I had a marriage of over ten years with two children, a church in which I served nine years.
However, I found myself looking outside my marriage for satisfaction for several reasons. I found myself dissatisfied with my church and ministry.
I offer to you no excuses for what I did. I bear the full blame. I offer to you my story.
I have been excommunicated and alienated from my church and no one there dares speak to me. It has been months since the events have occurred.
I am a seminary trained pastor who knows this - it is not right to judge others. This ordeal has been difficult and has taught me much. I have learned a lot about what I thought to be true about my denomination, my faith, and others.
Please bear with me as I tell my story.
Have been where you've been ... understand your need to blog ... am reading with great interest ... as a fellow believer, whose come out the other side ...
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's great to have someone who understands. I'd love to hear your story sometime.
Arthur
Hi Arthur,
ReplyDeleteI will start reading your blog. So, you slipped. You seem to have repented and you are confessing to strangers your mistake. It's a real shame nobody at the church will speak to you---we are called to forgive.
For what it's worth from a Christian brother you do not know, I forgive you. But this doesn't really matter;God's forgiveness is what matters.
Learn from your mistake and I wish you peace of mind in Christ.
Pat
Thanks, Pat, for reading. Hope you enjoy reading. Thank you for reaching out. Friends are hard to find, even ones I'll probably never get to meet. Thank you for understanding.
ReplyDeleteArthur
I came across your story and blog after someone from your blog had commented on my blog and it led me back to the this source - Wow. Amazing story and I want you to know I respect your courage for coming forward. I have been blogging and writing for 2 years now as a result of a hurt in my own marriage to a pastor and the entrance of another man in my world. God has so beautifully restored my marriage - but it was painful and hurtful and mostly at the hands of who was then my lead pastor with whom my husband was on staff with. He handled it in a very ugly way - is not a counselor and ended up doing more damage than he could ever imagine. 2 years later we are happy - out of that church and on a healthy road. I know it could have been a very different story and almost was. Thank you for being honest and authentic that church leaders are the most judgmental - it's so true. I'm amazing and awed at the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus who loves us no matter how we blow it.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and sharing as well. Your blog is wonderful and very authentic. Wish I'd found it sooner. You seem to be connecting wonderfully with a lot of people.
Keep fighting the good fight and keep posting your thoughts and ideas. And keep posting great music.
You could use a little U2, though.
God bless,
Arthur
Haha! I've been told that before - I'll see what I can do!
ReplyDelete