History by Don Rutledge

Hi Don, I have much I'd like to discuss with you. After a 30 year hiatus from the local churches, I returned 2 1/2 years ago, only to discover, having had no contact with desenters, that it was no longer what it was when I was attracted to it in the early 70's. After having visited 15 west coast localities, mostly by invitation, and was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to join in the elders fellowship, I began to feel very uneasy within. Even if I were able to stay, I would by no means be able, in good conscience, to follow the path which their practices demand.

Within the past 16 months, I have had Bill and Barbara Mallon stay with me, I have stayed and fellowshipped with John Ingalls and others in Westminster for four days, and I have done much research on the allegations that were leveled against these two dear brothers, which thankfully, I was never able to take as fact without hearing their side directly from them. I would like to have some time with you if it were ever possible, and in that light I would like to know in what part of the country you currently reside, since in the not-so-distant future, my wife and I are hoping to travel across the country, and would put your location on the route if you thought you might be available.

I appreciate very much your historical record, and I would like you to know that, though I was not privy to most of the details you have shared, I know well the sense of derailment that came from the general direction that has been taken. Though I will always be one with all of God's children and reject none short of heretical beliefs or practices, I could never be interested in religious organization, especially one that is never without criticism of believers in religious organizations.

I live in Oregon and would like you to know that you will always be welcomed in my home at any time. Thanks for all your sharing, I hope to hear from you. Yours in Christ,
Kyall

[UntoHim]

Hi Kyall,
I have passed your post along to Don by way of Private Message. I'm not sure how often he checks the PM system, so if you'll send me an email to LocalChurchDiscussions@Gmail.Com, and enclose your contact information, I can forward that to his email address. (please do not post your private contact info directly to the forum)

Also, it seems you have had some interesting experiences in the Local Church, and I'm sure you would be a welcomed forum member. When you send your email, please let me know what you would like for a UserName and then I will forward on a temporary password.

Thanks,
your brother who is Unto Him

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by kw mcgee

I could never be interested in religious organization, especially one that is never without criticism of believers in religious organizations.

I'm beating a dead horse but this is what sent me over the edge 5 years ago. How can anyone call that speaking "criticism of believers in religious organizations" edifying? Brother, sister, elder or non-elder, belittling of believers in non-LSM churches is defended and pardoned.

It's one thing to be celebrating God's move as a stadium in Taiwan is filled with brothers and sisters from over the world, but in the next breath criticizing ministers and evangelists like Greg Laurie and Billy Graham for the quantity of people they draw to evangelizing events. Rather there should be words of thankfulness for serving God.

[UntoHim]

-----------------------------------

Originally Posted by kw mcgee

Hi Don, I have much I'd like to discuss with you. After a 30 year hiatus from the local churches, I returned 2 1/2 years ago, only to discover, having had no contact with desenters, that it was no longer what it was when I was attracted to it in the early 70's. After having visited 15 west coast localities, mostly by invitation, and was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to join in the elders fellowship, I began to feel very uneasy within. Even if I were able to stay, I would by no means be able, in good conscience, to follow the path which their practices demand.

Within the past 16 months, I have had Bill and Barbara Mallon stay with me, I have stayed and fellowshipped with John Ingalls and others in Westminster for four days, and I have done much research on the allegations that were leveled against these two dear brothers, which thankfully, I was never able to take as fact without hearing their side directly from them. I would like to have some time with you if it were ever possible, and in that light I would like to know in what part of the country you currently reside, since in the not-so-distant future, my wife and I are hoping to travel across the country, and would put your location on the route if you thought you might be available.

I appreciate very much your historical record, and I would like you to know that, though I was not privy to most of the details you have shared, I know well the sense of derailment that came from the general direction that has been taken. Though I will always be one with all of God's children and reject none short of heretical beliefs or practices, I could never be interested in religious organization, especially one that is never without criticism of believers in religious organizations.

I live in Oregon and would like you to know that you will always be welcomed in my home at any time. Thanks for all your sharing, I hope to hear from you. Yours in Christ,
Kyall