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Author Topic: If you’re not at a GCx church, where are you?  (Read 47293 times)
Linda
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« Reply #40 on: April 03, 2018, 06:53:48 am »

Quote from: GTA
My heart was troubled, in a sad way, for some of the responses to this thread.

I'm glad you find this thread troubling and sad. I, too, am troubled and sad. This should be troubling and sad.

What I wish GCC/ECC defenders understood was that what you are seeing in this thread is part of the fruit of GCC/ECC. It's not the fruit you see, I realize, because you have not experienced what people here have experienced...yet.

I like to think if you had experienced it you would not have been so quick to judge the motives of people posting here and so harsh with your words.

This forum is a testimony to the fact that GCC/ECC messes with people's faith. I believe that is because they have a false understanding of what the Church (big C) is, and a huge misunderstanding of what the church (small c) is.



Quote from: GTA
The church is now your family
Nope. Your family is your family. The church is a type of family, but your family is still you family. Family is such a big deal to God that it is mentioned in the Ten Commandments. It's honor your father and mother. Not honor your elder and pastor.

Quote from: Rebel But in a Good Way
At any rate, I consider interactions like this fellowship and I appreciate the contributions of people on this forum

I loved that you said this, Rebel. I have 25 pages of private messages going back to October 1, 2007. It just occurred to me that while being asked to leave (because the elders were not interested in correcting their error and asked that we leave rather than stay and point out their error) put us in a sad, difficult, lonely spot regarding church, God placed us in a church in many ways. While we were floundering figuring out what 501c3 non profit we would call our church home, God led us to some long term Bible studies, sent us good Christian friends and relatives who could come along on our journey, and gave us fellowship through this forum with people we don't even know, but, yet, we do know because they have been long term pen pal encouragers. Some of them I've even met.

I have more to say, but no time this morning.
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GoingClear
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« Reply #41 on: April 03, 2018, 07:08:40 am »

Amen Linda, until someone has gone through what most of us have experienced on this forum we should have grace for those who this is really foreign too. It’s either you can relate or you can’t almost until it has happened to you personally.
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wisemind
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« Reply #42 on: April 03, 2018, 07:14:09 am »

bLizard, thank you for your post. I can identify so well with what you say! To me, it sounds like you are actually healthier spiritually than many Christians who are blindly following "the rules" and not really questioning anything. You say you've broken free and I truly believe you are free! You are free to stay home with your family if you choose, free to love and respect people who are different (gay, atheist, other religions, etc.) and not fear them or try to get them to believe what you think they should believe. You admit you have doubts, questions, and have left the "black and white" thinking behind. You are free to question things and use your God given mind to think for yourself. Your eyes have been opened to the mystery of God. All the answers aren't found in the Bible or church or pastors or anywhere, yet you still say you believe in Jesus. That is what true faith is, I think. Negative, abusive church experiences leave people hurt, scarred, sometimes suffering from PTSD, and sometimes guilt ridden because their faith is lost or looks different. I have to believe that God has deep compassion, care, and love  for those wounded by abusive church leaders and groups. You left "the church" but I don't think God has left you. Celebrate your freedom! You see more clearly now than many people ever will.
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Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #43 on: April 03, 2018, 08:32:50 am »

I appreciate the comments.  I really want to keep this thread positive, as I feel there is a lot at stake.  I will just post a couple verses, and also a really good commentary on the subject of the Body of Christ from Desiring God. 

Ephesians 2:19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another
1 Corinthians 12:12
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SERMON REGARDING THE BODY OF CHRIST


https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/we-though-many-are-one-body-in-christ 
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G_Prince
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« Reply #44 on: April 03, 2018, 08:48:47 am »

G Prince,

Please don’t give up on Jesus. His church may have let you down because it is filled with humans like me and you who are wretched apart from Christ. Jesus will never let you down. I highly recommend the book “Has Christianity failed you?” By Ravi Zacharias. Heaven is only reached through Jesus Christ.

Thanks for the response GoingClear. To be clear myself, I didn't exit religion because of others; in fact I stayed far longer than I wanted to because of relationships. I've met too many sincere, kind-hearted Christians to believe that the church's flaws are simply the mistakes and misteachings of "wreteched" humans. It's the beliefs and practices of Christianity itself that ultimately inspired me to leave. 

