Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>I'm considering leaving the JA. It began some months >ago, but my feeling has become stronger that the >ministry isn't working for me. I've also heard >vehement ministry against breaking covenant, and about >those who move between churches - or on "losing faith" >(shown by leaving). But I think we can retain our >faith and still go to another church - or return to a >church where we were before. Some people leave who >weren't already Christian before joining JA (they were >converted from no faith, or others). Maybe for them >it's more difficult - perhaps they struggle with any >sort of belief in God after they've left. Some other >people leave for a while, then return - a yo-yo >effect. I've seen it. These ones are always welcomed >back. It's well known that churches like this one have >revolving doors! > In my own area there've been a few prominent >people who have left recently - it's felt keenly. >There seems to be much speaking against more members >following suit, and elders or seniors seem a bit >desperate over it. New people have joined, but they >don't replace 'strong' ones who have left - new >leadership material is anxiously sought after. > > > > > > > >>I was a member for many years and left ten years or so >>ago. I know that it was true that we were taught that >>if we left we were covenant breakers. I know it >>because I believed it. It was about ten years ago that >>things began to change. When I left that was NOT said. >>However it was for many years before that and when I >>tried to leave after about a year I went through hell, >>fearing I had done something terrible. There was the >>idea of curse involved, certainly. I did not have >>trouble leaving ten years ago. There were good things >>about the JA and there still are, but keeping people >>in a church by control was not one of the things they >>are proud of as far as I know from those very lovely >>Christians I know who are still involved. However, I >>was rather disconcerted a year or so ago to have a >>friend describle me as 'an exception' as I had done so >>well after leaving. >> >>I much prefer the words of a local pastor round my way >>who says 'if they leave you never had them' and the >>understanding most pastors would have that some people >>will be sent by God to the church for a season, but >>then move on.
Choose Message Icon: None :-) Happy ;-) Wink :-D Joy :} Smirk <:-} Innocent ☮ Peace >:) Mischief B-) Shades <3 Heart |O Yawn <:P Sick >:-( Angry :~( Sad ? Question *!* Alert Thumbs Up Thumbs Down (!) Idea [Info] Info Oo. Talk [ View Emoticons ]

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.