Newly Independent Churches - who else?

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Galt
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12:14p, 6/27/24
AG
I'm looking to start a thread for churches that have recently become independent. Would really appreciate a group to bounce ideas off of, ask for ideas and advice, and perhaps share encouragement as it's needed for all of us.

Our church (~150 avg Sunday attendance across 2 services, small town in Hill Country) voted to disaffiliate from the UMC months back. After further discernment, the congregation felt pretty strongly that Independent Methodist/Wesleyan was the right call for us. We have been pretty focused on meeting the goals and conditions for disaffiliation. We have a great congregation who have largely stayed together throughout the disaffiliation tribulations. Now, we will have to figure out how to become a successful Independent church and congregation.

Some of the topics that have come up for us on our journey so far:
1) How do we execute an effective pastor search, evaluation, and hiring?
2) Best ways and new opportunities for mission work?
3) Best ways to grow and continue Kids and Youth ministries?
4) How to maintain some level of connectionalism with other congregations as an Independent church?
5) Effective dispute resolution as an Independent church

Anyone else either a leader or congregation member of a newly Independent church that would be interested in networking and sharing ideas, either in-person or online?
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88Warrior
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In reply to Galt • 1:37p, 6/27/24
Galt said:
I'm looking to start a thread for churches that have recently become independent. Would really appreciate a group to bounce ideas off of, ask for ideas and advice, and perhaps share encouragement as it's needed for all of us.

Our church (~150 avg Sunday attendance across 2 services, small town in Hill Country) voted to disaffiliate from the UMC months back. After further discernment, the congregation felt pretty strongly that Independent Methodist/Wesleyan was the right call for us. We have been pretty focused on meeting the goals and conditions for disaffiliation. We have a great congregation who have largely stayed together throughout the disaffiliation tribulations. Now, we will have to figure out how to become a successful Independent church and congregation.

Some of the topics that have come up for us on our journey so far:
1) How do we execute an effective pastor search, evaluation, and hiring?
2) Best ways and new opportunities for mission work?
3) Best ways to grow and continue Kids and Youth ministries?
4) How to maintain some level of connectionalism with other congregations as an Independent church?
5) Effective dispute resolution as an Independent church

Anyone else either a leader or congregation member of a newly Independent church that would be interested in networking and sharing ideas, either in-person or online?


Here. Our church, Asbury Tulsa, left the UMC as well. We were the largest UMC in Oklahoma at the time with close to 7000 members. So far we've stayed as an independent Wesleyan church until we figure out where we need to be. We have an "re-affiliation" committee looking at different options including the WMC and others. We definitely do not want to remain independent but want to make sure we're not jumping into a denomination that may be trending towards what the UMC has become. Since we've left we've actually send tremendous growth and energy especially among young families! Pray your church finds the same!
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Athanasius
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6:07p, 6/27/24
AG
Man, I'm sorry people are going through this. I hope you find that home.

I would encourage this to be considered as well: Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism: Hahn, Kimberly, Hahn, Scott: 9780898704785: Amazon.com: Books

Methodist Converts to Catholicism - The Coming Home Network (chnetwork.org)


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aggiesherpa
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6:58p, 6/27/24
AG
As far as preacher searching, I recommend reaching out to some christian universities, some of them have resources and names of people/groups that can help. For example, although not Methodist, Abilene Christian University will have resources/people (Siburt Institute for Church Ministry) who that can help out.

I believe there are Minister Search companies out there that can be hired as well.
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CrackerJackAg
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7:16a, 6/28/24
AG
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."
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88Warrior
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 7:51a, 6/28/24
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."


What?
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to 88Warrior • 5:13p, 6/28/24
AG
Exactly
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88Warrior
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 5:37p, 6/28/24
CrackerJackAg said:
Exactly

Whatever…Not sure if you're Orthodox or RCC but I guess the East West schism never happened….
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UTExan
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 7:22p, 6/28/24
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."
That's what Christianity has always done. Like cell division.
Of course there were those unfortunate times when the established church decided to murder, burn and torture those with differing convictions. That's when they fled to America.
It is better to light a flamethrower than to curse the darkness- Sir Terence Pratchett
“ III stooges si viveret et nos omnes ad quos etiam probabile est mittent custard pies”
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birddog7000
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 7:47p, 6/28/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."