I'm not trying to degenerate anyone else's beliefs here or debate anything. I hope all of you are empowered and vitalized by whatever level of faith you practice. I just wanted to share my experience and let others know that life outside of Christianity isn't the hell-scape that many imagine. 
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Here's an easy way to find out if you're in a cult. If you find yourself asking the question, "am I in a cult?" the answer is yes. -Stephen Colbert
Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #45 on: April 03, 2018, 09:49:22 am »



 

I'm not trying to degenerate anyone else's beliefs here or debate anything. I hope all of you are empowered and vitalized by whatever level of faith you practice. I just wanted to share my experience and let others know that life outside of Christianity isn't the hell-scape that many imagine. 

It is not the life here on earth that should matter, it will matter when you leave this earth, and where you will spend eternity.  The Bible is quite clear on this issue.  I am not sure where you are at as far as accepting Christ's salvation and the forgiveness of your sins, but I wanted to counter your statement above. 
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GoingClear
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« Reply #46 on: April 03, 2018, 10:13:20 am »

Godtrumpsall desiring God is a great ministry thanks for posting that message.
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Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #47 on: April 03, 2018, 11:02:11 am »

bLizard, thank you for your post. I can identify so well with what you say! To me, it sounds like you are actually healthier spiritually than many Christians who are blindly following "the rules" and not really questioning anything. You say you've broken free and I truly believe you are free! You are free to stay home with your family if you choose, free to love and respect people who are different (gay, atheist, other religions, etc.) and not fear them or try to get them to believe what you think they should believe. You admit you have doubts, questions, and have left the "black and white" thinking behind. You are free to question things and use your God given mind to think for yourself. Your eyes have been opened to the mystery of God. All the answers aren't found in the Bible or church or pastors or anywhere, yet you still say you believe in Jesus. That is what true faith is, I think. Negative, abusive church experiences leave people hurt, scarred, sometimes suffering from PTSD, and sometimes guilt ridden because their faith is lost or looks different. I have to believe that God has deep compassion, care, and love  for those wounded by abusive church leaders and groups. You left "the church" but I don't think God has left you. Celebrate your freedom! You see more clearly now than many people ever will.

Wisemind, The bible is quite black and white, there is not a gray area for whether or not Christ died for your sins so that you might have life.  Yes we can respect people that choose different beliefs, but it does not change that when they die, if they have rejected Christ's free gift of salvation, the Bible is clear; there will be eternity separated from God=hell.  I hope and pray that you accepted Christ's free gift, and if so, we are not take hold of the things that bring you peace but then ignore all else that the Bible teaches us.  This is not Christianity, but a modern day form of religion that is all about doing what makes you feel good.  Either we take all of the Word, or it is meaningless. 

All the answers are found in the Bible and the power of God's word, his instruction manual for this life. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.


As far as trying to "make" others believe what we believe....it is commanded that we are to be ready to share our faith.  We need to do this in love, and with much grace.  But we are commanded to proclaim the truth. We are to let our light shine.   We should be concerned with other's lives, it is actually the most important thing we can be doing at Christians...it is our job.   How can we just keep the amazing-ness of freedom in Christ to ourselves?

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Matthew 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come

Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek

Mark 16:15  And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation

There are many more of these commandments in the bible.  You can continue to believe what you want to, I totally feel this is your prerogative, but I would hope you would reevaluate, ask God, those who ask He will answer.  Ask God to show you truth, to reveal himself to you.  I care about your life and you as a person, I value you, but God values you way more and His love for you is immeasurable. 
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GodisFaithful
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« Reply #48 on: April 03, 2018, 11:04:16 am »

"I really want to keep this thread positive, as I feel that there is a lot at stake." -GTA

GTA,

It is not up to you to say whether this thread stays "positive" (according to your definition whatever that is). You seem to believe that everything about GCx is positive, no spiritual abuse there, no twisting of scripture, no big flaws. You have gone on and on and on defending GCx and all it's pastors. While the whole reason for this forum is for people who have been affected negatively by one or more aspects of GCx. You have said in past posts that we are not justified in this forum, that we are gossips, angry, hate filled, and other negative stuff.

There are quite a few people on this forum who are having a very difficult time with trust in a church or in Christianity or in a pastor/pastors. It is taking time to get beyond their/our experience.  You seem to have indicated that all of us, except maybe Going Clear, left GCx because we were the problem.

