I decided to leave my church.

I have not been on SI that much, I have been spending time in prayer and study, I appreciate all the prayers and concerns from everyone.

My wife and I decided that we need to leave our church. We can't continue to be apart of there vision. I don't agree with the seeker friendly style, the lack of the word being preached. I knew that the church is part of the Willow Creek Association, but it has been steadily getting worse. That style of church might be sufficient for others, but we can no longer endure it. Once, they played a film clip today from the movie, 9/11 Twin towers, I finally gave in and said it is time to go. I thought Gods word was enough to save and to teach? I feel like the Lord has been dealing with me on this for a while and I ignored and tried to get others to see my side without trying to be divisive and offending. I seared my conscience for the sake of those we are close to in Sunday school class...I finally realized that too was wrong, I should never go to church because of my friends. I realized if they are truly my friends they will still continue to be my friends. We should go to church for the whole reason to encounter Jesus through the study of Gods word. I justified myself because I was afraid and scared of what others might think. I couldn't ignore the conviction any longer and I think what I have been going through personally is a result of my disobedience to the Lord in not leaving sooner and justifying staying for my friends. God has pretty much forced hard issues to come against us, because of my disobedience.

God has shown me that the most important thing about His church is not the people we meet or fellowship with or the size of the building. But is my Word being declared without compromise, expositionaly preached? Is there a sense of holiness and reverence before the Lord in prayer and worship? Mark Dever has written a book called "Marks of a healthy church. It has been a great comfort to me. I was fearful that I was becoming prideful and haughty. I confess that their was times I did. But this book helped to see that I wasn't crazy and I was expecting better because Christ is worth that and more!

In closing, I am going to announce this tomorrow at mens bible study I have been leading. It will not be easy, I know that others have already distanced themselves from us because I don't agree with many things going on in the church. I know that we will loose friends and my wife is taking it hard already, she has already lost a close friend in the class, because we have been thinking about leaving. Please pray for my wife, Connie. Pray that we will find a church home.

Thanks so much for all the prayers and concerns.
Mike

I can very much sympathise, Brother. I've had several experiences of leaving churches or Christian organisations. Not because of wanting to, but because of the call of God, and often because I could no longer go along with what they were doing and teaching.

One of the hardest things is that they tend to criticise you as a "spiritual gypsy" or a rebel.

When forced to leave a certain Christian organisation (they too were going the way of error, and even the leaders seemed to have no discernment), I was given a scripture that you may find helpful. It was when Ezekiel dug through a wall and took his bundle of possessions as if going to exile - it was a sign to them that Jerusalem would go into exile in the near future.

So may your departure be a sign and a warning to them, for you have not taken this step merely because of being "fed up" or having a quarrel with any individual, but because the Lord has made it clear that the time has come.

Sadly it may be for most as it was for Ezekiel, he was told to speak and warn the people whether they were willing to receive his word or not, "for they are a rebellious house".

I have found however, that sometimes actions do indeed speak louder than words.

Another scripture given more recently, concerning another "coming out", was John 10. Jesus said that His sheep follow Him, and He leads out His own, calling them by name. Also that they "go in and out and find pasture".

Even though you go out, like Abraham, not knowing where you are going, yet He will lead you into green pastures and beside still waters, because you are of His sheep.

For Connnie I can understand that it would be especially hard. We women tend to put down very deep roots, make a home wherever we are, and usually find it very difficult indeed to tear up those roots and move on.

Has she received a personal word, or heart-conviction from the Lord, or is she simply leaving because of your shared unhapppiness with the church situation and from loyalty to you? Maybe she needs to hear from Him individually...

Praying for you as you take this important step in obedience to Him.

in Him

Jeannette

LittleGift wrote:
It was when Ezekiel dug through a wall and took his bundle of possessions as if going to exile - it was a sign to them that Jerusalem would go into exile in the near future.

So may your departure be a sign and a warning to them, for you have not taken this step merely because of being "fed up" or having a quarrel with any individual, but because the Lord has made it clear that the time has come.

Sadly it may be for most as it was for Ezekiel, he was told to speak and warn the people whether they were willing to receive his word or not, "for they are a rebellious house".

I have found however, that sometimes actions do indeed speak louder than words.

Another scripture given more recently, concerning another "coming out", was John 10. Jesus said that His sheep follow Him, and He leads out His own, calling them by name. Also that they "go in and out and find pasture".

Gary Wilkerson had a word from the Lord that the church in America will go into exile. I have spent most of my christain life in a homechurch.

