Has this ever happened to you?

A few years ago, I was asked by my pastor to speak with him in his office. I attended an Assembly of God church that was experiencing a metamorphosis, seemingly from a church that emphasized righteousness -- into a more modern, non-offensive, "seeker-friendly," charismatic/prosperity type of church (as seen on TV). Programs were replacing simplicity, fellowship was replacing prayer meetings, and unashamed worldliness was taking a hold of many church leaders. Not everyone was happy with the direction that the Church seemed to be taking. Many wonderful people prayed that the Church would return to preaching righteousness. But as is sometimes typical, the voices of those who gladly accepted (and even pushed for) these changes was quite a bit more vocal than the "silent majority" who were displeased with the changes. Those who did not agree with the many changes were often accused of having a "religious spirit."In his office, the pastor asked me a few questions about my beliefs, including my "favorite" preachers, musicians, and christian books. After a while, the pastor sternly warned me about listening to some of these ministers (like Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, Bill Wilson, Keith Green, and A. W. Tozer). He told me that listening to such men would produce a "judgmental spirit" in me, and that I would become unable to be used by God. He even told me to not "spread their messages or books" around the Church. Although the pastor acknowledged that I was sincere and "practicing what I believed," he said that someone had told him that they felt uncomfortable with the influence that those men of God could have on me.After the meeting, I felt deeply hurt by the confrontation. I have always been filled with compassion for all people -- especially those who might be in sin, or those that the Church has turned its back on. I don't feel that such messages have made me judgmental. Rather, I have been filled with a greater understanding of the grace and power of God. Such messages have caused me to judge myself -- and realize that if I have flaws (as much as I deeply and passionately love the Lord), then I should be patient with others.Has this ever happened to you? It would be encouraging to know that I am not alone with this experience. :-)

...he said that someone had told him that they felt uncomfortable with the influence that those men of God could have on me.Hmmm, I wonder who told him that? :-( MC

Hi Compton...!Compton wrote:

...he said that someone had told him that they felt uncomfortable with the influence that those men of God could have on me.Hmmm, I wonder who told him that? :-( MC

Consider yourself blessed that you were able to meet with your pastor.I've tried to just hand out some sermons I've downloaded from here just to let others get some of the wonderful truths I've gotten here and I can't even get anyone to listen to them. I've tried to talk to some elders about the same truths and it's like talking to a brick wall.What makes people so comfortable that they hate any new truth or change?You could put all services in a bag, shake them up, and you couldn't tell one from the other.Order of service:sing 2 fast songssing 2 slow songssing 1 fast songtithe and offering\\stress how you must tithepreachingalter call with plenty of emotion/invitation to accept Chirst may be given or notDidn't mean to complain so much but just wanted to let you know you were not alone!In Himgeddingsm

I haven't been called into the Pastor's office, but have had remarks made from the pulpit that I knew was meant for me.I have given out David Wilkerson and Carter Conlons tapes, and have shared their Video's.When we obey God, we can expect to be persecuted .They didn't want to hear Jesus either.I have grown in the Lord by listening to Preachers on this web site, and was riding the fence, until God sent to me, the DW and CC Video's.I get them every month, and I also listen to their Sermons on this web-site.I despise a watered down Gospel.May we all get bold as lions, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.To God be all Glory, Honor, and Praise.In His ServiceNellie :-)

I haven't yet had this situation happen to me, but a confrontation is slowly becoming inevitable. Here are some quotes that have been helping me:"It's better to be divided by truth than united in compromise." (unkown)"When priciples that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith." Abraham Kuyper"May He enable us together to stand as a rock in the raging seas all around us. We must, of course, never pride ourselves on our stand, or become self-righteous or small-minded persons. But in humility and obedience, let us follow the apostolic exhortations, always coming to know more deeply our glorious God, remembering that He has redeemed us, and aware of what a glorious faith it is to which He has called us to bear witness. Here let us take our stand." Martyn Lloyd-Jones

