tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post1293286295856905416..comments2023-10-02T05:33:24.040-05:00Comments on A Wondering Disciple: Why I'm Not (Still) Church of ChristBJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08312379976764470320noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-33961168389751405782021-03-05T22:37:08.935-06:002021-03-05T22:37:08.935-06:00Sectarian is a post-modern term.Sectarian is a post-modern term.Mr. Mcgranorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851136550476241757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-75620273858970358962020-08-30T18:18:15.188-05:002020-08-30T18:18:15.188-05:00Thank you for the blog. As a Former minister of co...Thank you for the blog. As a Former minister of coc I expect you to provide scripture references to the wrong teaching you encounter in the church. I observed that you are more concerned about how you want things to be then Christ want it be. Christians are to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ (IJohn 9). God has giving men the authority to lead the church not women (I cor14:33-36);I Timothy 2:12-14). Christ is the Head of the church (col 1:18) and purchase the church with His blood (Acts 20:28) so we belong to Christ. We follow His rules not ours and we obey His commandments. Your reasons for leaving the church is about your daughter not for Christ, I'm so sad to hear this.I pray earnestly for you return to the faith that was once delivered unto you.<br /><br /><br /> <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04112539928416432035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-31518116529203552412019-12-03T12:22:03.989-06:002019-12-03T12:22:03.989-06:00Too many people think they are saved and may not b...Too many people think they are saved and may not be. Does the church of Christ have a point?Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17577847215717332514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-83843922111927867382019-12-03T12:18:53.958-06:002019-12-03T12:18:53.958-06:00Too many people think they are saved and probably ...Too many people think they are saved and probably aren’t Does the Church of Christ gave a point?Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17577847215717332514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-49344862558620052012019-12-03T12:18:53.059-06:002019-12-03T12:18:53.059-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17577847215717332514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-77907131647055353442019-05-06T21:03:49.594-05:002019-05-06T21:03:49.594-05:00Here is an article that is "Why I left the Ch...Here is an article that is "Why I left the Church of Christ" in essence. I couldn't find the original, so I just posted the text from the copy that I had on my drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QMOnSxwXUDevRKpcO0hKndBJ3Z6UK7710tnYqBbSrLM/edit?usp=sharing B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17664390031562745045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-14172577903721583322019-05-05T16:11:19.680-05:002019-05-05T16:11:19.680-05:00Not in the CoC but enjoy exploring all the various...Not in the CoC but enjoy exploring all the various differences in beliefs amongst the church. I've seen Satan but certainly don't see him around the corner of every congregation I don't agree with. Unfortunately, we have to view any history, even Biblical, in the context of the societal norms of the time. I still haven't decided for myself how that applies to the role of women in the Church. I think that's why God has provided us with a large selection of congregations that will lead us down the right path while still allowing differences of opinion. Will allowing, or not allowing, women to hold various roles keep us from salvation? I highly doubt it. I often like to remind people of what it truly takes to be saved. To keep it simple and in the interest of time and space, I like to look to those that Jesus Himself said were saved, and what they had done to earn it. One was a man there that day on Calvary, also being crucified. He had no opportunity to do many of the things a lot of people tell us we need to do to be 'saved', but yet he was. There is no disputing that!<br /><br />Yes, there's a lot more to Cristianity beyond just being saved. We do have a life to live before heaven, I know that. But getting into heaven is very simple, we can't prove it to anyone by what we do (we can prove the opposite!), for only the Lord knows what is in our heart. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431950549611435187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-59343304653022211942019-04-23T11:32:03.828-05:002019-04-23T11:32:03.828-05:00Thank you anonymous, let the bible speak and let ...Thank you anonymous, let the bible speak and let us stick to it. How dare we think we can determine what God allows and doesn't. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650417312408470629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-89612895866920117342018-05-23T12:54:00.418-05:002018-05-23T12:54:00.418-05:00Pearl, I could have wrote that myself. My husband...Pearl, I could have wrote that myself. My husband is very devout COFC. B/c of his father. the entire time we dated he attended church with me but once we said I do, things changed. The COC we attend "bashes" other churches and I have gotten to the point where I really don't like to go, its a chore to have to get up and go but I attend b/c he is the head of household. Prayers appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-8351968553565677062017-02-07T16:29:14.461-06:002017-02-07T16:29:14.461-06:00I was raised in the Church of Christ and my grandf...I was raised in the Church of Christ and my grandfather was an devoted elder in several congregations. As I entered into my teenage years, I quit going to church. My grandfather (living about 200 miles away) always wanted me to come see him and study and get saved and baptized. He never got that wish as cancer developed in his body and he was given 6 months to live. I was 19 years old and visiting him at his home about 1 week before he passed away. When it was time for me to go home, both of us seemed to realized it was the last time we would see each other here on Earth. He gripped my hand and I told him I would be alright. After he passed I spent my next 10 years binge drinking and battling depression. I met a truck driver at my work while I was unloading trucks. He was a Baptist preacher and little did I realize he was "working on me" for a few months. He led me to say the Lord's Prayer and I was Baptized in a Church of Christ. I never found a "church home" as I visited several congregations. Not long after that I was clean of cigarettes and alcohol 100 percent. It was not until after that point I met my soon to be wife who was Assembly Of God faith. When she brought me to her church service I wanted to bolt out the door. Anointing with oil, raising of hands and many other "odd" things I never experienced. Once my grandmother found out my girlfriend was not COC she told me I need to convert her before she converts me. She pointed out several "key" scriptures out to me and was very concerned and upset I was going to another type of church. I kindly asked my grandmother, "Are you saying if I am not Church of Christ I'm going to hell?". She never said yes, but she said I must follow scripture. I was so torn because my father,mother and Grandmother seemed against me. I was debating breaking up with her, but I continued to sit and observe what the Assembly of God Pastor was telling us and doing. I looked it up and ALL of it was in scripture. One night I had a dream and I saw my late Grandfather looking at me and smiling. He stated "Son, it's not the name on the building that matters, it's whats in your heart". We have been married over 13 years now with two wonderful kids. God has blessed our family and by the way.......I looked and looked and never been able to find/contact that special "preacher" of Angel? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-37525644964323658522016-08-29T09:33:02.422-05:002016-08-29T09:33:02.422-05:00I grew up and became a Christian in the church of ...I grew up and became a Christian in the church of Christ and I count it as a blessing. Attended Blue Haven Church Camp and LCU. I had many good spiritual formation times as I learned the Bible. However, learning the Bible through one set of eyes doesn't necessarily mean you really understand scripture in its fullest or richest sense nor does it mean you love the Lord with all your heart. If there is one negative that probably the cofC taught me in my youth was "Right doctrine and right practice on Sunday morning means right relationship with God". I started searching for something deeper. I started attending a "progressive" congregation in the early 90's in the Dallas, TX area and started listening to Christian radio especially one that offered a large range of solid evangelical teachers from across the denominational landscape. R.C. Sproul, Chuck Smith, and J. Vernon McGee (truly on of my faves) etc and the one thing that struck me despite some of their differences. They had a solid grasp of who Jesus was, what the scriptures basically meant and they were encouraging me in my faith on a daily basis. They weren't calling me to be Reformed or to even be a Calvary Chapel Christian. They were preaching Christ and what it mean to follow him. My knowledge of the Bible taught me that the "Unspiritual man does not understand the things of God"...Hmmm..so it stands to reason that if they understand the truly spiritual things then they have the holy Spirit and a love of the truth! Wow! Then also, that means they are also..gasp...part of the body of Christ! Flawed men, yes, completely 100% accurate? No, but who is? Led by the Spirit, teaching with the Gifts that god had given them. This also meant examining my own faith and my own devotion to Christ and my own Theology and theological constructs. God had already started to point my own pointing fingers back at me saying start looking at your own devotion and your own love for me before you go picking at others you disagree with. We, as humans, tend to set our theological idols up and take great pride in them..these are everywhere..c o C, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, you name it BUT, what counts, as Scripture says, is "faith, expressing itself through love"...And so I learned through the Scriptures and leading of the Holy Spirit, that there are in all Christian gatherings, no