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On 05/12/2011 11:03 PM, Timothy Butler wrote:
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<pre wrap="">On May 12, 2011, at 5:40 PM, sjm wrote:
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<pre wrap=""><span class="moz-txt-citetags">>> </span>
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">>> </span>Yes, I know. But those who are committed will leave.
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<pre wrap=""><span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Depends on "committed"... to what?
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed in the asylum? (Sorry, just had to. <g>)
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed to the gay agenda? They might actually start coming more.
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed to the PC-USA? They'll probably stay.
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed to Truth above all else? They might leave.
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed to Grace and Mercy? They might stay.
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>
<span class="moz-txt-citetags">> </span>Committed to God, his glory and mission? Depends on whether God prompts them to stay and be lights for him in the midst or whether he calls them elsewhere.
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<pre wrap="">Agreed. I'm not convinced this is a clear cut reason to leave. If the PC(USA) insists their ministers must perform gay weddings, perhaps. If they insisted members deny the Trinity, I would agree. But, is the right thing to do always to leave and let an institution fall apart? I don't think so. Maybe or maybe not, as Ed said.
I know many people that we'd probably all agree appear to be "solidly committed" to "Truth above all else" who stayed at my old church while I and about a dozen others underwent mental abuse, slander, extortion, etc. Some of the people who left have counseling bills in the thousands of dollars trying to recover from what is happening there and those "committed" to "Truth above all else" are still sitting in their pews ranting about the gay agenda and such of "lesser" churches.
So, I think your "mights" are well founded.
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True. However, it's my experience, limited as that might be, that
once correction has been attempted.....multiple times and rejected,
it's clear that getting back to Biblical dictates isn't going to
happen. For me, the course then is most clear. <br>
<br>
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On the whole, I know I'd rather be in the PC(USA) any day over my old church, whose abuses have been publicized somewhat, but the ("good denomination") E-Free ignores.
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Not knowing what that church is, I can't comment. <br>
<br>
Fred<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it
tougher for sober people to own cars." - Unknown
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