Florida Woman Says Former Church Plans to Make Her Sins Public

[Guest TheChief]

Thursday, December 18, 2008

By Diane Macedo

A 49-year-old Florida woman says her former church is threatening to reveal her sins to its congregation after learning that she is in a "sexually immoral relationship."

Rebecca Hancock told FOXNews.com that Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Jacksonville, Fla., was against her relationship with boyfriend Frank Young because the two were sexually active but not married.

When she wasn

[LIVN4JC]

I just don't understand why they keep at her when she already resigned her membership. Are they thinking of the children at all and how this will affect them? I know sex without marriage is a sin but to quote Jesus "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". They spoke to her; she left; leave her alone. Now it is in the hands of the Lord. Will pray for the church and the couple involved.

Sister in Christ

Anne

[Guest yod]

If she has left it is no longer their business. They are asking for it. She can take legal action in the form of a suit.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

If she has left it is no longer their business. They are asking for it. She can take legal action in the form of a suit.

I must agree. I would be filing harassment at the least. I sure wouldn't feel safe.

[stacey c]

This is disgusting!!! It's a prime example of the church abusing there power. I was in a similar situation when I lived in Florida. I knew I was living in sin and the Holy Spirit convicted me of it, and I repented and changed the situation. But my boyfriend did go to the church although he was talked about behind our backs, judged, and called all kinds of vile names.

No one in leadership came to us in love or couseling, or concern for our spiritual well being. I was just given ultimatems about leaving him or else....

The final straw was when the pastor went on a public forum/blog and told my personal business to the general public, then he also critisized my work ethic. I left the church without looking back. The whole joke of this was, that the people who were condemning me had sssoooo mjuch of their own dirty laundry they could of kept an army of Dry Cleaners in business for 10 years. I cannot stand hyprocrites!!!!

[RigMedic]

I understand what everyone is saying on here so far, but I kinda agree with what the church is doing. It is biblical, they are following the steps laid forth in Matthew 18:15-17. Of course she is going to be upset, she is living in sin, and enjoying it. She does not want to quit. The people in her church have a responsibility to her. They should make every attempt to save her and warn her of the consequences of her actions. The world may view this as harrasment, however it appears to me like the church trying to bring her out of her sinful relationship. It looks like an act of love to me.

[RigMedic]

This is disgusting!!! It's a prime example of the church abusing there power. I was in a similar situation when I lived in Florida. I knew I was living in sin and the Holy Spirit convicted me of it, and I repented and changed the situation. But my boyfriend did go to the church although he was talked about behind our backs, judged, and called all kinds of vile names.

No one in leadership came to us in love or couseling, or concern for our spiritual well being. I was just given ultimatems about leaving him or else....

The final straw was when the pastor went on a public forum/blog and told my personal business to the general public, then he also critisized my work ethic. I left the church without looking back. The whole joke of this was, that the people who were condemning me had sssoooo mjuch of their own dirty laundry they could of kept an army of Dry Cleaners in business for 10 years. I cannot stand hyprocrites!!!!

I would agree that just listing ultimatems right from the get go would not be an ideal way to do things. However I think that if the church was doing these things from a loving standpoint, then they would not jump straight into an ultimatem. Counseling should absolutely come first.

I would also like to point out as well that we as Christians are meant to judge others. It is the hypocrites, and the false converts, and the sinners who are not. Look at Matthew 7.

Matthew 7:1-5

Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

John 7:24

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

[RigMedic]

while I do think the church went to far, I find it ironic that the woman didnt want her kids to hear it in church, so she went to the national meida instead? now the whole world knows about it

I find that very ironic as well, good point.

[LIVN4JC]

while I do think the church went to far, I find it ironic that the woman didnt want her kids to hear it in church, so she went to the national meida instead? now the whole world knows about it

oh boy didn't see it in that light RG. Wonder is she didn't see that also. But still the church needs to back down. She is no longer a part of their family. Just my thoughts.

Many Blessings

Sister in Christ

Anne

[stacey c]

I think the point the mother was making concerning going public was that this church was a place where she and her children grew to love and trust their "family". You should be able to feel safe with your church family, and her kids would be hurt by their crusifing of her mother.

And as far as the right to judge people, how "righteous" do you have to be to be able to pull the mote out of your brothers eye. Sin is sin is sin, wether it be adultary, lying, stealing, pride ect...

I think it was Mema that posted the scripture "He with out sin cast the first stone"