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I have been a Christian believer for over 60 years but lapsed a little during a period of secular diversion and career prioritising.
But when I sought to return to the evangelical 'born again' convictions and environs of my youth I found myself unable to re-associate with my original church, being disillusioned by its implosion as a consequence of a bitter dispute over the matter of pastoral succession.
So my first inclination was to join its city centre 'parent' church.
However it didn't take long for me to discover that it too had its share of pastoral disagreement, and added to that with jealousy between some of the leaders of the regional home study groups.
In consequence I decided to withdraw and commit to a long spell of 'wilderness' re-appraisal of 'my faith'.
The most significant doubt to arise concerned the manner in which the scriptures had developed and had become the sole cause behind the incredible denominational division that had exploded since the Reformation.
To this day I have been unable to resolve the claim that the 'Bible' is an unambiguous and inerrant rule book, with the fact that it underpins literally thousands of sects and denominations; each on the basis of their different emphasis and interpretations that they considered to have been sufficiently 'absolute' to have justified the setting up of a denomination.
I now have my own inclination on what resolves that dilemma, but it isn't generally accepted, and that's how it has to be until another more plausible explanation emerges.
Otherwise my careful and prayerful re-appraisal, included extensive research into the History of Christianity from the first teachings of Christ, through all the deliberations and declarations of the numerous Ecumenical Councils, and all the claims and counter claims of the subsequent 'Reformation' with all their various creeds and Articles of Faith.
I now have no denominational influence whatsoever, and that's how it's been for over 40 years.
I now make it my practice to attend whichever is the nearest church to wherever God places me from time to time (provided of course that they will accept me into full fellowship without demanding formal acquiescence to any man made criteria beyond that which makes me a member of the Body of Christ)
I guess re-appraisal remains an ongoing process, and out of the chequered 2000 year history of Christianity, who would expect the emergence of yet another denominational 'Parrot'.
Sorry folks but I am now 'what I am' and I can only trust and pray that I have kept myself sufficiently free from prejudice, and continually seeking the hidden treasure of Heaven's Kingdom with sufficient diligence to at least be somewhere close to where God wants me to be.
I end with the hymn that sums it all up for me
"All the way my Saviour leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell,
For I know, whate're betides me, Jesus doeth all things well."
Peace be with you all ... Oneoff (Mike).
But when I sought to return to the evangelical 'born again' convictions and environs of my youth I found myself unable to re-associate with my original church, being disillusioned by its implosion as a consequence of a bitter dispute over the matter of pastoral succession.
So my first inclination was to join its city centre 'parent' church.
However it didn't take long for me to discover that it too had its share of pastoral disagreement, and added to that with jealousy between some of the leaders of the regional home study groups.
In consequence I decided to withdraw and commit to a long spell of 'wilderness' re-appraisal of 'my faith'.
The most significant doubt to arise concerned the manner in which the scriptures had developed and had become the sole cause behind the incredible denominational division that had exploded since the Reformation.
To this day I have been unable to resolve the claim that the 'Bible' is an unambiguous and inerrant rule book, with the fact that it underpins literally thousands of sects and denominations; each on the basis of their different emphasis and interpretations that they considered to have been sufficiently 'absolute' to have justified the setting up of a denomination.
I now have my own inclination on what resolves that dilemma, but it isn't generally accepted, and that's how it has to be until another more plausible explanation emerges.
Otherwise my careful and prayerful re-appraisal, included extensive research into the History of Christianity from the first teachings of Christ, through all the deliberations and declarations of the numerous Ecumenical Councils, and all the claims and counter claims of the subsequent 'Reformation' with all their various creeds and Articles of Faith.
I now have no denominational influence whatsoever, and that's how it's been for over 40 years.
I now make it my practice to attend whichever is the nearest church to wherever God places me from time to time (provided of course that they will accept me into full fellowship without demanding formal acquiescence to any man made criteria beyond that which makes me a member of the Body of Christ)
I guess re-appraisal remains an ongoing process, and out of the chequered 2000 year history of Christianity, who would expect the emergence of yet another denominational 'Parrot'.
Sorry folks but I am now 'what I am' and I can only trust and pray that I have kept myself sufficiently free from prejudice, and continually seeking the hidden treasure of Heaven's Kingdom with sufficient diligence to at least be somewhere close to where God wants me to be.
I end with the hymn that sums it all up for me
"All the way my Saviour leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell,
For I know, whate're betides me, Jesus doeth all things well."
Peace be with you all ... Oneoff (Mike).