quote:

Originally posted by bettybornagain:
Yes I would move for a church. One of the biggest blessings Christ gives the believer is fellowship in the body. That body should be guarding truth at all costs. We learn from Paul that men- even from among ourselves -- will slip in and teach perverse things, distorting the Gospel, and causing blasphemy. We can see that in America through prosperity preaching to all sorts of falsehoods, some claiming homosexuality is not a sin and even being led by those who remain in that lifestyle of sin and are double-tongued. Paul and other early church leaders suffered for Truth. Godly churches will also suffer for truth. But the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth more than all the treasures of Egypt. I know that many Christians are frustrated with hearing how to have their best life now or trying to find their driven purpose, but Scripture is enough. Preach the Word-in season and out. Blessings.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron P.:
I'm talking about your last Priest. Need I say more?

Yes, you do need to "say more". I have only been at Trinity for a couple of years.

Would you like to enlighten the forum? Or perhaps I could recite the litany of other ministers who have had problems since the advent of Christianity.

Bill,

Your nastiness is showing. The Southern Baptist Convention has a president does it not? I attended a Baptist College and I can tell you that the invisible "hierarchy" exists in that Church as well as in all others. Once again, you are trying to divide rather than unite - although you would claim to the contrary.

Bill,
You never answered the question.

Would YOU move to another area just to attend a specific church???????????

I see we've heard from Miss Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian.

Link

Write on, Betty!

DF

"I don't care who you are, that's funny."
-Larry the Cable Guy

no, but if bill gray turned up at any church i attend in north alabama, be it florence, sheffield or athens, i would then move to california, most likely. i like to be closer to london than it.

quote:

Originally posted by meanasasnake: Bill, Your nastiness is showing. The Southern Baptist Convention has a president does it not? I attended a Baptist College and I can tell you that the invisible "hierarchy" exists in that Church as well as in all others. Once again, you are trying to divide rather than unite - although you would claim to the contrary.

Hi Mean,

No, not being nasty. Just stating that I would not be part of ANY church which told me that I must honor and follow a man. Yes, the different Baptist conventions, including the Southern Baptist, do have organizations to offer help and leadership to members and member churches. However, those organizations are figure head only -- they do not control nor set law for any Baptist church. That is one desirable trait of Baptist churches -- they are autonomous, meaning that the local church determines what will and will not happen in that local church.

This, of course, does have some drawbacks, i.e., there are some Baptist churches, in the Southern Baptist as well as other Baptist conventions, which have lady pastors. Then, there is the Cooperative Baptist Convention, Jimmy Carter's group -- which is extremely liberal in that respect and in many other areas. But, praise God, there is only one Cooperative Baptist Convention.

On the whole, none of the Baptist conventions have a hierarchy which governs the denomination. If they did; I would choose to be non-denominational -- for I will honor and follow only Jesus Christ. I respect many pastors and church leaders -- but, I also will not hesitate to disagree with them when I feel they are wrong.

In Acts 17:11, the apostle Paul tells us of the church in Berea, "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."

And, we are encouraged to do the same, be like the Bereans -- test what our teachers and leaders tell us -- against what Scripture teaches us.

Often, I have gone to pastors and asked why they taught a specific passage as they had done. At times, when they explained, I agreed with them. At other times, I did not agree with their understanding and told them so; yet, we never divided over it -- just agreed to disagree.

So, no Mean, I was not being nasty -- just questioning why Neal's comments about church leadership and rule -- never once mentioned God nor Jesus Christ. No matter what -- we can never leave Them out and still have a Christian church. No, I am not trying to divide; just to make sure we are all on the same page -- with God included in all aspects of our worship and fellowship.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by LMM: Bill, You never answered the question. Would YOU move to another area just to attend a specific church???????????

Hi LMM,

That depends. I have chosen to attend specific churches because I felt that God could use me there. About ten years ago, we lived in Orange County; but, felt that God wanted us in the new church in Corona. Later, we moved to the area and have been here for ten years. During the first part of the time, we had a strong desire to move to North San Diego County to set up a Bible Study/Music Ministry. Yet, because we felt that God wanted us in the Corona church, we stayed. One day, God willing, we still want to do that Bible Study/Music Ministry in North San Diego County.

Would I move to another state just to attend a specific church? That all depends upon what God puts on my heart. I would not do it of my own volition; but, I would follow His lead and His guidance. How would I know if it is God's will? Pray, pray, pray -- then, listen, listen, listen. If I have made a decision and I feel at peace with that decision -- then, I can be sure that is God's will. However, if tomorrow, or next week, or next month -- I pray about the situation and do not feel at ease with it -- then, I know that God has given me a new direction.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Ron P.:
I'm talking about your last Priest. Need I say more?

Dear sanctimonious prig going by the style of Bill Gray, Slave of God:

My Dearest Cloacal Lowness: May it please Your Cloacal Lowness to be informed that this lowly imperfect Prayerbook Reading, whiskey drinking, kneeling when not standing and rarely sitting it seems pseudo-Christian was referring to the above referenced quotation and nothing more or less when you gave us our beloved daily ex cathedra infallible Bull, and this lowly heretic does not mean to imply either meaning of the term when not meaning a male of the species bovine, although it is actually fitting at times. Therefore me, in my humble attitude not rapture rapture self must clarify why this lowly individual did not mention Our Lord at all in reply.
When we meet, must I in order to follow protocol kiss your ring or your cloven hoof or your forked tail, because I think your C.L. might be enjoined to kiss my (as the French so cleverly term it) "Coul" in greeting.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Gray:

quote:

Originally posted by LMM: Bill, You never answered the question. Would YOU move to another area just to attend a specific church???????????

Hi LMM,

That depends. I have chosen to attend specific churches because I felt that God could use me there. About ten years ago, we lived in Orange County; but, felt that God wanted us in the new church in Corona. Later, we moved to the area and have been here for ten years. During the first part of the time, we had a strong desire to move to North San Diego County to set up a Bible Study/Music Ministry. Yet, because we felt that God wanted us in the Corona church, we stayed. One day, God willing, we still want to do that Bible Study/Music Ministry in North San Diego County.

Would I move to another state just to attend a specific church? That all depends upon what God puts on my heart. I would not do it of my own volition; but, I would follow His lead and His guidance. How would I know if it is God's will? Pray, pray, pray -- then, listen, listen, listen. If I have made a decision and I feel at peace with that decision -- then, I can be sure that is God's will. However, if tomorrow, or next week, or next month -- I pray about the situation and do not feel at ease with it -- then, I know that God has given me a new direction.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

That makes sense and I am assuming you are retired so the option of needing to find a job is not part of the equation. I have a dear friend who left a job to return to his home because he felt he needed to, and he found a better job upon his return. Spiritual guidance, I'm sure.

Bill Gray, God's Tool.

quote:

Originally posted by CrustyMac:
Bill Gray, God's Tool.

Hi Crusty,

Thank you! That is the nicest thing you have ever said about me. And, I pray that I can always live up to the name you have given me.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Rather-b-fishin:
Would You Move for a Church?


No,but I am thinking of moving to Hunstville if the Shoals doesn't open a strip club.

Bye...

I have moved to churches where I felt comfortable and I've moved to churches that I thought "Why has God condemned us to hell on earth?" but I've never regretted any move I've ever made based on my faith...if God leads you to it He will see you through it...I would make my decision as a family and very prayerfully that it is the right decision...