matter where you go, people of good faith as brother Fudge says, who are devoted, Bible believing Christians who love the Lord and led by the HOly spirit who differ from me. In a sense, MY denominational walls fell. I have been a part of and member of several Baptist churches, Calvary Chapels, non-denominational congregations and currently a member of a Nazarene Congregation that I absolutely adore where the teaching is rock solid. Are there areas where we disagree, absolutely but you know, we Love each other on the basis that truly matters, that of Christ and his sacrifice for us. Getting to basic faith in Christ is just the start. It's like the old method of teaching people to dance with paper feet on the floor. At some point you have to actually go out and dance. My whole mother's side of my family is cofC and I count some of my best friends are still part of it. I think it has changed for the better as it sees itself as a part of American Protestantism and the Evangelical community. "No man is an Island" Neither is any distinctive group of Christians. We all have colored theological glasses we inherited somewhere and it's important to know and examine them with humility to indeed see if we are "in the truth"..the problem I grew up is we didn't think we had any glasses..."we just taught the Bible"...I am in a better place..it has it's difficulties but my life would be so much poorer if God hadn't opened up my eyes and torn down my denominational walls...I have been so richly blessed. Grateful for where I came from but also grateful for where I have been and am going...<br />Vancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-30524221352819327602016-08-26T18:26:16.677-05:002016-08-26T18:26:16.677-05:00I didn't read all the comments so pardon me if...I didn't read all the comments so pardon me if I'm redundant.<br /><br />Despite all their protestations at being a denomination, in reality they are. They may not function with a heavy-handed bureaucracy but there are definite parameters and metrics by which things are judged... and in some cases that's tradition, not Scripture.<br /><br />That said, there's a lot about the CofC that I appreciate. I don't agree with some of their interpretations of Scripture and would break ranks with them in the realm of hermeneutics, even basic epistemology. Nevertheless, there's a right zeal that I've encountered and the fact that they believe they are standing on Scripture... that's a starting point. If we can agree that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, then there's hope.Protoprotestanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18217567607160768261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-71322846998864302152016-07-06T16:57:46.583-05:002016-07-06T16:57:46.583-05:00PART THREE
My apology that these posts are out of...PART THREE<br /><br />My apology that these posts are out of sequence. They were written in order but this website provider limits the number of characters per post, and the cell phone I am using has an auto correct that 'wrongs' more often than 'rights.' If you and your wife would like to make a new friend who has already journeyed 'down a similar road a few more miles' ... reply back with an email address. There are many of us who have made our to the Disciples of Christ, the Episcopal Church, and PCUSA. And, yes, as clergy. During my Texas years, a group of us formed a continuing chapter of the Campbell Institute. If you are not familiar with it, explore a Disciples of Christ history, and you will more fully appreciate. <br /><br />The journey of life through faith often often takes us to where we never imagined possible ... I long for improved health, a time when those who have never married are truly welcome in Stone-Campbell ministry serving churches in the USA, and the rule of God's love on earth rather than a message of 'just get it right, do it right, believe it right' with the future 'pie in the sky when you die' to justify all of the ... that isn't God'compassionate embrace for the creation. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-53755565704104498762016-07-06T01:49:43.538-05:002016-07-06T01:49:43.538-05:00PART ONE
Thank you for sharing what can be more th...PART ONE<br />Thank you for sharing what can be more than difficult for many. By reading your comments, I am reminded of having been the 17 year old child of non-institutional churches of Christ who explored the Church of England and Church of Scotland roots of his family in the USA through a small liberal arts university's local Episcopal Church and Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) when the local Church of Christ actually told the shy University freshman who had already completed undergraduate courses at a different small liberal arts University before completing high school ... I was told ... "we don't pay attention to students; they are too transient." One of my family lineages has deep roots in the Stone-Campbell movement. Another lineage is more closely related to Scotland and another includes a grandmother who was a member of the Church of England. At 17, I knew my Stone-Campbell history well and ... learned about the love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness of God in worship from the Book of Common Prayer, Hymns Ancient and Modern, the Book of Common Worship, and the PCUSA hymnal. At age 19, my undergraduate small liberal arts university President asked where I was planning to pursue graduate work, I named ... Neither he nor my undergraduate University had any Stone-Campbell Movement connections. He asked me, 'Are you certain you really want to go there? You can go anywhere you want.' I answered, 'yes. I want to serve others in ministry.' At age 20, I moved to wesr to 'pursue a Master's.' Over a several year sojourn there, I attended the 8 am service in a primarily faculty and students Church of Christ and then the 11 am service at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where I was warmly welcomed and where I experienced a community of faith that would inspire me. The shy, thin, very soft spoken 20 year old went on to serve a USA Church of Christ, a Church of Christ in England, a West African theological college, a Church of Scotland Parish Church in Edinburgh while its minister was serving as moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a United Reformed Church (URC) congregation as the URC chaplain to the University of Edinburgh (that congregation is the ongoing congregation to which Alexander Campbell preached on his 'return to Scotland' in 'an upper room' across the street from Old College, University of Edinburgh) ... and was received into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as clergy after returning to USA. I 'pursued at PhD' in Edinburgh ... <br />and ... and ...<br />LONG PAUSE ... when I returned to the USA after many years in West Africa ... I no longer was the young man ... I no longer could accept paradigms, paradigm shift explanations of 'wait for change' ... rejected the multiple narrative discourses of identity, place, and ... and ... I could no longer be that which God 'created and declared good to serve others in compassionate love' and remain in Churches of Christ. I do not fault those who can and do. Like you, I kept hope for many years that 'the church' would change. Unlike you, I witnessed the inclusion of women and choral music and an 'older congregation' that had quietly practiced 'open membership.' <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-4770851201336716312016-07-06T00:54:15.294-05:002016-07-06T00:54:15.294-05:00PART TWO
My journey of faith was not from ... not...PART TWO<br /><br />My journey of faith was not from ... not the why I left or ran away from motif ... mine is the journey to the love of God, the love of God imperfectly expressed in 2000 years of imperfect Christian communities in which singular expression of or insight into 'truth' beyond the love of God has always been impossible.<br /><br />The last few years as my health has declined and I have found myself 50ish without a physical home in the USA ... I have often wondered what happened to those Churches of Christ folks I used to know who used to speak at length about how 'we care'?<br /><br />It has been cards from the Disciples of Christ member now in her 80's who cared enough about me as a 15/16 year old still in high school and taking a university level mathematics course from her as department chair at a United Methodist liberal arts institution ... to begin a life long friendship that is stronger than anything I have known within Churches of Christ. She sent cards and telephoned when I needed to hear 'God is still here through all that life can be.' It is the cards and messages of concern from that Edinburgh United Reformed Church mentioned above that has reminded me 'I am not alone,' even through illness. It is the soon to be 90 year old 'adopted aunt/mother' in Edinburgh who sends hugs and love across the Atlantic to me through emails from her daughter in Switzerland. She began her life faith journey in the UK Churches of Christ (Disciples) and with her late husband embraced the merger of UK Church of Christ (Disciples) into the United Reformed Church.<br /><br />Over the last two years, it has been a Disciples Christ clergy friend who asked 'how can I help you?' It is the child of Churches of Christ now serving as a priest in the Episcopal Church and an amazingly gifted young PCUSA minister who one wants to visit Iona and Mull who cared enough to ask if I needed help on evenings I didn't know what to do or to whom to turn. <br /><br />I learned that while I had 'been there for all kinds of folks' ... other than aging parents ... there wasn't anyone Churches of Christ related there for me when I couldn't help myself.<br /><br />Yes ... this is after I had 'officially left' and in the minds/exact words recently overheard being said about me ... 'gone off the deep end' ... and, yes, my tolerance for that kind of 'real hatred of me,' especially in sickness ... I have no tolerance for it ... no intention of ever being associated with it again ...<br /><br />Take heart younger man and others who read this ... I still love and respect those I used to serve in Churches of Christ ... I still respect the now retired Churches of Christ faculty members who befriended and mentored me in Texas in my early 20s ... several of whom visited me in an out-of-the-way West African location to be a part of the amazing good done on those 'scared to me' village acres. <br /><br />AND ... most important ... <br />I also love without judgement all other people excluded by the language of 'the church,' 'the Lord's church,' and every other way people use that which is to embody love embracing the creation as that which excludes, deludes, and makes unwelcome.