| Author | Message | ||
| Moriah Registered user Username: Moriah Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi everyone, I am new here and thought I would share a little of what has recently transpired between myself and my Adventist Pastor. I had not attended church for about two months and was recently invited to go to lunch with my Pastor. This was not a usual occurrence so I emailed her and asked why she wanted to have lunch with me. She responded by saying that she was concerned about my walk with Jesus and that she thought I was not enjoying my walk with Jesus and wondered whether she could help. I must admit that I was feeling a little afraid of having lunch with her as I did not feel strong enough to be able to deal with her. As a result, I wrote the following letter. Dear ÖÖ.. Thanks for your concern re my spiritual journey. In regard to me not enjoying my walk with Jesus, you could not be further from the truth. Two weeks ago I came to a cross road in my life and realised that I have to make a choice; to accept that I am saved by grace, or to continue with Adventism and worry about what I must do to stay saved. I cannot continue to live in a state of perpetual fear, worrying if I will be saved and what I have to do to remain saved. I cannot worship with others who make comments like "I don't think I am going to make it", "I am afraid that I might miss out because I don't put God first in everything", "If you die with unconfessed sin, you will not be saved", ìIf you donít do what our prophet says, you are sinning.î Etc, etc. I have prayed and told God that I would rather go to hell than have to live this way for the rest of my life and that I cannot do it anymore. I asked Him what I should do and He told me that I did not have to do anything, He has done it all for me. I just need to accept it and allow Him to do the work. I really believe that this is where God wants me to be. He wanted me to admit that I could not do it so that He can work in me. I feel as though a great burden has been lifted from me, and that I have finally discovered what it means to "Rest in Christ". All I need to do is to believe in Jesus and have faith that He will complete what He has started in me. There is no easy way to say this, but, I will not be going back to Adventism as I do not want to become entrapped into the "fear, works" mind set again. Furthermore, I do not believe that EGW is a prophet of God. Having said all of this, I guess the next step is to discontinue membership. I have made up my mind and do not want you to try to persuade me otherwise. I really appreciate your concern and offer of lunch, but think that it would be wasting your time. I am sorry that I have to say these things to you and I know that you will be hurt and disappointed, but there is no easy way to do it. I donít hate Adventists, in fact I admire them for persevering the way they do. Blessings ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ Consequently, I received another email which ignored the content of the letter and lunch was still happening. Still not wanting to attend, I plucked up the courage to phone her and cancelled the luncheon. I found the whole thing really scary and donít want to have to deal with them or to have to justify why I have moved on. Does anyone else here have similar fears? Last week my husband told the Pr that he would be resigning as deacon and she blamed me for influencing him. He defended himself by saying that he could think for himself and that the church encouraged members to read the writings of EGW and the more he read the more he realised that she contradicted the bible and that she was not prophet of God. The Pr made the excuse that EGW was uneducated and wrote to the best of her ability what she had received, and that Adventists had the ìtruthî. Hubby was still not convinced, so she asked him if he was harbouring a secret sin. Needless to say he felt a bit offended. Anyway, we are out of the church and for the last week have been studying the New Testament. What a blessing. The scales have been removed from our eyes and we are both basking in Godís love and grace. Blessings Moriah | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2005 |
Dear Moriah and husband, I welcome you to this forum. Others who have been members of the FAF much longer than I will be welcoming you as well. I rejoice over your courage of convictions. We now know that is evidence of the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:26) doing just what Jesus said He would do to and for you personally. Praise the LORD! No doubt, you and your husband will go through some ambivalent emotions during the coming months, as leaving your cell of bondage within the Legalism Prison of SADventism, may cause you to feel a little overcome, confused possibly, and without direction, because of the sudden absence of all the structured life-style of the community you have lived in. Accept this as a natural consequence of such a transition. But your over-riding emotion will be one of exuberant, joy as you stretch your atrified muscles to run and dance in the meadow of God's beautiful freedom in Christ. (Gal 5:1) There is nothing like this freedom in Christ and the Rock solid assurance of your salvation. So shout it loud, sing it with joy, "I am saved! I am saved! I am saved!" All that you will ever need is in Jesus Christ. You can both look forward to new growth as your focus is away from the threatening finger of the Law toward the embracing arms of God's saving, loving Grace! Texts like 1 Jn 5:11-13 will take on new and joyous meaning. You will now find your Bible reading and study, as well as your prayer life, filled with a Living Light and thrill of discovery you never knew possible! Welcome to the true Family of God. You can now serve Jesus without a stright-jacket of manipulated control. May your dance in freedom be a joyous one as you begin your new path in Christ's loving liberty and total acceptance. May God bless you, Jess Soli Deo Gloria [To God alone be flory] | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 124 Registered: 3-2005 |
Moriah: WELCOME! Thank you for your story. I am so THRILLED for you! Oh to be FREE! Isn't it the most joyous feeling...in spite of the pain of leaving the 'heritage', the freedom in Christ is so perfect. It fills up all the empty and hurting places. Dear Lord: Thank you for Moriah and husband's journey out of SDAism. Thank you for giving them your Freedom and your Joy. Please guide them now as they seek to find refuge. Lead them to a fellowship with believers that will surpass all they could ask or imagine! Thank you for hearing our prayers and for loving us so much. Moriah: Again, WELCOME! Patria | ||
