Fellowship: Dissolved

[Mave]

Dear all,

Something sad happened yesterday. The student christian fellowship that I've been faithfully serving for 3 years has finally been dissolved. I won't go into details but it is mainly due to the lack of human resources. A handful of dedicated student brother and sisters in Christ originally formed the core team and did everything from small group leading, worship leading to being musicians.

We prayed and served hoping that God would bring more souls to come and serve along with us. But it just didn't happen. I can't describe the tears and sweat that has been channeled into this effort. In short, we ended up a very exhausted, disappointed and somewhat disillusioned group.

I struggle with anger and resentment at our church authorities whose 'strategies' I disagreed with. I am upset with the fact that I spent so much time in church activities and yet still fail to have any impact on anyone's lives. Much sweat and tears had been sacrificed for this fellowship after 4 generations of leaders and now it's gone.

Despite this final blow, I still believe God has a reason for allowing this to happen. I wish for life to be less complicated, for faith with less human imperfections, church with less politics. My heart cries and griefs terribly over this in private but I need to be strong for my fellowship members. We feel like abandoned sheep since our mother church has removed all inventory and human resources.

Pls allow me to write this to strengthen myself.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON GOD. YOU CAN TAKE AWAY THE CHURCH ORGANIZATION FROM US BUT YOU CAN NEVER REMOVE OUR FAITH IN CHRIST. I ADMIT MY GRIEF BUT NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AROUND US, WE DECLARE THAT WE STILL BELIEVE IN CHRIST AND SOMETHING GREAT WILL COME OUT FROM THIS BECAUSE OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD AND CAN DO MIRACLES FROM HUMANS WHO HAVE NOTHING.



Please pray that

1)God will reveal His vision and plans to me, my 3 brotherS and one sister (the core team) for guidance and direction at this moment of spiritual transition
2) our faith will grow stronger from this and that we will become more effective Christians from this opportunity laid out for us
3) I will truly forgive and release my resentment for my former church authorities
4) we will learn how to take care of our remaining 'sheep' and how to reach out to lost ones effectively....we will never give up on our mission

Thanks everyone. You guys have been a strong pillar for me and I feel encouraged knowing that all over the world, you guys are there.

God bless and stay strong wherever you are

[shooraijin]

Holy mackerel, what happened? Was it an administrative issue?

[Reverie]

I'm praying.

[Spiritsword]

I will pray.

[true_noir_chloe]

II Corinthians 4:8,9 ^_^ I thought it was funny, not in a haha way, but in an odd way that your sig has such a triumphant statement. I know you'll get through this. I almost posted a testimony about my own trials in Scotland when I did my first bit of misisonary work. Sometimes, things don't always end up the way you think they should, but one truth is always there, God's will is always accomplished.

I will definitely pray for you. *hugs*

[Mave]

Holy mackerel, what happened? Was it an administrative issue?

Let's see, how do I explain this? I don't know what you really mean by administrative....

1) We just couldn't handle the amount of work or pressure needed to run the fellowship. We were becoming Martha's, instead of Mary's. A "small fellowship trying to be a church by our own will and not by God's." Believe me, there were A LOT of tears of frustration, anger and fatigue last semester. We gave our all up to the point of sacrificing our sleep, grades, time, money, social life and work....only to hear, "Oh, your church hasn't grown in numbers since the last half year, you guys aren't putting in your best, you must try harder and pray more."

2) Another reason is strong disagreement with the church's doctrines or ways of doing things and the 'subtle encouragement to leave' if you did not agree with issues such as baptism, tongues etc. I stayed for as long as I could even if I was unhappy losing members that way.

SIGH...alright, I'll stop here. My feelings about church now do not change my feelings about God. So, don't worry about that. I'm just asking for prayers so that my group will react to this situation the way God wishes us to.

PS: hey Chloe, that verse in my signature has been carrying me through the tough times last semester and will sustain me now.

[Saint Kevin]

Perhaps God has removed all of that which your church provided to show you that He is your provider, not any church. I don't really think I show try to figure out why God does what He does I guess, He works in mysterious ways that are way deeper and wiser than we could ever know. Suffice it to say, I will pray for you, and if God wants to make something special out of you group, you can be sure that He will, in His own way and time. May God bless you and your wonderful brethren and fellow workers in Jesus Christ.

[wiggins]

I'll pray too, and I agree with what Saint Kevin said.

[Spirit_Wolf8356]

I'll definitely be praying for you. I hope that He reveals His reason to you. Keep the faith and good things will happen.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me."
That verse has been a very big inspiration to me and I thought I'd share it. I know it's popular, but just thinking about what those simple words hold is...breathtaking.

[Debitt]

^^ I'll be sure to pray for you~

[Mave]

Dear all,

Here's an update.

Our group, although 'churchless', we've managed to maintain our cell group every Thursday. Praise God that our members still stick together. Now that's what I call a body of Christ! We try to ensure each one of them goes to a church on Sunday and encourage them to get active in it (get rooted there). We've had some unbelievers and ex-members actually return so it's been quite encouraging.

Personally, I still get sore about church...but I know the Spirit is gently teaching my heart to move on and to let go of the past. I'm going to meet another pastor friend whom I know is struggling to get his international fellowship going too. I've secretly wanted to help him (long time ago) but I was already committed to the other fellowship. Perhaps now that I'm 'free', it's time for me to reach out a helping hand to him.

Thanks for your prayers! I love you guys! I know we will get through this by the grace of God!

[Rogie]

I'll pray for your group, Mave!