INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ:
Whether one decides to take a stand and fight for their Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM)-affiliated church, or you have reached a point at any time (it could have been very recent or even years ago) in leaving in good conscience to plant your family’s flag at another church, this document serves to buttress both decisions…wherever you are at. It could also help you decide, by God’s grace…but do not make any choice under compulsion unless it is that given by your heavenly Father.
But be adequately forewarned…this document does live up to its name. This was not written to serve idols or to serve as an idol. It’s been written to serve as a standing stone; a mile marker where God did something great and wonderful; a place of memory where one lays down their heavy yoke and falls into Christ’s arms.
It was not written for the glory of man.
Struggling with this project initially, I pressed on in trying to capture the language of Thomas Jefferson (hence the mile-long sentences and Declaration of Independence as a general blueprint) and married it with the spirit of Martin Luther, who never minded repeating himself to get a message across.
I am expecting reactions of every sort to this post. I will be accused of cosmic-sized pride and starting and supporting unnecessary, unjustified, and unbiblical rebellion. There will undoubtedly be laughter, mocking and derision. None of it could ever come close to that experienced by our Lord. I will be accused of seeking followers to support the aforementioned pride. I will be accused of ignoring so-called “clear patterns of delegated and biblical authority.” I will be accused of not having a “grace-filled” position. I pray none of this is the case, but I’ve had sticks and stones thrown at me before.
Knowing there will be freedom experienced around a solidified rallying cry that so many need here, it needs to be clear that my desire is not to start a movement, a denomination, a family of churches, a political party, or anything of the sort. I’m simply providing a voice of unity, and laying a line of demarcation down for myself and all of you who need it.
I pray this Declaration of Sole Dependence on Christ would (1) drive Christians to their knees before the Savior, Jesus (2) drive us to the Word of God, (3) drive us to each other in reconciliation and healing, and (4) help us march into freedom as we have struggled, struggle, and continue to struggle with leaving behind tyranny, be it in SGM or not.
The flags here are creations of mine; as I sought to honor God through fealty solely to His Son, Jesus Christ. The dark red represents the blood He shed for us, the very ink He used to write our names in the Book of Life. Please read the message on this flag in its entirety, and with contemplation. In old-fashioned language, it pledges sole allegiance to Christ. The red flag is “new,” and the “old” flag (in the last paragraph) represents those whose freedom in Christ has been hard fought on all fronts for years, even decades.
Let me know by email or in the comments if you want to add your name(s) to the signatures below this document, to be alphabetized by state; your onscreen names are fine, even though others have declared our anonymity belligerent cowardice. In this age of internet predators, the world-wide web requires online anonymity for many of us, and SGM shouldn’t flatter themselves into thinking we do it only out of fear of them or some online communication mandate they’ve handed down with the word “biblical” stamped on it. Many of us do it to protect our families, livelihood, homes, and friends. All of you who do this: You are not cowards in my eyes. None of you. And if you put your online name here, it does not diminish the firmness of your conviction by one particle than if you signed your real name. And if you want your real name(s) on it, by all means let me know.
Here it is:
~~~
DECLARATION OF SOLE DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST
WHEN in the course of human events that are subject to the Providence of Almighty God, it becomes necessary for one Christian people to dissolve the bands which have connected them with another, and to assume powers and stations appointed, directed, and given them by God through His Word, a decent respect to the opinions of fellow brethren in Christ and mankind in general requires that these Christians should declare the causes which impel them to separation or revolution.
WE, God’s children and flock members, hold these truths to be self-evident—only because He has declared them so through His Word—that all who are called by Christ are created equal in salvation, regardless of who, what, where, when, how, and why they are in the variety of life’s stations and the vocations with which they honor their Lord; that they are endowed by their Creator through His Word with certain unalienable rights and gifts, that among these are:
- LIFE in a number of days only God the Creator knows, has predetermined, and authored and finished through the faith He created in our hearts.
- LIBERTY from the final condemnation, judgment and wrath due sinners; this rescue was and is accomplished solely by the death of death itself; this in turn was and is accomplished by the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
- THE PURSUIT OF GOD’S GLORY that comes from the Holy Spirit’s ongoing and sanctifying power in our lives, and not adherence to the minutiae and broad strokes subject to the whimsical environment of standards both man-made and self-serving.