| Dinolf Registered user Username: Dinolf Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005 |
Welcome Moriah and husband I¥m so sad that your connection with SDA can't give you support in a full understanding of grace. Other SDA churches like the one I attend in Sweden at least in part do support at full understanding of grace (some of the members). The official statements of the church and traditional adventism has lead some people to a "off the road"-understanding about grace. A pity they where around in your church. I urge for a prayerrequest regarding the Swedish SDA to remain and develop more into the evangelical mainstream. I'ts going to be interesting to se what the plan of the Spirit will be :-) (That means the Holy Spirit - not humanized into a woman...) I hope you find a group where you and your husband can find support in your spiritual needs. I find the churches who have responded to the ministry of Willow Creek to be interesting. Especially they enqurage small-group ministry, something that makes the church close and responds to personal needs, as well as that you can find a mission for your own decipleship. God Bless You /D | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1806 Registered: 3-2004  |
Moriah and husband, Welcome to FAF. God is leading you, so continue praying and studying your Bible. God will show you things that you have read before but never saw. You will also go through the grief process. I do not remember all the steps right now, but if one day you do not feel like your normal self, and begin to question where God is leading, it could be part of the grief process. Just hang on to Jesus. God will lead you to the church where you can grow and serve Him as well as learn more about him. Welcome again. You will find that our God is an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 677 Registered: 3-2005 |
Welcome Moriah to FAF! I was really moved by that letter you wrote. Praise God for His infinite grace and mercy! Stan | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 782 Registered: 7-2000 |
Dinolf! Moriah! Welcome from me, too....... :-) grace, cindy | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1003 Registered: 7-2003  |
Welcome, Moriah! Great letter. Wonderful your husband supports the move and you are at unity there. That is truly a blessing! | ||
| Carol_2 Registered user Username: Carol_2 Post Number: 355 Registered: 2-2002  |
Welcome Moriah! I can really relate to your comments. Many on this forum (of whom I'm very proud and also a bit envious) are able to debate and are eager to defend their newfound beliefs, but I also am one that just avoids the confrontation. We are all so different, and God has plans for us all! May He lead you and bless you in this new and exciting adventure! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2436 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Moriah! I'm so glad you're here! What a great letter, and praise God that your husband is "on the same page". I admit to feeling some outrage when I read the pastor somehow assumed your husband had some secret sin when he seemed immovable regarding his position toward Adventism. Adventists really don't know how to handle people studying their way out of the church! Praise God for opening your eyes. I pray for His continued guidance. As Diana said, grief will be part of your journey. When waves of fear or doubt hit you out of nowhere, remember to pray and to go the the Scriptures. God is faithful; He completes what He beings in us! Colleen | ||
| Moriah Registered user Username: Moriah Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks everyone for the lovely warm welcome and words of wisdom. It seems that some church folk have already decided to place me on their ignore list, no replies to my emails. It does not worry me though as I am a bit of an introvert, and the couple of close friends that I do have, are not Adventists. I still attend the church on Wednesdays as I teach art at a craft group that is run by the church. The Pastor comes in every week to have a look at what we are doing. I donít feel she is as friendly to me as she was before and I feel a bit uncomfortable being there; hopefully I will get over it. I canít believe it, I feel so relieved and happy, and finally I have the assurance of salvation. Blessings Moriah | ||
| Lydell Registered user Username: Lydell Post Number: 709 Registered: 7-2000 |
Moriah, welcome. You did an awesome job with the letter you sent your pastor. And what a tremendous blessing that you and your hubby are in agreement. Freedom is such a sweet thing just makes you want to dance doesn't it?! You aren't alone in the way you have been treated. We learned some year after we had left that the word had been past around that we were "apostates". Ah well....we were then, and continue to be, enjoying a closer more intimate walk with the Lord. I'll take that any day over the "must never be taught to say or feel that they are saved" of EGW! The time will likely come when you are so uncomfortable in the craft group that you will have to leave. When that time comes, please don't fear. The Lord has a church family waiting for you somewhere. And there WILL BE others there who share your enjoyment of using your creative gifts. That fellowship is going to be such a sweet thing! I'm excited for you. | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 616 Registered: 1-2003 |
Moriah...your story is so similar to mine, except the preacher was my brother...he wanted to bible study with me to try to bring me back into the SDA fold. This was at Christmas and I had only been liberated since August...so I spent all that day soooo nervous...knowing I wasn't too strong yet... I prayed and prayed over it and let me tell you, we spent 4-hours in bible study and it got to the point that I told him he had to quit using Ellen White and go by the bible only...the conversation ended pretty quickly...but I was exhillarated!!! I felt rock solid in my new beliefs and knew God had led me. My actual pastor could have cared less...I asked to be disfellowshipped and got a brief email from the church secretary saying it was done. I have found that arguing with SDA is very counter productive...unless they are seeking, all you can hope to do it plant a few seeds. God bless you! | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2005 |
