| Author |
Message |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 445
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 4:12 pm: |     |
Laurie,
I appreciated you sharing your story. Please continue to share, as your situation is not unique and is all to common.
When I sent in my letter asking to have my name removed, I was fortunate in that it was taken to the board the next night. It still was not dealt with for a year and a half. As far as I was concerned, as soon as I delivered my letter, it was a done deal.
Since that time 2 years ago I have spoken to a number of non attending members of the little church I attended, and they have related that they had asked to have their names removed and were told to just wait and think about it. I find that very offensive.
I would hate to think that my request was addressed maybe because I formalized my request in a detailed letter, or that I am a professional person. I would hope that equal consideration would be given to all who choose to leave, but I have recently found out such is not the case, even in my community.
Pheeki, I agree that the whole thing needing to go to a church business meeting is assinine and repugnant. It should be a simple formalization of the persons's request, and nothing more. I believe you are right when you state that it is merely to scare those who are questioning and considering the same.
Randy |
Raven
Registered user
Username: Raven
Post Number: 810
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 5:56 pm: | |
Even good can come from bad. Just think of all the SDA's who get to hear or read exactly why someone left, all because it had to go through the channel of the board. I do agree that regardless of any board's reaction, a person can consider themselves removed whether or not it formally happens. I consider our leaving date the date we wrote our letter, not the date it was approved. Thankfully, our former church's board was very quick and gracious - it took less than two months. |
River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 1377
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 5:59 pm: | |
Laurie,
It will get better, I'm a never-been and you may not feel like I understand, but I know it will get better.
Writing about it may help even though it disturbs your heart, we can bury things and they are still laying there, I was writing on here and all of a sudden a hurt and grief came to the front that I didn't even know was there, I believe God healed it. He knows our deepest things, things we do not even know. I am writing to encourage you and to lift you up if words can do that.
River |
River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 1378
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 6:00 pm: | |
Bree, let us know how it went down and how you felt during the meeting?
River |
Insearchof
Registered user
Username: Insearchof
Post Number: 155
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 6:37 pm: | |
Bree,
I trust that the meeting went well (for you!) and that God was glorified.
It saddens me that so it is so difficult to drop a membership. I wonder what will happen when my wife and I finally drop ours?
ISO |
Bree_w
Registered user
Username: Bree_w
Post Number: 17
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 8:08 pm: | |
Dear friends and fellow believers,
I am so blessed by God tonight. I have been able to share my love for Jesus! Your prayers were more of a comfort than I can possibly express and I am humbled by the might of our awesome God! The discussion itself was rather pointless I guess.  The pastor didn't ask about my journey to Christ, so I filled him in anyway since He is my reason for leaving. The Holy Spirit was with me tonight. Where I could have gotten sidetracked or confused as I sometimes am prone to do (I go off on tangents pretty easily), I was able to take the conversation quickly back to my original questions (which I received no clear answers to)or back to my love for Christ Jesus. I felt as if I was completely surrendered to the leading of the Spirit. He brought the words to my mind to describe my experience with Jesus in a way I don't understand. How beautiful are the ways of our God. I am so filled with praise for His presence with me tonight. I didn't receive any answers, but then I expected none. This meeting was just about Jesus for me. I had to tell him that there is a better way than Adventism. I feel free, free in my Jesus. Thank you again for all your prayers. I am in awe of my God and of the true Christian fellowship on this board. I can't wait to meet you all in heaven where we will worship the Lord together.I love you all
/hugs
In Christ
Bree |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 4219
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 8:29 pm: | |
Bree,
Praise God!!! Hallelujah!!! God/Holy Spirit was with you tonight. I plan on sitting at Jesus feet, right next to Him. Meet you there.
Oh, He is so awesome.
Diana |
Randyg
Registered user
Username: Randyg
Post Number: 447
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 8:34 pm: | |
Bree,
your enthusiasm and love for Jesus are an inspiration to me. I am glad you felt the Holy Spirit guide you tonight.