And then you come on this thread and you seem to feel responsible to keep it "positive", as if you are in charge of the tone, and telling all of us what is positive and what is not.  You are not the moderator of this forum, even though you might like to have that job.

Quoting the right verse is not going to help a lot of people here.  Your attitude here, on the whole, I would say is adversarial and holier-than-thou. So it is very hard for me to stomach you quoting verses at people, like that is going to help. We have been steeped in verses thrown at us.

Believe it or not, you cannot take credit even for your own faith. If a person has faith in Jesus, it is a work of the Holy Spirit. Pure and simple.

I am positive that I have not appreciated the tone of many of your posts, and if you are here to convert people or get us to stop or change this forum, you will be sorely disappointed in the results of your efforts.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2018, 02:20:37 pm by GodisFaithful » Logged
Linda
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« Reply #49 on: April 03, 2018, 11:18:57 am »

A verse for those of us struggling with church after our GCx experience.

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3
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Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #50 on: April 03, 2018, 11:56:32 am »

"I really want to keep this thread positive, as I feel that there is a lot at stake." -GTA

GTA,

It is not up to you to say whether this thread stays "positive" (according to your definition whatever that is). You seem to believe that everything about GCx is positive, no spiritual abuse there, no twisting of scripture, no big flaws. You have gone on and on and on defending GCx and all it's pastors. While the whole reason for this forum is for people who have been affected negatively by one or more aspects of GCx. You have said in past posts that we are not justified in this forum, that we are gossips, angry, hate filled, and other negative stuff.

There are quite a few people on this forum who are having a very difficult time with trust in a church or in Christianity or in a pastor/pastors. It is taking time to get beyond their/our experience.  You seem to have indicated that all of us, except maybe Going Clear, left GCx because we were the problem.

And then you come on this thread and you seem to feel responsible to keep it "positive", as if you are in charge of the tone, and telling all of us what is positive and what is not.  You are not the moderator of this forum, even though might like to have that job.

Quoting the right verse is not going to help a lot of people here.  Your attitude here, on the whole, I would say is adversarial and holier-than-thou. So it is very hard for me to stomach you quoting verses at people, like that is going to help. We have been steeped in verses thrown at us.

Believe it or not, you cannot take credit even for your own faith. If a person has faith in Jesus, it is a work of the Holy Spirit. Pure and simple.

I am positive that I have not appreciated the tone of many of your posts, and if you are here to convert people or get us to stop or change this forum, you will be sorely disappointed in the results of your efforts.

Of course my posts are adversarial because I don't agree with what is mostly written here...but not holier than thou....I am sharing bible verses appropriate to the situation.  What God says matters!  


Actually I am solely concerned with wanting people to understand the gospel on this thread...that is all.  There are people on this thread, who seem to have completely given up on God, this should concern any Christian. Why I also said trying to keep things positive on this particular thread.   But now it has been turned into blaming GCx.  Sure blame the church, but offer no healing, no spiritual truths??  

I absolutely do not take credit for my own faith ( I am not sure where you got this notion).  I do take credit in choosing to accept Christ, and taking that step of faith.  I accepted, that is all I take credit for, but I realize that God choose me, and God brought me to that place. The rest was God, and is God and continues to be God.  If you knew my story, and who I am as a person, you might treat me differently.  

I have been mocked, spoken rudely to (you have been one of the most rude to me), and mocked some more on this forum.  Many have been downright insulting to my self and others.  Anger and vitriol.   I made one harsh post about this forum in the beginning, and I apologized for my harshness (it revolved around my belief that there is bitterness driving this forum...which I still believe, but I said it in a harsh way).  But none of this bothers me as it will decrease this forum's credibility for those that come visit and read.  I don't foresee me changing anyone's mind on this forum, but that is not why I am posting.

I continue to hold to the fact that there are only one sided stories on this forum.  How can one know the whole truth, and make a judgement when there is only one side to hear.  Just as in court, there is a judge who listens to both sides of the issue, with facts brought forth by both parties to make a fair judgement.  I am not saying it is my job to judge, but I am attempting to give you an idea of the situation at hand.  Just as in divorce, in 99% of cases, both parties have issues that led to their demise.  But if I just heard the story from one side, I would be missing the whole picture, and it sure is easy to believe the story, and feel empathy when just hearing one side. Am I saying that the church, or leaders never made mistakes?  No.  Even in my own life, I can look back at situations, and see how my own issues and failings led to undesirable situations and outcomes.   