–That to display these rights as the Bride of Christ, church governments are Divinely instituted among Christians, deriving their just powers from God in (1) their Divine anointing and appointment as evidenced in the Scriptural outplaying of their lives and (2) the consent of those governed whose consciences are and have been captivated by Scripture,–That whenever any form of Church government becomes destructive of these ends and seeks to supplant Christ’s ultimate power, authority, and sovereignty, it is the right of the Christian people who compose that particular church government or denomination to either:
- Leave it in good conscience and suffer no unjustified verbal or written diminishment of their persons or families, as it is only God Who raises and lowers all things, or
- Change or Abolish that particular church government or denomination and to institute a new church government, laying its foundation at the feet of the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ; the only One Who will forever effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed will dictate that church governments and denominations long established should not be departed from or changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown, that Christians are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms of the gathering of believers to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations invariably pursue the elevation of man instead of God, a pursuit that evinces a design to reduce the priesthood of believers under a despotic and nepotistic system, it is the right of the flock—indeed their duty—to throw off such church government, and to in prayer, fasting and practical action seek or provide new or alternative elders and deacons that will serve to facilitate the saints’ future and security as brothers and sisters in Christ; that this new leadership does not and will not ever supplant the only One to Whom Christians are bound in servitude to: Jesus Christ.—Such has been the patient sufferance of the signers of this document; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of church government or membership. The history of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an authoritarian and tyrannical system over Christian brothers and sisters; once again, this tyranny’s primary objective—whether intentional or not–is the elevation of man instead of God.
To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world and sober Church:
SGM’s governing body has refused any form of congregational distinctives in its local churches’ polity. Rather, evidence of an amalgamation of ill practices in the Shepherding Movement and an Episcopalian form of polity in SGM has brought out the worst in both shepherds and sheep.
In defending its polity, SGM has authored and promoted materials that would seem to purposely misrepresent sources, and always to further SGM practices; additionally, there is no record of merit displaying a corrective course from such reckless action.
SGM has wrenched the disciplinary process in Matthew 18 out of context to make it a tool for shepherds to lord over their sheep, so much so that an example displays this mangling: SGM’s demand for potentially volatile face-to-face confrontations with sheep who seek recourse at places unusual, uncomfortable, distant from home and alienated from family support and the counsel of friends; all this for the sole purpose of fatiguing the flock member into compliance with SGM measures.
SGM has dissolved pastoral positions repeatedly without sufficient notice to the flock, without sufficient public explanation, and without sufficient congregational input–let alone without congregational consent–for causes that seem arbitrary at best, political at medium, and vindictive at worst.
SGM ignores its sheep; one example of dark action is that SGM has refused for a long time, after the aforementioned pastoral position dissolutions, to cause other local leaders to be elected by the local Church; instead a pastor is installed by at times unknown and unseen by members in SGM’s governing body. This exposes the Church to the dangerous whimsy of those in authority from afar and wolves from within.
SGM’s governing body has made their pastors subject to its will alone, for the tenure of their offices and the security of their salaries.
SGM has effected to render pastoral authority independent of and superior to the congregation in all church affairs.
SGM has rigidly defined and confined the congregation’s witness with all parts of the world and participation in para-church ministries, missionary efforts, and other organizations outside the sphere of SGM’s influence.
Again, SGM has ignored, and even mocked, any consideration of a congregational polity with a plurality of elders being put forth; such a polity could honor and even strengthen an elder authority found in Scripture that is checked by a congregational authority found in Scripture; indeed, SGM’s parched ground of mutual submission has ne’er been watered; such ignorance and mocking on the part of SGM bespeaks self-perpetuating elitism unfit to govern any body, let alone any church or flock.
While SGM’s pursuance, facilitation and participation in the reconciliation between themselves (or leaders in the local churches) and wronged parties is admirable, there has been little to no movement-wide public acknowledgement, confession or admission of these corporate offenses and oppressions; additionally, there has been a continual shirking of promises made, warranting nothing short of complete and radical reformation and revolution within and without SGM. History has shown that leaders protecting the tenure of their reign see this as unwarranted vindication. Brothers and sisters in Christ see this as wrongs that ought to be addressed under the protective wings of God’s justice and mercy.
