Left my Charasmatic church to return to my Wesleyan church~

[NewSong]

About three weeks ago, I returned to the church of my youth after being out of it for about 15 years. I must say, I don't know why I stayed away so long. It feels good, and I am so blessed to be back in my home church. I am not Nazarene but pretty close to it. I just wanted to say Hi and take an active part in this forum now that I have made the switch back.

I am a Wesleyan for about 32 years roughly.

Looking forward to fellowshipping with everyone.

NewSong

[The Student2005]

I am new here and have only posted one other thread, but trying very hard to navigate through it all. Being born and dedicated in a little Nazarene church in Glendale, California some 71 years ago, I have been in the Wesleyan environment all my life with it's distinctiveness to holy living. through the years I have learned the gift of spiritual tolerance for all faiths especially those truly born of the Spirit and lead of the Spirit of God. Leaving one church family and going back to the former can teach us wonderful lessons of the Oneness of the fellowship of His Cross. Just wanted to add this thread here and encourage you in your journey in this time world. . . The Student.

[herev]

Welcome Home, NewSong, and Welcome Student

[WesleyJohn]

.

[gtsecc]

What made you leave?

[NewSong]

Let me thank all for the wonderful welcomes here~

And to answer one of the questions, as to what made me leave?

I felt that the church basically was not what I wanted in a church and that the belief system is not what I wanted nor did I believe.

I think, I was first fascinated with the "way it sold God" and was so understanding of every day problems but I later found out that it was not how understanding someone would be of the problems but how I needed taught (oh God/Holy Spirit is my teacher) but how I was directed to approach my problems that were sometimes not realistic. I also found that I had the life sucked right out of me too by "performance oriented" principles taught. I have to laugh because that is exactly what my former church that I am back in now was accused of by this particular select group and there is no way they could possibly know what was in my former church unless they sat there. I realized that the majority of people that was ended up in church services were not ones that were not attending church but ones coming out of other churches ...and that they only talked to Christians or church people and that the evangelizing of the lost was not as prominent as I wanted.

I also left, because no one cared about my soul to my knowledge and if they did, I never had anyone indicate they did. They don't even know that I have been gone there for the past 4 years, and the other 11, I don't know if they knew I attended. :) Unless there wasn't someone to do some of the things that I used to take care of and they thought it was punishment if they took away some of the things that I used to do. I DON"T like manipulation and that is exactly what was happening to me with no imagination but pure and plain and boldly receiving a letter from the pastor which indicated if I done this then I could do that sort of thing...(Going to services..??AND the objecte of having church services is??? SO people can attend? Or for control?) ANY way that may not exist in all but a large portion in my area is full of it and I can't stand it. It makes me sick that I still have a brother caught with is head bowed low with an issue that the church helped create for him ....And no one really standing with him ...but saying "brother if only you had done this."

I am actually finding a lot of spiritually ignorant people in the charasmatic churches in this area....and not really versed on the gospel so much as they are on an idea and on opinions.

END OF that...I don't want to really talk so much about why I left so much as why I chose to go back to my church...and that is because God told me to and I am so excited about what GOD has in store for the community with this church in the way of evangelism, and outreach and the message the church has to send to a lost and dying world. EXCITING.

Blessings

NewSong

[WesleyJohn]

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[ClementofRome]

(Emphasis Mine)

Amen.

Far too often I hear of people choosing churches because of consumer reasons... "I like their music. I like the programs. They are convenient. I agree with their doctrine. Their pastor is inspirational. I feel like I'm home. etc. etc."

None of those things are bad. (In fact, most of them are generally good things!)

But rarely do I hear someone say, "This is where God wants me to go. Even if it's not convenient, full of programs, or has good pastor and doctrine that I agree with."

We've often sold a consumer image of church that encourages people to pick a congregation based upon what they need.

More people should go to the church that God leads them too.

Grace and Peace,

WJ


I was moved to stop and thank God for this post. There are so many reasons why I might not want to belong to our particular church....and frankly I am sick of trying to justify it to certain folks. Bottom line....this is where God put us, if even for a season.

Blessings to you WJ!

[NewSong]

(Emphasis Mine)

Amen.

Far too often I hear of people choosing churches because of consumer reasons... "I like their music. I like the programs. They are convenient. I agree with their doctrine. Their pastor is inspirational. I feel like I'm home. etc. etc."

None of those things are bad. (In fact, most of them are generally good things!)

But rarely do I hear someone say, "This is where God wants me to go. Even if it's not convenient, full of programs, or has good pastor and doctrine that I agree with."

We've often sold a consumer image of church that encourages people to pick a congregation based upon what they need.

More people should go to the church that God leads them too.

Grace and Peace,

WJ

Well said.."Consumer image"....I bought into it and will admit I have done that but thankfully this time, I know I didn't. I walked back into a church that had the doors closed and looked like it was the last place anyone should be. :) So I know God put me there in more ways than one.

I like what was said by ClementofRome, "I am here because God put me here" and tired of justifying it...That is what makes attending church all the more awesome is because God put me there.

I am totally excited and can't wait to see what God is doing in all of us and what he has in store. There is not a pastor in his right mind that wants our church but thankfully God has placed a clergyman here by divine appointment and has been sent with a message that I believe that is the perfect one...I wished we could keep him as pastor.... Can you believe it? The church shut the doors and now God has opened them again...this is way cool and there is only about 5 of us right at the moment that are really wanting to wade in but the 5 of us there are placed there by GOD... I am so excited. So there are no programs, no fancy music, and no fancy clothes, but a desire to see souls saved, and a message to the lost and we are going door to door, making calls, holding prayer meetings, singing a joyful sound without instruments..:)

God is increasing all the time...It started with three and now there are 5...

AND more have promised to be there this Sunday, and Thursday. :) :) :)

[cygnusx1]

... I am so excited. So there are no programs, no fancy music, and no fancy clothes, but a desire to see souls saved, and a message to the lost and we are going door to door, making calls, holding prayer meetings, singing a joyful sound without instruments..:)



WOW!
a Church without Gimmicks , a rare and pleasant sight ......... Go With God's grace Sister .:hug:

[NewSong]

WOW!
a Church without Gimmicks , a rare and pleasant sight ......... Go With God's grace Sister .:hug:

Thanks so much Cygnusx1! Yes it is a beautifully pleasant sight. Yes God's grace...So thankful for HIS grace.. :) NewSong

[Papa01]

Welcome back Newsong!

[ContraMundum]

What a great thread.

I left charismania years ago myself. I didn't last there long anyway.

Well done!

[tulipbee]

was not what I wanted in a church and that the belief system is not what I wanted nor did I believe.


How about doing what God wanted? Besides God does do what he wants, so congratulations in following God's Will.

Calivinist Tulipbee