<br /><br />If this post offends, encourages, or even entertains ... it is being written on yet another night of insomnia after having taken my evening meds routine of eight meds. I really am that unwell and graciously grateful for those very few who were God's love for me over the last two years. <br /><br />West African Christian proverb:<br />Owo are Abasi Ono owo.<br />SOMEONE IS GOD TO SOMEONE.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-105996534621735862016-04-07T13:47:58.187-05:002016-04-07T13:47:58.187-05:00I have not been a member of the non-instrumental C...I have not been a member of the non-instrumental Churches of Christ nor will I ever be. Why? Because they got too legalistic over the issue of musical instruments in worship. Besides women may lead worship. That was the case at the church I grew up in. After when my old pastor left is when I became song leader. The church secretary also lead worship but she used the boombox. The Church of Christ I grew up in is instrumental.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-31834968415576648252016-02-28T21:58:27.952-06:002016-02-28T21:58:27.952-06:00Hi, I loved this article. My dad's family was/...Hi, I loved this article. My dad's family was/is Church of Christ and they basically believed the only true Christians were in Churches of Christ and that the Church of Christ members are the only ones going to heaven. This type of exclusivism (among other things)led my dad to leave the church and to not want any part of organized religion. He died 31 years ago never having gone back to any church. My grandmother recently wondered if he would be saved on judgment day and I wanted to say "well if he isn't that's partly on you". Seriously the pharisees had nothing on my grandmother (or most Church of Christ members from what I've seen). And another thing I appreciate you acknowledging: you referred to the Church of Christ as a denomination (which it SO is) and that it was established in the 1800s during the Restoration Movement by Alexander Campbell. No COC member I've known would never admit that. They insist that they are not a denomination and that they were the church that was founded in 33 AD and basically every other church is an offshoot of them hence their belief that they are the only ones who will be saved. Some will say "no, the COC was just restored by Campbell" and then in the same breath say that they were founded in 33 AD and were around before the restoration movement. I mean which is it? For it to be restored it would have to have gone away and Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against his church. If it needed to be restored then obviously the gates of hell did prevail against it for a time and thus couldn't have been the one true church. Incidentally "Church of God" appears in scripture more often than "Church of Christ" which only appears once. Clearly, Churches of Christ cherry pick from scripture and to an extent we're all guilty of that but for a group that puts more emphasis on legalism and getting every detail right than they do the atonement and grace (at last from what I've seen) you'd think they would be more mindful of that especially since they teach that salvation is predicated on worshiping a specific way. I can't help but assume most CoC people are willfully ignorant of their own history and common sense is frowned upon. One more thing I kind of like the acapella music but there's nothing wrong with instruments. They say it's wrong because the New Testament doesn't specifically authorize it even though the Old Testament straight up commands it (Psalm 150) so it's obviously not a sin. And there are two possible reasons the NT doesn't specifically authorize it: one, the NT writers presumed a familiarity with the OT on the part of their readers since there was no NT per se at that time since it was in the process of being written and two, maybe it never occurred to the NT writers that there would be a bunch of narrow-minded idiots 2,000 years later making a big deal out of a non-issue. Like I said, I like the acapella music but to say you can't be saved if you worship with instruments is just ridiculous. I also agree that I wouldn't go so far as to call the CoC a cult but they do fit the textbook definition of one, or at least many of them do I'm sure there are exceptions. Have you experienced any of the stuff I've been ranting about? Oh and incidentally the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses sprang out of that same restoration movement and nobody would argue their cult status. ;)Grant Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625650679579981796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-69771616049434090462016-02-05T16:39:47.666-06:002016-02-05T16:39:47.666-06:00Hi Thomas, thanks for sharing your story. I'd ...Hi Thomas, thanks for sharing your story. I'd like if you can help with the book "Campbellism by Bob .L. Ross" where i can download the e-version for free?? would really appreciateaypritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10214517581673431228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-58925270404348268322015-12-30T12:01:40.869-06:002015-12-30T12:01:40.869-06:00Perhaps you stop wandering and focus on being a di...Perhaps you stop wandering and focus on being a disciple. Less of self and more of thee. I suggest a book to all of you; "Muscle and a Shovel" by Michael Shank. With love, Kevin Foshee ckfoshee@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-63313085861778565752015-08-27T14:38:36.839-05:002015-08-27T14:38:36.839-05:00Thanks for this and i understand your point on the...Thanks for this and i understand your point on the 1Timothy 2:11-13, but i will implore you to read "I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN" a book by Richard and Catherine Kroeger. I know how much the Cs O C go into historical church traditions. I believe we'll understand why Paul instructed Timothy so and in what context. Thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-26058846132237063472015-08-13T00:41:29.749-05:002015-08-13T00:41:29.749-05:00I left Church of Christ at 40 years old. That was ...I left Church of Christ at 40 years old. That was six years ago. I lost everyone when I left. My parents, sister, extended family, lifelong friends. Literally everyone. Once a lifer, always a lifer--until your behind is warming a seat while your heart goes dead and cold--and then you have no choice. The road has been long and hard. Our entire support group was obliterated overnight. Turns out the people who said they would love us forever, only loved us as long as we did what they told us to do. <br />My marriage suffered a lot, as did my relationship with my kids, but with a lot of therapy, and a lot of grace and love for each other, we've stayed together and are moving forward as one. We do go to another church (truly non-denominational) but I stay clear of all groups or social ties. My kids, on the other hand, are fully connected with their youth group and are doing great. If it was up to me, I would never go to another church again, but I promised myself long ago, that the bitterness I struggle with, is not going to be put on my kids. So far, so good. And like I said, I still go to church, and think it's a great place full of some really good people. But there isn't one part of me, that will ever put my entire life into another group like that again. I don't know about every C of C out there, but I do know that the one my family came from was a cult. Shunning, disowning, and using fear to control people is kind of a hallmark of that. Even so, one of the things that I still have really great memories of is my youth group. Some of my most treasured friends came from that. Most of us have left C of C, but others are still stuck, afraid of the kind of fallout that me and the ones who went before me received. I also do miss acapella music sometimes. Especially remembering how beautiful it was filling a room. Wish I could forget how many relationships it's been used to destroy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799209180684624993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-67303393608277394172015-08-13T00:38:10.563-05:002015-08-13T00:38:10.563-05:00I left Church of Christ at 40 years old. That was ...I left Church of Christ at 40 years old. That was six years ago. I lost everyone when I left. My parents, sister, extended family, lifelong friends. Literally everyone. Once a lifer, always a lifer--until your behind is warming a seat while your heart goes dead and cold--and then you have no choice. The road has been long and hard. Our entire support group was obliterated overnight. Turns out the people who said they would love us forever, only loved us as long as we did what they told us to do. <br />My marriage suffered a lot, as did my relationship with my kids, but with a lot of therapy, and a lot of grace and love for each other, we've stayed together and are moving forward as one. We do go to another church (truly non-denominational) but I stay clear of all groups or social ties. My kids, on the other hand, are fully connected with their youth group and are doing great. If it was up to me, I would never go to another church again, but I promised myself long ago, that the bitterness I struggle with, is not going to be put on my kids. So far, so good. And like I said, I still go to church, and think it's a great place full of some really good people. But there isn't one part of me, that will ever put my entire life into another group like that again. I don't know about every C of C out there, but I do know that the one my family came from was a cult. Shunning, disowning, and using fear to control people is kind of a hallmark of that. Even so, one of the things that I still have really great memories of is my youth group. Some of my most treasured friends came from that. Most of us have left C of C, but others are still stuck, afraid of the kind of fallout that me and the ones who went before me received. I also do miss acapella music sometimes. Especially remembering how beautiful it was filling a room. Wish I could forget how many relationships it's been used to destroy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799209180684624993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-72620422828119074622015-07-29T20:05:31.062-05:002015-07-29T20:05:31.062-05:00Hello, I'm