In various stages of these oppressions the flock has petitioned for redress and recourse, at times even in the humblest of terms. Many of these repeated petitions have been answered only by blistering and repeated injury, tepid disinterest, or the frozen darkness of silence. The character of governing leadership in a denomination is thus marked by these acts which may define tyranny; such tyranny that seeks to supplant Christ as the Head of the Church is unfit to rule the saints.
We, therefore, the signers of this Declaration, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name of our Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, solemnly publish and declare, that we are free in Him, that we are absolved from all allegiance to SGM, and that all political connection between us and SGM, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free Christians we have full power to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, to throw off the shackles of human performance we thought would open the gates of heaven wider to us, to be truly sanctified in Him and saved by Him alone, and to do all other things which Christians have been commanded by God to do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the security and protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor given by and covered by Christ’s precious blood which He shed on the Cross.
Here are indeed at least two or three that have gathered together in His Name; thus, He is in the midst of us:
~~~Representing the UNITED STATES~~~
CALIFORNIA
Henry on 9/10/2010
Never More on 9/10/2010
COLORADO
Canary on 9/10/2010
Mr. Canary on 9/10/2010
Defended on 9/10/2010
Defender on 9/10/2010
FLORIDA
Jim Pappadeas on 9/10/2010
Carole Pappadeas on 9/11/2010
Paul on 9/14/2010
GEORGIA
Gracie on 9/11/2010
MARYLAND
Pam Davis on 9/10/2010
PENNSYLVANIA
Debra Baker on 9/10/2010
Much Afraid (No More) on 9/10/2010
SueBee on 9/10/2010
TEXAS
Protestant Dame on 9/10/2010
Protestant Knight on 9/10/2010
Waters on 9/15/2010
VIRGINIA
Fred on 9/10/2010
Mike Drewry on 9/10/2010
Tom Bridgwood on 9/11/2010
Lori Bridgwood on 9/11/2010
OTHER STATES
Ellie on 09/16/2010
~~~Representing the UNITED KINGDOM~~~
BIRMINGHAM
Dan Bowen on 09/13/2010
A submission for the anthem of the Declaration of Sole Dependence on Christ:
In Christ Alone
written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
’til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Debra Baker from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would like to be added to the list of Yeas In big bold lettering lest anyone need trouble himself to put on reading glasses.
Pam Davis 9/10/10 representing the state of Maryland.
I would love to fly that flag at my house along with my “Don’t Tread on Me” flag!
Thank you Mike and thank you ladies for your boldness and convictions.
Like clockwork, the “gossip” and “slander” emails are starting to show up in my inbox. I genuinely hope and pray most are just cranks.
–pk
This is brilliant.
I like the flag you made, PK. I love New Hampshire’s flag, too. “Live Free or Die”.
Thank you, TBD. As I toiled over it, paced about, stressed, etc., a very patient Protestant Dame counseled me on particular sections to make sure that both my heart and righteous conviction came through in trying to communicate God’s justice and mercy. PD is the Abigail Adams and Katherina Von Bora of my life, only what raises her even further in my eyes and mind is that she is not married to anyone famous…infamous, more likely!
–pk
Thank you, Stunned.
–pk
“Like clockwork, the “gossip” and “slander” emails are starting to show up in my inbox. I genuinely hope and pray most are just cranks.”
PK:
That certainly did not take long. Any indication of how many people from SGM IP addresses have read the document today?
PK,
This is one of the most well-written documents I’ve ever read. Every sentence is saturated in a healthy amount of the truth of God’s justice, and the love Christ has for his church, most specifically his sheep.
Well Done.
Canary asks the priviledge of representing the great state of Colorado! Please add my name, and that of Mr. Canary!
formersgmer:
You asked: “Any indication of how many people from SGM IP addresses have read the document today?”
I wondered the exact same thing.
I’ve purposed in the future to not play amateur detective with IPs until the emails become deeply abusive or the early degrees/stages of threats.
Not trying to be hoity-toity at all; just trying to take the high ground, in spite of curiosity.
–pk
Could this declaration be the “shot heard round the world”? Liberty at last!
Son of Happymom:
Thank you, sir; and I am honored to be complimented by (1) you individually, and (2) you as the son of such a wonderful, persevering saint as Happymom.
–pk
Canary:
You got it. And I am cheering for Colorado as PD and I lived there for a decade and a half, and were torn wondering if we could represent CO as well. You and Mr. Canary are the finest of representatives, and God bless your home.
