Switching Churches

[Mommy2Kids]

We left the first fundy church b/c we moved. Later we found out that pompous, arrogant pastor was having an affair with the church secretary.

We left the second fundy church after my dad died. Women were not allowed to vote, and my mom disagreed with the way things at the church were being handled. She was told she couldn't designate her offerings to certain areas of ministry.

I was already at college when that happened. It was weird coming home to attend the less fundy church across town.

The other church I left when I moved. Our most recent church change occurred b/c we caught the pastor in 3 lies. Kinda hard to respect someone after that.

[beensetfree]

(02-22-2012 11:09 PM)Lady Julian Wrote:  

Quote:I've accidentally wound up in a moderate IFB church again but I don't really have many options here.

Right now, this is where I am too, so I get your frustration. I have a few friends, and there are a bunch of nice people. But I also do some smiling through clenched teeth.

One of the things about SFL that's great is knowing you're not alone. Contemplating switching churches is such a huge mental step for me. Still have that internal stigma about being charged as a "church hopper". Or that I'll go from bad to worse and find out I was being an ungrateful, unChristlike twit all along.

I'm scared but still looking and found a website for a Reformed Church. Going to visit tomorrow to see if it still exists since they didn't even have a personalized voicemail?

[Fred]

Started out in a small mission work. It lasted for a year then folded.
Went to a "chapel" on military base for a year.
Moved to Montana - Went to all 3 IFB churches there- 2 Hyles type & a Ruckman type. :-(
Moved to Missouri - Stayed in that church for 9yrs. By God's grace I taught myself out of IFB. So much lack of love and rulefollowing made me realize something was wrong and it wasn't just me. I left Missouri because of church. SMALL town. Too painful to live in the midst of it all. I found a job on the other side of the country. Been in this IFB for 3yrs. Less rule following but God has shown me I am not an IFB. I am leaving for a Bible Church that seems so alive compared to IFB. 21yrs were my journey in IFB.

[beth]

(02-28-2012 10:03 AM)Fred Wrote:  Started out in a small mission work. It lasted for a year then folded.
Went to a "chapel" on military base for a year.
Moved to Montana - Went to all 3 IFB churches there- 2 Hyles type & a Ruckman type. :-(
Moved to Missouri - Stayed in that church for 9yrs. By God's grace I taught myself out of IFB. So much lack of love and rulefollowing made me realize something was wrong and it wasn't just me. I left Missouri because of church. SMALL town. Too painful to live in the midst of it all. I found a job on the other side of the country. Been in this IFB for 3yrs. Less rule following but God has shown me I am not an IFB. I am leaving for a Bible Church that seems so alive compared to IFB. 21yrs were my journey in IFB.

We did the base chapel for a while. Didn't care for it. None of the servicemembers our age went. It was just a haven for retirees looking for a place to get with other retirees and not be asked for an offering. My husband and I really didn't see a point in its existence. And he was the base chaplain!

[hac84]

Was in a good Church, left the state to help another church with bus ministry- publically kicked out by name.
Found another good church, pastor resigned got in an embezzling crook, we left
Went to small HAC church--Preachers wife was overbearing, left
Found another OK church, pastor reisgned, we left
Bounced around several churches, one sent a letter calling dad a dirty skunk for not tithing on a regular basis (He was a business owner and only took a paycheck when finances of the business allowed.
OFF TO HAC! FREE AT LAST
graduated into a weird ministry job, got married, left to pastor
Became Fundy pastor of 100 year old GARB church- kicked out in 8 months
Became assistant for a total wacko - Jesus was an alien, sin to own a Ford, own a pet, have a hobby, etc... Fired for not showing enough dilligence in stockpiling provisions and ammunition for the Y2K)
Went to another church for 8 years. was a good church at first, pastor became a total narcissictic dictator and financialy crooked. we left
Went to a BJU church. Good pastor, but he resigned, we left
Went to small church comprising of pastor's family, DEAD, we left
Went Charismatic--too weird
Went to Free church, loved it, 2 hour drive every Sunday, but worth it.
Moved to another state due to job market-- Guess what? WE ARE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH.

[Tiarali]

hac84, your persistence is inspiring. Hope you find a good church you can stay at this time.

[bean]

Grew up Lutheran. Spent first 30 years of life in ELCA.
Went to a very conservative "fundy-lite" church for 12 years. Good people mostly. Overbearing teaching. Never could measure up.
Back to the ELCA last fall. Love it. Much more free to be "me."