LLee! My meeting happened.

[Dear2HIM]

LLee,
As you know, I was meeting with church leadership last week.
Thanks for your prayers! I have an update to send you but you need to clean up for PM's so it can go through.
It's a little lengthy.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS :):

In a teeny tiny nutshell ( I could write a book here), in humbly wanting to speak with him and find out where he stands on some issues regarding centering prayer and quoting buddahists as spiritual giants from the pulpit, I was dismissed with pure professionalism and painted with mushy words as lacking discernment. When I told him I only need to study the writers and positive articles and compare them to scripture he was caught off guard for the only time in the meeting.

I then recieved an e-mail from my pastor that accused me of having spiritual pride, and that one of the books I read was embraced by fanatical groups like Bob Jones University (he stated that they HATE CHARISMATICS), and radical right wing conservatives.

He accused me of believing that anything with catholic roots is "of the devil".
I never mentioned catholicism.....I did Say Thomas Merton was a little off -- but he left the catholic faith and embraced Zen Buddahism :twitch .

In his lack of judgement, he sent this e-mail to another council member who quickly replied that all he suggested was false and I am not full of spiritual pride, anti-catholic, non-discerning...etc.

This was the strangest encounter I have ever had in my life and qualities of character I never would suspect in my pastor are coming to the surface, completely non-provoked by me.

I wonder where God is headed with this?

[antsinmypants]

:pray

[LLee]

I'm so sorry! I will keep praying!

It's just going to get worse. We know that. All we can do is just be faithful and do the things God is calling us to do. That doesn't mean anyone will listen.

On that line, I learned yesterday that our upcoming conference speaker (Leonard Sweet), who was widely exposed to our synod leadership as being completely New Age, is still coming this November. I was so depressed that I went out back and cried.

[sandy111]

its not about you. he got caught.

and the easist thing for them to do is start blaming you,
like you are in pride ect.....when in reality its them.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. dont let it confuse you!
stay in the scripture and close to Jesus.

[Redmow]

Some flee the bright light of truth. Some get angry. Some apologise. Some embrace it.

[Dear2HIM]

Thanks, ants. :hug
No doubt God has placed me here for a reason and I'm thankful for your prayers. I want to stay and do what is asked until God directs me to move on.

[I Believe!!!]

On that line, I learned yesterday that our upcoming conference speaker (Leonard Sweet), who was widely exposed to our synod leadership as being completely New Age, is still coming this November. I was so depressed that I went out back and cried.


:hug So sorry. What church is this? I can sure identify with the heaviness of heart...it seems the leadership of the church I'm attending is trying really hard to head in this direction as well. :tsk

I think all of our churches are definately experiencing a strong falling away from God's word and it's astonishing!

[LLee]

I'm sorry I had to write such a brief note yesterday. It was just one of those days.

I wonder if your pastor has been practicing contemplative prayer himself? If he has, and is feeling like he has "experienced God," it's going to be very hard to convince him that there's anything wrong. It just seems like the way he's reacting - lashing out, trashing you instead of listening - that perhaps a couple of things are happening. Of course, I'm just guessing, but it seems like 1) Perhaps he has had one or more experiences himself and 2) The Holy Spirit is telling him this is not good, but he's not listening and is reacting defensively.

Most of the people who are writing against this contemplative spirituality are former New Agers - those who know exactly what it means to have an altered consciousness experience. Those are the ones who are recognizing this stuff for what it is.

Yet, to get someone who is (possibly) in the midst of it to see it may be very, very difficult. I think we should pray very hard for your pastor. Let's just pray that if there's something wrong, that God would do whatever it takes to help your pastor and others see it, even if that means that things get worse for a time.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Dear2HIM is very concerned about her pastor and her church. You have shown her some things that have convinced her that what is happening there is not of your leading. Lord, if this centering prayer/contemplative prayer could lead her pastor and church down the wrong path, please show them. Please do whatever is necessary so that Your will is known there. Please don't allow Dear2HIM to be alone in this. Please, Lord, if it be Your will, bring to light whatever needs to be known about this. Help her pastor to know Your will clearly. If Your will is different than the direction he is going, please show him very clearly. Show others very clearly. If Dear2HIM is being obedient to Your will for her, then bring others to stand with her. Give her and them courage to do whatever it is You'd have them say and do. Send your angels to protect them from all attacks of the evil one. Remind all of us that read this to pray for them and for this situation.

Please, Lord Jesus, we ask these things in Your name, trusting that You will do what is best for eternity. Amen.

[antitox]

The reaction you received from your pastor is really not uncommon. I have heard of other instances where they've shown their true colors.
He's the one with the pride, not you.
At the last church I attended, whenever someone was concerned about something going on that really was wrong, if that person spoke up about it, he/she was seen as the problem.

[SeaDreamer]

its not about you. he got caught.

and the easist thing for them to do is start blaming you,
like you are in pride ect.....when in reality its them.


Exactly. I'm really surprised he didn't accuse you of having a "spirit of religion" too. The 3 most popular accusations in these circles are always pride, lack of discernment, and having a spirit of religion. At least those are the ones I always heard. It's their way of keeping the masses silent and it works all too well.

[Heavensent]

Didn't Jesus tell us to shake the dust from our shoes and move on?
Matthew 10:14
[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet