problems with Church of Christ

[heislord]

When I first go here to Rhode Island, I decided to see what a church other than the Baptist church was like. I ended up at a Church of Christ. I went for about two months, and decided I belonged in a Baptist church, and that I did not agree with differnt doctrine in the Church of Christ. So I have not been there for one and half/ two months....problem...they still call all the time and stop by without notice. I am really not sure how to handle this. I do not want to be rude or mean, I do not feel that is very Christ like..but not sure how to handle it. Any ideas would be appreciated.


Dianna

 

[Ragamuffins]

I would write to the church and tell them how you feel. If you do not want to talk to them tell themin the nicest way possible that you do not. If they continue then get ahold of the person in charge over there and tell them you want them to stop. if they do not, call the cops.

 

[HumbleMan]

When I first go here to Rhode Island, I decided to see what a church other than the Baptist church was like. I ended up at a Church of Christ. I went for about two months, and decided I belonged in a Baptist church, and that I did not agree with differnt doctrine in the Church of Christ. So I have not been there for one and half/ two months....problem...they still call all the time and stop by without notice. I am really not sure how to handle this. I do not want to be rude or mean, I do not feel that is very Christ like..but not sure how to handle it. Any ideas would be appreciated.


Dianna

Tell them you're going to a baptist church now, and when they open their eyes, they can come play, too

Seriously, Rags was right. Notify the church, in writing (even send it confirmation if you want) that you want them to stop coming. Inform them that you will seek a restraining order if they continue.

And then remind them that they're not getting any money from you and that should keep them away

 

[JPPT1974]

When I first go here to Rhode Island, I decided to see what a church other than the Baptist church was like. I ended up at a Church of Christ. I went for about two months, and decided I belonged in a Baptist church, and that I did not agree with differnt doctrine in the Church of Christ. So I have not been there for one and half/ two months....problem...they still call all the time and stop by without notice. I am really not sure how to handle this. I do not want to be rude or mean, I do not feel that is very Christ like..but not sure how to handle it. Any ideas would be appreciated.


Dianna

Well all churches are different. Not all are the same. I think that church thinks that they have a better-than-thou attitude.
And that is not how the church should act. And that grieves the Lord when churches adopt that type of attitude.
Ask the Lord what you need to do. And then rely and follow His will for your life.
You may want to write or email them. But do so in a polite but honest way. Good luck to you.

 

[Cmarlin]

The responses so far seem rather harsh. What have you told the visitors? Did you clearly and politely tell them you now attend a different church and do not want to attend their church any longer. I know some people are so vague in their speech that others do not get a message, then complain that others do not get the hint, don't hint but tell them the truth. I wonder if they think you do not attend any church and are pleasing the Lord by visiting you?
Cindy

 

[Joykins]

I think the International Church of Christ has been noted to have some cult-like characteristics. Was it one of those churches?

 

[lucypevensie]

Sometimes they just don't get it. My BIL got phone calls off and on for about a year after he stopped attending one baptist church. He just told them over and over and over again that he was attending such-and-such baptist church now and would not be returning. They eventually got it.

They'll leave you alone eventually. Be polite. If you want to I think it would even be OK to write a letter to tell them that you are a regular attender at another Bible believing church. I know in our church a letter from leaving members is appreciated because then we know what's going on, and they are not having some kind of problem or aren't sick or whatever. Calling the police would be extreme as their phone calls and visits aren't really a threat (at least I hope not ), just an inconvenience.

 

[Jesus7Lives]

I would write to the church and tell them how you feel. If you do not want to talk to them tell themin the nicest way possible that you do not. If they continue then get ahold of the person in charge over there and tell them you want them to stop. if they do not, call the cops.

I agree! Tell them how you feel. Be upfront and honest with them. They may take it to offense, but your belief about their doctrine should stand firm. Maybe it will open their eyes for a change in the way they do things. I know that God makes everyhting work. Let Him guide you to tell them to stop bugging you. I hope that all works out for you. God Bless!

 

[Lenora56]

Sometimes, depending on the size of the church, it's a matter of people getting their wires crossed. In other words, communication is not up to par. Someone may visit a guest or member who hasn't been seen in a while, and then they don't indicate it to anyone. Then, the person gets another visit the next week. Couple of weeks later, another.

Then again, I realize that frequent visits may mean more than that; they may be just trying to "wear you down," as Steve Urkle would say. They may be afraid that you will go into darkness at your new church.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

one can use it as an opportunity to tell the gospel and explain to them how you disagree with scripture...

 

[micro]

From my experiences with church visitation, we would visit visitors or members that were falling away from church.

Most of the time they would just him haw about saying well i can probably make it this sunday, Or something similar.

When someone actualy came straight out and said No i dont want to attend and told me they dont want visits then we would respect what they said, it didnt mean that we would avoid them at the grocery store.

So mabey if you just talk to the pastor or (elders in there church i believe) Then hopefuly they would respect your voice and stop bothering you. (or comfront the person that is contacting you)

I assume you dont mean mormons! but actual "church of christ"
2 summers ago i did a bible study with them. They seemed to believe the same as i do (and the bible teaches) About 95%.But they dont. They believe salvation and baptism go hand in hand. If you arnt baptised and recieve the lord at the same time your not saved!

It is very easy to get dooped by them with out the discernment of the holy spirit and knowledge of the bible. They can use the same scripture as you, but put just a little twist on it to make the meaning come out differently.

Sory for rambling, but they are something i struggled with for a while. Also taking an old elderly friend out and assuring her of a false salvation! Someone my family has witnessed to for my whole life!

In person is usualy best, unless your not strong in these areas, then a phone call would work. Some people mentioned a letter, but i dont even use the automated check out stand. But it may be best for you. And im sure you have prayed about it. So the lord will lead you into how to take care of this.

 

[weezhr]

I sometimes like a good Bible challenge. It might be exciting to prepare scripture ahead of time to talk to these visitors and challenge their doctorine. Of course this needs to be done in love, but a neat way to be sharpened in the word! I don't know if it will keep them from visiting again, but what fun it could be!

 

[Gold Dragon]

I think the International Church of Christ has been noted to have some cult-like characteristics. Was it one of those churches?

While this is true, there have also been ICoC groups that are distancing themselves from those characteristics and trying to reconcile with the mainstream CoC. It is hard to stereotype across the board.

 

[HumbleMan]

I think it would probably help this thread if someone explained the different Churchs (International, United, regular Church of Christ)

I know the United is pretty liberal and open (they were the ones with that commercial a few months back).

Doesn't the regular Church of Christ reject intrumental music?

Please, if someone with better knowledge than me (and that should be lots of you), set us straight.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I think it would probably help this thread if someone explained the different Churchs (International, United, regular Church of Christ)

I know the United is pretty liberal and open (they were the ones with that commercial a few months back).

Doesn't the regular Church of Christ reject intrumental music?

Please, if someone with better knowledge than me (and that should be lots of you), set us straight.

The 1820s-30s in American Christian history is often referred to as the Restoration Movement or Second Great Awakening. This period is characterized by a view of traditional denominations (Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist) as being corrupted and apostate and a desire for "restoring" the New Testament church. Many within the traditional denominations agreed with this view and tried to reform within their denominations. However, some felt the traditional denominations were so far gone that they needed to start over. Leaders of this movement included Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. Some of the early groups called themselves the Christian Connection(Connexion) or simply The Christians and merged with other like-minded groups.

Other groups that arose in this same time period that also have Restorationist tendencies include the Millerites (1830s) from which the Seventh Day Adventists (1863) and Jehovah's Witnesses (1881) draw much of their history from. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1830s), more commonly known as Mormons also arose from this time period and have Restorationist tendencies.

In 1906, the Campbell/Stone Christians split into two of the major groups now recognized as the Disciples of Christ (DoC) and the Church of Christ (CoC). They differed over the fundamentalist-modernist controversy of the late 1800s with the DoC being the liberal wing and the CoC being the fundamentalist wing. Some CoC churches are notorious for being non-instrumental in their worship.

Between 1926 -1971, the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ split from the DoC because of disagreements over denominationalism.

In 1956, the United Church of Christ formed from more liberal Christian groups primarily Reformed, Congregational and some Disciples of Christ churches. It does not draw its tradition from the Restorationism of the DoC and leans stronger towards the Reformed and Congregational traditions.

In the 1970s, some CoC groups developed a successful evangelistic method known as the "Crossroads Movement" and later became known as the Crossroads Church of Christ.

In 1979, Kip McKean lead some Crossroads movement folks to form the Boston Movement" or Boston Church of Christ. This group became notorious for its discipleship method which has been described as "cult-like". In 1993, their name was changed to International Churches of Christ.

As a result of many of these splits and controversies, many CoC and ICoC groups are starting to hire more pastors from more traditional evangelical denominations and moving away from some of their more extreme stances to one of reconciliation.

 

[JPPT1974]

Sometimes they just don't get it. My BIL got phone calls off and on for about a year after he stopped attending one baptist church. He just told them over and over and over again that he was attending such-and-such baptist church now and would not be returning. They eventually got it.

They'll leave you alone eventually. Be polite. If you want to I think it would even be OK to write a letter to tell them that you are a regular attender at another Bible believing church. I know in our church a letter from leaving members is appreciated because then we know what's going on, and they are not having some kind of problem or aren't sick or whatever. Calling the police would be extreme as their phone calls and visits aren't really a threat (at least I hope not ), just an inconvenience.

Yeah be polite and friendly. But also firm and honest. Tell them where you stand at. And that you are attending a church in which you are comfortable with. And that is where the Lord wants you too as well. Don't call the police btw if the calls aren't extreme to a point.

 

[California Dreamin']

I just recently left a Wesleyan church because they didn't pay attention to me, forgot about my scheduled baptism, etc. with a whole slew of other things. Then I sent messages to them and I think they replied to my third one and e-mailed me again the other day wondering about me. Little late for that.

I started going there just over 2 years ago and there is a communication card and pretty much every week I said I wanted baptism, church membership, visitation/phone call. NOTHING. I was away from home at university, came home and got hospitalized. NOTHING. *Sigh*

 

[California Dreamin']

There was an article in Cosmo!Girl about Kip McKean and the International Church of Christ, it's a cult.

 

[JPPT1974]

I am so sorry with what you had to go through.
Being hospitalized not once but twice.
I am glad that you are fine now btw!