Letter to 43 Overseers and Several Elders

One thought on “Letter to 43 Overseers and Several Elders”

1. I’m glad that this minister does not represent ALL in the ministry.
   When I see this much resistance from someone who has been handed a mirror (a glimpse into the reality of our situation), it sure leaves room to make one wonder what that person is not wanting us to see. Many of the things they are grasping at…isn’t scriptural to begin with. It’s been a series of decisions by men who thought certain things a good idea’. For example: that we should have fields where the ministry stays for a specific period of time (although not necessarily in the same house). In the Bible, the ministry was ‘moved’ by the Spirit to go, or stay, or on their way somewhere they were redirected. Sensitivity to the Spirit is scriptural. Some feel an Overseer is important, some overseers have carefully and prayerfully kept their place. While others have used it as a power trip and been abusive to the staff, and the congregation. But, is an overseer scriptural? No. Do we really need them?
   Some have questioned that we don’t need a ministry or at least “one telling us what to do”. I disagree that we don’t need a ministry, because the ministry IS scriptural. I’ve been doing a study on the place and responsibilities of the Elders…it’s vast! Why are Elders not being vetted and taught about their responsibilities before ever putting a meeting in their home? Do we have to have a meeting everywhere? No, it’s nice, but if there’s no one willing and/or capable then maybe they shouldn’t have a meeting to attend, until someone IS willing and capable.
   The focus needs to stay ON the victims, and having a safe fellowship. If we don’t have the Spirit of a Child, we aren’t one of His. So, predators, who choose evil over righteousness…essentially telling God “to get out, I am taking my own way”, have no place ANYWHERE in the Kingdom. That’s akin to putting a fox in the chicken house. Should they be allowed to come back? No. Is that answer because I am not willing to forgive? No. You can forgive a sin, but CSA/SA is more than just a sin. It’s a crime. One that every single predator should have gone to prison for, but someone in the ministry covered it up instead. They will also answer to God for that decision and the aftermath of it. Besides whatever the courts have to say about their behavior or inaction. So, scripturally, people were banned because they chose to sin, and when confronted they chose it over righteousness and in II Timothy 3: it tells what happens to those who resist. Saying “I am sorry “ is not repentance. It’s a part, asking for forgiveness, isn’t repentance, it’s a part…handing our heart back to God while not hanging onto any part, a complete turning, that’s what repentance should look like. When someone does start taking steps toward repentance, should they be allowed back in fellowship. No. They can work out their salvation with the God of Heaven, because he knows the honesty (or lack thereof) in each individual heart, and there’s no human on the planet that can determine the concrete sincerity of another human. Jesus came to free us, and people who terrorize inhibit spiritual freedom.
   It’s been very interesting to be in contact with friends and victims, and those who have stepped away, all across America and each one’s views of all that’s going on. We have lived on both US coasts, with family all across America and Canada…and we’ve seen and experienced plenty. We’ve had workers lie to us about scripture, we have had scripture read TO us (with critical words left out, so as to change the whole meaning of the subject). We have been put down because we “know too many of the workers “ (so weird). We have had suffered abuse by workers in our own home – more than once, and on both coasts. I have listened/watched in horror as two brothers in places of authority were expounding on how someone who had been moved by the Spirit of God to make a change in her life, shouldn’t (as in, “you don’t have to listen to the Spirit of God”…which makes sense now, because one has been removed from ministry and all meetings for good reason). To sexual assault on family members, and heard “we don’t believe you”, to people disagreeing with a worker/overseer and being wrongly forced out. This fellowship doesn’t belong to the workers, it belongs to God. So instead of getting aggressive, it seems to me that to “preach the Gospel and save souls “ would be a place you’d fill in all humility. I see people in the ministry who haven’t committed a crime (were trying to convince false doctrine) “banned for life”, but people who committed sin during a CRIME that is an abomination to God and innocent children, being coddled. Ugh! There has to be some willing to go back to the scriptures, and lay a bedrock foundation and accountability, so we can all move forward in humility and the Grace that God wants to bestow upon His people. I appreciate the website folks in all their efforts. Growing and cleaning wounds is not a comfortable experience, but if we aren’t going to put on the whole armor of God and use what He’s entrusted to us, then why are you pretending in putting it on? Go onward soldiers and fight the good fight in Faith, nothing waivering!

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