Christian friendships

[pamiam]

My husband and I formed a friendship with a Pastor who just happened to live in the same street where we were currently renting a little granny flat.

The year was 1999.

We became good friends and started meeting with him for bible studies.

Over time, the bible studies grew and we met other people.

There were some issues that bothered us about our Pastor friend, but nevertheless, we still kept in touch and met for bible studies to encourage one another.

The issues that bothered us were his tendency to become "legalistic" at times.

He was not happy with the fact that we were saving to purchase a home. He said that we had to be content where the Lord had us.

He was a single man and lived in a home that the church paid for so I guess It was ok for him!

So he prayed against it. However, the Lord blessed us with a humble home that we managed to buy at a good price, and nearly 8 years later, we are still living here with never ever being late in a payment with our mortgage.

Our friendship continued despite this issue.

We continued to meet for bible studies and these extended to bbqs, picnics and times at our place for fun and relaxation.

Eventually, he had to move out of the area - a move that took him about 40 minutes from our place.

He asked my husband to help move him as my husband is a truck driver.

So, we helped move him back in 2006. And, we never heard from him again!!

We have sent cards and maybe left a message or two on his phone but he never responded.

Another friend of ours(who was also a big part of the bible study) developed CFS and moved further north. We rarely here from him.

There are days when I feel sad that our friends no longer keep in touch with us after having a friendship for so long.

My husband isn't that sad about it. He says, "We all move on".

I know that's true, but as christians, I feel as though we could still manage to keep in contact even if it was for once or twice a year.

My husband's 39 year old brother passed away tragically in November 2007 and my Mother in law

phoned our pastor friend to tell her. He didn't come to the funeral nor did he send a card or just make a call to my husband.

My husband feels as though he has become too legalistic to do this now.

It truly hurts.

Do you think Christian friendships should end?

Some people just aren't letter writers. Keep sending him cards and letters. I'm sure he appreciates them.

Back to the actual question: Do you think Christian friendships should end? Answer: No. Friendships only "end" if something happens that alienates one of both parties. We have ebb and flow within friendships, but ending something that has been considered a friendships grieves all parties.

[HeatherEljohari]

My husband and I formed a friendship with a Pastor who just happened to live in the same street where we were currently renting a little granny flat.

The year was 1999.

We became good friends and started meeting with him for bible studies.

Over time, the bible studies grew and we met other people.

There were some issues that bothered us about our Pastor friend, but nevertheless, we still kept in touch and met for bible studies to encourage one another.

The issues that bothered us were his tendency to become "legalistic" at times.

He was not happy with the fact that we were saving to purchase a home. He said that we had to be content where the Lord had us.

He was a single man and lived in a home that the church paid for so I guess It was ok for him!

So he prayed against it. However, the Lord blessed us with a humble home that we managed to buy at a good price, and nearly 8 years later, we are still living here with never ever being late in a payment with our mortgage.

Our friendship continued despite this issue.

We continued to meet for bible studies and these extended to bbqs, picnics and times at our place for fun and relaxation.

Eventually, he had to move out of the area - a move that took him about 40 minutes from our place.

He asked my husband to help move him as my husband is a truck driver.

So, we helped move him back in 2006. And, we never heard from him again!!

We have sent cards and maybe left a message or two on his phone but he never responded.

Another friend of ours(who was also a big part of the bible study) developed CFS and moved further north. We rarely here from him.

There are days when I feel sad that our friends no longer keep in touch with us after having a friendship for so long.

My husband isn't that sad about it. He says, "We all move on".

I know that's true, but as christians, I feel as though we could still manage to keep in contact even if it was for once or twice a year.

My husband's 39 year old brother passed away tragically in November 2007 and my Mother in law

phoned our pastor friend to tell her. He didn't come to the funeral nor did he send a card or just make a call to my husband.

My husband feels as though he has become too legalistic to do this now.

It truly hurts.

Do you think Christian friendships should end?

Some people just aren't letter writers. Keep sending him cards and letters. I'm sure he appreciates them.

Back to the actual question: Do you think Christian friendships should end? Answer: No. Friendships only "end" if something happens that alienates one of both parties. We have ebb and flow within friendships, but ending something that has been considered a friendships grieves all parties.

It depends on the persons beliefs. What did Christ say about fellowship and forgiveness.

Heatherxoxox