From: Le
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 9:15 AM
Subject: ask for advice to behave in a church whose pastor is a woman
Dear Victor and Paul,
My name is Le. I am 60 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. I am a weak Christian, still struggling with sins since I “accepted Jesus as my Savior” in 1993. Thanks to the grace of God, I found your site last year and have read some of your doctrines which are helpful to me.
I have struggled with the sin of watching porn movies for recent years. A few years ago, I deleted all the data in my laptop and was free for some time before I was entangled in the same sin again by copying porn movies from web to my laptop again. Thanks to God’s grace again through reading and practicing several of your teachings, two weeks before, I managed to delete all the data from my laptop and until now my laptop is still free from any images of porn. I experienced the power of God to prevent me to watch porn movies. Before beautiful, sexy women, I am tempted to watch more but I do not sin. Praise God for His sin restricting grace in me.
I have been attending to my present church (a denomination of Pentecostal church system) whose pastor is a woman since 1996. Since 2010, the woman pastor taught our people about a kind of grace which says that Jesus has done all for us to fulfill the Law; therefore we just believe in Him; we shall not do anything to obey the Ten Commandments because if we do that, we add our works to His complete works ; we think that His works are not complete so that we have to support Him; we insult Jesus ! Many people in the church believed in this doctrine except me. I once told the pastor, “ You only taught what the Lord did to us; it is marvelous. But I think your teaching is unbalance. You should teach about what we should do with His grace.” She did not hear me.
After I read your article about the true marks of a cult, I am afraid that my church (a small church, the number of members is the same, not growing, about 30 to 40 for 20 years, old members left, new members came) is a cult because :
1/ It has an official name
2/ It asks for money to support it.
3/ It registered with the government.
4/ It depends on orthodox doctrine, including the Trinity doctrine
5/ It has formality, ceremony and ritual
6/ It has a three story building
7/ the pastor receive salary ( 40% of the tithings and offerings)
8/ It is easy for anyone to join
9/ It has censorship of external teachings
10/ It lacks of reason and practicality
Last month, my pastor went abroad (for two months) and she asked me ( I am a former elder of the church who used to preach together with her ) to preach two Sundays to the congregation on behalf of her.
I preached two last Sundays, based mostly on what I learned from your articles which I believe they are right teachings from God.
The reaction of the congregation was complicated: some believed what I preached, others did not believe and rejected my teachings.
In some of your articles, you ask those who are in a cult to come out, especially in the case of the pastor is a woman. Therefore I am thinking about to come out of this church (although my wife and I know the woman pastor for 20 years) .
Please give some advice to me how to say to the pastor about my decision to quit ; should I also inform the congregation about my decision or should only to the pastor?
Yours in Christ,
Le
From: Paul Cohen and Victor Hafichuk
To: Le
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: ask for advice to behave in a church whose pastor is a woman
Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ, Le.
Let us add #11 to your list of marks of a cult regarding your church: Woman pastor.
Diabolical Doctrine: Women Are Ministers of God in Spiritual Authority over Men
Yes, you should tell this woman, who is not a pastor of God, along with the whole congregation, the truth God has given you about why you are leaving. Not in bitterness – but because you love the Truth, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who now liberates you from the lies of darkness. To deny them light in honor of darkness would be very wrong. Don’t bow before evil – bow before God.
“How can you believe, you who receive honor from one another and do not seek the honor that comes from God only?” (John 5:44 MKJV)
Also, Le, you’re welcome to register on our Forum and join us in the Sabbath meetings or conference calls we have during the week. We also thank God for His grace to you.
Paul and Victor
From: Paul Cohen
To: Le
Cc: Victor, and Ronnie Tanner
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 8:33 AM
Subject: RE: ask for advice to behave in a church whose pastor is a woman
Hi Le, a quick note here.
Regarding the Forum, just click on the hyperlink that’s on any page of the website and follow the instructions. Once you’ve registered, Ronnie Tanner, the administrator, will send you links with instructions on the Sabbath chat and conference calls. Write to him directly if you have further problems.
Paul
From: Victor Hafichuk
To: Le
Cc: Ronnie Tanner and Paul Cohen
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 8:38 AM
Subject: RE: ask for advice to behave in a church whose pastor is a woman
I agree, Le, though do not permit delays indefinitely – watch for that.
Paul or Ronnie will help you to participate in our site. Ronnie is our facilitator!
The Lord grant you wisdom and faith to follow Him and do His will. Trusting Him, He’ll make the way.
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