Phil,
I suppose that I do take comments a bit personally about the
church because many of those criticisms are leveled at us and people make
those criticisms without getting our side of the story. All that they know
is that we didn't help so and so, or we didn't do this and such for some
friend of a friend who made an appeal, and they immediately defend the
person that they know rather than being interested in pursuing the truth
from our perspective. For example, I don't know if you guys remember or
not, but about two years ago, we were approached by someone who wanted our
church to lend them our 501 C 3 number, so that they could get some
money donated to a ministry that they were trying to start up. We said
"No," for various reasons, one of which was legal. We really believed,
after much prayer, that we did the right thing. Believe me, I'm leaving a
lot of detail out so as not to boar you with old history that some of you
may or may not remember. The point is, there are some people who are
holding it against us and have said flat out that they aren't interested in
hearing our side of the story. Their friend's request was denied and that
friend wasn't able to do things the way that they wanted too and that's all
that the other parties involved care to know. That happens a lot with the
church and, I'm sorry, but I see it happening here too. Assumptions have
been made that, because this church is a big church, and can afford out
reach ministries, such as radio and TV ministries, surely, they can help
our friend George. We haven't heard both sides of the story, but we've
already drawn negative conclusions about the church and its motives without
even hearing their side of the story. Do we know that they didn't give a
referral? Do we know what their church policy on benevolence is? I don't
know these things, so I am urging caution in condemnation. What concerns
me is, we've heard about this situation with George and this particular
church, third hand really, yet, it almost seems that there is eagerness on
the part of some to jump on the criticism band wagon and I don't think that
that is right.
I also find it interesting that you label the address to the
churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3 as church bashing. I prefer to see
it as warnings.
Kathy
At 01:01 PM 2/26/2005, you wrote:
>Kathy,
>
>I certainly agree with most of what you said. Yes, it is our responsibility
>to check things out to the best of our ability and leave the rest up to the
>Lord. Some are lost sheep who do go from place to place. I am not certain
>why you take our comments so personally because nobody has ever suggest you
>and Greg fall into that category. Jesus did a lot of church bashing in his
>day. He wasn't well liked as a result. When you think about it, the book
>of Revelation starts out with church bashing. To a great extent, the church
>in this country has strayed a long ways from its true identity as a bride.
>It was not God's will for the needs that George and his family had to be
>meant by the Cherokee but the Lord used them because the church not only
>would not help them but didn't bother to do a little checking. I am
>pastoring now a handful of people. I was an assistant pastor in western
>Colorado and pastored a small church of about 50 people here in Denver for
>awhile. I got calls like that, too. If we could help, we did. If we
>couldn't, we didn't. I pray with people every day, Kathy, who have been
>burned by the church. I sit and listen to their pitiful stories. I always
>try to help mend what is broken. I always encourage people to stay in
>church or to get into a church. This is one reason why we started meeting
>in our home on Friday nights, and now again on Sunday mornings, to try and
>provide a place for people to go who have been hurt. Regardless, you
>somehow seem to take it personally whenever something is said about the
>church as if we are referring to you and, of course, such is not the case.
>I have had drifters steal my identity whom we helped in the church and later
>had the police call me because they thought I was involved in a situation
>this man and his partner pulled and were arrested. I well know how people
>travel around trying to live off the churches. Judgment is going to begin
>at the house of the Lord. I've been burned myself so many times by the
>church, it is ridiculous but I've never given up on it because of that.
>I've been in lots of churches. Some I traveled and preached in and others
>the Lord put me in for a period of time for a reason. If I told you the
>reason, you wouldn't believe it so I won't go into any detail but frankly, I
>have been burned in nearly every church where I was a member. I haven't
>disowned the church as a result and, in fact, just ask the people who know
>me. I place a huge emphasis on the local New Testament church and for some
>very good reasons. If you think this is bad, wait until the spokesmen's God
>is going to raise up, before His return, start speaking out about the Bride.
>It ain't going to be pretty. Kathy, unfortunately, one of my jobs happens
>to be speaking out. I don't like the job, I didn't ask for it, and I said
>no to the Lord for a period of four years before I couldn't say no any
>longer. So I cannot remain silent due to my calling in certain areas. It
>doesn't mean I think all churches are bad so please try not to take it
>personally because it isn't meant that way.
>
>Phil.
>I flew Kites With Jesus
>www.safeplacefellowship.com
>
>
>
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