Today marks the last week of my days serving at CCGCLI.
A lot has past, some things are learned, some things are suffered...and some are regretted.
I must learn to be stronger in decision making. Not to be effected by human relations, especially when it is God's will at hand.
I had initially wondered about continuing Sunday School teaching for at least bi-weekly, but now come to think of it, I should scrub that off as well.
I believe it is a lesson this church must learn. Then again, if they do not learn, their sole resolution would be to consider me irresponsible.
If that is so, then their doctrine has been ill-considered. For if I have given them so many notices, even years ago, taking what is being told for granted is exactly why Jesus always said: Those who have ears, let them hear. Then I cannot help them.
Of all the pastors that have been to this church, I have seen none holding firmly to God's doctrine, doctrine they have learned in Seminary. The common error being openly accepting those who wish to serve, those who are enthusiastic enough, as co-worker in Christ. Such dangerous tolerance has put Christianity in turmoil throughout history. It is not that they do not uphold God's holiness, it is the fact that they do not even wish to try, to make sure all those who come before God, come in holiness and piety. They only care about support. They do not care about the kind of support according to God's standard, as long as its support. Like an art collector who asked for a 10,000 dollar painting, but did not care about the content of the painting, as long as its a painting.
If by their enthusiasm they are invited to serve, regardless of their faith, even their beliefs, then they have open an invitation for wolves into the midst of us, I can no longer help them in this matter.
Lord, please, please have mercy upon me. Forgive my fault in weakness towards the sweet affection of Delilah, and not Thy will. But as I am still breathing, please, make me whole and use me, from now through eternity. Amen.
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It is interesting how they begged me to stay, well, not all, but the significant few. This is how weak American Christianity is, that they have no one else in their rank or better to handle some simple tasks that they had to beg someone who has no college degree and no visa status.