Hello,
I was part of local church ministry for over eight years. I had at one point confessed that I wanted to be more faithful than the walls of the building. I was blessed to be part of the music team. This meant Tuesday and Saturday rehearsals, Wednesday and Sunday services (every week, week-in and week-out). I planned vacations months out so as to ease the ministry into my absence. I received an appointment as music director and tried my best to serve others as I am want to do. In time I discovered, although I could not articulate it, that most of my team were basically carnally minded people. No one could differentiate between praise or worship.
One day a visiting minister shared with me the scripture that all will be saved (1Tim). This lead me to look up the word 'hell' in Greek. I was surprised to find hades, Gehenna and tarturus. I began to tell people that every has to go through 'hell" (the grave) before going to heaven (mostly joking and trying to shock a response from people). Mind you, not the best method of teaching or exposing the truth to others.
Needless to say, I was demoted for spiritual reasons. That is to say, my wife was no longer attending church and obviously Satan had her in his grasp which is probably why I was counselled to divorce since we were no longer equally yoked. I left the church Jan '96. I still miss the people (and the music), but everyone in their order.
Grace and peace
George