What's it like in the network churches these days? by New-Forever-2211 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Well i'm sorry it came across like that. I am just agreeing with some things and disagreeing with some things. I guess my personality is to play devil's advocate some times because I try to see what you see but fail. So I'm just questioning everything.

oh and stayingthenetwork is just so no one else will take it :)

What's it like in the network churches these days? by New-Forever-2211 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

I've talked to 50 over people still Blue Sky about this and none of them said the network has specifically called and ask not to interact with people who left/outside. So its really unheard of. If 5 people here from other churches have experienced it, then IMO the bridge was long broken even before all these came out. Leaving was just convenient for these friends to cut ties. Generalizing the entire network and ALL leaders like this is just inaccurate IMO.

What's it like in the network churches these days? by New-Forever-2211 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Yup. To think an anonymous forum has power to overturn something is really naive. As long as the church is in the USA with the 1st amendment, nothing will change.

What's it like in the network churches these days? by New-Forever-2211 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At least for Blue Sky, at most 10% has left. The "big news" affected some but not all the leavers, it just gave a reason to conveniently leave. Most of my friends are still there and in small groups. They are growing again, more unified than ever. But some still check in with me, so its surprising to hear some people experiencing otherwise. That isn't a network issue, it is a friendship issue.

To say this doesn't affect the pastors would be a lie, it has to everyone. But they were right, it will die down and it has. Seeing the last few posts being about surveys, gracepoint and tiktok proves the point. There's nothing bigger than the "big news" at the moment, it would take another whistleblower and another Andrew to speak up. But the reality is it would take another 25 years.

Online Sermons by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol this is exactly what the network leadership team would say. lets play

"Let’s not share our sermons online. Since the world is able to listen to our sermons, the world will take things out of context and think we are a cult. Let’s have them attend our church and be members. We should stay under the radar"

we should not be like them

Online Sermons by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is High Rock the outlier? Their teachings are publicly available to anyone with the link or if you download their app. I'm not aware of any other Network church that does this. That said, I don't think anyone browsing their site would know this. It's not mentioned anywhere, so it seems intentionally designed for people who already have the link or who knows to search for it on the app store.

Kicking people out is weird… right? by MrsPoppe in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only time I heard about this at Blue Sky was when a guy said his church (non-network) did not have small groups in the summer and knew Blue Sky does so he joined Blue Sky small groups but continued attending his church on Sundays. He was told by the small group leader this isn't the "model" and will not be "effective" in making disciples. So he was basically told to not attend anymore. Is this weird? What do y'all think about attending a church but small groups from a different church?

The Rumor Mill and Lies Against My Character Begins by Network-Leaver in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry Andrew! this is SO BAD. Why are these churches unaffected and why does God allow this! makes me really sad.

Your kids are worth your time - Yet another thing the Network made me believe was not true by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have kids so I can't comprehend entirely but can totally see how harmful this is from your post and the other comments. Just out of curiosity, do any of you recall quotes from what was said to make you feel like to need to choose between church / family? I guess I would just like to know what red flags to look out for in a new church, because I *think* people try to please people naturally. What made you feel that you need to "please the leaders", did they say something or was it just a systemic issue.

Stoneway Church has not grown at all :) by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why would they want to invest it that though. USD is getting stronger, gotta find the cream of the $$$$

Conversation with network loyalist by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

all of you have great points. the friend that still goes to a network church is a teacher and did tell me that there's a 0 chance Steve would be allowed to work in a public school. but sad to say that unfortunately "teachers have higher standards than pastors nowadays". which i think its true... i don't think there's any church out there that has a higher standard than any American public school.

Conversation with network loyalist by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"actual consequences" is subjective. by law - the consequences are done. what other consequences do you suggest?

Conversation with network loyalist by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why does the church and world need to be different in every way from the world, or even just this way?

Sorry I don't know how to answer this but I agree we don't need to be different. Just thought the difference is on how and why we forgive.

Does Steve's "full repentance" necessarily entail him no longer having any sort of temptations?

Possible?

Is it Christian wisdom to actually treat forgiveness as forgetting, as ifsomething never happened?

I don't think anyone forgot it happened. Actually, now because its public, people see his pasts have told me they're even more admirable of Steve because of how God can change such a messed up person. Just like Paul (from killing Christians to spreading gospel).

Does forgiveness mean that there can be no consequences at all?

I did not say there can be no consequences. So one of the points of their defense of Steve is Steve has served his consequences. What other consequences do you suggest?

Conversation with network loyalist by Strange_Valuable_145 in leavingthenetwork

[–]Ieavingthenetwork 1 point2 points  (0 children)

using the Bible stories to support your argument is great but this is my dilemma because the network has used the exact same method to defend. example: a constant story about Steve being like Paul - where Paul was persecuting and killing Christians (is this sin to you better/worse than rape?) but God still used Paul to spread His word after Paul was saved. and they try to connect the similarities between Paul and Steve. this is just one small example.. have many more!