–pk
Thank you, PK! I’m sure the Defenders will be eager to add their names to represent CO when they read this forum.
Canary:
re: the Defenders…Absolutely! We love those folks! As soon as I get a confirmation, I’ll add them.
–pk
PK:
Well said at 11:40 a.m.
Thanks for saying I was bold but I have to say since I put my name up, I’ve thought a few times about having you delete my name. But nope, I want it there!
Pam, you go, girl!
My wife Renee usually comments. Henry, representing the ridiculous state of California.
Outstanding declaration PK! You write so well that I thinketh that you must write a book! Please add Fred from the great state of VA! FREEDOMMMMMM!!!
Dang PK-thanks for breaking my blogfast.
Jim Pappadeas from paradise (that would be Florida).
Representing Pennsylvania – Please add me in! This truly is outstanding!
AH!
I finally had a few minutes to read up and, AAHHHH!
PK! I LOVE you my Brother!!!!
How big a font can you put “Defender – representing Colorado”?
(Colorado is, by the way, God’s template for The New Heavens & New Earth. Did y’all know that???)
I want fireworks!!!!
YYEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAWWWWWWW!
(Shooting my guns in the air)
Never More, representing the state of California.
(Adding to the bird population of this site, lol.)
Thank you so much for writing and posting something like this, PK–It’s amazing to be able to put my name on it along with so many others.
(I read fairly often, but this is my first post on Refuge. I’ve posted a few times on Survivors but under a different name till now.)
Having quothed, the Raven is going to take wing.
Defended says….where would I be without my Defender???
We’re in – together, of course!
The truth is that this document has me weeping for my sgm brethren. praying and crying out to God for those in Virginia. RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD!
God bless you guys, PD & PK. We got your Colorado back, of course.
Never More – welcome! Thanks for joining in on the Declaration.
P.D.
Oh PK, this is stirring. The post, the hymn, the comments – all have me singing and shouting the glories of God!
Please add Gracie from the great state of Georgia to your list.
Blessings,
Gracie
This Declaration is a thing of beauty, PK! You are a very wise man, and a prolific writer… and you get a standing ovation from this girl in Florida! :CLAPPING LOUDLY AND WILDLY:
Love to you both!
You know I stand with you and agree with every word you have included in this document. Please add my name to the list… from the beautiful (but hot and very humid) state of Florida!
(Psssssst… PK! Don’t fret over those “gossip and slander” emails… SGM has spent many years re-defining words to suit their own wants and needs, to the point that their definitions don’t even resemble the original language any longer. As you know, Jim and I have had one or two of those “gossip and slander” accusations thrown our way… :sigh: I say, PRESS FORWARD WITH TRUTH AND FREEDOM, my friend! Those little “gossip and slander” arrows have no power behind them to give them any credence whatsoever, as they are based and filled with SGM’s “truth” which we all know is beyond suspect… they fall way short of Truth!)
Hang in there, PK and PD! You are both doing a phenomenal job here at the ‘fuge… God has raised you up and filled you with everything you need to continue this OH! so important work!
Thank you Carole (and Jim!) and everyone else joining in.
As today is 9-11 I’m sure everyone’s thoughts are turned in remembrance of the events of this day only nine years ago. We don’t want to detract from that, but affirm it’s on our hearts as well.
In addition, I want to remind and encourage everyone to stay mindful of the Band of Brothers in KingsWay who are fighting for truth, openness and God’s glory. They have circulated a letter of appeal to their pastors and congregation, and GE has responded with some attempt at damage control, stating that the forthcoming mediation with Peacemakers will solve all this church’s conflicts. The BoB think differently of course.
Please take some time out of your day to lift them up to the throne of grace. A very telling description of the atmosphere there is reflected in a comment made by one of these brothers that was relayed to us recently in his request for our prayers for him and his family: I have never sensed, in all my years of being a Christian, the constant and oppresive attack of the enemy. satan is not taking this sitting down. Thank you my brothers. May God be glorified mightily.
Thank you all,
P.D.
” I have never sensed, in all my years of being a Christian, the constant and oppresive attack of the enemy. satan is not taking this sitting down. Thank you my brothers. May God be glorified mightily.”
Ever read “This Present Darkness” by Frank Peretti?
He could write another series of books, (only not fiction) about the spiritual battles we all have gone through, and the major battle going on right now in Virginia.
