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lambslove said:Thanks for the encouragement SIH!
It's not the old-school families that are the problem, it's the interaction between the old-schoolers and this one bulldozer family that thinks they should be treated like royalty because of who they are.
FaithWeaver said:I am having a very difficult time. You see, I have been going to the same church for 24 years (my entire life). I was a very active member; choir, Sunday school teacher, Youth leader, dance team member, Youth dance team coordinater.
Now God has told me that it is time to leave. I have to follow what God wants and not what I want to stay in his will. This is one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. Has anyone else had to make a difficult decission to leave their home church as well?
I really miss my church, but I know it's God's will. Any words of encouragement would be great. Thanks
SonOfThunder said:Hi there
I am 24 also and left home last year to follow after what God had spoken to me about so perhaps my story will encourage you.
My cousin died for want of blood after having a baby. She was my childhood friend and playmate as well as my cousin. She, like me grew up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. This threw me a great deal and I realised I hadn't really studied into this 'belief' myself and wondered if she had.
I asked my dad (an elder within the congregation) to help me in this, but my manner and grief upset him and he asked me to stay quiet rather than upset the rest of the family while they also came to terms with the loss. The baby had lived, he had to be cared for and many adjustments had to be made as well as the funeral. Dad was busy and I started to study this out myself and realised the teaching was wrong. People need not die over what was one Scripture. My cousin died believing what she did was right and for Jehovah, her motive was pure.
This got me interested in what else was wrong, and many months of study followed. I came to this forum and had a mentor for some time who helped me a lot. Eventually I didn't attend the meetings but spent the time praying and felt God was saying to get out from among them.
For me it meant being disfellowshipped and I knew that my family would possibly disown me, hoping this will bring me back into the 'truth'.
At my fathers request I left home. I live alone now and send e-mails home each day but never a responce.
It is difficult to make the move, once you have decided whom you will follow it is easier.
I can't say I don't think of going home and pretending. I do. The Baptist church I go to now seems to be so different in their doctrine, so many things to study and understand. Prayer helps.
God Bless you
James
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