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Post by randal on Feb 10, 2009 14:55:36 GMT -5
I hope I'm doing this right...its new to me. I'm in MN between the Twin Cities and Rochester. I'm a l/o Baptist pastor who has drawn my family away from the Baptist circles for the time being. I have done this because of too much compromise and lack of moral influence and security for my family's worship and fellowship needs. We've been attending a conservative Mennonite church for over a year. I cannot lead my family to join for some doctrinal reasons (not the ones you might expect or...?)and they would not let us join for practical ones. We (my wife and eight children) are looking for God's direction. Where to go, where to minister and how to lead my family in a truly biblical way.
Well, that's my story. I hope to find others to communicate with who are interested in following God according to His word not men's traditions/standards no matter how much they seem to improve on God's ways for his people. I hope that makes sense to any reading...
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Post by dianatyree on Feb 10, 2009 15:18:22 GMT -5
Welcome Bro, Randal from Ohio! I have some relatives in your area and have visited there a few times. I don't think that I would want to live there or any place colder than Ohio I have learned much from the Amish and Mennonites and appreciate many things about them I'm sure you've learned much too, fellowshipping with them. Good for you removing your family from ungody influences, I'm sure that had to be hard but god gave you the courage, Bless you for taking a stand. Diana
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Post by kingdomblievr on Feb 10, 2009 21:28:37 GMT -5
Welcome, Randal. I am new on here, too. I can empathize. The lukewarm modern American pop evangelical "church" is so pervasive that it is difficult to find a church that still has a good testimony.
I think sometimes, the Lord gives certain men of God the task of being a watchman, warning the people of God of the judgment of God and of the need for repentance of worldliness. But being a paid pastor is not conducive to that task. We have a small fellowship of about 30 who meet in the manner of the Open Brethren, with no paid ministers, and with all the men ministering the Word. There are many, many Christian assemblies that meet in this way. They are generally dispensational, premillennial and baptistic without being denominational. Most still practice headcovering in the worship meeting, which is centered around the Lord's supper.
I do know of a Grace Bible Church in downtown Minneapolis that is small and just lost their pastor of many years. He faithfully taught his Lord's flock for many years in such a way as to ensure their enduring in the faith. I could give you a run-down of their doctrinal distinctives if you need it.
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Post by benshelpmeet on Feb 11, 2009 9:56:38 GMT -5
Dear Bro Randal,
Welcome! We are so glad to have you join us. May the Lord bless you and your family as you seek Him. I know the feeling of separating from the baptist groups, it was one of the hardest things we ever did, it's all we knew. They were our brethren, it was where we lined up doctrinally, we were active among the churches ministering. I felt as if something had died inside me or had been taken away, but I knew we had to separate ourselves from the churches we loved and knew because if we stayed there we could not grow as the Lord would have us grow, and we would always be disappointed and grieved because of all the foolishness, folly, and worldliness.
We left and went to a Charity Church (TN), but could not join because of doctrinal and other reasons, we never felt the Lords leadership for us to stay, we almost went to Charity in PA, but the Lord did not give us a peace to go, so we stayed put. We have fellowshipped at Mennonite and Amish churches but never feel the Lord would have us stay and join. Many years ago the Lord gave us total peace to home church ( no building, but in the homes) with other like minded families. We have done this for about 8 years now. We recently moved and have to start all over. We are praying the Lord will send like minded families our way. But for now we are very much enjoying spending quality time worshiping with just our family. We do visit churches we know of that are conservative in practice for our fellowship needs to be met about once a month.
We also have 8 children. What a blessing! Quote from kingdomblievr...who meet in the manner of the Open Brethren, with no paid ministers, and with all the men ministering the Word. There are many, many Christian assemblies that meet in this way. They are generally dispensational, premillennial and baptistic without being denominational. Most still practice headcovering in the worship meeting, which is centered around the Lord's supper. I am just courious... What kind of churches are these and where are they located, I wonder if their are any around here?
We are glad you joined this site, and look forward to your post. We are glad when brothers join, this board has been mostly sisters, because of the headcovering, modesty, and homemaking topics. Brothers are needed here too. May the Lord bless you and your family as you seek to live for him.
For precious souls, ~ sister Darlene ~
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Post by kingdomblievr on Feb 11, 2009 13:04:15 GMT -5
Sister Darlene, These brethren are related to the Plymouth Brethen. Their early leaders were Darby, George Muller, CH Macintosh. And HA Ironside was that persuasion. They are not into sign gifts like tongues. Maybe if you got in touch with Nashville Gospel Chapel, they could put you in touch with a group in your area. They range from moderate to very conservative. Independent. Often meeting in homes but not always. Very fond of pre-trib doctrine, which may or may not be a sticky issue. Our church is a kind of pre-wrath.
