God With Us or God for Us 1

I attend a church that was founded on a principle of  being a place of refuge  for those who were shoved aside by the Pharisees that live among us. This was not our central principle but because of the void that existed, it brought many into our midst that were shunned because of divorce, or disagreement with leadership, or family troubles, or personal demons that others found revolting.

We grew as a body and empowered many who had lost their hope in finding a family.

Then comes change. We gained many who looked for a home until we captured that market.

We then looked in our community and found a college nearby. We invited them in.  They came looking for a home away from home. We have tried to be that.  Strangers ask questions.

We don't always have the answers but we studied.

Through our study of the Bible we began to open worship to female participation.  A place of refuge for those shoved aside.

We have had some of our long time members leave recently.

I ask, "Do we believe in GOD WITH US or GOD FOR US?

I have watched closely those who leave and ask the questions, 

"Did they leave so that they could do a better work somewhere else? 

OR Did they leave so that they could be more comfortable? 

 

OR Did they leave so that they did not want to change?

GOD WITH US or GOD FOR US

What do you think?