I will keep you and your wife in prayer.

For Connnie I can understand that it would be especially hard. We women tend to put down very deep roots, make a home wherever we are, and usually find it very difficult indeed to tear up those roots and move on.

She would get uncomfortable about many things at church. She is a reformed catholic, she has been born again for a few years now, she still is taking baby steps, but I do know that she also has been convictions during church services. We have talked about it many times and the other reason I kept going was because she was building friendship's and that was very important for me, but she did later begin to feel that it might be wise to leave. She was desiring to be feed and so she started a Beth Moore class, but she started to here somethings that were not really in line with scripture and some of Beth's philosophies made her uncomfortable. Some kind of chant or cheer they did in the beginning of class? Not really sure

blessings'
Mike

No chants or cheers are necessary...

Just a penitant heart throbbing for the Lord of Glory!

And my heart goes out to you folks.

I live in Spring Hill Tennessee. Their is a church we will visit next week, it is a small rural church. There website recommends readings from Spurgeon, Martin Loyd Jones, and they even had John Macarthur visit to preach. I have to confess, we went to visit a few years ago and my pride kept me from going. It wasn't a "mega" church, I am so embarrassed and shamed, I judged the place by looking physically at it. I was so different then, I was always a seeker friendly church member, its funny how God gave me what I wanted, and then turned everything upside down and showed me His TRUTH. I thank the Lord for His mercy, I so don't deserve it.

AMen

reformer said

It wasn't a "mega" church,

A long time ago, in response to my expression of disappointment about the church leadership under which I sat at the time, the elder to whom I was complaining shared a homemade proverb which had helped him to hope in God alone: Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he cannot be disappointed.

I know it sounds a bit wry, but it has helped me to divide more honestly between God and man, and not to hold man's inadequacies against him. I have come to understand that it is God who puts the pressure on a man's weaknesses, in order that he may find himself strong in the strength which Christ supplies.

After the difficult decisions surrounding leaving friends and brethren, maybe that thought above is a balance. Someone has to go first. Maybe, if you've been leading something (men's Bible study), others will want to follow you, and you might feel responsible for that or them. But if they leave under God, as you are doing, then even if you find yourself still leading some of them, you won't expect too much of yourself, and you can help them look to the Lord for themselves, as you are doing.

Amen brother... there is a time to stay and a time to go.

Krispy

alan4jc wrote:
Hi, I don't know you and I am leary of even asking these 2 questions. I hope you will understand and concider the sincerity of them.

1) What scriptures can you look to for confirmation to leave the church? Which ones would you look to to reconsider and stay?

2)If you and your wife leave, who will be there to disciple the Christians that are there and who will be there to reach those that simply attend but are not saved?

Let me first say that I am leaving the church, i am still part of the body of Christ.

Roman 1:16 "For I am not ashamed for the gospel, for it is the POWER of GOd for salvation...," For me when a church looses site of this verse it is a dangerous situation. We don't need books and programs to save people. We have taken power of God out and replaced it with 12 easy steps.

2 Cor 6 speaks about being yoked unbelievers and separating ourselves from them.

2 John 1:10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching..."

Those scriptures don't , say to leave a church, but do explain reasons why it is justifible to leave. I am not to save those in church, I can share my believes, but if they are content in that style of church, then they are responsible. When we begin to neglect the expository preaching of Gods word, and encourage emotional driven worship and entertain the those that think they are saved. Its time to go. We can't run our churchs, like the world and expect God to move.

My wife and family are more important to me than those that would rather stay under this type of seeker friendly church. It is a form of idolatry. Romans 10:14

I considered this for several months and it was hard to leave. But i feel I must be obedient to what I feel God is telling me to do. I can think of many reasons stay, but its my flesh. I can't stay any longer because of my friends. I should being going to church to worship the Lord and biblical study and to serve, when those things are not there then its time to go.

I suggest reading, "Nine marks of a healty church, by Mark Dever.

alan4jc wrote:
Hi, I don't know you and I am leary of even asking these 2 questions. I hope you will understand and concider the sincerity of them.

1) What scriptures can you look to for confirmation to leave the church? Which ones would you look to to reconsider and stay?

2)If you and your wife leave, who will be there to disciple the Christians that are there and who will be there to reach those that simply attend but are not saved?

I believe you were right to ask, because these are important questions!