Comments like this show a high level of intellectual dishonesty and a serious lack of understanding of Christianity. Please stay off of threads like this where you cannot offer up anything constructive. If you knew the first thing about what our churches have gone through to disaffiliate from an apostate denomination you would not make such low-brow comments. Christ's church is wherever two Christians come together.

OP, I have been a part of a church that disaffiliated and went independent. We just voted on our new pastor last Sunday. God's gracious hand has been on our church during this whole time and His Holy Spirit has been poured out richly. I pray the same for your church family! I'll buy a star again so I can pm, would love to visit whenever you would like.
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to UTExan • 8:52p, 6/28/24
AG
UTExan said:
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."
That's what Christianity has always done. Like cell division.
Of course there were those unfortunate times when dissidents from the established church decided to murder, burn and torture those with differing convictions. That's when they fled to America.


I guess all those English were fleeing the two to three century old Protestant Church of England.

The Protestant reformation didn't do much for Christian unity. Even amongst themselves.





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UTExan
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 9:00p, 6/28/24
CrackerJackAg said:
UTExan said:
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."
That's what Christianity has always done. Like cell division.
Of course there were those unfortunate times when dissidents from the established church decided to murder, burn and torture those with differing convictions. That's when they fled to America.


I guess all those English were fleeing the two to three century old Protestant Church of England.

The Protestant reformation didn't do much for Christian unity. Even amongst themselves.






Actually I was thinking about Catholics killing Waldensians, Lollards, Huguenots and those pesky reform-minded Catholics like Savonarola.
It is better to light a flamethrower than to curse the darkness- Sir Terence Pratchett
“ III stooges si viveret et nos omnes ad quos etiam probabile est mittent custard pies”
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to UTExan • 9:02p, 6/28/24
AG
Yeah, that only went one way.

Protestants were super cool to Catholics when they were in charge.

That's a RCC/Protestant dispute so not my beef.
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Jabin
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 8:07a, 6/29/24
Way to encourage unity! Condescending criticism always works so well.

And . . .
Quote:
That's a RCC/Protestant dispute so not my beef.
Why are you posting on this thread, then?
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 9:45a, 6/29/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."


Because this. Then some one whined and cried about something that didn't happen to them or affect them in any way for the worst.

EVERYONE has been persecuted at some point in their ancestry. The best part is that it's far enough back you and I can both point to the same ancestors probably and have completely different feelings based on what team they were on.
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golfinag94
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In reply to birddog7000 • 9:56a, 7/1/24
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."


Comments like this show a high level of intellectual dishonesty and a serious lack of understanding of Christianity. Please stay off of threads like this where you cannot offer up anything constructive. If you knew the first thing about what our churches have gone through to disaffiliate from an apostate denomination you would not make such low-brow comments. Christ's church is wherever two Christians come together.

OP, I have been a part of a church that disaffiliated and went independent. We just voted on our new pastor last Sunday. God's gracious hand has been on our church during this whole time and His Holy Spirit has been poured out richly. I pray the same for your church family! I'll buy a star again so I can pm, would love to visit whenever you would like.
This right here.
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dermdoc
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In reply to birddog7000 • 12:15p, 7/1/24
AG
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
I guess the cat is out of the bag with Protestantism already but it's strange to so casually talk about "breaking away, doing your own thing, be independent, let's just go find a guy etc…."

It's so far gone that further division is just "ho hum, no big deal."


Comments like this show a high level of intellectual dishonesty and a serious lack of understanding of Christianity. Please stay off of threads like this where you cannot offer up anything constructive. If you knew the first thing about what our churches have gone through to disaffiliate from an apostate denomination you would not make such low-brow comments. Christ's church is wherever two Christians come together.

OP, I have been a part of a church that disaffiliated and went independent. We just voted on our new pastor last Sunday. God's gracious hand has been on our church during this whole time and His Holy Spirit has been poured out richly. I pray the same for your church family! I'll buy a star again so I can pm, would love to visit whenever you would like.
Amen.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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OverSeas AG
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 11:13a, 7/5/24
AG
You clearly do not know your Bible.

