Acts20.com

Some will say that what I'm about to say is because I'm bitter. I'm not. I've moved on. But I've been thinking this morning and I'm concerned. I won't rehash the story, but suffice it to say that I was given an ultimatum to leave the independent church I'm working in, or surrender my credentials or have my credentials revoked. I surrendered them back in March. Since that time, I've had many ministers, both in my state as well as from other states and even some men from within the system contact me and tell me and tell me how sorry they are and most have said that they felt I was wronged. My point is NOT to argue that. I've made my choice and moved on. Recently I've spoken with ministers who again stated that if I'll just hold on they would help fight for my credentials when there is a change in leadership. Again, my post is not against my former AB. Here's the concern.If men and women who say that they believe I was wronged but will not stand up or speak up for what they believe to be right, what makes them think that they will suddenly find it within themselves to stand up for what's right when the government tells them to preach what they are told or even to renounce their faith or watch their family die? I'm NOT equating this on the same level.... it's NOT. But all this has had me thinking about this and wondering what it will really be like if we Christians come under such preasure and tribulation? I think about a personal issue a number of years ago when a friend and fellow-pastor came under attack and accusation by a superior and I went to bat for him and proved him innocent of the accusation. I was told then my future in the COG was over, but I refused to watch my brother destroyed to cover for someone elses failure. Just recently someone asked me if it was worth it. My answer was absolutely. It did cost me, but I KNOW I did the right thing and God, who keeps records knows. That's all that matters to me.

Well brother, we may be a fixin to find out. Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

Yup...

There is the belief that all the Christians will be gone before it gets bad. And then, those that are left, will either be saved or not. And we hold this because we see some saved folks that are apparently shown to be in the tribulation. But if they won't live for God NOW, why in the world would we think they will when they have the anti-Christ breathing down their neck? And if there's no one there to witness to them, how indeed would they get turned around?I'm thinking that those saved folks might already have been saved. IN ANY CASE, Darrell, I am bummed out over this loss to the Church of God. There is ZERO WRONG with holding on to our credentials and serving outside the Church of God...SO LONG AS WE STILL HOLD TO AND PREACH NOTHING CONTRARY TO COG DOCTRINE.Why in the world would such a person serve as a kind of ambassador to independent, Methodist, Baptist churches, maybe even one day bringing them into the Church of God. And if nothing else, perhaps exposing them to better doctrine?My assistant pastor was asked to serve as an interim pastor at a Baptist Church. He did (just for a few weeks). I cannot help but believe that was as good for HIM as it was for THEM. It gave him a chance to minister on a bigger platform than I can provide for him, as well as gave them a very positive experience with the Church of God.

If people won’t take a firm stand for God now, there is little hope that they will when it is really going to cost them. Or look at it another way: if folks don’t have a deep enough relationship with the Lord in relatively peaceful times such as we are presently enjoying, they for sure are not going to somehow develop that deep relationship when it could cost them their life for being a Christian. The time for that is right now “Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”

But they often refuse to make a stand for what's right. Is there a difference

Re: Will people really stand with God when their neck is on the line?

Nothing was/is more real to me concerning this Than the video of the vivid execution of the Egyptian Christians as they knelt by the Mediterranean with a razor sharp knife at their throats , blindfolded with a Terrorist behind each one. Each one given a chance to deny Christ or be 'beheaded'. None denied Christ and died immediately!It is not in the USA yet 'physically', I hope and pray it does not reach that point. PS: I am sure others, including Doyle, have had the 'silent support' of fellow ministers and members. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

How many people are willing to deny themselves whatever to live on 90% of their incomes (tithing) when having combined incomes of $100,000 or more?How many people are willing to inconvenience themselves to commit to church every week let alone a commitment to do something for the church?How many people deny their testimonies & set terrible examples for children/youth to live together before marriage?

90% of this board posts under a pen name......LOLOLOLthe answer is no.....LOL