1. We can trust the Lord to speak to us in a way that we can personally relate to. Scriptures (I can think of more than the ones the Lord used to speak to me). He also speaks through circumstances, such as (in this case) being unable to go along with doctrines and practices of that church any more. Even the words of others can be confirmation of what you already know in your heart.

2. We can trust Him for those we leave behind, as long as we are going at His command and not in self-will. I found this very difficult the first time, because of being a Presbyterian minister (the Lord wouldn't let me do infant baptism any more). I felt like a mother abandoning her children, but in the end had no choice but to leave!

Abraham illustrates both those questions: the Word of God, and abandoning someone who relies on you and with whom you have a deep bond:

1. The Lord told him to leave his home and kindred and go to a place the Lord would show him

2. Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael away (they went, not him but it's the same principle). It broke him up - especially as Ishmael was his firstborn son, and he loved him and pleaded with God for him. And, even though Hagar was a slave, she was still his wife, and he was in effect divorcing her. But God told him to do it and he had to obey.

Mike, He has called [i]you[/i] out and you must obey...

Another point is that even if you [i]were[/i] in disobedience (personally I don't think so, but even if you were...) and the Lord was actually telling you to stay, you would soon know it!

Again I speak from experience. I had an argument with a very difficult elderly man in the church I was in from 1983 to 2002 (only leaving because of a move - the church was then too far to go regularly). It upset me so much that I didn't go to meetings for over 2 months. At first I tried to persuade myself that this was of God, but all the time I felt like a cut off limb, and couldn't go anywhere else. In the end I had to humble myself, apologise and ask if I could return.

Strangely, I find myself in the situation of not having a local church right now, after more than 3 years of going to the same one in this area. A couple of weeks ago the Lord made it clear that the time there was ended, but so far has given no direction as to where to go now.

But unlike the previous time there was no quarrel, and I know this is of Him.

Blessings

Jeannette

LittleGift wrote:

...2. Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael away (they went, not him but it's the same principle). It broke him up - especially as Ishmael was his firstborn son, and he loved him and pleaded with God for him. And, even though Hagar was a slave, she was still his wife, and he was in effect divorcing her. But God told him to do it and he had to obey.

I'm not of course saying that divorce is the right way of obeying the Lord - Abraham's situation was exceptional and unique!

Reread the post and realised it could be interpreted that way!! :-o

reformer wrote:
Let me first say that I am leaving the church, i am still part of the body of Christ.

That's the key to it all. If anyone leaves a local church without knowing themselves as still part of the Body then they are likely to be astray.

Bless you, Brother Mike, that's wonderful...

moe wrote: Reformer I am convinced that if you follow God's promptings and having no concern about anything other than your obedience to HIM you will have peace with your decision. A little advice, don't wait until Sunday to start Bible Study. Bible study starts in the home with the husband leading and initiating the studies. With prayer and Bible study in the home, your path will be revealed. Lean not to your own understanding, in all your WAYS acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path.
I will be in prayer with you and yours.
moe_mac

This is actually really refreshing, statistics in evangelical community state that most people leave church for reason that are full of the flesh; the nursery is to small or not big enough, this person didn't say hi to me. The carpet is wrong, someone sat in my seat. This is why we have this epidemic of churches to surveying the community, and what has it got them? From what Willow Creek said, there programs have not worked, the surveys taken only fulfilled lust of the flesh. But what I have been reading in this thread, is very much to the contrary. The desire for the God and His word has been the focus. God honors this.

Psalm 94:16 "WHo will stand for me against evil doers? Who will take his stand for ME against those who do wickedness?"

There is one thing leaving for the color of the carpet, but it is completely different when you leave because of the Love for the truth of God. I look at it this way, if someone one's dishonoring my wife and children i would not stand for it. No one would. Why should this not be any different for Christ.

Blessings
Mike

I have been encouraged so much through everyone's comments. :-)

Strangely, I find myself in the situation of not having a local church right now, after more than 3 years of going to the same one in this area. A couple of weeks ago the Lord made it clear that the time there was ended, but so far has given no direction as to where to go now.

I will be praying for the Lord to bring you to where He needs you to be. It is a hard thing to leave a church, you build loving relationships, you are faithful to the church. Its hard to leave, but it should be hard; though I have learned, if it wasn't hard, you wouldn't care about the Lord. I would be concerned if it was an easy decision and just could leave without concern.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst...for they shall be satisfied.