I have been so heavy hearted this  past week by the words I see on the forum, the way people are treating others.  Christians (I realize that not everyone here is a Christian) but brothers and sisters in Christ, who are part of the same body of Christ, are speaking so poorly to each other, and about each other, there is no love, there is no forgiveness, there is no grace.  We are not supposed to be like this.  Satan wins.   And then people are on this thread battling between life and death (life in Christ, death without) and no one cares???  
« Last Edit: April 03, 2018, 12:13:40 pm by Godtrumpsall » Logged
araignee19
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« Reply #51 on: April 03, 2018, 12:14:07 pm »

GTA, I think your heart is probably coming from the right place. But you should understand that everyone on this forum was at some point a part of GCx to some degree. Meaning they have heard these verses. There is a big difference in my mind between humbly telling someone "since you have not heard the gospel, may I share it with you?" and what I see you doing here, which intentional or not sounds like "well, you must not have heard or understood these verses before, because if you did you would come to the same conclusions I did. So here is a list of verses." I hate to say it, but that comes off as incredibly arrogant and ignorant of why some people leave Christianity. One of my biggest pet peeves about Christians, unfortunately.

It is one thing to hope and pray people change their minds towards something you believe to be true. It is another entirely to recite verses to people who have already heard them and rejected it for reasons you don't understand because you don't know them personally.

On top of this, I think you have severely undermined your credibility as a Christian witness on this forum. Based on how you have treated others and the things you have said, I don't think you will find many receptive ears here. You burned that bridge. So please, allow people enough respect to make up their own minds. And then quietly pray for them.


Also, how ironic that you tell us we would see you differently if we knew your story, and yet despite all the criticism for people being anonymous here, you have not volunteered your name or story. Hm


EDIT on 4-4-18: I want to apologize that I think this came off much harsher than I intended it. I do not disprove of sharing Bible verses, especially with those who have not heard it or already believe, but I do think the audience should be kept in mind and the message should be tailored to their specific beliefs and needs. This is important to me because of experiences I have had where I was learning towards atheism. When I would express to people where my mind was at, I would be quoted verse after verse I had already heard instead of having my true concerns listened to and addressed. I found it very frustrating and patronizing, and I wish Christians would be more careful not to do this. God can work in people's hearts via their memories of verses too, and other ways. Please trust him to do the work.

Also, reading through GTAs posts as a whole after posting this, I think I disagree with many (ok, the majority) of her conclusions, but for the most part they have been stated carefully and without personal attacks. GTA: Thank you for this, and I apologize for implying otherwise. I would like to ask for your forgiveness for this post.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2018, 12:06:21 pm by araignee19 » Logged
GodisFaithful
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« Reply #52 on: April 03, 2018, 12:18:47 pm »

GTA, It seems that if people do not agree with you, you then think they are rude and that you have a right to condemn them.

Araignee,

Thank you for posting that article a few posts back on Choosing a Church.  

This really resonated with me:

After a bad experience in a church, here is what most people "don't want":

1. a church with a lot of rules, or a church whose pastor thinks he is God's gift to mankind, God's mouthpiece on earth.  (!!!!!!)

2. normal, legitimate pastoral care replaced by meddling in the member's lives (!!!!)

3. a church where opportunities to serve God or others are restricted to a few officially sanctioned activities, or in which members are considered "unspiritual" or "carnal" if they choose to limit their involvement in church.

And then this, if you think you have found a good church fit for you "talk to ex-members of the church".
« Last Edit: April 04, 2018, 02:16:56 pm by GodisFaithful » Logged
Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #53 on: April 03, 2018, 12:36:23 pm »

GTA, I think your heart is probably coming from the right place. But you should understand that everyone on this forum was at some point a part of GCx to some degree. Meaning they have heard these verses. There is a big difference in my mind between humbly telling someone "since you have not heard the gospel, may I share it with you?" and what I see you doing here, which intentional or not sounds like "well, you must not have heard or understood these verses before, because if you did you would come to the same conclusions I did. So here is a list of verses." I hate to say it, but that comes off as incredibly arrogant and ignorant of why some people leave Christianity. One of my biggest pet peeves about Christians, unfortunately.

It is one thing to hope and pray people change their minds towards something you believe to be true. It is another entirely to recite verses to people who have already heard them and rejected it for reasons you don't understand because you don't know them personally.

