Comments on: On Leaving A Church http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church Web Development, startups, entrepreneurship, books, art, and other stuff Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Phil Crissman http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1188 Phil Crissman Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:31:51 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1188 Thanks, Shiz. Yes, that is one thing that I <em>am</em> happy about; I know we aren't bitter at all. I can say that with confidence because it's just the truth; there's no personality conflict, no offense, we aren't hurt -- it was simply a well-considered decision based on irreconcilable doctrinal differences. Which is a long winded way to say, we didn't agree, we felt it was an important issue, so we elected to leave. :-) Thanks again; talk to you soon. Thanks, Shiz. Yes, that is one thing that I am happy about; I know we aren’t bitter at all. I can say that with confidence because it’s just the truth; there’s no personality conflict, no offense, we aren’t hurt — it was simply a well-considered decision based on irreconcilable doctrinal differences. Which is a long winded way to say, we didn’t agree, we felt it was an important issue, so we elected to leave. :-)

Thanks again; talk to you soon.

]]> By: Shiz http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1187 Shiz Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:36:55 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1187 Well, I for one am proud of you. Of course things are kind-of funny and/or hard with this, but I'm sure you'll come out ok. And it sounds to me like you aren't bitter, which can be a real danger when there are disagreements amongst people who are in any sort of literal or figurative family. Love you. Well, I for one am proud of you. Of course things are kind-of funny and/or hard with this, but I’m sure you’ll come out ok. And it sounds to me like you aren’t bitter, which can be a real danger when there are disagreements amongst people who are in any sort of literal or figurative family.

Love you.

]]> By: Phil Crissman http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1186 Phil Crissman Thu, 21 Dec 2006 17:43:16 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1186 Well... I don't know. I get what you're saying, and I don't claim to know everything, so that's possible. ...And I'm not trying to say there's something <em>wrong</em> with the church; it's a good place. But there's a few things that have come to the forefront that I really don't agree with. So it's either attempt to ignore these (tried that), or move on. It might surprise you, but I don't actually believe that absolutely everything that happens on earth is because God willed it -- that would mean that it's God's will for people to be sick and suffer, for people to starve in the third world, and so forth and so on... and I don't think that's true. That's a whole other topic though, and a pretty big one, at that. Maybe some other time... See you round Christmas! Well… I don’t know. I get what you’re saying, and I don’t claim to know everything, so that’s possible.

…And I’m not trying to say there’s something wrong with the church; it’s a good place. But there’s a few things that have come to the forefront that I really don’t agree with. So it’s either attempt to ignore these (tried that), or move on.

It might surprise you, but I don’t actually believe that absolutely everything that happens on earth is because God willed it — that would mean that it’s God’s will for people to be sick and suffer, for people to starve in the third world, and so forth and so on… and I don’t think that’s true. That’s a whole other topic though, and a pretty big one, at that. Maybe some other time…

See you round Christmas!

]]> By: tq http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1185 tq Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:42:22 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1185 There is an old saying that everything happens for a reason.I beleive in CHRISTIANITY that would go the saying that maybe the lord has a reason for wanting you to find another church to attend. Not necessarily for you to leave your existing church. Does that make sense? There is an old saying that everything happens for a reason.I beleive in CHRISTIANITY that would go the saying that maybe the lord has a reason for wanting you to find another church to attend. Not necessarily for you to leave your existing church. Does that make sense?

]]> By: Phil Crissman http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1184 Phil Crissman Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:30:57 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1184 That's a valid point; I had thought of that as well. If one is being deliberately contentious, that's clearly different. I do think the Berean pattern of checking whether the things preached "were so" remains a good one to follow. You can disagree without being rebellious. In our case, we kept this to ourselves as long as possible, and even as we left, tried to do so amiably to the best of our ability. The church we attended was and is still a good church... perhaps sometime later in the week I'll find some time to write about some of the specific issues that prompted the move. On the other hand, I don't want to make it sound like this one issue was the sole reason we felt we needed to leave; it was a big reason, though. That’s a valid point; I had thought of that as well. If one is being deliberately contentious, that’s clearly different. I do think the Berean pattern of checking whether the things preached “were so” remains a good one to follow.

You can disagree without being rebellious. In our case, we kept this to ourselves as long as possible, and even as we left, tried to do so amiably to the best of our ability.

The church we attended was and is still a good church… perhaps sometime later in the week I’ll find some time to write about some of the specific issues that prompted the move.

On the other hand, I don’t want to make it sound like this one issue was the sole reason we felt we needed to leave; it was a big reason, though.

]]> By: mrben http://philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church#comment-1183 mrben Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:38:30 +0000 http://www.philcrissman.com/2006/12/19/on-leaving-a-church/#comment-1183 Congratulations of the use of the word 'wont' :) Interesting post; it should be noted, however, that Paul was more of a visiting preacher than the in-situ pastor at the Berean church. I'm not saying that we shouldn't test what is said in church, but there is a different dynamic when it comes to working with those under whose authority we have placed ourselves, and we need to be careful to avoid falling into rebellion. I hope that you are able to make a clean break, and quickly find somewhere where you feel comfortable. Congratulations of the use of the word ‘wont’ :)

Interesting post; it should be noted, however, that Paul was more of a visiting preacher than the in-situ pastor at the Berean church. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t test what is said in church, but there is a different dynamic when it comes to working with those under whose authority we have placed ourselves, and we need to be careful to avoid falling into rebellion.

I hope that you are able to make a clean break, and quickly find somewhere where you feel comfortable.

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