Mike

I don't think I gave an update on how it went on monday night. I told the guys in the class, they were really responsive and excited to see that God is doing things in me. They understood why the reasons I was leaving, it wasn't a secret to those I was really close too. I do still plan to go to the Monday night study. I just hope that we all will still be friends. I know that only time will proof this. They were not upset, they knew I wasn't happy. However they are not ready to leave yet, even though they disagree with much. I am excited for one friend , because I see that the Lord is really drawing him into the word. That is how it began with me and I know he is also struggling with things there. but I know God is faithful to those who seek.

We sent out an email to the rest of the class and just typical response from most. Some we called us and they shared somethings with us and understood what we were going through. Now we didn't tell the class why, only those who we trusted on new us well. The one's that called, that didn't know why we were leaving were beginning to share some concerns they have. Some have been confused and perplexed, I believe only because they see the "success" of the church and the new growth happening. God must being doing something, we are adding on eleven million dollar building. Children are being baptized every week, people are receiving Christ. We have 30 minute worship service and 20 minute sermons with movie clips once while, its great! Right! they are confused. Why would you leave? For some I think it has caused them to look a little deeper. I believe we left with honor and respect for those around us. We weren't divisive or Pharisaical in leaving. Our best efforts were to be kind and loving.

Someone said on this thread that actions speak louder than words...I believe it did!

With love
mike

reformer wrote:

Strangely, I find myself in the situation of not having a local church right now, after more than 3 years of going to the same one in this area. A couple of weeks ago the Lord made it clear that the time there was ended, but so far has given no direction as to where to go now.

I will be praying for the Lord to bring you to where He needs you to be. It is a hard thing to leave a church, you build loving relationships, you are faithful to the church. Its hard to leave, but it should be hard; though I have learned, if it wasn't hard, you wouldn't care about the Lord. I would be concerned if it was an easy decision and just could leave without concern.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst...for they shall be satisfied.

Mike

Especially for

I will be praying for the Lord to bring you to where He needs you to be.

Pray also that I'll be patient with her!

in Him

Jeannette

blessed050 wrote:
What is really going on in the churches? Have they strayed and/or swerved from the Truth of the Word? Why isn't the Gospel truly preached? Why isn't Jesus enough? Why isn't there true worship in Spirit and in Truth? God help the church in America and the gospel that America has given to many countries of the world. I have cried out to God continually regarding these issues which have greatly troubled me. The other night I was dreaming and in my spirit greatly troubled and speaking with God. I spoke to God and said "God, your church is in big trouble!" Immediately He spoke back (in my dream), "This is not my church". Wow.

Yet remember His word to Elijah, there are still the "7,000" who have not bowed to "Baal".

Blessings

Jeannette

Not only in America!

So right about that, but sadly I wonder how much influence "American Christianity" has had on other countries? Paul Washer said about a Chinese missionary who came to America, was asked about our Churches, he said...It amazing what American churches can accomplish without God. (paraphrasing, sorry)

Keep searching, don't give up Jeannette :-)

Blessings
Mike

So right about that, but sadly I wonder how much influence "American Christianity" has had on other countries?

America has spread more false teaching around the world via false teachers, misisonaries and evangelists, using modern media such as television then ever in history. America truly is a reprobate nation and the North American Evangelical Church is handed over to strong dellusion.

Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

reformer wrote:

Keep searching, don't give up Jeannette :-)

Blessings
Mike

Thanks Mike, but "keep searching"... for what? Keep waiting is more the need at the moment - the hardest thing to do!

I know that searching for a local church where I can feel at home would be the logical thing to do, but I can't until the Lord releases me.

The word the other day, re this, was from Hosea 2

[color=990000]14 ¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, [i][b]and bring her into the wilderness[/b][/i], and speak comfortably unto her
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.[/color]

At this time it's right to be in the "wilderness", and I need to be able to just "be" with Him, which is very difficult - I will keep going off on tangents...

Thanks for your concern and prayers, much appereciated.

Any further news re your situation?

in Him

Jeannette

Jeanette

Good to hear from you. may the Lord continue to bless and enrich your walk with His Holy Spirit.

I just received in email from one of the pastors in leadership. He apparently had lunch with my sunday school leader and explained why I left the church. I don't know what he said, but I wonder if it was taken wrongly. you know how a story starts, before it's over it's so far out in left field.

this is the email:

I had lunch with Ruben today and he shared with me a little more about your search for a church. TSC is definitely different in its Celebrative Worship, Preaching style and heart to reach the lost and to Connect with the people that God is sending to our Community. It is our heart to become more intentional in our Discipleship Process in order to track what is happening in the body as it is Reached, Raised up, Refined and Released into ministry.