very disappointed in what happened ...Hello, I'm very disappointed in what happened with your experience with the Church of Christ BJ. To clarify a few things, Paul instructed Timothy, in 1Timothy2:11-13 why a woman is not to preach,teach, or lead any sort of areas of worship/class with MEN. That's why the girls, were not allowed to do that. Simply put, that's how God made things. And, I for one, will not question Him...but I understand why it's such a heated topic. The Church of Christ has no issue with women teach,preaching to other women. But Paul made it very clear about conduct with a men/women. As for interpretations, as a history major i can clarify where it is the Church of Christ get their "true" meanings. and that's from three languages, Arabic(Musselman), Hebrew(the Jew), and Greek(while under roman rule). God made things very simple, and very specific in the Bible. And I am by no means demeaning any other gender or such. But the Bible says...what the Bible says. And we take it like that. Please be careful out there in the world BJ, and everyone. And make sure you are not practicing the "..Doctrine of Devils". Jesus loves you all. I will try to answer any questions or concerns as best I can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-18867905479712759422015-04-15T10:48:07.268-05:002015-04-15T10:48:07.268-05:00Is it possible to transition children/teens from C...Is it possible to transition children/teens from COC to a non-denominational church? My husband and I would like to take his sons to Church on the Move with us when they visit twice a month, but when we tried years ago when they were much younger (they are all now teenagers) it was pretty traumatic for them. Is it something we should even try?Allie Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04194548788958355193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-55556879086299077302015-01-25T08:33:11.865-06:002015-01-25T08:33:11.865-06:00I was with Crossroads COC in Gainesville, FL in th...I was with Crossroads COC in Gainesville, FL in the 80's during high school and later up to years after high school, college and working. Then joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, OK near Lawton. There I was with NW COC for 4 months. <br /><br />Anyway being with Crossroads COC was a mixed bag. If you had a few friends who had a deep understanding of the scriptures and were not legalistic about it, and not caught up in the controlling aspects is misapplied discipleship methods you were okay. I learned this from experience since the brother who shared Christ with me in the beginning already knew the scriptures before moving to Gainesville and joining Crossroads. We had great fellowship. The singing was great. We learned a lot. But while there I began to question a lot of things since the brotherhood was very critical of the whole Crossroads/Boston movement. And that is when I met a new guy who placed membership who graduated from Bear Valley and Whites Ferry Road schools of ministry. <br /><br />He cleared some things up for me...like total commitment. He boiled that down to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. By this time we were sick of the arrogance we heard behind the pulpit. I was so sick of it I was visiting other COC. Some brothers were saying, "your commitment to Christ won't be as effective in another congregation" was the type of thing I heard. So I was convinced it is not a sin to join the Army and I will be stationed where God places me. <br /><br />LOL, before that I read books on the Restoration Movement. One of them was the "Stone/Campbell Movement." I was so glad to read up on this history. This was all before leaving Crossroads. And by the time I left I had an understanding of the Bible to learn on my own as God led me. And enough to agree and disagree on certain things about Crossroads. Being with a mainline COC was not so strange to me.<br /><br />Long story short after being with NW COC I brought a friend of mine from Ft. Sill and it was the first time he was ever in any church since he was maybe 3 years old. He was agnostic. And the minister had to preach on instrumental music, something I studied on my own with and did not totally agree with COC view to ban it and make a test of fellowship. I knew the Independent Christian Church in Gainesville and Ocala, FL and they seemed alright to me. I really had enough. I signaled to Jay for us to leave and we did. I later went to Western Hills CC and surprisingly Jay went with me. It took nine months but once he had faith in Christ he did not waste any time and became a Christian. His family didn't agree with him, but he did anyway. Upon finishing the Army he went to Ozark Christian College.<br /><br />Years later I'm with Calvary Chapel and have been for a number of years since they teach the books of the Bible context and chapter by chapter 99% of the time. Some topical, mostly expositional. And I see a big difference and an entire congregation full of people who have a deep understanding of the scriptures, more solid fruit in our own lives, and college students who don't drop out but mature in their faith. It's the fruit that matters and a true love for God and His people. Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02913361401518243270noreply@blogger.com