redordead Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 10 Content Per Day: 0.00 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/17/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Hello, I have been struggling with the issue of whether I should leave the church I'm currently attending. I'm 25 and I have been attending this church since ever. Lately I have been having concerns over several doctrines and practices. Since I was taught that the teachings of my church were the closest I could get to true doctrines, it never crossed my mind to question them. But the past couple of years I have been more open to other Christians and have re-investigated the beliefs that I hold by reading the bible and I have come to realize that many of my beliefs are wrongs. Here are the list of beliefs/practices that I feel are contradictory to the word of God. 1. The pastors in my church do not marry and only the unmarried are allowed to enter the ministry teach the word. Those who enter the ministry are expected to literally leave behind everything (house, parents, relatives etc) and never look back. 2. The biblical Zion mentioned in the book of Revelation is a place in eternity inherited by unmarried ministers. 3. Taking medicine would mean you would not be seen at the second coming of Jesus. 4. The word "saint" is referred to the unmarried ministers during a typical sermon and believers are referred to as "believers". 5. Only this church has the revelation and other churches of this world do not measure up to the standard of doctrine taught here. 6. Evangelizing includes bring in members from other Charismatic/Pentecostal churches even though this church is one. 7. Only those who follow all of the doctrines taught in this church are real Christians (they don't explicitly say that, but it can be inferred during every sermon). 8. Believers from other churches and those who take medicine are not allowed to take the communion. 9. Only those sinlessly perfect will go to heaven (in the sense that those who attain a state on this earth where they no longer commit sin) 10. Topics such as helping the poor and the needy is never preached. One of the pastors once said that to avoid being prideful believers must give the money to the ministers and they would give money to those who need it (I don't think he had any ulterior motive in saying that). 11. Believers are expected to ask the pastors before taking any decision in their life. There would be a feeling that God would punish us if we go against their advice. They often use examples where certain believers questioned them and had horrible deaths. Leaving this church equals backsliding. This list can go on and on. But having said that, they vigorously preach against sin and almost all of the sermons are pertaining to living a holy life. The gift of the holy spirit like prophecy and tongues are abundant in the church. I have nothing against the way the believers or the pastors are in person. They seem like genuine people. They literally sacrifice their sleep and pray night and day for all the believers in the church. They genuinely care about the believers. They come running to our homes and pray for us even if we are in the least amount of distress. Here is where I stand. I'm caught in two minds. I have tried going to this church the past year owing to pressure from my parents (to them leaving this church would be like leaving Christianity itself and they would be terribly hurt if I do). But to stay in this church would mean to look down on every other Christian on this earth like they are a lesser christian than I am. I have no peace when I go to Church. Instead of listening to the sermon I'm constantly on the edge trying to check if they're teaching false doctrines. Just the other day one of the pastors said 2 people never sinned their entire life.. Jesus and Daniel (I was fuming). Would I be making a mistake in leaving this church? Edited August 18, 2014 by redordead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncn Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Graduated to Heaven Followers: 6 Topic Count: 406 Topics Per Day: 0.09 Content Count: 5,248 Content Per Day: 1.12 Reputation: 1,337 Days Won: 67 Joined: 08/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 I wont go through the whole list of things you have written and address them individually. All I would say is , change your church now! It sounds like a cult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appy Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Royal Member Followers: 23 Topic Count: 133 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,864 Content Per Day: 0.61 Reputation: 2,596 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 I agree with nc, all the things you have mentioned sound like the making of a cult. What items you have listed are not biblical. I also suggest that you leave this church and not look back, and do NOT let them make you feel guilty for leaving. You have every right to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 683 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 11,128 Content Per Day: 1.99 Reputation: 1,352 Days Won: 54 Joined: 02/03/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/07/1952 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Leave as soon as you can. Honor your parents and sit down with them and tell them why. You have explained yourself well here, do the same for your parents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
He giveth more grace Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Royal Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 123 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2,049 Content Per Day: 0.32 Reputation: 267 Days Won: 9 Joined: 10/22/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 This "church" is not in accordance to sound doctrine, flee it as you would a burning building. May the Lood lead and direct you to a safe place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevenseas Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 30 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,373 Content Per Day: 0.76 Reputation: 683 Days Won: 22 Joined: 02/28/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 Gee...I agree with the advice of the other posters. so sorry...I know exactly how you feel. I pray that God will lead you and keep you as you leave and search for another church And a very big dose of the peace that only God gives to us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other one Posted August 18, 2014 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 29 Topic Count: 599 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 56,260 Content Per Day: 7.56 Reputation: 27,988 Days Won: 271 Joined: 12/29/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted August 18, 2014 I agree with the others..... leave now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alien224 Posted August 19, 2014 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 82 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,762 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 869 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/09/2011 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/24/1964 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Agree with everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redordead Posted August 19, 2014 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 10 Content Per Day: 0.00 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/17/2014 Status: Offline Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Thank you all for your replies. It has been encouraging to me. I've been contemplating leaving this church for almost 2 years now but I guess I'm not finding the strength to take that step, but I will eventually. I'm planning on attending a church this Sunday near my place that i visited couple of months back. I'll let you all know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faith pleases God Posted August 19, 2014 Group: Senior Member Followers: 6 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 653 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 189 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/18/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/26/1977 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It is all about seeking truth and being a sincere seeker of the Lord. This cult may be good hearted and well intended but it is deceived and teaches false doctrine. What is more important than loving and following truth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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