If the Mosketti family does not find what they are looking for out there I pray that you will know that there is always an open door for you at TSC. You were a huge encouragement and provided much needed consistency and leadership with Ruben and Ruth as they launched out with the new class start a year ago at the 10:45am hour. Your children have been led by some of our best at TSC and I know that you were a member of one of the best Care Connect Ministry adult classes there is.

I have not yet responded, I want to think about what I want to say. I don't think he at all was being cold or unpleasant. i just feel like I should be given a fair understanding coming from me.

4 ¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Its funny you said this, I started a thread about being in the wilderness. I was thinking today maybe the Lord doesn't want me to find a church home yet. I have always been spoon feed to believe what comes out of the pulpit. I just started these past several months having strong convictions about the Holiness of God and His word. I can't articulate many theological issues from my own heart, not that it makes me a better Christian. I need to have my own beliefs, not others opinions. I wonder if God just wants me to focus and devour His word, before I find a church. I am not going to give up in looking though. I have been thinking about 1 John 2:27 His anointing teaches us about all things.

Mike

reformer wrote:
Jeanette

Good to hear from you. may the Lord continue to bless and enrich your walk with His Holy Spirit...

4 ¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Its funny you said this, I started a thread about being in the wilderness. I was thinking today maybe the Lord doesn't want me to find a church home yet. I have always been spoon feed to believe what comes out of the pulpit. I just started these past several months having strong convictions about the Holiness of God and His word. I can't articulate many theological issues from my own heart, not that it makes me a better Christian. I need to have my own beliefs, not others opinions. I wonder if God just wants me to focus and devour His word, before I find a church. I am not going to give up in looking though. I have been thinking about 1 John 2:27 His anointing teaches us about all things.

Mike

It seems the Lord is doing something similar with many of His servants these days. Not becasue of problems in the local church as such, or even because of false teaching and practices creeping in, but because of a specific call of God.

I believe it has something to do with the fact that the Lord is preparing His people for the coming storms.
For example, you said:

I was thinking today maybe the Lord doesn't want me to find a church home yet. I have always been spoon feed to believe what comes out of the pulpit.

Maybe it should again be made clear that this is NOT the same as withdrawing and "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together". Rather it's a specific call of God, in preparation, as i said, for a specific purpose and probably only for a season. Unless persecution etc becomes so bad that it will become impossible to meet together as we've been used to.

Blessings

Jeannette

100% agree with you LittleGift.

Though I'm in a Church now, wasn't for many many years and that's exactly why. I prayed for all those years for a church to attend, but He kept me in the wilderness to make me dependent on only Him.
Whether in a Church group or not - all that you said is exactly right. And yes, have been seeing this with so very many over these last years also.

reformer wrote:

I just received in email from one of the pastors in leadership. He apparently had lunch with my sunday school leader and explained why I left the church. I don't know what he said, but I wonder if it was taken wrongly. you know how a story starts, before it's over it's so far out in left field.

this is the email:

I had lunch with Ruben today and he shared with me a little more about your search for a church. TSC is definitely different in its Celebrative Worship, Preaching style and heart to reach the lost and to Connect with the people that God is sending to our Community. It is our heart to become more intentional in our Discipleship Process in order to track what is happening in the body as it is Reached, Raised up, Refined and Released into ministry.

If the Mosketti family does not find what they are looking for out there I pray that you will know that there is always an open door for you at TSC. You were a huge encouragement and provided much needed consistency and leadership with Ruben and Ruth as they launched out with the new class start a year ago at the 10:45am hour. Your children have been led by some of our best at TSC and I know that you were a member of one of the best Care Connect Ministry adult classes there is.

I have not yet responded, I want to think about what I want to say. I don't think he at all was being cold or unpleasant. i just feel like I should be given a fair understanding coming from me.

He seems to imagine you left because their church just didn't suit your personal "taste" any more. He wishes you well, but doesn't have the faintest idea that there may be something wrong with the church, and that this is the reason you left!

You will no doubt pick up much more than I did from this mail, but even not having been in the situation it's obvious that this man isn't really listening at the moment, so there's probably no point in saying much in reply.

Pray that the Lord will open his eyes, becaus no-one else will get through to him.

Yet there must be some, (as you said about the group you used to teach) who is hearing what the Spirit is saying to this church.

I suppose the only way that anyone can avoid the challenge that your leaving represents is to persuade themselves that you were simply there for your own and your family's benefit, and to make your contribution towards the work of that church.

