charge which makes me think Catholic, Anglican or maybe Luthern. Have you spoke to the Bishop or whoever is the authority over the Priest? Share your concerns with them and then make the decision to stay and try to affect change from within or go.



WesP -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/17/2008 4:11:52 PM)

quote:

If a church is clearly headed down the wrong path and is rebelling against God's word with no will or desire to repent and turn around, I would have no problem leaving. Scripturally we are told to turn away from those things. If I had brought my concerns as far as they can go to the head pastor and he will not budge, then that is going to be the direction of the church and there's nothing I can do to change that. I will not remain in fellowship with a church that openly rebels against God. I don't have children, but if I did I would be very concerned about what they might learn from a church going in the wrong direction. I would not want them to be influenced by destructive teachings or practices.


I also agree with lw. The only thing I can add is that I have children, and I have been in this position before. I had to leave, but my children and I are the better for it. We have been blessed with a church family that is second to none. God bless!



sisrev -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/17/2008 5:00:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: prophet
However, i do consider my ministry as one to be obeyed.


Would you elaborate on this statement? You are stating that your ministry must be obeyed by who?



prophet -> RE: Leaving a church community (4/18/2008 12:48:51 AM)

BibleL7

Thanks for your messge. It was most encouraging i these times.

real58

i am Anglican and the bishops even worse off. In the past, my ex pastor was a very respected elderly man. Bishops pretty new in his position, so he dare not force his way into our community. Now that ex pastors retired off, this new pastor is probably just implementing the bishops wishes.... [&o]

sisrev

That quote refers to me. Its a ministry that i believe that the Lord has put upon me all those yaers ago. i intend to obey Him for all the discouragements that i have been and going through in my flesh. However, i am so at peace in my spirit.

To all, i am so greatly blessed by all the replies here. God sure has His ways, even when we are so far, divided by seas and continents, He has send you all to minister to me.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Halleluyah!

Shalom



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