Hello again!
I just have to say how amazed I was about seeing these responses. I really appreciate each and every one of them and I am truly blessed to see so many people looking after me, even during this situation!
From looking at these posts, I can definitely see the need to leave the group as soon as I can. The longer I do stay in this group, the harder it will be to get out. Also, all the points you have mentioned about the methods used in the Local Church to try and keep me have been used on me in some way or another. Now I can see clearly that they are a very controlling, and as aron said, whether they are a cult or not, is not a healthy Christian living. I have noticed that being with the LC has really impacted on my life, not for the better.
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Originally Posted by OBW
As Igzy has said, leave as soon as possible. You don't have to give them a reason. You don't have to get into a debate on the correctness of anything they said. (Besides, they are skilled in making their ways sound unassailable even though they most certainly are worthy of being assailed.)
Just quit. Go to a different place for lunch or to study. You don't have to e rude, but if you see them, nod and go on about your business. You have things to do that do not need them tagging along to work their way into your life like a spiritual-looking teddy bear cactus (the kind whose barbs have reverse hooks that catch you and as you fight to get rid of them, you actually get caught more).
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That is definitely what I want to do, but it probably easier said than done. I have tried to ignore their phone calls but they are very insistent on calling me. I will try to occupy myself more by having a part-time job and focusing more on my uni work so I have less time for them. I feel like the reason they say I am useful is because I have plenty of free time and are taking advantage of that. They do expect me to do the training after I finish university and are very adamant on me going so I can 'gain more Christ'. I definitely do not want to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
You say, "I don't know how I can tell the Local Church group about my other church without hurting them too much." I would say this: the reason that you don't know how to tell them what you are doing is that you don't know how to tell yourself. You don't feel comfortable enough with what you are doing to be able to present it to others. So first, get comfortable with what you are doing. You have to find a story that makes sense to you before you can make sense to others. And it will take time. Give yourself the gift of time.
Here is what might make you more comfortable: don't feel pressure to "join" any church group. Tell yourself that you plan on meeting with 10 different churches over the next 10 months. Or 6 over the next 6 months. Whatever. Just be open. Don't try to "join" anything. You are young, you don't know what is going on except that there is a God and Jesus is His Son, and our Savior. Beyond that, what church is good to meet with? What is the truth in God's word? Where to go? What to do? You simply don't know. So don't pretend. You are uncomfortable because you are trying to defend and explain something that you don't even know, yet!
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Couldn't have said it any better! I am currently in the process of looking for other churches as well, but the one that I'm in (not the LC) is currently one I am liking. They have the core Christian doctrines, they are very open to discussion, there is no pressure to stay in the church and they definitely have genuine care and love for others that was missing in the LC. They have Bible study, and youth group, as well as social events, which was lacking at the LC and it looks encouraging. They even encouraged me to not stay just for the sake the church but to be open to exploring other churches to see what they are like, which is quite surprising actually! I can see that church as being my second family and I can see the expression of God's love in many of them! However, I am definitely taking their advice to be open and look around other churches.
When I am comfortable, I will explain to them why I am leaving once I know that this church is for me, which should be very soon. I can't wait to experience true freedom when I am out. I will keep praying for God to lead the way for me!
On a short note, I am also Australian =). It seems that the LC and their methods in Australia is not much different than in America!