I saw some problems and...

[Binaca Chugger]

It seems as though many people here have seen some problems in the IFB NADD (That group of IFBers who claim they are Not-A-Denomination, but really are).  The question is, what did you do about it?  I did not include "Recognized and gossiped as much as I could," for hopefully you didn't choose that response. 

Along with the poll, would you care to share why you came to your decision and what the result has been for you?

 

[Izdaari]

I was in an IFB church was I was 12, but not since then. It wasn't a bad church, and I'm still grateful to them for leading me to Jesus and teaching me the basics of Christianity. I didn't leave because of problems with it, but because my family moved out of the area. My churches after that have ranged from mainline/liberal to trinitarian Pentecostal.

Recently I moved from Assemblies of God to a church with dual Episcopal (TEC) and Lutheran (ELCA) affiliations, and am quite pleased with it. It is a little more liberal than I am, but it's orthodox and that works for me. Our style of worship is "high church" liturgical but a little bit contemporary, and that works for me too. My true doctrinal beliefs are in the Anglican to Lutheran range, and I feel like I've come home.

 

[Sherryh]

I can't tell any horror stories which I am very thankful..............I've been IFB all my life

 

[Recovering IFB]

Or how about "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, so I left". That's why I left,....

 

[Just me]

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was driven out of the congregation as a rebel"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was humiliated from the pulpit until I left"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and my family was split apart under the IFBx divide and conquer doctrine"

and on and on it could go

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Or how about "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, so I left". That's why I left,....

Now that is the sad one.  I have experienced this also, but do remain IFB for what those words mean, not the ecclesiastical association.

 

[Binaca Chugger]

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was driven out of the congregation as a rebel"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was humiliated from the pulpit until I left"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and my family was split apart under the IFBx divide and conquer doctrine"

and on and on it could go

Ouch.  So sorry for you.  I have seen similar situations under different circumstances:  One is when the pastor is committing a crime like unto embezzlement or refusing to pastor, the other is when you dare to question authority.

Personally, I am not familiar with the "divide and conquer" doctrine.

 

[Just me]

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was driven out of the congregation as a rebel"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and I was humiliated from the pulpit until I left"

or how about, "Recognized the problem, addressed it, nothing was done about it, and my family was split apart under the IFBx divide and conquer doctrine"

and on and on it could go

Ouch.  So sorry for you.  I have seen similar situations under different circumstances:  One is when the pastor is committing a crime like unto embezzlement or refusing to pastor, the other is when you dare to question authority.

Personally, I am not familiar with the "divide and conquer" doctrine.

"Divide and conquer doctrine" is simple and yet has many ways it is carried out.  Basic theme is that when one member of a family is "out of line" (in the pastors eyes anyway) the rest of the family is to shun them to what ever degree is necessary to bring them back into line with the preacher or until preacher lets the parents know the wayward one is back on track.  This goes for children in the home still as well as those who have left the home.  It applies to husband and wife also only it is difficult in that aspect but in principle it is there. 

It is also what is done to church members who dare to leave "preachers fold".  Remaining members are forbidden to communicate with them and are to shun them at all times. 

IE peer pressure on steriods!!!

Sadly I have observed this behavior all to many times. 

 

[Just me]

Got fed up with the double standard and left.

Things like:

Preacher preaching against all music except for what is played or sung in church but when traveling with him he has rock and roll, country and other cd's in his vehicle to listen to.

Preacher preaching against foul language and sexual conversations but when traveling with him and his staff I sit in shock of the language and conversations that took place and were obviously normal for them when they were together.

Preacher preaching against smoking but when traveling with him he likes his cigar at he end of the day.

Preacher preaching against gossip but when traveling with him you learn everthing about everyone you really don't want to know.


hmmm I guess the lesson is don't be around the preacher except in the church service. 

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Got fed up with the double standard and left.

Things like:

Preacher preaching against all music except for what is played or sung in church but when traveling with him he has rock and roll, country and other cd's in his vehicle to listen to.

Preacher preaching against foul language and sexual conversations but when traveling with him and his staff I sit in shock of the language and conversations that took place and were obviously normal for them when they were together.

Preacher preaching against smoking but when traveling with him he likes his cigar at he end of the day.

Preacher preaching against gossip but when traveling with him you learn everthing about everyone you really don't want to know.


hmmm I guess the lesson is don't be around the preacher except in the church service.

It's sad, but so true that I chuckled.  I have had some pretty similar experiences.  Yep, gotta find a new church and a new pastor.

 

[Just me]

Got fed up with the double standard and left.

Things like:

Preacher preaching against all music except for what is played or sung in church but when traveling with him he has rock and roll, country and other cd's in his vehicle to listen to.

Preacher preaching against foul language and sexual conversations but when traveling with him and his staff I sit in shock of the language and conversations that took place and were obviously normal for them when they were together.

