Francis Chan: "God Might Kill You If You Criticize Church Leaders"

[Cal]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

Do not fear those that can cast you out of the assembly, rather fear God who can cast your soul into eternal torment.

A very good point. The assumption is that if you are excommunicated or quarantined then the assembly is right and you are wrong. But that is not necessarily the case. If may just be a rather messy way of God moving you on to the plans he actually has for you. Maybe you should have already left on your own.

This is why my rule of thumb is if you are a member of a group, try to be supportive and helpful. You may respectfully bring concerns to the leaders, but if they won't hear you, it's decision time. If you can't continue to be supportive, don't think your job is to reform the group. It's usually best just to move on.

The LR denies the option of moving on. Only they have the right to remove a member. The member cannot remove himself. This clearly is a ridiculous violation of the freedom of conscience God has given all of us.

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Igzy

A very good point. The assumption is that if you are excommunicated or quarantined then the assembly is right and you are wrong. But that is not necessarily the case. If may just be a rather messy way of God moving you on to the plans he actually has for you. Maybe you should have already left on your own.

This is why my rule of thumb is if you are a member of a group, try to be supportive and helpful. You may respectfully bring concerns to the leaders, but if they won't hear you, it's decision time. If you can't continue to be supportive, don't think your job is to reform the group. It's usually best just to move on.

The LR denies the option of moving on. Only they have the right to remove a member. The member cannot remove himself. This clearly is a ridiculous violation of the freedom of conscience God has given all of us.

Those in the church in Philadelphia are given the promise that "they will not need to go out anymore". That means they did have to leave the church previously. Likewise, the church in Laodicea the Lord is outside knocking. So once the church becomes very degraded the Lord may no longer be inside. In Thyatira they are rebuked by the Lord because " You tolerate that woman Jezebel".