top of page

Freedom to be Different


I have been through a lot of painful experiences in the Christian Church and religion. Not from my family, but from the organized religion and the American Church. I would have become an atheist if I did not personally know Jesus and have a relationship with him. I am also a very spiritual woman who is sensitive to the unseen spiritual realm.


It has taken me a few years to heal from the traumas I have been through and recently I tried a church that I thought would be a perfect fit for me. I believe strongly in freedom and women being able to lead in any position in a church. There seemed to be a lot of freedom in this particular gathering and I was intrigued to learn more.


I went to a few Wednesday night classes for anyone who wanted to know more about this church. I felt like the Pastor had a similar experiences from the organized Church and I felt like this would be a safe place for me to be. The more I learned about the Church, the more I felt like this would be the next place where I would find those of a similar faith that believes in freedom, not rules, control, and oppression (which I find to be true in most churches).


On a Friday night I had heard they were having a prayer and worship night, I felt a pull to attend. God met me there and I found so much healing by words of blessing and prophecies spoken over me. I resonated with these people.


As I hesitantly kept moving towrards getting involved in their community, I also had my antenna in high alert for any red flags.


I wrote down my email and phone number in case they needed to contact me. I wasn't ready to commit to anything yet. I did sign up to dance in the back of the church as part of the prayer team. I love dancing. I also signed up for one of the wednesday nigth devotioanl class.


Within a week I recieved an email from this church asking me to sign a belief statement from the Church. If I wanted to particapate in the dance team or serve in any way, I needed to sign this document.


I was horrified. It was an extensive list with Bible verses about all of their beliefs.....even beliefs on sexuality. This is why so many people stay out of churches.


I understand the belief about Jesus and the Trinity, but all the other beliefs listed were not necesary for me to have to sign to volunteer.


Then I got curious and started looking up every church I had attended to see if they had a list of Beliefs and what they said.


I have come to the conclusion that it is very helpful for a Church to list their beliefs on their website to help others looking for a church to know what they leadership believes and what the church is founded on. However.......if you have to agree with all of these beliefs in order to be a part of the community, I would boldly say that it appears cultish.


When a family, group, or community has to agree about their beliefs to be accepted and to be able to contribute, that is a red flag to me.


We are experiencing that in our country right now and in the world. I would hope that we would be able to be different in groups where God's presence is.


Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Comments


Subscribe and find the gold.

Jessicacharis.gold@gmail.com
7700 Equitable Dr

Suite 205

Eden Prairie, MN

  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon
  • White Pinterest Icon

© 2021 Created by Jessica Charis.  Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page