| Author | Message | ||
| Gentle1 (Gentle1) |
Hello all! Someone let me look at an issue of "Proclamation" magazine this past weekend, and I saw the information about this website. I thought I'd stop in and see what's going on and maybe learn some new things! I grew up SDA, attended the schools from 1st grade through graduation at Walla Walla College, married in the SDA church, and then taught church school for a few years until I had my kids. In the early '80's two pivotal things began to steer me away from the denomination. My in-laws left the church in the aftermath of Glacier View, and I began to hunger deeply for "something more." I'd read about "celebration" churches being started in in Oregon, and began to wish for a body like that here in Washington State. My desire for a real relationship with Christ and biblical "body life" led my husband and me to attend a couple "Sunday" churches while still attending the SDA church, where we were very active. Over the next 3 or so years, we learned an incredibe amount about the Gospel, worship, following Christ, true ministry, etc. We took voluminous sermon notes and soaked Scripture up like a sponge! Of course, when we were "found out" by the local SDA elders, they were not at all happy! A friend and I prayed and read and studied the Bible avidly. Finally, my husband and I along with about four other families left the local church to attend a new celebration church in the area. After five years, we were led to another similar church that eventually left the denomination when our pastor was fired for being "too dangerous" spiritually! (Colleen, I think you may be familiar with him: Eric Bahme.) After that, my husband and I along with most of the congregation, dropped our SDA membership. When we got our letter from the conference saying it was "official," I felt such a sense of freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never regretted leaving, even though it has caused tension with my mom and siblings. My mom and one brother and his family have been deeply involved in an "independent" ministry which is very strict, legalistic, and judgmental. Another brother and sister are more "mainline" SDA's. I have been sad not to be able to discuss spiritual things with them for so many years, but I still hope to someday! Our church fellowship is small but loving and full of grace, so I praise God for that! Anyway, that is the "short" story of where I am spiritually. I hope to get to know you all more and share more of myself! Blessings upon you! | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Cool story, Gentle1. Thanks for sharing and welcome. Janet mentioned having a FAF campmeeting (on a different thread). That sure would be fun to meet all together, wouldn't it. Well thanks for your story. Looking forward to hearing more from you. What is this former pastor Eric doing now? Blessings!!! | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Welcome, Gentle1. Yes, I do know Eric Bahme. He was going through his ordeal with the conference (and we were covering it for Adventist Today) while Richard and I were going through our own exit. We exchanged some helpful and supportive emails. We're glad you're here! Colleen | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Ah Gentle1, then you too have learned about the blessings of worship! Isn't it awesome. We were primed to learn about worship by listening to some tapes we got from Dave Snyder's sermons when we were going thru our time of leaving the denomination. We currently have a young couple who have just begun attending our church here who have been in very traditional congregations all their lives. It is just precious seeing their faces with that same look of "OH! this is how I have always been wired to worship and didn't realize it" that I'm sure folks saw on us when we first came to the church. Another couple who came for the first time this past Sunday turned to me after the worship time and said, "oh yeah, yeah, this is it! We've defnitely come home, this is definitely where God wants us." Too cool. | ||
| Gracehound (Gracehound) |
Welcome Gentle1, I'm curious. You mentioned 'Proclamation' magazine in your post above. I have never heard of the magazine and was just wondering what it is all about and how I'd go about getting a copy of my own. I'd be interested in seeing the article. | ||
| Violet (Violet) |
Click on Links on the home page and look under Dale Ratzlaf. Proclamation is linked there. It is a good magazine although at times over my head. | ||
| Gentle1 (Gentle1) |
Thank you all for your kind welcome! Sherry2: Eric has just moved to the Portland, Oregon, area and is under the covering of a local Foursquare church as he seeks to plant an innovative new 4-square congregation there. He intends to plant 3 churches in the fairly near future and then many more over the years. He is an entrepreuer and evangelist at heart and loves to dream big dreams and take on challenges for Christ! | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Well tell him to come on over and plant one in Grand Rapids, Michigan!!!  I'd love it!!! May he honor God in all he does in the Spirit!!! | ||
| Gentle1 (Gentle1) |
I believe Eric hopes to plant congregations all over the US! If God wants one in Grand Rapids, there will be one!! :-) Hey, I have a question. On the sidebar to the left there's a place to "Edit Profile." Where do you go to type your profile in the first place? Where do you go to read other people's profiles? Thanks! | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Good questions on Profiles...can you help us Colleen? I've tried using it so that my name can be clicked on for e-mail address, but it doesn't go through either....Colleen? Richard? help us please! | ||
| Windmotion (Windmotion) |
Gentle, where are you in Washington State? My husband has Adventist family member in Wenatchee and the Tri-City areas. (He is no longer Adventist)Also, what is the meaning behind "four square" I've heard the term before but always wondered. --Hannah | ||
| Gentle1 (Gentle1) |
Hi, Hannah! I was born in Seattle and grew up in one of its suburbs. Now my husband and I live about 30 miles from Seattle just north of Everett in the town of Marysville. My husband grew up in eastern Washington in Othello. The Tri-Cities are about 45 minutes away from there. We both went to Walla Walla College and have been to the Tri-Cities many times. We have friends who live in Wenatchee who still attend the SDA church but do not believe or follow much of the doctrine. The Foursquare Church is a fairly "nondenominational" pentecostal/charismatic denomination! The four "squares" stand for four aspects of Christ: Christ the Savior, Christ the Healer, Christ the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and Christ the Soon Coming King. Foursquare is not quite as dogmatic, "strict" or hierarchical as the Assemblies of God. We attended a 4-square Church for awhile as we were slowly studying ourselves out of the SDA church, and it was a "culture shock" at first, but became a real blessing to us. |