On top of this, I think you have severely undermined your credibility as a Christian witness on this forum. Based on how you have treated others and the things you have said, I don't think you will find many receptive ears here. You burned that bridge. So please, allow people enough respect to make up their own minds. And then quietly pray for them.


Also, how ironic that you tell us we would see you differently if we knew your story, and yet despite all the criticism for people being anonymous here, you have not volunteered your name or story. Hm

You would not know who I am if you have a name.  I mean know my story, but I dont feel this is a safe space for me to be vulnerable.  And I have not personally criticized the anonymous platform, I however disagree with the one sided stories platform.

And actually, as far as my witness is concerned, I had an old friend call me this week, who has not attended a GCx church for at least 19 years, got on the forum and was reading and distraught,  and mentioned she appreciated the truths GTA was sharing.  True story.  She did not know that was me.   

I share verses, because it is God's word first and foremost, and truth.  And these verses are not "GCx verses" as you implied, I don't recall hearing them at church all the time.   And even though you may have read those verses 100 times, the holy Spirit may want to show you something new about the verse when you read for the 101st time.  As Christians are there any verses we should really be rejecting??  You said "It is one thing to hope and pray people change their minds towards something you believe to be true. It is another entirely to recite verses to people who have already heard them and rejected it for reasons you don't understand because you don't know them personally."
God's word has power, and even if someone is rejecting it yesterday, today the holy spirit or God might move them, might remove the wool from their eyes and allow them to see and understand for the first time.

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« Reply #54 on: April 03, 2018, 01:04:23 pm »

GTA, I totally understand where you are coming from because I used to believe everything you are saying in your post. I was absolutely sure of my beliefs and they never wavered...until the bottom fell out. I needed to search for truth apart from what I had been taught and accepted all my life because so much of it didn't make sense anymore. I used to believe that the Bible was God's infallible, inerrant, inspired Word. "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" I still believe the Bible is inspired, but there are so many contradictions and confusing, confounding passages. It is anything but black and white for me. It is a multidimensional, deep, thought provoking, frustrating, amazingly complicated book that is endlessly studied and debated by theologians and others and no one can truly explain it. That is exciting to me now. It speaks more to me now than it ever has in my whole life. And I can't trust churches/pastors who make it seem "black and white" and tell me this is THE truth, who quote verses at me and tell me the "correct" way to look at it, and if you don't do or say the right thing you are going to hell. I don't believe they know what they are talking about. The Bible, and God, are so much bigger, more mysterious, more interesting and real to me now. In your post you said "Either we take all of the Word, or it is meaningless." I don't know what you mean by that and I don't understand how to do that anymore. Thank you for your concern for my eternal soul. I deeply appreciate your care for me and I believe you are sincere. But I would ask that you would set aside the pat answers and key verses and really listen without quick judgment to those of us on this forum who have shared how those key verses, pat answers, and dogmatic beliefs have done so much damage in our lives. Our stories are real, sometimes raw, and painful. I don't believe Jesus would ever dismiss us as evil slanderers and gossips as some have called us.  I do believe God/Jesus has shown me truth and revealed himself to me, more so now than ever! He is my rock and I do love him with all my heart.
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« Reply #55 on: April 03, 2018, 01:30:16 pm »

...I dont feel this is a safe space for me to be vulnerable.  And I have not personally criticized the anonymous platform, I however disagree with the one sided stories platform.

GTA, I'm absolutely convinced that you mean well in your own heart. I don't doubt that for a moment. However, I'm dismayed that you're still calling this forum one-sided when we've given you every possible proof that it isn't. You, Jeromy, RickTroll, and others from Evergreen have been allowed to say anything and everything you all want on this forum. No one has stopped you, no one has censored you (other than to remove the name of another member whose privacy was purposely violated by one of your folks), and no one has expelled any of you from the forum. By contrast, people from your own church have sought to hijack and disrupt this forum, get Scout kicked off Facebook, use this forum as a platform to intimidate potential witnesses against Mark, censor opposing comments on Evergreen's Facebook page, and generally just try to shut us down in any way possible. Calling us one-sided is flipping reality on its head, which has been pointed out to you multiple times, but you're still in denial. Dear Sister in Christ, can you really not see how severely this kind of remark undermines your credibility here? And that's truly a shame, because you're obviously sincere about reaching people for Christ.

...I dont feel this is a safe space for me to be vulnerable.

