How many conversions have you witnessed....

[Izdaari]

[quote author=Izdaari] I never especially tried to change my AG church. It is what it is, and what it is is conservative evangelical, which I gradually came to realize I am most emphatically not, particularly with regard to culture and politics. I remain creedally orthodox and continuationist, and I suppose I'm still broadly compatible with AG theology.

But after the Santorum phenomenon and all the support it got from conservative evangelicals, I was kinda revolted by the thought of even remaining associated with the movement. I took that as my cue to exist stage left, and practice separation from dominionists, theonomists and any other flavors of borderline theocrats. I was actually worried that my new church might be too liberal theologically -- as in not orthodox -- and if that had been the case, I would've looked for somewhere else to move to.

Though there is often too much politics wrapped up in the pulpit of evangelical churches there are still plenty of Bible-believing conservative churches that understand that the main emphasis of the church is to be the glory of God and the equipping of the saints to minister the gospel, leaving political action to it's properly relegated more private sphere.  In other words, I don't think that such political entanglement by the"movement" should be used as justification for leaving an individual church that is not distracted in such a manner.
[/quote]

It's true that my AG church was not very political, and mostly does fit the description in your first sentence. Still, by remaining in the conservative evangelical wing of Christianity, I felt that I was lending tacit support to Religious Right politics and dominionism, and that's something I felt convicted to practice separation from.

And I've had an affinity for Anglicanism for many years, mainly due to C.S. Lewis and N.T. Wright, my two favorite Christian writers, both Anglicans.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

[quote author=Izdaari I never especially tried to change my AG church. It is what it is, and what it is is conservative evangelical, which I gradually came to realize I am most emphatically not, particularly with regard to culture and politics. I remain creedally orthodox and continuationist, and I suppose I'm still broadly compatible with AG theology.

But after the Santorum phenomenon and all the support it got from conservative evangelicals, I was kinda revolted by the thought of even remaining associated with the movement. I took that as my cue to exist stage left, and practice separation from dominionists, theonomists and any other flavors of borderline theocrats. I was actually worried that my new church might be too liberal theologically -- as in not orthodox -- and if that had been the case, I would've looked for somewhere else to move to.

Though there is often too much politics wrapped up in the pulpit of evangelical churches there are still plenty of Bible-believing conservative churches that understand that the main emphasis of the church is to be the glory of God and the equipping of the saints to minister the gospel, leaving political action to it's properly relegated more private sphere.  In other words, I don't think that such political entanglement by the"movement" should be used as justification for leaving an individual church that is not distracted in such a manner.
[/quote]

I don't buy the politics and the pulpit don't  mix argument.....not when political issues are moral and Biblical issues. Our recent Marriage Amendment in NC is a case in point.
Marriage is and was a Biblical concept long before it became a political issue. Homosexual activity is sinful and marriage, by definition is between a man and a woman.

Why shouldn't the church and Christians voice their opinion? The gay advocacy groups certainly do!
In NC, the SBC led the charge...with little help from the IFB movement .....in fact two IFB preachers make big news by their lock the perverts up in a fence and throw away the key sermons.....

I preached a sermon on the issue, using Biblical exposition on marriage and homosexuality....with NO APOLOGY!

Alayman, this rant isn't directed at you personally......

 

[Izdaari]

And you know I don't agree, that I oppose the NC amendment and support Washington State's SSM law.

I don't say churches shouldn't speak out... but if they do, I want to belong to a church I can agree with when it does.