This is serious business folks!
You Band of Brothers at Kingsway, we stand and pray with you.
Protestant Dame, thanks for the welcome!
My thoughts too are with those at Kingsway.
As are mine.
(I have been reading since January 2009 – this is my first post.)
Welcome Luna Moth! We appreciate you dropping by and for your prayers for Kingsway.
P.D.
Can I be the first to submit an overseas declaration if that’s allowed?!
Dan Bowen from Birmingham, UK!
Love it.
PK…I’m not certain where to post this question and you can move it if you would like… I live in a State that doesn’t have a SG church within it…. Felt very certain tha one would never come to my area… I was actually told by one of their Pastor’s that they would never plant in my rural area because its not near metro city………I’m concerned that my church may be moving towards being affiliated with SGM. Thank you for your input… any of you!
Bruised:
In re: September 13, 2010 at 7:31 am.
Before we address the question of affiliations and friendships between pastors and leaders, I want to help draw your attention back to someone (not that you ever left, but we can get distracted when see things that distress us).
First, remember Who your First Love is. I have to remind myself daily, and He Has to remind me daily…it’s Jesus Christ. Not John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, or anyone else.
Remember why you join other believers every week and every meeting you have with them: to worship Jesus Christ.
Remember the reason for why you draw every breath: to bring glory to God.
Second, I have to remind myself there’s evidence that SGM has a public face and a private face. While we’ve certainly heard questionable things come from SGM pulpits, I believe the bad practices that happen behind the scenes in SGM occur more frequently and out of the view of ministers from organizations that are not SGM.
Pastors who associate themselves or call themselves friends to other pastors may see an entirely different face than we see. And at times, friendships become so important to a person that they knowingly turn a blind eye. The only thing we can do is pray for our leaders, and at times confront them with our experience and the hard facts.
Christians, as they enjoy good news full to bursting (and we should), most times we are allergic to bad news, and want nothing to do with it.
That’s when the difficult work of getting off the “It’s a Small World” ride we tend to put ourselves on must take place. Not only do we personally face the reality of the hardships of life, but at times we have to preach the truth in love to those who don’t see problems or dangers with whom they associate with.
Too often–and I am guilty of this–we focus on what we like or dislike in a person’s appearance, and it overrides something very critical: what that person believes, and why they believe it. In SGM’s case, I have to start off very gingerly in explaining to someone why SGM is not the apex of the church experience or Christian beliefs…and many get offended and hit the OFF switch to their hearing even when I barely suggest as much.
All of this is to say that there may be diffculty in letting someone you know or care about, (like a pastor) the things you and many others have not only experienced with SGM, but troublesome things that are documented carefully that can be found on this website and others.
And if someone refuses truth, then we have even harder choices to make.
Any of this make any sense? Know that PD and I are praying for you; my encouragement is to take your eyes off of men and focus on Christ. That’s not chastisement, I promise. It’s a battle I fight daily.
–pk
PK – Thank you for your response… My first thought was to talk with my Pastor and then I realize I will have to walk softly and with the Holy Spirit within me speaking. We can love our Brothers and Sisters and still bring out error! Just like your response to me. You are very quick to point me back to the cross……. WHICH IS GOOD AND RIGHT!
I so appreciate prayer today and appreciate your quick response…. I know where my focus must go TODAY!
Dan:
If I haven’t welcomed you before…welcome!
In re: September 13, 2010 at 6:10 am, you have been added, and we’re honored to have two countries represented on the Declaration now.
Blessings,
–pk
PK
I have asked my Pastor if we are afiliated with SG… He said: YEP
Please help me pray over this matter
Does he know that the original pastors don’t end up staying as the pastors in most affliations adoptions takeovers?
btw: is there still an “edit” function?
Hi Ellie:
I’ll look into the EDIT issue.
–pk
Ellie,
Thnx for your response… I do not believe we are affiliated with them.. I do not believe I am wrong in asking them about it though.
Bruised:
We are praying.
–pk
Okay PK
I’m going out on a limb…. My Pastor has now asked me if I have real concerns:
I need help putting in to words what is the deep fears and the wrongs in the network…. Please feel free to email me personally.
I never want to slander.. but my heart wants the truth! I’m still praying that GOD remove man from the throne and that they allow him his rightful place within SG! I never want to be against any Brother or Sister in Christ!