That's exactly how I've felt since the arrival of so many from Evergreen. I don't mean the folks who've just popped in a couple of times to put in a good word for Mark, but those vocal few who've repeatedly come here to provoke, revile, and intimidate.
« Last Edit: April 03, 2018, 02:04:44 pm by Huldah » Logged
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« Reply #56 on: April 03, 2018, 10:06:29 pm »

Shall we get back to the topic thread? There are some other good topics brought up in discussion that could use a thread of their own.
With a few exceptions, the majority responding to this thread (or even this forum) at one time attended a GCX church.
Some may have been part of a different church prior to a GCx church, some may be at yet again a completely different church after a GCx church.
There are so many varieties of Christian churches and I find it interesting to see where someone may have been in the past and where they currently choose to be (or not to be).
In a simplified way to me a church can be like vanilla ice cream. There are so many flavor options French vanilla, NY vanilla, vanilla bean, plain vanilla, homemade vanilla, extra creamy vanilla, how do you choose one? Or how do you know there’s not some hidden ingredient like wood pulp or sheetrock dust blended in.
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pvitartas
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« Reply #57 on: April 04, 2018, 05:56:27 pm »

I was raised as a Roman Catholic - I have living memories of the Latin Mass. 
During Solid Rock days in the later 70's, I noticed that many "converts" to Solid Rock were formerly Catholic. 
In my opinion, Vatican II gutted Roman Catholic culture - and authority.  Since I and many of my Solid Rock brethren grew up in the afterglow of a very authoritarian Roman Catholic church, many of us including myself found it easy to accept clergy authority (the elders WERE in fact in the position of clergy - however untrained they were).

After Solid Rock Days, I wandered - Charismatic, Mennonite...finally Lutheran, then home to the Roman Catholic Church.   

Incidentally, I found myself feasting on SR preaching about vain repetition, with attendant direct and indirect criticism of "mainline" Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church.  Gradually I noticed a problem; in Solid Rock we'd sing the same song over and over and over again.  Further, the same songs were sung at predictable times during services.  In my opinion, liturgy is not necessarily where vain repetition issues lie.  In my latter days at Solid Rock, I'd often simply read my Bible during lengthy song times.  This reading drew negative attention from "committed" Christians; regardless, I found myself wondering how many times the same verse of the same song had to be repeated before God, in whose image we are created, got the message. 
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Godtrumpsall
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« Reply #58 on: April 05, 2018, 11:46:26 am »


EDIT on 4-4-18: I want to apologize that I think this came off much harsher than I intended it. I do not disprove of sharing Bible verses, especially with those who have not heard it or already believe, but I do think the audience should be kept in mind and the message should be tailored to their specific beliefs and needs. This is important to me because of experiences I have had where I was learning towards atheism. When I would express to people where my mind was at, I would be quoted verse after verse I had already heard instead of having my true concerns listened to and addressed. I found it very frustrating and patronizing, and I wish Christians would be more careful not to do this. God can work in people's hearts via their memories of verses too, and other ways. Please trust him to do the work.

Also, reading through GTAs posts as a whole after posting this, I think I disagree with many (ok, the majority) of her conclusions, but for the most part they have been stated carefully and without personal attacks. GTA: Thank you for this, and I apologize for implying otherwise. I would like to ask for your forgiveness for this post.

Thank you and I accept the apology, but it is difficult on this type of stupid format to tailor what I say to someone's specific beliefs, so I state what I know to be true, which is God's word.  And I agree that sharing Christ's love is often a very relational, and personal,and again, difficult on this place (ha, yet another reason against this forum!!)  And yes, I have not attacked anyone personally, which I cannot say the same of some on here Sad 
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Rebel in a Good Way
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« Reply #59 on: April 05, 2018, 06:02:48 pm »

GTA, not sure you can say you have never attacked anyone.  You are rebuking people for stating their opinions as facts after you wrote this "factual" statement about me.  I have never written such a judgmental thing about another person's heart on here.  You read one of my comments (that I later acknowledged was unnecessarily snarky) and came up with this assessment.  I have never read one comment by a person and said such horrible things about them.

note: I posted this first on the wrong thread and moved it here in response, just in case anyone saw that.


...you are so incredibly rude and full of knowledge and spite, and your words take so much credibility away from this forum (which is a good thing in my eyes).  The "fruit" you exhibit is vile, hate, anger, spite.\
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