Should I leave the Baptist Church?

[jbertonbounds]

 :dunno2:  I have a cousin who left the protestant church and she worships with others outside of any organization.  Her reason was that she felt God had "called her out of man's church."  Her point was that their doctrines are so full of heresy that she could not be involved with them anymore.  She seemed to believe that it thwarted her spiritual development with God.  I'm not sure what to think.  I am still involved in a Baptist church and I believe that is where God wants me at this point, because he has not lead me out as of yet.  I differ widely from their doctrine, but they are still believers, and I can serve them with my musical ability (I play the keyboard), as well as the fact that it puts me in a position where I am connected with others and I can therefore minister to people in the community better.  But still, I question my involvement with a group of people who teach ET, along with other heresies.  I am still listening for God's call on this one.

My dream:  to organize a UR church here in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area.  I believe there may be many right here in this city who are just waiting to be delivered from ET doctrine.  Imagine a church based on the Gospel of Victory right here in the Protestant Bible Belt.  The problem is, I have no idea how to start.  I don't even know where the nearest UR church is, or whether it is sound in doctrine. :dunno2:

ANYBODY GOT ANY THOUGHTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THIS?
:2c:?

[lomarah]

Wait on the Lord (seek His will/face) about starting or joining a church. He will guide you as He sees fit.  :thumbsup:

Often we want answers right away, we want to be doing something and we feel that if we aren't doing anything (other than waiting on the Lord) then we aren't in the Lord's will. That is false! Seek His face, seek His will and during the seeking He will train you to hear His voice and to be led by His voice in all things. THEN we will truly get His truth out and reach the world! As led by His very self! He may bless our efforts otherwise (especially when we are ignorant of how we should be led by Him in all things) but if we want to see true change, true miracles, we need to "come out of her", lay everything down before Him and let Him change us from the inside out. Imagine what hundreds and thousands of Christians being led by and filled with the Spirit of God will look like!! I for one am very excited!!

[ded2daworld]

Just like Jesus went to where the sinners were and was accused of hanging out with them, the same principle applies here.

Most non-believers don't really believe they are going to suffer eternal concious torment. Most believers believe that others will suffer this eternal torment.

You have good news and no one in the church will hear it or know it unless you or someone like you tells them. Every group or organization has a tendency to put their hands over their ears and go la-la-la when others disagree. Share quietly and discretely with your friends at church one on one, then let the Holy Spirit take it where he wills. :Peace2:

[jbertonbounds]

Ded2,
I want to shout it from the mountaintops, but your advise to be quiet and discrete is probably better for now in most situations, especially within a Baptist church.  That issue alone is something I have struggled with.  I want to convert my Baptist church into a UR church RIGHT NOW!  But that "tendency to put their hands over their ears and go la-la-la" is a very real obstacle in sharing the Gospel of Victory (UR) with Baptist people.  They listen interestedly while we are one-on-one, but then later I find out that they talked to the pastor and others and recommended that I be dismissed from the body of deacons.  Believe it or not, my pastor is OK with my beliefs, although he still subscribes to the gospel of fear (ET).  He has already asked that I be quiet and discrete about it.  It makes me wonder how much variation in doctrines the church should tolerate.  I know there are churches that are tolerant and those that aren't.  I wonder, if I leave the Baptist church, with whom will I worship?  Who will tell me when a neighbor is hurting or has needs?  How will I meet new believers and encourage them?  With whom will I fellowship?

This reminds me of Matthew 11:18-19, "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

[ded2daworld]

A question to ask your fellow members, "Can anyone show me a single verse that says I will lose my fellowship with God if I believe He won't torture others for all eternity?"
My ET wife seems to be satisfied that I told her "You believe God will conciously torment people for all of eternity, I believe at some point the punishment will stop. Short, long, I don't know, but I believe it is a corrective punishment and must therefore come to an end."

[jbertonbounds]

Cool!  I also have a wife who believes in ET.  We had that same conversation.  We are tolerant of each other's beliefs.  She is an angel of mercy when it comes to helping others in need; the woman amazes me.  I wish all christians could be that tolerant and loving.  But there are many who think if you don't believe in ET that you will wind up in hell yourself!  They will say, "You may not believe in hell now, but you will when you get there!" And they say this with a gleam in their eye that says they want you to go there.  What utter absurdity.  What a lack of love.

[jbertonbounds]

I believe the hardest obstacle for them to overcome is the fact that their bible translations speak of hell and eternal damnation.  They are like I was at one time - too scared to believe, but too scared not to.

[CHB]

Just like Jesus went to where the sinners were and was accused of hanging out with them, the same principle applies here.

Most non-believers don't really believe they are going to suffer eternal concious torment. Most believers believe that others will suffer this eternal torment.

You have good news and no one in the church will hear it or know it unless you or someone like you tells them. Every group or organization has a tendency to put their hands over their ears and go la-la-la when others disagree. Share quietly and discretely with your friends at church one on one, then let the Holy Spirit take it where he wills. :Peace2:

Good advice ded.

Like Paul said "how shall they call on him in of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach, except they be sent"?

If you feel led to speak out then you have been sent.

CHB

[shawn]

I think this is a very personal decision.  I still attend church.  I do not preach UR in church because I would like to continue attending church. If the Lord is calling you out, heed his voice.  If He is asking you to stay...heed Hs voice.

[jbertonbounds]

Like Paul said "how shall they call on him in of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach, except they be sent"?

If you feel led to speak out then you have been sent.

CHB

Thanks CHB.

[jbertonbounds]

I do not preach UR in church because I would like to continue attending church.

Shawn,
That's funny.   :laugh:

You're right.  I know what will happen if I speak out too much.  Heaven knows, I'm lonely enough.  How could I get along without my church family?  But how can I keep on participating in an organization that is teaching people the dreadful ET doctrine? 

[jbertonbounds]

A very short history of our church:
We had much trouble caused by selfish people who wanted to run the church their way.  They ran off three pastors in a row in the last 20 years, and tried to run off our current pastor.  Now our current pastor is very loving, and despite his ET doctrine, he is a man of God whom I love dearly.  He is tolerant of my UR beliefs, as long as I don't speak out too much.  The evil ones, as I call them, tried their very best to destroy our current pastor's ministry by withdrawing their offerings, boycotting our worship services, and spreading many false accusations.  Our church has been through so much hurt.  Still, God has moved among us in an amazing way, and we have begun to grow with new members.  I play the keyboard in our worship band and this contributes a huge amount to the music, which has lead to some awesome worship time like I have never seen before.  I also do many things around there that most members are not even aware of, and I feel the church would suffer more if I just up and leave them.  I know I need God, and I know God does not need me.  He does want me, however - in his will, that is.  I know I need to be patient and wait on the Lord to lead me, but I am feeling uncomfortable with the fact that I am participating in an organization that is teaching ET.  So that's the reason behind this post.  I appreciate you folk's advise and encouragement.  Keep it coming.

[onlytruth]

Hi...I've been to them all...reformed,mennonite,alliance,pentecostal,baptist.Each one has its merits but God moved us along in His time from each one.You will know when the time comes.
As for me (at the baptist church)I knew it was time when the pastor came to our house and sat down with my wife and I and said "its not a good fit, best you find another place to fellowship".I had highschool friends attend this church who originally invited our family but were to scared by the pastor to say anything in defence...so we moved on
Like I said ...you will know
blessings