Reminding myself how important our Witness is

[ServantofTruth]

My wife and i have just returned from a local Autistic Society event. It should had been a happy time, when the lady suggested starting the group we were the only people - besides her sister and mother and a lady from her church to open the hall - who turned up and supported the idea.

For a few weeks it grew slowly and half the people there were from her church and didn't have any special needs children.

Then she decided to ask the National Autistic Society to make her group officical and get funding from them. She needed a commity, so my wife and her friend, volunteered.

That's when it started going wrong. Everything was done, without the involvement of my wife and her friend - no meetings. Even today's big lauch event with big funding, my wife and i only found out about through people who were going themselves and said didn't you know it was happening.

The details are perhaps unimportant. There has been no falling out, no disagreements/ arguements. This lady has just used my wife and her friend because she needed names outside her family to be on the commity.

My wife is a non believer. This lady has the support of her church. It was on the weekly sheet, when i attended last sunday. Obviously both my wife and her friend know a lot of mothers at play school and the schools and this sort of thing gets discussed. She is not vindictive, just hurt and honest.

This just reminded me how important it is to act honestly in all areas of our lives. Our daily lives are a witness to non believers and also set the example to newer believers around us. This is just another thing my wife has to add to her long list of ,why would she want to be a church going christian? She agrees with much of the bible, but can't see it in churches, many that we have attended.

I feel like contacting the authority of the church, do people think i should? It is what i would tell someone reading this to do and what i told someone on these boards to do a couple of nights ago. This is not my problem directly and i know my wife wants to let things go and just step down from the commity quietly - if she's still on paper on it. But how will this lady act correctly in future if noone points out her error? SofTy.

[cdo]

I agree with you ServantofTruth,
Witnessing is so important in our every day life for Jesus.As Christians we may be the only testimony that some will see or even feel the love of God in our life of God's love and caring.All it takes is only one Christian to make "a mistake in esp..in front of a non~ Christian" :(



My wife and i have just returned from a local Autistic Society event. It should had been a happy time, when the lady suggested starting the group we were the only people - besides her sister and mother and a lady from her church to open the hall - who turned up and supported the idea.

For a few weeks it grew slowly and half the people there were from her church and didn't have any special needs children.

Then she decided to ask the National Autistic Society to make her group officical and get funding from them. She needed a commity, so my wife and her friend, volunteered.

That's when it started going wrong. Everything was done, without the involvement of my wife and her friend - no meetings. Even today's big lauch event with big funding, my wife and i only found out about through people who were going themselves and said didn't you know it was happening.

The details are perhaps unimportant. There has been no falling out, no disagreements/ arguements. This lady has just used my wife and her friend because she needed names outside her family to be on the commity.

My wife is a non believer. This lady has the support of her church. It was on the weekly sheet, when i attended last sunday. Obviously both my wife and her friend know a lot of mothers at play school and the schools and this sort of thing gets discussed. She is not vindictive, just hurt and honest.

This just reminded me how important it is to act honestly in all areas of our lives. Our daily lives are a witness to non believers and also set the example to newer believers around us. This is just another thing my wife has to add to her long list of ,why would she want to be a church going christian? She agrees with much of the bible, but can't see it in churches, many that we have attended.

I feel like contacting the authority of the church, do people think i should? It is what i would tell someone reading this to do and what i told someone on these boards to do a couple of nights ago. This is not my problem directly and i know my wife wants to let things go and just step down from the commity quietly - if she's still on paper on it. But how will this lady act correctly in future if noone points out her error? SofTy.
I just have a suggestion about your wife not yet as a believer because of the "Church People" Which those types are in all Churches !!! As long as 'the eyes' are on the Lord and not the people 'your on the right path' Don't let other Christian people keep you from God's Grace.The Word says to reprove those that are wrong according to His word.
In my opinion I would discuss the situation and how it was put together.God's work should not be confusing,it should be in unity.
In Christ,Darlene:hug:

[ServantofTruth]

As i have no way of contacting the lady, i have e mailed the church with the details. It will be interesting if they act in a christian biblical way. SofTy.

[cdo]

Yes,exactly.....They will show either themselves or Jesus through this situation,Hopefully with a willing heart and not their fleshly heart.
in Christ,Darlene

[Richard H]

Hi Servant,
Before I was saved, I loathed Christians.
The small southern town I was stuck in seemed (to me) to be filled with insensitive dim-witted hypocrites. Even though God spoke to me a few times I resisted Him for about a year. One day as I was watching Jimmy Swaggart – of all people – I realized that I could not discern a perfect God, but looking at imperfect people.

…I ended up full of joy, but also laughing at myself – as my worst unspoken fear had come to pass. I was a Christian. J LOL

I hope your wife can come to the same conclusion. I’m sorry that some put forth such a poor witness. It can be a huge stumbling block to salvation.