We are repeatedly warned that there will be wolves in sheep's clothing within the church attempting to lead the flock astray.

We are told to flee from sin and to separate from those who live in sin. So when a "church" chooses sinful doctrine over the truth, and reconciliation cannot be had - those for Christ can stay for "christian unity" or they can leave.

Not one post you have made shows you care about unity much less shows you understand what Satan is trying to do to the church and why.

Take that log out of your eye before you attack what you don't understand.

Finally there is a reason there is a crown for those that persevere. Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The Christian walk is not easy, people fall all the time - including churches. Including your church. You should be sad for those that CAUSED the division, not criticizing those that fled Satan.
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to OverSeas AG • 11:31a, 7/5/24
AG
It's not so clear you do. I think you understand what you want it to be and how you feel it personally speaks to you.

I'll go with the interpretations that are a couple thousand years old and not worry about my personal feelings .
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OverSeas AG
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11:44a, 7/5/24
AG
Ok.

Everything I said is scriptural. I just didn't give you the references. Just a lil' work will allow you to find them.

You have chosen to let the church speak for you rather than being a noble-minded Berean or being able to give a reason for the hope that you have.

And given your castigation of those following the truth over unity, the only emotional person is you. But that is always a good attempt to rile someone.

Again look up what I said and read it. You don't have to do any interpreting.

Finally, while there are over 50 verses on unity. Not one, not one suggests unity over obedience and truth.
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CrackerJackAg
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11:51a, 7/5/24
AG
Scriptural to YOU. You do you man. You and I are barely of the same faith. You go with your dark age medieval interpretations and extremist religious movements. I'll stick with the original.

I think judging the tree by its fruit applies. Protestantism is a disturbing mess.
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OverSeas AG
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 11:59a, 7/5/24
AG
Oh I sadly do me, a lot.

As for you, I knew you would not even crack your Bible.

I'll leave you with Hebrews 4:12 (from a Catholic approved Bible):

For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


You can have whatever last word you want.
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to OverSeas AG • 12:02p, 7/5/24
AG
OverSeas AG said:
Oh I sadly do me, a lot.

As for you, I knew you would not even crack your Bible.

I'll leave you with Hebrews 4:12 (from a Catholic approved Bible):

For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


You can have whatever last word you want.


Rather foolish of you to assume my relationship with God and devotion to the Bible.

We put it together. You guys just adjusted it to suit your feelings.
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birddog7000
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 12:10p, 7/5/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
Scriptural to YOU. You do you man. You and I are barely of the same faith. You go with your dark age medieval interpretations and extremist religious movements. I'll stick with the original.

I think judging the tree by its fruit applies. Protestantism is a disturbing mess.


You do realize the whole reason for the Reformation was because much of the fruit of the RCC at the time was rotten. This thread isn't about you, or your beliefs, and it doesn't need you derailing it with your continued ignorance.
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OverSeas AG
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 12:12p, 7/5/24
AG
I debated as to whether to respond since I said you can have the last word, but given what you said I will…

I didn't question your relationship with God one iota. I dont know you, your faith or your actions.

I said that I knew you didn't crack the Bible to see if what I said was scriptural or not. That's all I said.

We can agree or disagree on sola scriptura and what constitutes the church and all sorts of other things, but I am not going to presume your relation with God.
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to birddog7000 • 12:12p, 7/5/24
AG
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.
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OverSeas AG
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 1:19p, 7/5/24
AG
Your church just excommunicated someone that your church considers a heretic. They have been doing it forever.

So what is your position. For unity all things are acceptable?

The same thing happens in Catholicism. People disagree, leave the church or get kicked out, and start a new one. Great councils have been held since the beginning of the Catholic church to do this very thing.

Pot-kettle.
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birddog7000
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 1:22p, 7/5/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.


