Just curious how others left their local church. Did you just stop going? Did the Pastor or others from the congregation call? Did you sit with the leadership and advise them of your decision ahead of time? Did you have responsibilities in the house such as Deacon, Elder or Usher? How did you deal with those responsibilities?
Thanks for sharing...
Hello! Roy
This is Roy UK to avoid confusion.
Yes indeed I would like to share this with you.
I was in the Elim Pentecostal Church for some time and got on fairly well as I thought. Then we had a change of pastors and the new one had new ideas. He was as was the previous one a believer in tithing which at the time was OK because it was the accepted thing to do. Then he asked us how we'd feel about holding home fellowship meetings to which we all agreed wholeheartedly.
The first meeting started perfectly and progressed till the it came to saying a closing prayer. To my surprise he asked each person in turn to pray out aloud, which to me seemed a shambles because it was like everyone waiting for their name to be mentioned and nothing more. Well when my turn came I asked to be excused and be allowed to pray in silence.
Well to my surprise the meeting erupted and he nearly hit me with his Bible, "Silence smacks something of secrecy, intrigue, something you want to hide, underhanded and much more. When he finally finished I opened my Bible and read:
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matt.6:5-8).
Before I finished reading that passage, he burst out with: "Are you trying to teach me? I know what it says in there, but this is what I have been taught and this is what I believe." That was enough for me, I fetched my wife's coat and we left, surprisingly no one else left with us. Was that not enough for them? I will never know.
Yes, sir, that was the moment I came out of Babylon, and that was quite a while before I happened on to Ray's site. I like to believe that it was the hand of my God in answer to my prayer for fellowship.
By the way Roy regarding your need for credentials to minister in prisons I see no difference between the one you can purchase and the one you have to work and also pay for as they are both bogus and not worth the paper they are written on. Your purpose is a noble one, your calling is of God for that purpose, your knowledge of the Scriptures is founded in the truth so God bless you, brother, and help you fulfill His calling. The lucky prisoners will be receiving The True Gospel Of Jesus Christ and the TRUTH for a change.
God bless you brother in our joint walk in Christ.
Love in Christ Jesus.
Roy UK