After we left our church of over 7 years, we searched for another church. My husband and I were afraid of being "lone rangers". We were taught that if you weren't "plugged in" to a body (they meant, their church) that it was only a matter of time before you became "shipwrecked"--that is you would be decieved by Satan and walk away from your faith and make a disaster of your "walk". (hmmm, bible tells me that Jesus is the author, begininer and finisher of our faith).
So we visited another church. It was more insane. To make a long story short, the Pastor was "told by God" to return home to California. (we live in Connecticut) He put out an "ad" for other pastors in training for this denomination. Another couple from the south answered this ad. The current pastor announced to the church (while introducing them for the first time) that they were going to return to California after they sold their house. They announced that this new couple was sent to us by God to now take this church.
After only a few months, maybe 3; the new pastor and his wife went behind the current pastors' back to their old leadership--long story short--they manipulated the current pastor out of his position. So we are in this church, maybe for only a month and watch the current pastor tell his congregation that he was asked to step down by leadership of the denomination. The church is in tears, splits in front of our very eyes. Most go with the old pastor--2 or 3 families go with the new. (one family actually attended bible studies with both churches).
The old pastor is now "told by God" that he is not to go to California. That in fact God told him to do all of this to "expose the new pastor and his wife" for their evil intent to fleece God's people.
However, the denomination kept the new pastor and his wife having apparently been trying to "oust" this old pastor for a while.
The new pastor and his wife were extremely sexist and racist. They did not take the time to get to know people from around this area. They built a new group of people up and have been leading this church since September of this year.
A couple that we know who stayed with him just told me this week that last Sunday, the new pastor and his wife have been "told by God" to go to Washinton State. They are closing down the church.
So basically this new pastor and his wife were called by God to come to our state to split a church body???? and then leave a group of people without a "home"???
the old pastor is calling all those people to come join his church, now not affiliated with any denomination.
AND OH YEAH, we went with the old pastor. He lost his job in November. We were told that he was a cabinet maker. We hired him to do our kitchen. He gave us an estimate, was going to be done before christmas, we bought the supplies and paid him most of his money. He has left the job undone, refuses to return our calls and we are stuck. With out money to hire someone else and with cabinets all open, counter half in stalled.....
TRAUMATIC? This was after we left our abusive church.
We bought a "fixer upper" because we believe that we heard from God a long time ago to build a dream that we call Hannah's Haven. It will be a home for foster/adoptive children with special needs. Our home has 6 bedrooms and land around it. We are doing most of the work ourselves, money is tight. We were hoping to be licensed by the fall--now with the kitchen; I guess it is in "God's Hands"--what ever that means, I don't know anymore.
I am tired of people doing things that are dysfunctional, hurtful, spiteful all in His name. I am becoming to believe that this very thing; this division amonst His people and claiming "He said" is the very abomination at the alter that is spoke of....
and I am doubting that I ever heard from God to build Hannah's Haven....seems like a lot of people think that they "hear from God". Maybe we just all need a little prozac.
This is the fruit in my life of this experience that happened after we left the spiritually abusive church.
Love,
Jane
Jesus never lets us alone. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?......neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:33,39. I encourage you to read that whole piece.
