Purpose Driven Out

[whatsitmean]

Thanks everyone for your advice and concern. We have been waiting on the Lord to sort things out.

A close friend of ours has been revising the constitution at the pastor

[tsth]

Our pastor got rid of the Children's ministry worker, the nursery dept. head, and the head deacon, ALL in one fail manipulative swoop. It was pretty amazing, in looking back, at how he did it.

I'm still stunned at it all. Much like your story above, some of it had to do with church politics, and some with getting out the "resistors", that would be me/us.

I shake my head.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[RGR]

I'm still not sure where exactly PDL fits in what happened at our church, but I have shared this story with the mod's/watchmen and I'll now share it in public:

I'm a God-gifted musician who can play excellent bluegrass/country guitar and sing. When we got new pastors a few years back, the pastor did utilize my talents. Over the last year or so, the music became increasingly contemporary/rock with a gradual phasing out of anything that was traditional. At one point, I was always offered a microphone for my guitar (it's an acoustic). It came to a point that I always got my own mike and it was never a problem. One Sunday morning, I found my mike cut off for no apparent reason while the mike of some teenage kid playing the guitar was still going loud and strong (he was dating the pastor's daughter). I assumed it was an error and didn't say anything. The next Sunday I was there, it happened again. At that point, I went to the person in charge of the sound and asked what was going on. I was told that it was "pastor's" instructions for my mike to be turned off! Two other people who played traditional style were also ran off as well!

I'll share more later of the lies and breach of confidence this so-called man of God perpetrated.

[tsth]

Yep, had stuff like that go on at ours too Ronald. The traditional was phased out, and rock came in, not to mention the colored lights and darkening out the windows? I'm tellin you, it was Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

When you begin to hear different terminology beginning to be used in the leadership, you'd better take note. One prominent term I'm hearing over and over is: "Catch the vision", or the use of the term "vision". Also, noted the kids programs were "revved up" a whole bunch. They introduced a "new style" of teaching for the SS kids classes. It was a whole lot of rowdy, loud, out of control stuff, with loud music and activities. The days of them learning the Bible, and one on one with teachers was gone, and replaced with "PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS!" The worldly stuff couldn't flood in fast enough. EVERYTHING became very bizarre, and if you didn't "Catch the Vision",.............you were ousted! These are just a few of the things that took place, there were just so many out of character things that happened.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Khristeeanos]

I read over this thread and don't really understand what everybody is talking about.

Could someone please summarize it for me?

Thanks!

[tsth]

Basically churches are becoming more and more worldly. The "Purpose Driven Life" book is really, really adding fuel to the fire, along with a few other gimmicks. The problem is, anything goes in church. Anything, that is, except scriptural doctrine, evangelism, church growth/govenment. If you don't go along with these schemes, you are labeled a "resistor", "wolf", etc, and then eventually forced out of any leadership role in the church. Or even told to leave all together. Nevermind what the Bible says about the situation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, I'd say that pretty much sums it up WhySoBlind!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

Thanks Suzanne, I really appreciate it. Now I don't have to keep wading through this one article. I was afraid it would take me a month to finish posting on. lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, that was a pretty "hefty" article! I'm glad I could save you the time.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Khristeeanos]

Basically churches are becoming more and more worldly. The "Purpose Driven Life" book is really, really adding fuel to the fire, along with a few other gimmicks. The problem is, anything goes in church. Anything, that is, except scriptural doctrine, evangelism, church growth/govenment. If you don't go along with these schemes, you are labeled a "resistor", "wolf", etc, and then eventually forced out of any leadership role in the church. Or even told to leave all together. Nevermind what the Bible says about the situation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the problem is more with the movement and not the book, is that right?

It seems that the problem of false doctrine and division started long before this book.

[tsth]

I agree dime, but it seems to me, that the book is now getting the flock/congregation on board with it. Before it seemed like it was just the leaderships of the church, but with this PDL movement, it's a philosophy of "unity" at any cost within the church body, even if it means cutting off portions of the body.

The mindset seemingly of PDL, is one of a global feel, in terms of getting everyone within the body of "one mindset" even at the cost of doctrine and the body itself. At least that is a common thread I'm seeing happen with those who have been ostracized because of not wanting to do the "worldly" stuff. They are branded as trouble-makers or rebels, when in fact it is a matter of standing firm on what we heard from the beginning, which is the Truth of God's Word and not phsyco-babble, or circus-style entertainment.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Shelby]

I know I am late, but was quite intrigued with the whole story. I am sorry for your wife's grief over being treated in this way. Being a minister, we really need to guard ourselves from the idea that it is "our church" then we start running and doing things our own way and we stray from creating a worship and holy experience for the people we are ministering too.

Now I think there must be a little more, and I am sure there is ample support against it, but I would still request a meeting, but make sure that your wife brings someone she knows will support her and I would say bring her dad, that way, they will be forced to be civil and not nit picky. It becomes so hard when the people you least expect to dissappoint and reject you do it so willingly. God bless you and your wife. I hope that God would remove the obstacles and personal feelings and get to the heart of the matter. Because God has a purpose for this for all who are involved.

I would also pray about you two finding a church together that is in line with your doctrines, and worship style. Where you feel welcome. Take some time visiting different churches and pray God leads you to one who will help you grow in your walk. It will be good for you both to attend together.

GBU