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Post by benshelpmeet on Feb 11, 2009 22:23:21 GMT -5
Thank you brother! We have some sweet friends who are Church of the Brethren, (conservative, and they cover), but unfortunately they live in Pa and Va. We would love to church with them.
P.S. Brother Randal what is an l/o Baptist? just curious.
~ sister Darlene ~
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Post by randal on Jun 8, 2009 18:53:39 GMT -5
Hi again, its me, Randy from Minnesota. This was my intro. post.
I noticed that the number of "reads" has continued to increase on my posting but there have been no replies or queries. I suppose there are many curious who just like to check things out.
Darlene asked me what a "l/o Baptist" is. I was "licensed" and "ordained" in a small country Baptist church in Southern Ohio. I'm not that big on titles so I "abbreviated" it. That is all. I do hope that it shows that I'm not just a hobby theologian but that I'm in this all the way. It's life to me. I trust that my life of study and westling with issues regarding life and the Scriptures has equipped me to come to valid answers -- and those not lightly.
Please don't take the name "Baptist" and pigeonhole us. Our background is mostly GARBC (General Association of Regular Baptist Churches) and Independent Fundamental Baptist. We no longer associate ourselves with this background. Our remaining ties are few and personal. We all have to come from somewhere right?
We are what one might call "plain Baptists". My wife and daughters wear headcoverings and very modest clothing. My sons and I dress plainly. Our lifestyle is very conservative as well. People often mistake us for Mennonites. We do attend a Mennonite church but when the Lord leads us on, we will take our standards and practices with us. This is not a "when-in-Rome" thing. We do not consider ourselves Reformed or Arminian. We simply seek to follow Jesus Christ and let the Scriptures speak for themselves.
This might sound "wishy-washy" but it is not. We take the truth very seriously and make no bones about it.
I welcome any who wish to ask us any questions about what we believe or practice. You may ask us what we have changed and why. I enjoy discussing the Scriptures and matters of importance with any who are sincere.
Following Christ,
Randy
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Post by Brother Ben on Jun 9, 2009 7:18:16 GMT -5
Bro. Randal,
How nice to have you here with us! It is always a blessing and and an encouragment to meet fellow travelers on the Pilgrim's pathway. I hope we can be a blessing to you and your family and I am also looking forward to hering a good word from you.
Bro. Ben
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Post by benshelpmeet on Jun 9, 2009 9:53:14 GMT -5
Great to see you on Bro Randal!
Hope we can be a blessing, and encouragement to you.
l/o baptist... ;D That's great! I guess that's what Bro Ben is too, but what does that make the wife and children? We have no descriptive title. Not that we need one hugh? We are just plain christians. Thats a good title. No one can put us in a box I guess. That's good. Ben and I hardly like to identify with the baptist anymore at all. It sort of leaves you feeling like...'' then what are we,'' at first. But now the title feels pretty comfortable.
God leads His dear children along.
Praying for you, and your precious family dear brother.
In His loving care, ~ sister Darlene ~
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Post by randal on Jun 9, 2009 12:36:02 GMT -5
Hi again. I was thinking...when things get like they are i.e. no job, no work, no income, no rent etc. Maybe a "l/o Baptist" means
LAUGH OUTLOUD!
It was a little frustrating to sit in church Sunday morning and listen to a sermon on caring for the Brethren and our situation is known among them. It really stings when comments are made like "maybe what is really needed is instruction on finances". Probably not directed at us but...
Well, after a good "l/o" we just keep on praying and trusting God's provision and guidance, and do our utmost to live faithfully moment by moment -- no matter what. No Matter WHAT!
Randy
p.s. hi to Ben -- I found the book he told me about (Him or It). I look forward to getting my hands on a copy.
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Post by samantha on Jun 9, 2009 14:58:53 GMT -5
WELCOME!! samantha
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2009 13:06:30 GMT -5
Welcome brother to the group. I think you'll enjoy it here.
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Post by SisterNancy on Jun 21, 2009 16:41:02 GMT -5
Welcome to our fellowship of believers will your wife be joining us also? I understand the no money, no job, no church, thing. My husband is an ordained pastor (not baptist) and we left with nothing also. still would do it again. The Lord is good and faithful! We are all Brethren in Christ
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