Comments on Fire in the Bones [Biblical, Heterodox Christianity]: Thrown out of a Church

I clicked the comment link to share the same advic...

2009-05-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

I clicked the comment link to share the same advice that Stephen J did. As a pastor myself, I can tell you that there's often a lot going through my head in the minutes leading up to a worship service. While, of course, I don't think you should have been kicked out, as a practical matter, you'll have a better chance at conversation if you wait until afterward to talk with him (or set an appointment to talk later in the week).

Also, while you were joking about the theologian-pipe bomber thing, there actually are some people who feel a need to go around to different churches and interrupt the services pointing out what they see as wrong in that particular church. I've not had it happen to me, but I've seen the videos on YouTube. It's always possible that this pastor has had some experience with this kind of thing and was trying to guard against it.

Sorry to hear what happened David. In no way, sho...

2009-05-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

Sorry to hear what happened David. In no way, should that have happened to you. In a sense, I'd say that the Church in question, would need to re-evaluate what 'Christianity' is all about.

From my understanding of reading what you said, was it right before the church service that you questioned the Pastor, or pointed out the misapplication of said parable?

Perhaps you should have thought about bringing this discussion to him after the sermon as one can be under a great deal of pressure leading up to such things. Or as an approach, ask to speak with them in private after the service or during the week without pointing out faults in their ministry interpretation until your meeting. Unfortunatly, this pastor might have taken your comment as a personal or ministry attack, particularly as it was right before the service and could very well distract them from their 'duty', and as you were new and unknown to them, they attacked you for your honesty.

Not saying this was your fault in any way!!! Rather it was something that the paster and church should have never done. Just maybe next time, in your approach you may need to be diplomatic in the way you engage such topics.

Hope things like this never happen to you again David.

Blessings,

Stephen. J

Our Father chose the lowly and despised of the wor...

2009-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our Father chose the lowly and despised of the world - those who are thought to count for nothing - to reduce to nothing those who are something ...

So that no human being might boast before God.

Thanks for sharing your bounty with us David.
Better to be humble in spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud - lol

One Love

Hi David My wife and I were made to feel so 'unco...

2009-04-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hi David

My wife and I were made to feel so 'uncomfortable' in a church that we had to leave. The trouble had been brewing for a long time, and when the pastor started presenting studies on a particularly heretical book it really hit the fan.

My trouble was attempting to correct wrong teaching.

Stephen

Thanks, Rach! I'm going to go check out your not a...

2009-04-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Rach!
I'm going to go check out your not a hanging offense now.

I am sorry for the experience that you had, David....

2009-04-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

I am sorry for the experience that you had, David. I too have had a painful time after disagreeing with the teaching at a particular church (see http://hrht-revisingreform.blogspot.com/2009/04/not-hanging-offence.html) and it has taken me a long time to reconcile myself to the situation. It's a very tough learning curve and I'm not sure if what is to be learnt from these experiences is ever to be fully understood in this life. I think, ultimately, you just have to lay it down, rest, aim to be reconciled if possible and move on to a place where your questions and desire for two-way conversation will be as welcomed as Jesus welcomes them.

God bless Rach