The church question

Well, Miss Ange, you asked a very good and valid question on a recent blog of mine. And, actually you are the very first one to ask from RCC, so I will give you the very first answer. :)

Sheldon and I are now attending Warner Alliance Church. We have been there for the past 5 months. As you know, Sheldon and I were really struggling a number of months ago in our marriage and felt strongly that we needed to change up some things in order for us to have a healthy and meaningful relationship with one another. We bought a new home together, I quit my job and took one that involves much less time and travel, Sheldon changed his hours at work as well as some other pertinent changes that needed to occur in his life, and we chose to seek a church body that we both felt would keep us accountable to each other and feed us the Word of God. In no way am I suggesting that River City wasn't doing something they were supposed to - it was much more about us. We just really needed people to invest in us and it's hard when you've been known for years as the one to give out as apposed to receiving.

It was a pretty desperate time for us as individuals and certainly for our marriage and we basically sought God until we felt we had heard from Him as to where He would have us "plug in" and we feel completely blessed to be part of a church that has embraced us. We didn't "visit" numerous churches; in fact, we both felt strongly to go to Warner and so we did. Neither of us had any connections there but had heard of the qualified, Godly and self-sacrificing leadership and that Pastor Paul teaches the Bible in depth and has a passionate love for Jesus and we also had heard that the congregation is one that supports each other and ministers to each other.

It's so difficult to "leave a church", especially when it's been home for so long. We decided to "leave" as quietly as possible in hopes of not causing any disruption or criticisms or judgements to occur toward RCC, Warner or us. :) Desperate times call for desperate measures and we were desperately seeking people who would walk out our marriage with us for awhile.

We believe that ultimately, God is looking for biblically qualified leaders who are eagerly seeking an intimate friendship with Him and as a result are shepherding the men and women in the church. We see this being done at Warner. One of the most significant functions of the leadership team at Warner is that they are good Bible teachers and they are teaching meat each week. The leadership team is mentoring and training men and women to be the future leaders in the church as well as how to love one another. That is true mentoring.

Sheldon has found some wonderful friendships and is part of a men's group that requires him to report on how well he is loving his wife/family each week when they meet. Let me just say - it's a good thing! Sheldon and Paul (the pastor) have met a couple of times to pray and discuss life. I am part of a fabulous women's Bible study each week as well and we also have joined a small group through the church. Our small group focus is how to evangelize in a meaningful way every day. I have connected with a handful of people as well and am so thankful for the gift of friendship.

We certainly miss River City and everyone there, but in a desire to have a marriage that is Godly, we knew we needed changes in ALL areas of our lives and were longing for deep friendships - for Sheldon especially.

Again, in no way do I suggest that River City is anything but great. We just were in a place where we needed something specific for US and needed frienships for us as a married couple that would challenge us and walk with us in this zany world of ours.

I hope this all makes sense. We just recently ran into Ron and were able to talk with him briefly about the "reasons" why we went to Warner. We love him and his family and are thankful for years of friendship that will stand the test of a change like this.