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Post by searchingbeliever on May 23, 2021 14:32:03 GMT
Has anyone else struggled to find a church home after leaving the PRC? It’s been about 18 months and of course COVID has made finding a new church super difficult...but still having a hard time landing in one specific place. Still strange to not go to church with everyone you know. Any local west Michigan churches anyone might recommend? I know the church you choose after leaving is a very personal choice, but doing it on my own has been a challenge to know what the right fit it...after having church always be such a community and family based experience in the past. I know leaving was absolutely the correct decision, and I’ve been fed well by many other denominations and pastors since, but looking for membership somewhere and struggling to find that. Advice welcome!
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Post by wewerepr on May 23, 2021 17:30:54 GMT
Glad to hear you are confident in your choice to leave the PRCA, and by yourself is even a more notable move. I would have said “take your time” and so you have with covid making sure of that. Keep taking your time though. Have you been able to talk with any of the ministers of the places you have visited? Usually they don’t / won’t say “come here!” But often they have insights and are good listeners and you come away with more clarity.
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Post by lastplayerpicked on May 23, 2021 21:55:21 GMT
Has anyone else struggled to find a church home after leaving the PRC? It’s been about 18 months and of course COVID has made finding a new church super difficult...but still having a hard time landing in one specific place. Still strange to not go to church with everyone you know. Any local west Michigan churches anyone might recommend? I know the church you choose after leaving is a very personal choice, but doing it on my own has been a challenge to know what the right fit it...after having church always be such a community and family based experience in the past. I know leaving was absolutely the correct decision, and I’ve been fed well by many other denominations and pastors since, but looking for membership somewhere and struggling to find that. Advice welcome! Harvest OPC might be a good place to start!
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Post by Feminist on May 23, 2021 22:00:36 GMT
Has anyone else struggled to find a church home after leaving the PRC? It’s been about 18 months and of course COVID has made finding a new church super difficult...but still having a hard time landing in one specific place. Still strange to not go to church with everyone you know. Any local west Michigan churches anyone might recommend? I know the church you choose after leaving is a very personal choice, but doing it on my own has been a challenge to know what the right fit it...after having church always be such a community and family based experience in the past. I know leaving was absolutely the correct decision, and I’ve been fed well by many other denominations and pastors since, but looking for membership somewhere and struggling to find that. Advice welcome! It might be helpful to outline what you believe now versus then. What kind of church are you looking for? Do you want traditional services? Do you want community? It may help to lay these things out, then do some searching based on those parameters. I would also suggest that you keep an open mind about differences. Everything will feel uncomfortable at first. It really takes time. (Don’t be in a rush to join just so you can tell your PR family members that you at least do belong to a local church in order to prove to them that you are not a heretic. I felt like that for so long and still sometimes do.)
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Post by anon911 on May 31, 2021 1:55:57 GMT
Has anyone else struggled to find a church home after leaving the PRC? It’s been about 18 months and of course COVID has made finding a new church super difficult...but still having a hard time landing in one specific place. Still strange to not go to church with everyone you know. Any local west Michigan churches anyone might recommend? I know the church you choose after leaving is a very personal choice, but doing it on my own has been a challenge to know what the right fit it...after having church always be such a community and family based experience in the past. I know leaving was absolutely the correct decision, and I’ve been fed well by many other denominations and pastors since, but looking for membership somewhere and struggling to find that. Advice welcome! Harvest OPC might be a good place to start! I’ve heard there are a lot of ex PRs at Harvest OPC!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2021 12:52:40 GMT
I would suggest holding off joining anywhere and rather explore what it is you are missing, and what you are looking for. Because the PRC control machine is all encompassing ii is normal to not know and to experience what you are currently. I would challenge you to lean into that - "What am I looking for, Why am I looking for it? Am I just replacing one addiction with another so to speak? Do I have to be a member? Should I rather be looking at healing myself first, before I formally pledge to any other community?"
I personally have found that the road to healing takes time, and being open to that journey has the best long term results.
