PCA Talk
I shared some of that experience with my Facebook friend in a Messenger text (see below). Although he expressed remorse over my experience, it seems apparent this ugly judgmental practice continues in the PCA (Presbyterian Church of America). There's nothing I can do about it. However, I can still continue voicing my outrage and raising awareness about the archaic practices they continue to use against their members. I told my friend that none of us have the right to look down on the other in the eyes of God. We're all sinners, and we have absolutely no right to judge one another as being inadequate or inferior for whatever reason. I can't stand the PCA and their hypocrisy, and that's how I'll always feel.
As I now face new challenges and difficulties in my own life, I still find myself wishing I had the full faith in God that I once did, but I don't. I hope I can make something of the life I still have even if I am now indefinitely compromised. I'm not asking for pity. I'm just sharing some thoughts.
Scott
Hello Jeff, how's it going? Congrats on your recent accomplishments. I saw your post
Is this the Presbyterian Church of America?
Jeff
Hey Scott, good to hear from you. Thanks for the encouragement. Yes it is a PCA church.
Scott
I'm still living in Northern Virginia. I had a stroke last May, and I'm still trying to recover
I just wanted to congratulate you on what you accomplished. However I have some ugly issues with the PCA. I don't ever plan to attend any church of their denomination again. Nothing personal
Jeff
I understand. I’m sorry you had a bad experience. No church either denominationally speaking or locally speaking is perfect. I’ll pray for your recovery and hope you find a Bible believing church home soon whether it be PCA or otherwise. There are several other faithful denominations out there.
Scott
I didn't grow up in the PCA. When I was still living just outside of Charlotte NC, my wife at the time was attending one, and I moved my membership over to her church.
You're right that no church is perfect, but what they did to me was something l never forgot nor forgave. It still affects me to this very day.
I just hope that my particular issue with the PCA won't be something that you come to condone
How much do you know about their governmental practices?
Send me your email if you want me to send you a little documentation. Otherwise best of luck to you and this your new chapter in your life.
Forgive but I'm always going to loathe the PCA and look upon them there's nothing more than a cult
The PCA made of ugly mistake with me that has caused irreparable damage
I just saw another one of your posts. What do you mean your Dad got excommunicated?
Jeff
This was a joke about me.
Scott
I'll never look upon something like that as a joke. The bottom line is nobody has a right to judge or look down on another person just because they may not approve of a decision or a life practice.
That's exactly what would have happened to me [excommunication] had I not left my PCA Church willingly in 2011.
In my case it was a divorce from my wife. I never forgave the PCA for trying to do what they did to me. I probably never will completely. I just hope that going forward you'll have the common sense to know how wrong their internal judicial practice is
Jeff
I’ve been in this PCA church and served on staff working closely with the session for almost 5 years. I am familiar with the practice. I’m not denying that what happened in your situation was hurtful or perhaps even wrong. Church discipline is complicated but necessary. Divorce is always messy. But giving you the benefit of the doubt, let’s say the church was 100% in the wrong and you are 100% in the right, I can’t change that.
What I can say is that the scripture says a Christian forgives. Forgiveness doesn’t always mean full reconciliation, nor does it mean approving of what the offending party did. It does mean that you let it go.
I’m sorry the PCA hurt you, and I’m even more sorry that the reality is you are not alone. But it is a Christian church. And as a Christian who has been forgiven of his sins by faith in Christ, you ought to forgive others your forgiveness for their trespasses against you.
Scott
I don't care how good their intentions may have been. It's wrong and it always will be to me
Jeff
Thanks Scott.
Scott
Remember Matthew 7: 3-5. You're welcome. Take care
Hello Jeff, how's it going? Congrats on your recent accomplishments. I saw your post
Is this the Presbyterian Church of America?
Jeff
Hey Scott, good to hear from you. Thanks for the encouragement. Yes it is a PCA church.
Scott
I'm still living in Northern Virginia. I had a stroke last May, and I'm still trying to recover
I just wanted to congratulate you on what you accomplished. However I have some ugly issues with the PCA. I don't ever plan to attend any church of their denomination again. Nothing personal
Jeff
I understand. I’m sorry you had a bad experience. No church either denominationally speaking or locally speaking is perfect. I’ll pray for your recovery and hope you find a Bible believing church home soon whether it be PCA or otherwise. There are several other faithful denominations out there.
Scott
I didn't grow up in the PCA. When I was still living just outside of Charlotte NC, my wife at the time was attending one, and I moved my membership over to her church.
You're right that no church is perfect, but what they did to me was something l never forgot nor forgave. It still affects me to this very day.
I just hope that my particular issue with the PCA won't be something that you come to condone
How much do you know about their governmental practices?
Send me your email if you want me to send you a little documentation. Otherwise best of luck to you and this your new chapter in your life.
Forgive but I'm always going to loathe the PCA and look upon them there's nothing more than a cult
The PCA made of ugly mistake with me that has caused irreparable damage
I just saw another one of your posts. What do you mean your Dad got excommunicated?
Jeff
This was a joke about me.
Scott
I'll never look upon something like that as a joke. The bottom line is nobody has a right to judge or look down on another person just because they may not approve of a decision or a life practice.
That's exactly what would have happened to me [excommunication] had I not left my PCA Church willingly in 2011.
In my case it was a divorce from my wife. I never forgave the PCA for trying to do what they did to me. I probably never will completely. I just hope that going forward you'll have the common sense to know how wrong their internal judicial practice is
Jeff
I’ve been in this PCA church and served on staff working closely with the session for almost 5 years. I am familiar with the practice. I’m not denying that what happened in your situation was hurtful or perhaps even wrong. Church discipline is complicated but necessary. Divorce is always messy. But giving you the benefit of the doubt, let’s say the church was 100% in the wrong and you are 100% in the right, I can’t change that.
What I can say is that the scripture says a Christian forgives. Forgiveness doesn’t always mean full reconciliation, nor does it mean approving of what the offending party did. It does mean that you let it go.
I’m sorry the PCA hurt you, and I’m even more sorry that the reality is you are not alone. But it is a Christian church. And as a Christian who has been forgiven of his sins by faith in Christ, you ought to forgive others your forgiveness for their trespasses against you.
Scott
I don't care how good their intentions may have been. It's wrong and it always will be to me
Jeff
Thanks Scott.
Scott
Remember Matthew 7: 3-5. You're welcome. Take care
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