Contemplating on leaving my pentecostal congregation

[Seeker Of Jesus]

Hello & God bless

For almost a year I have wrestled with leaving my congregation. They haven't done anything to me and it's not like I was offended or another reason similar to that. Something just doesn't seem right about some of there doctrines, I mainly speak of the word of faith doctrine/teaching, also I've struggled with what they say are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as losing control of one's body and moving in weird ways, falling back, etc. I've been there for a year and 11 months and I love the pastor and those there but I have not been able to shake this thing off this feeling that I don't wanna be there, I even left to Pennsylvania on November for almost 2 months because the wrestling with that and other things became too much so I decided to leave new York for a while but nothing, I came back and felt a little better but it wasn't long until I started feeling that way. We are a very small group like 8-10,we've had others come and join but people always eventually leave, even a member that was with the pastor for almost 3 years left. When I first met the pastor I remember him telling me that he's had soooo many members leave, that once he had a fairly big number of people in his congregation but about 98% left him. There seems to be hardly any life in there, It has gotten to the point that I when I go I go to not make the pastor feel bad and I no longer go for God. I don't know what to do but I feel that I wanna go, I wanna go to another congregation one that is not pentecostal/charismatic as I just can't get with there doctrines/teachings.

Brothers and sisters I need advice.

God bless

 

[RJ]

• You are probably not ever going to find the perfect church. I guess, if one pays enough attention, there will be some doctrines that you will not agree with.
• The main problem with most doctrines is that they are man made and jubject to being wrong about some things.
• I belong to a Presbyterian and I often tell my (die-hard Presbyterian) pastor that I am a Christian first and a Presbyterian second...drives him nuts. To be truthful, it is probably not even second because I disagree with many of the churches doctrines. I too have felt like leaving and so far, I think God has been telling me to just stick it out.
• The odd thing between us is that I have never been in a pentecostal church but I definetly identify with the Holy Spirit and being "Born Again". Maybe , I belong in a Charismatic church but, I am not too sure. I believe in tongues and other things that those churches do but, not to the extent that some of them do. Some go so far as to say you must be baptised to be saved and , if you don't speak in tongues, you are probably not save. I haven't done either and I am definetly saved! I have been born of the spirit!
• Here is my advice to you:

1. You have to question why so many people have left your church.
2. The three most important things are you, the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
3. Stay strong in those, pray and God will put you where he wants you.

• God Bless!

 

[Seeker Of Jesus]

I honestly don't know why so many people has left my pastors ministry, I've asked him and he'll tell me that he doesn't know as many have just stopped going without ever telling him that they were leaving. And for the huge amount of people that I've heard left him is because apparently someone started telling others negative things about him and so they stopped going but I don't know as I wasn't apart of his ministry around then. If it's one thing that really bugs me is that he teaches that in order for us to be saved we must be obedient, if we aren't we'll go to hell, that's works based salvation to me. As I said before there seems to be no life in there, and so since there isn't he and the other leader attempt to bring about life but playing certain music and yelling and other things which I can't explain which just seems like emotional and psychological manipulation.

I know one thing it's not a decision that I'll be making lightly, I'll be praying on this for a while until God leads me but all I know is that I can not continue to go to a church where I go merely for attendance and to please man.

 

[Seeker Of Jesus]

I was wondering if this can be moved to ethics and morality as its something that I feel I posted in the wrong place.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I was wondering if this can be moved to ethics and morality as its something that I feel I posted in the wrong place.

I think the thread is in the right place brother @Seeker Of Jesus

Greetings to you.
Continue to seek the Lord as you have said you going to.

Trust in Him to lead you as His word says He will

There are a lot of things that you have said about your church which I can understand your wanting to leave
If you feel the church is deviating from the word then you may be best to move somewhere where the teaching is sounder and more grounded in the truth
For example: You mention a works based salvation being taught and the Bible clearly says:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Romans 3:24

Again trust the Lord to reveal this to you, and ask Him to show you clearly. He will.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

In recent years we left a church that we had attended for many years.
At first it was a hard decision to make, but that was mainly because we were worried about 'people and their feelings' perhaps more than following the leading of the Lord
When we did leave we tried many churches and eventually found the right one. It was such a spiritual blessing , although it took time, we knew we had done the right thing

Keep looking to the Lord

 

[Seeker Of Jesus]

Thanks fragrance Grace, How can i know when He is leading me to stay or go?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thanks fragrance Grace, How can i know when He is leading me to stay or go?

Greetings @Seeker Of Jesus

You feel uncomfortable there now...and have concerns about the teachings...(works based salvation etc).....this may be a good sign to try out new pastures now?

However, if you feel uncertain about making a move now, you could pray that the Lord shows you some more very clear signs.....trusting that He will.
In my experience, I asked the Lord to make me more uncomfortable or to give me peace about being at my 'old church'.
My discomfort clearly increased and I lost the sense of Christian fellowship and things became more difficult. I saw this as a clear sign from the Lord.

It may be that you move on and find a new spiritual home straight away.
This wasn't the case with us, we tried many churches which can be quite daunting. But it was also a very interesting experience and we learned a lot.....and thank the Lord for that learning experience. When we did find the 'right place' it was a fellowship that shone with the love of the Lord and had real compassion for following the word of God....no frills, no fancies but just Jesus centred.....and peace abounded.

Keep praying brother

Blessings

He led them forth by the right way
Psalm 107:7

Looking unto Jesus
Hebrews 12:2

 

[rag4aCrown]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus;

We, as followers of Jesus, are to follow in the example of His steps. Amen. (1 Peter 2:21)
How many "synagogues" did Jesus go into sit down and get comfortable?
Why did Jesus go in?
What happened when He went in?
We learn these things by reading the four gospels of the "eyewitnesses" that recorded the events and teachings of Jesus.
Jesus, alone, is the door that leads to eternal life. Jesus is the Church; not a church. Amen.
Jesus The Church (made WITHOUT hands) KNOW HIM; a church (made WITH hands) know ABOUT Him; to different churches with two different knowing's.
Knowing about Him will not get us into heaven; KNOWING HIM will, because HE is not separate from us now. Amen.
HE is in me, I am in Him, we go unto the Father. Amen.
HE is not a far off God; HE is right here, right now ALIVE IN ME. Amen.
Take a step in faith; God does the works. Amen.
Even Jesus said "it is my Father that does the works". Amen.
We speak IN faith, believing we receive, nothing wavering, and God does the works. Amen.
Was the (harlot) not justified by faith, when she let the messenger down another way?
A (harlot) God used and justified; a church "made with hands" calls her a sinner, not worthy to serve God. Hum...scriptures sounds like she served God to me. Amen.
All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.

 

[Coconut]

Seeker of Jesus you may want to listen to this message,, blessings

"Would that the people of God would come out of bondage to one another." A.W. Tozer

http://youtu.be/zlCPvZidduQ

 

[Seeker Of Jesus]

Seeker of Jesus you may want to listen to this message,, blessings

"Would that the people of God would come out of bondage to one another." A.W. Tozer

http://youtu.be/zlCPvZidduQ

Thank you Coconut, I'll watch it later today. ☺