In Reply to: Re: From below: to Farmer and OT2 posted by Peace on April 09, 2010 at 21:55:45:
Dear Peace, I can sympathise with a lot you say but I beg to differ here and there:
When we (then together) left TF almost 20 years ago (the tithing, the last straw)...we didn't enter immediately into a fellowship, rather not.We distrusted many to most churches.Upon separation I really got concerned about my children "in the system", their growing up and the right friendship for them.I did look into several congregations...one baptist, one free (Darby) brethren...lutheran and catholic church...but I never really fellowshipped much with charismatic groups...except for some revival-meetings etc...otherwise I kept purposely a big distance...burned child avoids the bad fire...and they have it pretty bad...if you ask me and I read up a whole lot about different congregations.
I was thrilled about the biography of Hudson Taylor and some other "spiritual giants"...it deeply impressed....but Hudson Taylor didn't
make me visit the Methodists here in town either...may be one day???...On the other hand I am much for continuancy...so long as
the common basis/ Jesus, is really explicitly named and sure...
I do have my differences with the practiced beliefs of the congregation I go to since 10 years.Their work with families, children is marvelous...lots of them are academics...but at times they fail to differentiate, where I beg to differ...biggest bone of contention is divorce and remarriage...I don't believe in it at all...and that since @ 5 1 /2 years...and for that reason I will never ask to be member there...for with my membership I would silently or openly "agree"/go along...with that false practice.I don't see it for right now as my mission to "hammer" the brethren with my take of the Word...may be one day...
I know one other brother, dear to me, fluent in Hebrew...who withdrew a lot from fellowship...just goes once in a while.
Faith cometh also by hearing the word of God...in a sermon...it's faithbuilding for me and my children...you publicly confess your faith,
and one can actively participate in activities...offers of serving others...that is again beneficial....last not least, worshipping God the father and HIS dear son in often very good and appropiate songs...mostly better than the ones of TF...though not always and there are some I find pretty "awful" in text/lyrics and composition...nobody is perfect....kind of applies here as well.
Did I "profit" from 10 years of fellowship...I definitely would say so...one determining factor was also, that we/one had not to travel for miles upon miles to fellowship with the "perfect congregation"...which doesn't exist IMO...William Lerrick...the indonesian missionary/evangelist...which I got to know in one seminary in Switzerland 10 years ago...said, that the assembly is a workshop not a museum/exhibition...the "product" is not really "finished"...
We can talk about the faults...mistakes...sins of every congregation/assembly/denomination there is...some is easier to detect...see TF...some not so easy...however I must say, that I got rid of that horrible haughty attitude of mine of being so superior to the church-belief-system through my oh-so-revolutionary upbringing in weird TF...they just don't realize how weird they are....sigh
Another real important...may be the most important one...point of my considerations was: how is that denomination's attitude towards
missions
A very nice "invention" is also the existence of house/home-Bible-circles/evenings...due to my work-schedule I seldom participated.
1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Hbr 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Eph 4:14-16
That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(I think one edifies oneself or gets edified too by taking part in assemblies)
similarly 1.Cor.12