It is for freedom that Christ set us free.......not the sunday clubs across America, that gather for a feel good session...of I'm ok your ok...pulp that is fed to the masses...so their club house can have a new parking lot, and maybe even let homeless people sleep there once a week.Thanks to all of you ...who dare to seek the TRUTH..David Wilkerson etc. is WAY OVER little stone hearted congregations of joy boy thinking...his sermon on anguish is very hard to hear...when your looking for that next fun song to sing.....How bout a dose of Ian Thomas....his grain of wheat sermon sent me to my knee's.....try playing that one to the Easter dressed congregation.....that would clear the place.God bless all of you for understanding the truth in your hearts.Small groups of truth seeking individuals will always meet with the world's resisitance..for this all started with a small group of Christ's own.No rock bands....no internet...no tv...no radio..just.....Christ

Sure has....I was told there are people who are scared of me! and I never knew that. I love people, am vocal about what the scripture says, and have tried to be kind to everyone. So, I have concluded some must have been convicted of their sins and they see me as a rep of the absoluteness of God's Word. I abhor New Age thought and can discern it quite easily...perhaps that may be why? In any case, one needs to be so led by the Spirit of the LORD that opinions will not matter...easier said then done.ginngrose

3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4

Amen and Amen, Tears of Joy.Nellie

Dear Chris,That has never happened to me, however, it does sadden my heart to see such a mistrust of Christ. Why do we call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ, if we constantly try to control each other?God gave us a free will. You would think that we would let people exercise free will and trust that God will be their Lord and shepard as He says that He is. Blake

Hi beenblake...!When people like my former pastor have warned me about listening to such preachers (like Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, A.W.Tozer, Keith Green, etc...), I have learned that they really feel that they are doing me (or perhaps, God) a service. Most of those who have made comments have made it seem like I have not yet arrived to a place of maturity where I see the whole Gospel (or what they consider the whole Gospel). I think that they truly feel uncomfortable with the messages of such men, and equate such discomfort as being judgmental or condemning. Of course, we know that this is not the case. I listen to such men because their words reveal truth -- and that truth brings life (through conviction and repentance)! I am astonished by the growing movement within much of established Christianity that is shifting away from such messages -- and the labeling of such messages as being either judgmental or unspiritual. Some of the men who have warned me about Brother Ravenhill were even required to read Why Revival Tarries in Bible School! Yet this movement seems to believe that any preaching that makes you feel uncomfortable cannot be from God. And since they feel that they hear and understand God's voice with complete clarity, then they can never admit that they have been wrong in any area of their spiritual walk. I would much rather hear messages that pricked my heart than the diet messages that are repetitive of other easy-going "itching ear" sermons that are becoming more and more common in Christianity. I used to feel like I was hearing the same messages week after week (usually of the health/wealth prosperity sort). I felt like a person being served the same junk food over-and-over again. The only good thing that came out of the situation was that it made me realize even further the need to test everything -- and not take a person's word on any matter. Regardless of what I have been taught, I am still accountable for my own actions and beliefs.I am blessed by the responses on this thread. I now realize that I am not alone in this experience -- and that I am not the only person who has endured criticism for listening to (or reading books from) such men of God. :-)

I'm around people from many different churches at a truckers chapel ministry. Sometimes people say they don't like doom and gloom preaching. When they say this what I really hear is that they don't want to hear anything that may convict them of sin.Once a person came around that was angry that the R H Brown revival in New York was a disappointment. He said the preachers in New York wouldn't support the revival. Around this time someone else had said it was prophesied a great revival was to happen when Mr. Brown showed up. He didn't find it very funny that there wasn't a lot of support for Mr. Brown in New York. It was a no laughing matter. Once I was visiting a ministry that had lots of other people visiting. I had a bunch of Carter Conlon tapes that I was giving out as people left the parking lot. The administrator confronted me about this and I couldn't figure out why until later. As I visited at another time this administrator puts in a Gaither video and I was being very blessed as I watched it. In the middle of the video he pulls the tape, sticks in another tape, and tells me that this tape is much better. It was a R H Brown tape and it became obvious why he didn't want me giving out Carter Conlon tapes.David Wilkerson and Carter Conlon both speak a message that isn't compromised by being seeker friendly. It's better to hear rebuke from God than to not hear from God at all.In Christ,GaryE