I have just posted a new article over at Notes from a Retired Preacher (Expreacherman). Please find link below:
John 5:24 Promise
How you can know you have eternal life.
I have just posted a new article over at Notes from a Retired Preacher (Expreacherman). Please find link below:
John 5:24 Promise 
I’m not even sure I’m posting this at the right spot but I’m in a pickle of a duration.
I have been attending this church for a few months and was about to become a member. Their church constitution seemed to point to grace alone (like many do, honestly).
But when the pastor spoke to my 12 year old about salvation, he brought up surrending her life to Christ. I interjected immediately and reminded both that salvation was by grace alone and that we should do good AFTER we are saved.
He nodded and I thought things were good. But then leading prayer to repeat, he stated about surrending again!
I explained things clearly to my daughter afterwards and will have to continue to do so as she “accepted Christ” but now I cannot be sure.
Clearly, I have to leave this church but I would like to know if I’m under any obligations to alert them to this fact or not? If I should speak to the pastor and explain things. I have so many people from this church in my phone and have come to love them.
What do I do?
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Bobbie Jo, soon after I came to faith in Christ, my family briefly attended a nearby church that seemed to have a clear, grace-oriented statement of faith. But, there were some red flags that showed up shortly after we began attending. We talked to the pastor about our concerns, which he dealt with somewhat dismissively, so we chose to leave.
By the time we had explained our concerns to the pastor, he was anxious to show us the door. My wife and I felt that our responsibility to the pastor and the church had been met.
Later, we found out that another couple (whom we already knew casually) had similar concerns, which they also shared with the pastor. This couple was very clear on the gospel, and said that the pastor told them they were “as crazy as we were” (using our names).
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Would you recommend that I speak to the pastor before leaving? My concern is that he did it twice within the same sit down. The second time was even after I had attempted to make it perfectly clear and he nodded.
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Bobbie Jo, I think you may have already made your point with him.
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Sigh…yeah, I believe I have. It’s just unfortunate because I want so badly to have a church family and I can’t find one. Why are we in such a small minority?
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Bobbie Jo, it’s hard to say how many people there are who have believed in Jesus as Savior. Many Christians lack the discernment to recognize teaching that undermines the gospel. Others are willing to compromise for familial, social, and even financial reasons. And, some think that they can be the ones to “straighten out” a church or denomination.
We all seek validation, and so it can be difficult for us when truth is in short supply, and has so much competition.
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Bobbie Jo, I so feel your pain. Many of my friends on FB too, thankfully we’ve formed a women’s group where all are sound there on the gospel. My daughter has suffered a lot of similar things with her husband, It’s everywhere, and many pastors are dishonest and/or hirelings. We just need to keep our armor on.
Hope you’re doing well ❤
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