And you only know what you have been taught and grew up in, which is why I have asked you to stay out of this conversation, because it doesn't really concern you and you're not being constructive.
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PabloSerna
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1:30p, 7/5/24
AG
To be clear, it was not heresy…

"On 4 July 2024, the Congress of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith met to conclude the extrajudicial penal process referred to in canon 1720 CIC against the Most Reverend Carlo Maria Vigan, titular Archbishop of Ulpiana, accused of the reserved delict of schism (canons 751 and 1364 CIC; art. 2 SST)."
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to OverSeas AG • 2:04p, 7/5/24
AG
Wrong church man
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CrackerJackAg
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In reply to birddog7000 • 2:05p, 7/5/24
AG
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.


And you only know what you have been taught and grew up in, which is why I have asked you to stay out of this conversation, because it doesn't really concern you and you're not being constructive.


I grew up Baptist and non denominational the first 35 years of my life. Wednesday and Sunday every week.

I know exactly what it is and I did come from that world and fully reject it.

Lots of good people. Bad faith.
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birddog7000
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 2:39p, 7/5/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.


And you only know what you have been taught and grew up in, which is why I have asked you to stay out of this conversation, because it doesn't really concern you and you're not being constructive.


I grew up Baptist and non denominational the first 35 years of my life. Wednesday and Sunday every week.

I know exactly what it is and I did come from that world and fully reject it.

Lots of good people. Bad faith.


Well that gives you such great insight into the Methodist split.
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AGC
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 3:06p, 7/5/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.


And you only know what you have been taught and grew up in, which is why I have asked you to stay out of this conversation, because it doesn't really concern you and you're not being constructive.


I grew up Baptist and non denominational the first 35 years of my life. Wednesday and Sunday every week.

I know exactly what it is and I did come from that world and fully reject it.

Lots of good people. Bad faith.


Does it give you pause that you're the only orthodox poster gloating in this thread when we have several that post regularly in this forum?

Edit: especially when it was started as a request for help? Stop derailing it and go ask your priest if he thinks your contributions here have been productive and meaningful for your faith.
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AgLiving06
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In reply to AGC • 3:58p, 7/5/24
AGC said:
CrackerJackAg said:
birddog7000 said:
CrackerJackAg said:
It's not a derail. You only know what you have been taught and grew up in. The solution is to fix the problem. Not run away when you can't convince everyone else.

You couldn't even convince each other. All 6000 denominations of you. Day one you were saying each other were heretics and going to hell.


And you only know what you have been taught and grew up in, which is why I have asked you to stay out of this conversation, because it doesn't really concern you and you're not being constructive.


I grew up Baptist and non denominational the first 35 years of my life. Wednesday and Sunday every week.

I know exactly what it is and I did come from that world and fully reject it.

Lots of good people. Bad faith.


Does it give you pause that you're the only orthodox poster gloating in this thread when we have several that post regularly in this forum?

Edit: especially when it was started as a request for help? Stop derailing it and go ask your priest if he thinks your contributions here have been productive and meaningful for your faith.

Unfortunately for a lot of EO, they find their identity in "not the western church" as opposed to knowing their faith. It's certainly more prevalent in converts like he is.
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OverSeas AG
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In reply to CrackerJackAg • 5:01p, 7/5/24
AG
CrackerJackAg said:
Wrong church man
If you are Eastern Orthodox, then your church accepts the first seven ecumenical councils just as the Catholic Church does. And in those councils they were determining what was and wasn't orthodox Christianity. In these councils they also repudiated many teachings that they did not agree with - causing schisms in the early church.

The fact that in the Eastern Church there are multiple churches also means that at some point in time, something caused them to divide.

So there is not a church around, Eastern Christianity or Western Christianity that can claim it has never had a schism. Now that does not mean that every church division has been for good reasons, but that is a different story.

Finally, a break in a church (individual church or denomination) is a sad thing. It should not be taken lightly and it should be mourned when it happens. The issue that caused the division in the Methodist church has been a long time coming. Those that left spent many years trying to bring unity and reconciliation to the UMC. When it was obvious that could not happen, they left the UMC.


I am not Methodist by the way, but have watched the situation closely.



Anyway, my apologies to the OP as I have aided in the thread derail.
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