ex-shep
10-29-2005, 10:59 PM
I did make a decision to find a church closer to home. Thirty miles is a little too far to establish relationships, even in the spread out environs of Texas. I was encountering scripture twisting. I do not feel it was malicious, but poor training. The enviroment struck me as being friendly, relaxed, but inept. Ryrie in his study bible makes the comment that rightly dividing the word of truth involves both analysis and presentation. He has excellent point. The sloppiness was simply too disconcerting and my conscience was not going to let me get away with it.
Also if a member of her church were to join the forum, I felt there might be something of an awkward conflict of interest. Emotional safety is paramount on the forum. I will not jeaporadize that for any reason.
How is it today? It depends where one worships. The group has evolved into an denomination with an autonomous congregational structure. Each church has a distinct flavor and mission raging from megachurch to storefront mission. The church close to where I lived was relaxed. Most members in New Members class had been attending six months to a year before joining. The expectations were spelled out a reasonable straightforward manner. I did take some the other advanced classes. I never saw any hidden agenda. My reasons for coming were straightforward. The senior pastor grew up during the shepherding years and was willing to eat his humble pie a la mode and eager to put it far behind. Their hearts are certainly in the right place.
I have listened to sermons from other fellowships on the internet. Responses to the services ranged from benign to interesting to alarm bells going off. I could rattle off Lifton's criteria for mind control in action in most virulant cases.
If I were to grade the church today, overall, probally a C+. They have come a long way from their virulent beginnings. I will certainly pray the group continues that way.
In the meantime, prayers appreciated as my wife and find a new church home.
Also if a member of her church were to join the forum, I felt there might be something of an awkward conflict of interest. Emotional safety is paramount on the forum. I will not jeaporadize that for any reason.
How is it today? It depends where one worships. The group has evolved into an denomination with an autonomous congregational structure. Each church has a distinct flavor and mission raging from megachurch to storefront mission. The church close to where I lived was relaxed. Most members in New Members class had been attending six months to a year before joining. The expectations were spelled out a reasonable straightforward manner. I did take some the other advanced classes. I never saw any hidden agenda. My reasons for coming were straightforward. The senior pastor grew up during the shepherding years and was willing to eat his humble pie a la mode and eager to put it far behind. Their hearts are certainly in the right place.
I have listened to sermons from other fellowships on the internet. Responses to the services ranged from benign to interesting to alarm bells going off. I could rattle off Lifton's criteria for mind control in action in most virulant cases.
If I were to grade the church today, overall, probally a C+. They have come a long way from their virulent beginnings. I will certainly pray the group continues that way.
In the meantime, prayers appreciated as my wife and find a new church home.