Comments on: 30 years a prisoner of the Church http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church "Dear Church..." - stories from those that have left Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:26:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: OldPete http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-63 OldPete Tue, 06 Mar 2007 10:41:15 +0000 http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-63 My journey has been somewhat different over the last 48 years or so - but here is a story I can relate to. I started on this 'out of church' journey more than ten years ago. I'm amazed at how my understanding has changed even in the last six months. I now know that there are tens of thousands of committed Christians around the world, many in leadership positions, who feel they can no longer take an active part in the life of the church that they may have attended for many years. As a Brit who was brought up during WWII I often think of one of Winston Churchill's comments, "There is a purpose being worked out here below". One of the major lessons of history is surely that of the rise and fall of empires. Could we be seeing the fall of the Christian RELIGION - the fall of CHRISTENDOM - and the emergence of the real Christian faith? My journey has been somewhat different over the last 48 years or so - but here is a story I can relate to.

I started on this ‘out of church’ journey more than ten years ago. I’m amazed at how my understanding has changed even in the last six months.

I now know that there are tens of thousands of committed Christians around the world, many in leadership positions, who feel they can no longer take an active part in the life of the church that they may have attended for many years.

As a Brit who was brought up during WWII I often think of one of Winston Churchill’s comments, “There is a purpose being worked out here below”.

One of the major lessons of history is surely that of the rise and fall of empires. Could we be seeing the fall of the Christian RELIGION - the fall of CHRISTENDOM - and the emergence of the real Christian faith?

]]> By: heyrick http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-85 heyrick Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:48:25 +0000 http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-85 "now (I) have a life with God" My heart breaks for your suffering but REJOICES you have found freedom in Him. :) “now (I) have a life with God”

My heart breaks for your suffering but REJOICES you have found freedom in Him. :)

]]> By: sharris1026 http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-312 sharris1026 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 08:36:12 +0000 http://lettersfromleavers.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Articles+%28RSS2%29&seed=http%3A%2F%2Flettersfromleavers.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F02%2F24%2F30-years-a-prisoner-of-the-church%2F&seed_title=30+years+a+prisoner+of+the+Church#comment-312 I just discovered this website, and just discovered your account of leaving the church. I really appreciate hearing about the way you have come. I can definitely relate, both to you and your church experience. I, too, was (and am) one of those females who could not accept teaching based only on hearsay. However, questioning of those who, in my mind at the time, were supposed to have the answers led only to my being condemned and ostracized. I never understood WHY until fairly recently. I unwittingly caused fear and doubt in the minds of those I questioned, and was therefore considered a threat. In my own mind and heart, however, I was only sincerely desiring to know more of God, and couldn't understand why people were uneasy with my questions. I even wrestled with the reason why I was so different than those around me. Why did everyone else seem so unconcerned with what was taught from the pulpit, as though they were perfectly content with their perfunctory and obligatory appearance in the pew. I sometimes even wondered why I couldn't BE like others. Why couldn't I just let things slide and keep my mouth shut? I must admit, I often went to church with those very intentions, but it was though I was filled with a spirit other than my own when I heard something contrary to what had been newly revealed to me of God's character and the role of Jesus in our salvation. I could do nothing but speak, and for my speaking, I was "cast out." So be it. I no longer attend "church," but I have the assurance in my heart that I am in Christ's Body because I am trusting in Him. I am torn at times as to whether there can even be any good thing come from an institutional church, as it seems people within them are blinded by their own religiosity (as I was for 34 years). But, too, I know several sweet and humble people within them who have a sincere love for God and their fellow man. Are they merely pawns caught up in the system, or are they truly in the place God wants them, perhaps as a source of inspiration to others? And should I be there, too, or would I just be lending credibility to a system gone bad? I'm not necessarily searching for an answer; it's more of a rhetorical question, and one you've probably considered as well. God bless you in your journey, and I would love to hear from you via e-mail, if you have time. Sheila Harris sharris@mo-net.com I just discovered this website, and just discovered your account of leaving the church. I really appreciate hearing about the way you have come. I can definitely relate, both to you and your church experience. I, too, was (and am) one of those females who could not accept teaching based only on hearsay. However, questioning of those who, in my mind at the time, were supposed to have the answers led only to my being condemned and ostracized. I never understood WHY until fairly recently. I unwittingly caused fear and doubt in the minds of those I questioned, and was therefore considered a threat. In my own mind and heart, however, I was only sincerely desiring to know more of God, and couldn’t understand why people were uneasy with my questions.

I even wrestled with the reason why I was so different than those around me. Why did everyone else seem so unconcerned with what was taught from the pulpit, as though they were perfectly content with their perfunctory and obligatory appearance in the pew. I sometimes even wondered why I couldn’t BE like others. Why couldn’t I just let things slide and keep my mouth shut? I must admit, I often went to church with those very intentions, but it was though I was filled with a spirit other than my own when I heard something contrary to what had been newly revealed to me of God’s character and the role of Jesus in our salvation. I could do nothing but speak, and for my speaking, I was “cast out.” So be it.

I no longer attend “church,” but I have the assurance in my heart that I am in Christ’s Body because I am trusting in Him. I am torn at times as to whether there can even be any good thing come from an institutional church, as it seems people within them are blinded by their own religiosity (as I was for 34 years). But, too, I know several sweet and humble people within them who have a sincere love for God and their fellow man. Are they merely pawns caught up in the system, or are they truly in the place God wants them, perhaps as a source of inspiration to others? And should I be there, too, or would I just be lending credibility to a system gone bad? I’m not necessarily searching for an answer; it’s more of a rhetorical question, and one you’ve probably considered as well. God bless you in your journey, and I would love to hear from you via e-mail, if you have time.
Sheila Harris
sharris@mo-net.com

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