I am publishing this one minute before the post that preceeds it so you will read the previous post first... So the post that explains what this is about is above it on my blog feed. But yes, it is backward if you are reading it on an RSS or email. Hang on. In one minute it will make sense. :)
Let me take a minute to share with you our heart in all of this. I believe there are four groups of people that will be processing this differently.
The first group: NON-BELIEVERS. Those that look at this situation and think “this is why I don’t believe.” I hope you will realize two things. 1- we don’t follow MAN, we follow GOD. 2- not all men have the same convictions, and the Bible isn’t always 100% clear in everything. See the 3rd group below for more on that.
The second group: BELIEVERS who think we are crazy. Yes, we have a large family, adopted kids, special needs kids, and we homeschool. Any one of those groups leads us to have people that disagree with us. We are used to it. We are ok with that. We are responsible to God and ONLY God, and in that we know there will be plenty of people that disagree with us… even believers :).
The third group: BELIEVERS who think that there is a problem in the church. We struggle with this because of our own convictions, and I recognize that many of the people that read this will have similar convictions. Here is where I am trusting the Lord and knowing that He has great plans in this. Not everyone’s convictions are the same. There are some things that are VERY clear in the Bible. I believe there IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH. There are also other topics in the Bible that require us to go with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Not to stir up trouble, but this would be an example of where people’s convictions differ: Drinking wine. Jesus performed a miracle to create wine from water. But then it says not to lend yourself to drunkenness. Some would say don’t ever drink so there’s not temptation. Others would say drink and don’t be drunk… it differs. Churches take a stand on it. People take a stand on it. Yet, it isn’t a piece of ABSOLUTE truth. I believe that this topic falls in to the category of convictions. I strongly believe, and God is working on my heart to trust Him in it, that the Holy Spirit is the one to CONVICT, and that is absolutely not my job.
The fourth group: BELIEVERS who know that God moves in mysterious ways, and we are following Him. If this situation had not come about, we would continue to be firmly planted. Now, we know that God is moving us, without a doubt, in to a new season.
We walk in to this new season with NO BITTERNESS or ANGER or DISLIKE toward our church for their actions. We are sad, yes. But that is because of the things that right now feel like losses, not because of the absence of a ‘program’. It is because of the community that we have been a part of that we are stepping away from due to our own convictions.
I hope and pray that your heart will understand these decisions and that if you struggle with the decisions of our church, the Lord will pierce your heart with understanding and you will recognize that we are following a great and wonderful God and not man. HE IS SOVERIEGN. :)
Thanks for this post too! I missed it, since it wasn't on facebook. Glad I came back. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining this for the benefit of those who follow you. I am sad that PABC is not stepping up to this ministry, but not surprised. Limited resources are always an issue, especially now. If the church doesn't see this as part of their ministry calling, that's OK. They cannot serve every need of every individual. I think a fresh start in seeking this as a part of God's will for you is a good thing. I can't help but feel that you will be a catalyst for something new and great that God has planned, and once it takes hold that people will flock to it in greater numbers than anyone imagined. Plan on being in a state of preparation, because God will bring it when you are ready and His timing will bring Him glory. But, once it is starting, get ready to be blown away! Looking forward to seeing it unfold.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining this for the benefit of those who follow you. I am sad that PABC is not stepping up to this ministry, but not surprised. Limited resources are always an issue, especially now. If the church doesn't see this as part of their ministry calling, that's OK. They cannot serve every need of every individual. I think a fresh start in seeking this as a part of God's will for you is a good thing. I can't help but feel that you will be a catalyst for something new and great that God has planned, and once it takes hold that people will flock to it in greater numbers than anyone imagined. Plan on being in a state of preparation, because God will bring it when you are ready and His timing will bring Him glory. But, once it is starting, get ready to be blown away! Looking forward to seeing it unfold.
ReplyDeleteUgh! This is where we are right now with our church of ten years not wanting to provide a special needs ministry.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to read this is the point for your family also. We will pray for your family's discernment over opportunities that come.
I'm sorry that your family is facing this change but also excited for you to see what God has in store. I love your attitude about this change and know that this post will be a blessing to many! Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Leslie