Uh, PK.
Reading Bruised :
September 13, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I wonder if you have an easy way to link the “facts” in the document to stories here, or other web sources, or posts, or sermons where those facts can be verified “to a candid world and sober Church.”
Maybe like a references page or something? (Like you have soooooo much spare time on your hands already……)
Just wondering bout making this document, (or another) a listing for research for any unsuspecting admirers of SGM or CJ.
Am I making sense?
Or has this already been decided based on something I am unaware of?
Bruised, God has truly placed you in this situation, in this church, for this time. Dear sister, could it be any more obvious that God has prepared you for this time and work? Do not fear, Bruised. I’d be feeling sick to my stomach right now, too! Trust me. But you don’t need to be. God is at work in your heart, my heart, CJ’s heart, your pastor’s heart. He is so good and loving and gentle and kind and fierce. Just keep reminding yourself that truth can NEVER be slander. Slander actually involves telling LIES, which you will not do. (And if you do ever lie, you’ll immediately repent and go to everyone who has heard lies and seek forgiveness and restoration. Cause that’s who you are, Bruised. We can all see it.)
So no fear. God is at work. You are His gentle, pure (I mean that) handmaiden. You are His fierce warrior woman. God is using you and will lead you. No fear. Just rest in Him and know He is going to work IN and THROUGH you. Too clear that God has prepared you for this time.
Much love,
Stunned
Stunned,
Thank you for the reassurance…. At times I convince myself that I’m walking in my emotions and to just keep quiet…………….
I’m not saying that they do not love the Lord…. or that most of their books are not doctrinally sound… They have taught me much! Its just the hurt that I walked through while there… I can’t imagine nor do I ever wish that upon any of the members of my church family…………….
You are right. I do not desire to slander or lie about anyone… I am one of the biggest ducks in the puddle when it comes to major sin being forgiven through the blood of Christ……………….
Thank you for praying with me!
Bruised…..exactly what Stunned said…….God is with you! He is your guide, your inspiration your safe harbor. You are fine! You never want to see abuses reproduced either. God knows and He is with you.
My wife and I still pray for and love our family at Metro Life in Orlando, Florida.
We thank God for the many years together and how God used leadership and our many friends in strengthening our walk and marriage. We are one in agreement that we do not want to throw the baby out with the bath water. We will continue to pray for Metro.
We have noticed that now that we are actively involved in our new home, we have found that less time on the blog, regurgitating the past, has helped so this may be goodbye for awhile.
Be careful to guard your hearts against bitterness and move on in God, wherever He leads you.
Phil 3:12-15 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Well, glad you are doing well, Paul, and are “moving on”. Those of us who feel called to stay and pray for those still in and coming out of SGM who are confused and bewildered will be here, not to “regurgitate the past”, but to help bind up wounds. It’s kind of hard to leave them behind and forget about them, since we have been through the same thing and we know how they are feeling. They feel lost without their “church family”, when what they need to know is that Jesus will never leave them nor forsake them. Hopefully, you can remember us in prayer as we do this.
Thank you Paul and may God bless you. Thanks be to God. It is possible to stay on the blog and not walk in bitterness!
Elle “but to help bind up wounds.” We are praying not just for Metro but SGM as a whole. By my comments, I was just saying that personally, we felt it was time to move on, but I can understand why many would want to stick around to help. We just began to feel that being here all the time was preventing us from moving on into what God had brought us to. The other night we got together with 5 other families to pray for each other, wherever God leads us, and be thankful for all that God hadn’t given to us through our years together at Metro. There is an old saying about “chewing up the meat and spitting out the bones”
I am sure, with all that is going on in many SGM churches that this blog will be needed by many, so I am not saying that it is useful, or beneficial.
And Fred “It is possible to stay on the blog and not walk in bitterness!”
If you can do that, then stay- but if you feel your heart becoming more bitter and hardened then may it is time to take a breather. That is between you and God. in the same way I could say “we were led to give up TV” and then wonder why all our friends were still watching. Because God hadn’t spoken to their hearts, the way He did to ours.
PK, thanks for taking the reins – Jim n Carole – love you both for all your hard work and sincere desire to see reform, not destruction of SGM. May God continue to bless you in whatever He has in store for you and Carole.
God bless you Paul, and your family.
You, as “Pastor” of your household must follow what God is telling you to do for your family.
