Change Good or Bad?

[Sword-In-Hand]

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.

LOL! Met a few of them also.

 

[SonOfThunder]

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

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

 

[FaithWeaver]

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

Thank you for sharing your story with me. I couldn't imagine how hard that must have been for you. Know this, God will bless you and keep you. Your obedience to him will pay off one day. Follow Him, not matter what the cost. Be relentless for Christ. I will be praying for you.

 

[mfarley]

My wife and I moved from the Bay Area about 6 months ago where both of us grew up. She had to leave the church she loved so much and the pastor she cared for. But sometimes we don't realize it's time to move on when it is, there seems to be comfort in our routine. But God always realizes the best for us, and if He is having you move then cling to Him.

A friend of mine and his family left everything, job, house, friends, because he was called to do so. He used probably the most fitting analogy: When you were young, you played hide and seek in the backyard. But soon, as you grew the yard's hiding places became scarce as others also knew them...so you moved to the front yard. But soon, as you grew those hiding places became known as well. So you expanded it to the block. You see, we get in a routine and sometimes become lackadaisical. You've talked with your neighbors, you know the churches, you know the people. Sometimes God calls us to move out of this into a brand new territory--and trust me it is very exciting. I don't know if this is the case for you, but trust in the Lord and cling to Him, He will not lead you astray.

God Bless you for having the courage to do this and admit you are scared...submit it to the lord and I believe He will comfort you.

Mike

 

[staceyvonne]

If God is speaking to you and telling you to go, go.

Bless those people that you love and have been with all these years and go. It may be hard, but if God is leading you He will help you with the hurt of leaving friends and family.

Something wonderful is waiting out there for you, no telling what our Father has in mind for you.

God Bless.

Stacey

 

[SonOfThunder]

Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost




May I ask you to consider if you don't obey what God is telling you?
How many lives will you affect in obedience?
God won't give you more than you can bear
He will give you Joy and peace in you're obedience



James wonders if you have decided?

Have you?
Have you?

we sure would like to know


James

 

[FaithWeaver]

I just want to thank everyone for your advise and your prayers. My husband and I have left our home church and we are now attending a church where we feel very welcomed. God is there. We both feel led to join, so we are planning on joining this Sunday. In fact, the pastor's wife, who I have known for years, asked me to help with the youth, and start a dance team since she knew that I felt led to do it. Everything is working out great! Praise God


"Lord your are good and your mercy endurth forever..."

 

[DarkGalaxy]

I'm kind of at this same crossroads of changing churches too, and I'm not really sure where God wants me to be. I am continuing to pray about this.

 

[SumTinWong]

Just keep praying about it DarkGalaxy

 

[Hisgirl]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Changing churches sometimes feels like we're turning our backs on friends and family. But it does help to remind us what the 'church' really is. It is the body of Christ and the Head of the Church is really Father/Son/Holy Ghost...not our pastor. So you will still be in your church...just a different location!

As for talking with pastors....that would be interesting indeed. I would hope pastors are always able to set aside the 'stolen sheep' feeling and encourage the family to be led by the Spirit....blessing them and reminding them that they are always welcome. Has anyone here had experience with this?

And what if the reason for leaving was indeed the pastor himself? That would be an uncomfortable discussion....

My husband and I have changed churches as our growth changed....we went to one church where we left with a 'milk moustache' every Sunday. Then we attended a SBC for several years. We are now at a Vineyard church ... it's all about equipping, equipping, equipping for the Harvest. Less focus on the inside of the church and more focus on the outside. The pastor said last week,"I don't want an audience...I want an army!"