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Deception or ....?

Hermenitt

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Ok, long story very short: I am not allowed to speak with our pastor. I feel I didn't deserve this punishment, and have continued to email him as needed. Of course, he never emails back. Which is frustrating because I am newly back to adventism and really have questions that need to be answered... anyway I digress. I really wasn't sure if he was even opening my emails or just deleting them so I sent him an email under another one of my email addresses and didn't sign it. I just have tried changing my outlook on things and wanted to start where I was being the most negative, towards him. Well he did email me back. I should have left it there I know, but something prompted me to reply with a thank you for communicating with me. Now, I feel guilty. I wasn't intentionally trying to decieve him I just wanted him to get the message, but now it feels like deception. Should I tell him? Would this just further make things worse? I've been praying about it, but cannot find any peace.
 

PaleHorse

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Hermenitt said:
Ok, long story very short: I am not allowed to speak with our pastor. I feel I didn't deserve this punishment, and have continued to email him as needed. Of course, he never emails back. Which is frustrating because I am newly back to adventism and really have questions that need to be answered... anyway I digress. I really wasn't sure if he was even opening my emails or just deleting them so I sent him an email under another one of my email addresses and didn't sign it. I just have tried changing my outlook on things and wanted to start where I was being the most negative, towards him. Well he did email me back. I should have left it there I know, but something prompted me to reply with a thank you for communicating with me. Now, I feel guilty. I wasn't intentionally trying to decieve him I just wanted him to get the message, but now it feels like deception. Should I tell him? Would this just further make things worse? I've been praying about it, but cannot find any peace.

Wow - there are lots of questions aroused by your post! But I'll suspend those questions for now and simply say that if you are feeling guilty about the deception that is likely the Holy Spirit telling you it was wrong. If that is the case, I'd come clean and tell the pastor.
 
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tall73

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As a pastor that is just an odd story. There are not many reasons a pastor should not talk to a person, though I can perhaps think of one or two. If the guy won't talk to you then try again, ask forgiveness for deception, and if he still won't then I would take an elder or other reputable Christian with you, in accordance with Jesus' advice in Matthew 18.

Are there any elders that could be unbiased?

Finally, be sure not to tell others until you have tried these steps...by others I am not referring to here. We don't know anyone there so you are not hurting their reputation. But I am saying in the local church. The less people that know the less pride builds up on either side, and the easier it is resolved.
 
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