What the Lord really wants to do is to turn it upside down and inside out, to cleanse His temple and refine His people. But facing that fact is too costly and unpalatable for most.

There seems quite a bit of a "Purpose-Driven" or similar flavour to part of the mail{

TSC is definitely different in its Celebrative Worship, Preaching style and heart to reach the lost and to Connect with the people that God is sending to our Community. It is our heart to become more intentional in our Discipleship Process in order to track what is happening in the body as it is [i][u]Reached, Raised up, Refined and Released into ministry[/u][/i].

Yes, you had no choice but to leave...

Blessings

Jeannette

Jeannette said

I believe it has something to do with the fact that the Lord is preparing His people for the coming storms.

Its funny you said this, I started a thread about being in the wilderness. I was thinking today maybe the Lord doesn't want me to find a church home yet.

I believe there is a very credible and relevant word coming out of Times Square Church (Interesting that you attended a church with the same initials), and that you could do worse than allow yourself to be fed by the brethren there. Doesn't mean you won't have questions, but it is interesting that these words are preached to about 8,000 attendees every week, and we out in this wilderness are just as included in the body, even from this distance and without their knowing about us individually.

I don't think Carter Conlon feels equal to the task at all, judging by how he prayed before he preached last Sunday, but, he is giving what God gives Him and both he and we may find it enough.

I would recommend one old sermon in particular, called [url=http://media.tscnyc.org/mp3/2030223S1.mp3]When Death hears the Voice of God[/url], which definitely spoke life into my desert.

Despite the little scripture he used when he spoke to the Revival Conference, his normal style is expository - directly from the word. He feels like a safe pair of hands to me.

I'm going to answer in your other thread, bro.

By the way, in my case, Linn, which is Old Scots for 'waterfall' is a sister ;-)

Jeannette I did respond back to him with hopefully good intentions. I felt that I needed to give him a reason why I left, not to hurt or cause harm. but I felt it would be better coming from my words than someone trying to explain it for me during a lunch.

yes he is such a dear man and very compassionate, I hope it doesn't sound hard but just truthful.

I would love to know what you think.

Thank you for the kind words and encourage. I trust the Lord is doing something in our family and know that He has a grand plan for us. My hearts desire is to be obedient to Him over everything else, though some things I may not fully understand I know that He does.

I do want to make sure there are no miss understandings in why we Ieft, though I have been blessed with wonderful fellowship at TSC, we know longer could agree with the methods. Yes I agree that TSC is definitely differnent in its style in manying aspects, I am not opposed of reaching the lost, worship or preaching by any means. But, when that begins to be watered down in order to appeal to the community by worldly methods, thats where I have my disagreement.

I want to make sure that you know , that I don't have any problem with anyone in leadership, we are not upset or angry with anyone; we, as a family just don't fit into that kind of church growth, seeker-sensitive model.

We will continue to pray for TSC and will continue to fellowship with friends we have meet. My hope is that in everything we do brings honor and glory to the One that Died, Christ Jesus.

Blessings and grace to you and yours

Mike
Romans 1:16

Blessings

get some sleep!!

:-)

I believe there is a very credible and relevant word coming out of Times Square Church (Interesting that you attended a church with the same initials), and that you could do worse than allow yourself to be fed by the brethren there. Doesn't mean you won't have questions, but it is interesting that these words are preached to about 8,000 attendees every week, and we out in this wilderness are just as included in the body, even from this distance and without their knowing about us individually.

I don't think Carter Conlon feels equal to the task at all, judging by how he prayed before he preached last Sunday, but, he is giving what God gives Him and both he and we may find it enough.

I receive their letters in the mail, I so much enjoy listening to Carter Colon. Its ironic that I just started to listen not more than a couple of weeks ago. I would love very much to sit under his teaching.

yes your right though we are not members of TSC, we are in the body of Christ. Only if some of these godly men new how much they have been a mentor to me.

I have read some of your posts, and I really enjoy reading them. I look forward to more fellowship brother.

Mike

reformer wrote:
Jeannette I did respond back to him with hopefully good intentions. I felt that I needed to give him a reason why I left, not to hurt or cause harm. but I felt it would be better coming from my words than someone trying to explain it for me during a lunch.

yes he is such a dear man and very compassionate, I hope it doesn't sound hard but just truthful.

I would love to know what you think.

It seemed best to send you an email about this.
No, it doesn't sound hard, rather the oppoisite!

Jeannette