Moriah, welcome to the site. I have not been back to the Church I am a member of for over 6 months, NO calls at all from the so called Pastor or any of the Elders. Unfortunately I work at the GC, so I can not request the Church to drop me as a member until I get a new job away from the GC. So I guess you are somewhat lucky to get calls from your Pastor, mine has forgotten me because I am a nobody at Church, don't have any connections. | ||
| Foofighter Registered user Username: Foofighter Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2005 |
I've been lurking for about a year and half. I'm Mrs. Goldenbear. Anyway we have not been to church since March of 04, no call, no visit, nothing. Our church here has about 30 members...would be hard not to notice I would think. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1822 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hi Mrs. Goldenbear/Foofighter, Welcome to FAF. I am not surprised that no one has contacted you. That is what happened to me. My name was taken off the church books without trying to contact me. I found out from a church member/friend who told me at the supermarket when we met there one time, a few years after it happened. I had not moved away or changed my phone number. By the time I found out I could have cared less. Thank God for helping me not to be hurt by this. He is awesome. Diana | ||
| Heretic Registered user Username: Heretic Post Number: 180 Registered: 2-2005 |
Welcome to FAF, Foofighter. Love your alias! We stopped going to our local SDA church at the beginning of the summer. At first I don't think many people noticed (even though we have been VERY involved in the past), because we, along with many others there, are gone frequently during the summer months. When it became more obvious that we were weren't coming back we did get a phonecall from the pastor. No one actually was home to talk with him, but he did show up on caller ID one day. We've heard nothing since. Then about a week ago I came home to find a manila envelope with my wife's name on it. In it were about 40 pages worth of Xeroxed copies from materials explaining why Sabbath-keeping is biblical, a 4-year plan for reading the Bible along with the SOP, and a letter addressed to my wife only. This letter was written by the church's bible worker who presumably put all of this information together. Evidently, for whatever reason, the pervading view over there is that our leaving the church is solely because of me and that she has swollowed it all hook,line, and sinker which just isn't true. In reality, she has studied and come to the same conclusions as myself even though I have studied more. So, anyhow, the gist of the letter was indeed that I'm leading her and our child astray and that if she'd just read the Bible together with the "Conflict of the Ages" series, she'd see the light and return to the flock. This excerpt from the letter gives you a pretty good idea what I'm talking about: "I think people need to examine their beliefs...but one cannot depend on someone else to do that investigation for them. No one stands before God for us. We are individually accontable -- and accountable for our children when they are young." Nothing like the ol' "Divide and Conquer" method. Causing dissention in families is okay because the end justifies the means, right? As long as the system is defended and propagated, nothing else matters. Sorry if I sound a wee bit upset but it is frustrating. By the way, I'm clueless as to why anyone would think that somone leaving the SDA church would be swayed by Ellen G. White's writings. If someone is leaving the church, then chances are pretty good that they don't attach significant value to them or else they'd still be in the church. Heretic (Message edited by Heretic on August 27, 2005) | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2005 |
I am wondering if those of us who have not been contacted are not deemed "worthy" by our Church? I haven't heard a peep from anyone, although my wife still attends, she tells then I am going elsewhere, but no one has called or e-mailed to see if I am still alive. This ticks me off because a good buddy of mine whome was baptised at the same time of my wife and I fell away several years ago. He now is hooked on several hard drugs and no one from the Church cares. Very sad, because he was a dedicated wintess and when he stopped coming after a few months they gave up on him. | ||
| Heretic Registered user Username: Heretic Post Number: 182 Registered: 2-2005 |
91steps, That really is a travesty about your friend, but not uncommon. There's a lot of love thrown at you to get you in the door, but often times after baptism you're pretty much on your own to sink or swim. It's a numbers thing for the pastor as a measure of success in many instances, too, I think. I still have a few friends who are SDA pastors and they all acknowledge this fact. But that doesn't speak well of the members, either. I don't think a lot of people know how to respond to folks who don't stay in "the truth," so it makes them uncomfortable to even deal with it. I guess I'm speaking anecdotally based on my own experience from when I was in the church and knew people who left. Part of my fear in approaching them was because I didn't feel strong enough in my own faith, church doctrine or even knowledge of scripture to feel comfortable taking on any challenges they may have thrown at me. On top of that, my relationship with Jesus was practically nil and I was having my own doubts about the church. Now that you mention it, my wife served the local church a great deal more than I did, was involved in the kid's SS classes, served on many committees, was a church officer, and was a GC employee. I was just a deacon and that's about it. Maybe she was deemed more "worthy" by the bretheren for those reasons? Maybe they think that the only explanation for someone leaving who was this grounded in the church could only be because they were misled by someone less grounded? Honest disagreement with church doctrine can never be a legitimate reason for abandoning the "remnant church." Heretic | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 528 Registered: 7-2004 |
Yea...Mrs. G...you are here! Welcome. And welcome to ALL you new "formers" and "forumers"! What a treat to have new friends to glean from here on FAF! God is so good to bring us all together! Mrs. G...I am so sorry to have missed you and Mr. G. I will call and catch up with you later. I plan on calling little Miss Goldenbear to see about church this coming week. We would LOVE to have her join us! Blessings! Denise |