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Post by Regina•Phalange on Jun 1, 2021 5:18:10 GMT
I would encourage you to take your time to find the fit that’s right. It can be hard to push back on the pressure that is likely coming your way, but you’ve been through worse days (quite recently) and you can take it! once you find a church that you’re a fit with, then make your move. The thing to remember is Christ came with you and remains right alongside you weather you’re currently a “member” somewhere or not. Many blessings to you on finding your next church home!!! And if it makes you feel any better, it took me about 5 years...
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Post by roundtheblock on Jun 1, 2021 12:16:49 GMT
Whatever new church you try you will need to recognize the "red Flag" machine that will trigger in your brain after all the years of being brainwashed that all other churches and forms of worship are wrong. It may take a while to be comfortable with a new format of a church that is a bit more contemporary but still worshipping sincerely. Give it a chance and don't just look for a church to fit the box that the PRC designed in you all the years you were there.
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Post by fellowhuman on Jun 1, 2021 15:45:18 GMT
roundtheblock I love your profile
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kate
Choir Director
Posts: 44
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Post by kate on Jun 1, 2021 23:10:31 GMT
I will message you my recommendation!
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Post by ExPRisoner on Jun 11, 2021 13:45:35 GMT
I have found the website 9marks.org very helpful when vacationing and want to find a Church. The website also offers some insights on what to look for in a faithful Church.
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Post by usetawas on Jul 15, 2021 16:18:22 GMT
Harvest OPC might be a good place to start! I’ve heard there are a lot of ex PRs at Harvest OPC! Also Grace Fellowship OPC in Zeeland. If you are in that area.
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Post by chiefofphariseez on Jul 20, 2021 3:13:52 GMT
If you are leaving “the true church” with massive cult components, why would you take advice and join a similar system?
Any URC or OPC church will appeal at first because it will be familiar. The abuse is the same. It just takes a while to realize it.
Read up on the Amish. Take a year Sabbatical like a minister and do a spiritual Rumspringa. Read your Bible and visit every church around you. Skip church altogether for 3 months. You will find out things like nowhere in the Good Book are the words “Preaching is the primary means of grace.” It was just propaganda repeated often enough that it begins to sound true. It becomes the belief and no one questions it. Maybe after awhile you may miss it. There is always the chance you may not. Either way no one or any thing can pluck you from your Father’s hand. It is time you enjoy that reality.
God still loves you.
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Post by Feminist on Jul 20, 2021 11:18:03 GMT
If you are leaving “the true church” with massive cult components, why would you take advice and join a similar system? Any URC or OPC church will appeal at first because it will be familiar. The abuse is the same. It just takes a while to realize it. Read up on the Amish. Take a year Sabbatical like a minister and do a spiritual Rumspringa. Read your Bible and visit every church around you. Skip church altogether for 3 months. You will find out things like nowhere in the Good Book are the words “Preaching is the primary means of grace.” It was just propaganda repeated often enough that it begins to sound true. It becomes the belief and no one questions it. Maybe after awhile you may miss it. There is always the chance you may not. Either way no one or any thing can pluck you from your Father’s hand. It is time you enjoy that reality. God still loves you. It’s true. They are peas in the same pod.
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Post by learner101 on Jul 27, 2021 0:58:59 GMT
Has anyone else struggled to find a church home after leaving the PRC? It’s been about 18 months and of course COVID has made finding a new church super difficult...but still having a hard time landing in one specific place. Still strange to not go to church with everyone you know. Any local west Michigan churches anyone might recommend? I know the church you choose after leaving is a very personal choice, but doing it on my own has been a challenge to know what the right fit it...after having church always be such a community and family based experience in the past. I know leaving was absolutely the correct decision, and I’ve been fed well by many other denominations and pastors since, but looking for membership somewhere and struggling to find that. Advice welcome! Did you wind up finding something? I have grown up in both CRC and Non-denom in west Michigan and have a few faves in the area. If you haven’t found one yet, let me know if you have a certain style you’re looking for.
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