Preacher preaching against smoking but when traveling with him he likes his cigar at he end of the day.

Preacher preaching against gossip but when traveling with him you learn everthing about everyone you really don't want to know.


hmmm I guess the lesson is don't be around the preacher except in the church service.

It's sad, but so true that I chuckled.  I have had some pretty similar experiences.  Yep, gotta find a new church and a new pastor.

Oh we did.  Problem is that the only way to leave one of those types if places is to just disappear one day.  Unfortunately we did not learn that lesson until after several years of heartache.  That jerk, I mean preacher, still to this day thinks he controls or can control our lives. 

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Got fed up with the double standard and left.

Things like:

Preacher preaching against all music except for what is played or sung in church but when traveling with him he has rock and roll, country and other cd's in his vehicle to listen to.

Preacher preaching against foul language and sexual conversations but when traveling with him and his staff I sit in shock of the language and conversations that took place and were obviously normal for them when they were together.

Preacher preaching against smoking but when traveling with him he likes his cigar at he end of the day.

Preacher preaching against gossip but when traveling with him you learn everthing about everyone you really don't want to know.


hmmm I guess the lesson is don't be around the preacher except in the church service.

It's sad, but so true that I chuckled.  I have had some pretty similar experiences.  Yep, gotta find a new church and a new pastor.

Oh we did.  Problem is that the only way to leave one of those types if places is to just disappear one day.  Unfortunately we did not learn that lesson until after several years of heartache.  That jerk, I mean preacher, still to this day thinks he controls or can control our lives.

Oh, I got that T-shirt!  Know what's fun?  Show up some day, talk with all the people before the service and let them know that your life HASN'T fallen apart and you are enjoying your sweet walk with God more now than ever.  The "jerk" will squirm, he will probably change his sermon and preach at you - just smile.  Then, on the way out, smile, shake his hand and tell him of an answer to prayer you just had.  This will throw him completely off because he does not believe answers to prayer are possible unless you are under his command.  Tell him good luck and go!

 

[Just me]

Got fed up with the double standard and left.

Things like:

Preacher preaching against all music except for what is played or sung in church but when traveling with him he has rock and roll, country and other cd's in his vehicle to listen to.

Preacher preaching against foul language and sexual conversations but when traveling with him and his staff I sit in shock of the language and conversations that took place and were obviously normal for them when they were together.

Preacher preaching against smoking but when traveling with him he likes his cigar at he end of the day.

Preacher preaching against gossip but when traveling with him you learn everthing about everyone you really don't want to know.


hmmm I guess the lesson is don't be around the preacher except in the church service.

It's sad, but so true that I chuckled.  I have had some pretty similar experiences.  Yep, gotta find a new church and a new pastor.

Oh we did.  Problem is that the only way to leave one of those types if places is to just disappear one day.  Unfortunately we did not learn that lesson until after several years of heartache.  That jerk, I mean preacher, still to this day thinks he controls or can control our lives.

Oh, I got that T-shirt!  Know what's fun?  Show up some day, talk with all the people before the service and let them know that your life HASN'T fallen apart and you are enjoying your sweet walk with God more now than ever.  The "jerk" will squirm, he will probably change his sermon and preach at you - just smile.  Then, on the way out, smile, shake his hand and tell him of an answer to prayer you just had.  This will throw him completely off because he does not believe answers to prayer are possible unless you are under his command.  Tell him good luck and go!

Sounds like experience speaking!  Hope you smiled big. 

But you are right in that God has blessed greatly since our departure.  Just sad it did not occur years sooner.

 

[prophet]

Have a cigar with him, tell him you always thought he was gay, or that he may be the anti-Christ.  Pat him on the head, like a lil. Dog, and walk away chuckling, shaking your head.
Prolly won't hear much from him, after that.

Sent from my N860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[prophet]

FTR, I stood in Jack S's face, one on one, several times, and voiced my concerns.  When he lied, and changed nothing, then blew me off, I told a few staff why I was leaving, and left.  I cut ties completely, which was hard on my family, but necessary, to undercut any effort fbch would have made to reach out.  So they just lied about me in my absence.
One thing, when you know you are right, cause you stand for God against false ways, the peace and strength comes from Him to deal with the consequences.  I realized soon, how little I cared what anyone but Christ thought of me.
This week,  I have been gathering people that I led to the Lord in Chicago, to start another church there.  They are excited, not one bit discouraged, and I have been blessed by their faithfulness to God.
That's what I did, when I saw some problems...


Sent from my N860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sherryh]

prophet, you're a wise man ...........we serve God because of Him not because a preacher....they will up and change on you in a heart beat!!

God never changes!!

One thing I've learned from my pastor is serve God not man. My pastor has never followed man..........I believe that's why God has blessed our church.

 

[Castor Muscular]

I saw some problems and...

...rejoiced.