If I don’t see you here again, I’m looking forward to catching up with you at “the feast”.
Your brother in Christ,
Defender.
Paul,
I’m so glad to see you and your wife moving on! :-) May God bless you and keep you and lead you! We’ve come a long way since that very first conversation you had with Jim, haven’t we? ;-) Don’t be a stranger!… maybe we can still work out that lunch or dinner together… if I can get Jim to stop working so daggone much! LOL!!
Paul,
I wil echo what others have said here. Thank you for your gracious post and we are blessed to hear how God is meeting you and releasing you to move on. We will miss your “face” around here. Please feel free to stop in now and then to say hello. Many blessings to you and your family as you enter the next chapter of where God leads.
With gratitude,
P.D.
PK,
Just now getting to take the time to sit and attempt to take in the words of your written Declaration. Truly — I am stirred and so very very thankful to hear my heart and spirit shout “yes” “amen” to this writing– you have penned words of
Life — well done, faithful servant of the Lord!
As I sign my name I do so remembering verses from the “anthem”
(In Christ Alone):
“In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my LIGHT , mystrength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm..
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when stirrings cease…..
My Comforter
My All in All–
Here in the love of Christ I stand……….”
Waters—-the big ‘ol state of Texas
Waters:
PD and I are honored to share representation here in Texas with you.
Blessings,
–pk
Paul,
I am genuinely happy for you guys regarding where God is taking you to. Don’t be a stranger, if the Lord should ever bring you back here to visit, we’d be happy to see you. Also, it would probably be a blessing to hear what God is doing in your life should that time come. Thanks for being a blessing here to the so many who have come by.
BTW, you said two things that made me smile as I was trying to figure out whether they were typos or not:
The other night we got together with 5 other families to pray for each other, wherever God leads us, and be thankful for all that God hadn’t given to us through our years together at Metro.
and
I am sure, with all that is going on in many SGM churches that this blog will be needed by many, so I am not saying that it is useful, or beneficial.
Take good care of yourself till we all meet again,
Stunned
Dear Paul,
God bless you as you move on. I pray that God blesses you and your family as you move forward and into the fullness of Jesus Christ and all that He has for you.. I also pray for all leaving that God quickly removes any and all false teaching that was imparted through their time with SGM. Paul, you seem to be a man who truly walks in grace and love and I very much appreciate that. I do think that all of us have to be very careful after we leave that all the wrong teachings and doctrines are left at the old church door (SGM) and that we shake the dust off our feet. It is so easy to walk out with all the old baggage that we were taught. I am thinking specifically of judging other saint’s hearts, especially in the area of bitterness and also, believing that SGM is the one and only church that has it right. In my old SGM church we were taught (as I think most on this blog were also taught) to not only search and search for our sin but to search and search for others sin, judge that sin and then confront them. This old baggage must be left behind and not taken with us when we leave the doors of our old SGM church. It is wrong and does not in any way demonstrate Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters!
I would like to make a confession (whoa! This is ugly!) Now that I have been out awhile, I am definitely seeing more clearly. I see that when I left, I did carry some old baggage that I was blinded to. Holy Spirit had exposed so much deception, wrong doctrine, etc. within SGM that I could not get out of that church fast enough. However, I didn’t realize that I was carrying some old baggage. It was an arrogance and pride found within SGM that says, ”The doctrines that have been taught ARE the Truth and we have it all right. The others have it all wrong! SGM is the one and only true church. I have it all right doctrinally because of all that I had been taught within the hallowed halls of the “happiest place on earth”. I may not have expressed this to anyone but I now see through the mercy and grace of God that it was in my heart. This is a lie that is propagated directly and indirectly through SGM. Very humbling experience to see that this was in my heart and I am to this day grieved over it. Anyway, praise be to God that He has brought revelation to me through His kind and merciful conviction; that He has forgiven me; and that He has delivered me from this terrrible arrogance and pride. Hoping that my little testimony here will help others leave ALL baggage at the door of their old SGM church and to walk in FREEDOM IN CHRIST JESUS!
Is it possible to sign the declaration without being under a state?
There are more than 50 states.
The state of :
Confusion
Discombobulation
Fear
Faith
….. you get the idea….
Add me to Texas, please.
Please add me to Virginia. Thank you.
Please place my name under the state of Louisiana.