It sounds like God used you as His witness tonight.
Thank-you for sharing,
Randy |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 6683
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 8:44 pm: | |
Bree, how awesome! Praise God! He confirmed Himself to you, and He planted seeds in the pastor's mind.
He will continue to walk with you on this journey.
Colleen |
Helovesme2
Registered user
Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 1040
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 8:52 pm: | |
What a mighty God we serve. His strength abounds even in our weakness!
God has answered prayers tonight.
Mary |
Susans
Registered user
Username: Susans
Post Number: 450
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 9:15 pm: | |
Bree,
Praise God that you were able to share your testimony with your pastor tonight. I'm rejoicing with you at His love and leading. I'm thankful the meeting went well.
I'm thinking you are on a spiritual high right now! Rest well in Jesus.
Susan |
River
Registered user
Username: River
Post Number: 1380
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 10:03 pm: | |
Bree,
Thanks so much for that testimony, what a wonderful testimony and I needed to hear it.
You not only witnessed to Pastor but up lifted me.
If he don't think about that meeting the man is completely spiritually dead.
Thank you.
River |
Stevendi
Registered user
Username: Stevendi
Post Number: 230
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 6:12 am: | |
Doesn't Jesus just trump everything!
steve |
Philharris
Registered user
Username: Philharris
Post Number: 165
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 6:26 am: | |
Bree,
Your testimony is an inspiration to me. While we probably will not meet until we reach heaven, I am counting you as one of my circle of inner friends. While your meeting went as well as we could have hoped, it is amasing well things work out when the Holy Spirit is the one in control. Now, we can pray that the pastors "blindness" to be removed.
I have a dream of seeing this "SDA sinking ship" going down with all those on board safely transfered to seaworthy life boats.
Your brother in Christ,
Phil |
Blessed
Registered user
Username: Blessed
Post Number: 85
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 7:18 am: | |
Bree
Great to hear how the Lord was with you as you met with the Pastor. My prayer is that some of the words that were spoken will penetrate his heart and he will realize that something is missing (a personal relationship with Christ) by your sharing. The neatest part of your sharing is seeing what this did for you and how the Lord gave you His words and His peace. This so encourages me.
Blessed |
Bobj
Registered user
Username: Bobj
Post Number: 240
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 7:23 am: | |
Bree
Praise God for your successful meeting! So glad it went well and that the Holy Spirit was with you!
Bob |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 6685
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 9:10 am: | |
Phil, I just love your metaphor! That is also my prayer.
Colleen |
Patriar
Registered user
Username: Patriar
Post Number: 352
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:01 am: | |
"I have a dream of seeing this "SDA sinking ship" going down with all those on board safely transfered to seaworthy life boats."
Phil, I'm seconding Colleen's post...she beat me to it!
THAT is such a great picture of how my heart longs for the PEOPLE of Adventism.
Patria |
Bree_w
Registered user
Username: Bree_w
Post Number: 22
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:35 am: | |
Yes Phil! That is exactly what I have been thinking about all week, I just didn't put it as eloquently as you did I know that God is working on the Adventist people in a mighty way! I am living proof of how He is working and I praise Him for that! It is amazing how my perspective has changed on the people that come into my life. When I meet someone who doesn't know Christ, I can't help but share something about Him with them and before I came to know Jesus I would've automatically put religion on the back burner and avoided the subject. And when I meet a fellow believer, I have such a desire to know them and see what God is doing in their life. I am so pleased to count you and all these other wonderful people who have praised God with me today and post on this forum as my dear friends!
In Christ
Bree |
Markmartin
Registered user
Username: Markmartin
Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 11:35 am: | |
Bree,
The "seed" of your testimony is planted and some of the things you said last night will stick. Probably the biggest thing will be your joy and peace in Jesus. It's very much like the religious leaders in the book of Acts who would look at the confidence of Peter and others and realize that they had been with Jesus. The Lord bless you and give you special strength today.
With you in Christ,
Pastor Mark |