Richard

[ServantofTruth]

This morning i recieved an e mail from the church concerned, saying it had been passed to the leadership to look into. My wife read it first and believes nothing good will come of it, that it will be the same as all the other times churches have hurt her/ us.

I have told her to be patient. I believe good can come from this incident, God can work through it and perhaps it will help my wife move closer to Jesus? Love SofTy.

[Richard H]

This morning i recieved an e mail from the church concerned, saying it had been passed to the leadership to look into. My wife read it first and believes nothing good will come of it, that it will be the same as all the other times churches have hurt her/ us.

I have told her to be patient. I believe good can come from this incident, God can work through it and perhaps it will help my wife move closer to Jesus? Love SofTy.

Yes! Be positive and have faith.

Richard

[cdo]

:)
Thanks Softy,
For the update. Hoping all will turn out in all goodness.
God might or will use this to touch your wife's heart:pp:pp:pp
in Christ,Darlene

[ServantofTruth]

I have just read an e mail from the lady concerned. I will not reveal the contence. However it was done through an official e mail address connected with autism - making it impossible for me to reply in Christian way and talk about faith, the bible etc. She has replied in a way that leaves all church/ bible / christianity out of it.

I have therefore e mailed the church again, asking if they are doing anything. Saying we are told to sort problems out amoung ourselves, not go to non believers.

The problem i see is not so much what happened - but that some people's faith and bible understanding, is not important to them. Also how what they do impacts on non believers.

I am disappointed that it looks like my wife will be right. This was one of the churches i had started attending, with the possibility of becoming a member. The actions of one member would make little difference to my decision - however if those in authority act unbiblically, then becoming a member is not for me.

SofTy.

[Richard H]

I have just read an e mail from the lady concerned. I will not reveal the contence. However it was done through an official e mail address connected with autism - making it impossible for me to reply in Christian way and talk about faith, the bible etc. She has replied in a way that leaves all church/ bible / christianity out of it.

I have therefore e mailed the church again, asking if they are doing anything. Saying we are told to sort problems out amoung ourselves, not go to non believers.

The problem i see is not so much what happened - but that some people's faith and bible understanding, is not important to them. Also how what they do impacts on non believers.

I am disappointed that it looks like my wife will be right. This was one of the churches i had started attending, with the possibility of becoming a member. The actions of one member would make little difference to my decision - however if those in authority act unbiblically, then becoming a member is not for me.

SofTy.

Have you contacted the National Autistic Society?

You may wish to ask that her name be removed from paperwork and documentation involving this local organization, since she (as a committee member) has been excluded from any decision making process.

Should another local organization supporting the National Autistic Society arise, she would be happy to participate.


‘Simple and straightforward - without really pointing fingers or getting into all the drama.
A simple request which speaks for itself.

If her name is associated with this group and she (both of you) has been excluded, you have the right to disassociate yourself.
In that particular regard – forget about not involving non-believers (ie: the National Autistic Society)

Of course – such a letter may impact your relationship with your church authority figures. But then again – they washed their hands of responsibility and of your plight.

‘Hope this helps,
Richard

[ServantofTruth]

I have accepted her partial apology and told both her and the church that i consider the matter closed. I admit i am not comfortable about what i have done, but the matter is now closed.

When my wife returns home, i will tell her and show her the e mails. I believe she will proceed as she intended originally, with a short letter/ note withdrawing from the commitee.

The reason i am not happy with myself, is that i believe i removed God's Word from how i have acted. SofTy.

[RoadWarrior]

I have accepted her partial apology and told both her and the church that i consider the matter closed. I admit i am not comfortable about what i have done, but the matter is now closed.

When my wife returns home, i will tell her and show her the e mails. I believe she will proceed as she intended originally, with a short letter/ note withdrawing from the commitee.

The reason i am not happy with myself, is that i believe i removed God's Word from how i have acted. SofTy.

SofTy, part of maturing in Christ, is the bit about making mistakes. When we stumble, then we get a chance to see why we did.

You and your wife were hurt, and you reacted as any red-blooded man would do, to protect your wife. Your love for her is quite visible in your actions.

Now the next step is to repent to God if indeed you did step aside from His word. Only you and He know about that.

But the most difficult part is going to be forgiving those who hurt you. This is where you will gain the greatest growth and achieve the next level in maturity.

I pray that the Lord will be very near to you in the coming hours as you work through this.

[cdo]

Servant,I'm sorry it was not for the best.but,you never know .......this could have been a plan of God's.He might have revealed this Church and others of their nakedness.Especially when you were going to join this Church.Sometimes we are blessed for un-answered prayers:hug::pray:ing. in Christ,Darlene