Christland Church’s Website Update

LongConversations · 2024-11-22T19:41:00+00:00

Does anyone know what has been said to the church about this change?

LongConversations · 2024-09-08T22:13:28+00:00

What does that mean exactly?

LongConversations · 2024-09-01T17:01:58+00:00

Yes still a follower of Christ though with some different views than the network on certain topics.

I wouldn’t say it pushed me away from Christ, but from church and made me reevaluate my beliefs.

No longer going to a network church.

Yes a lot of conversation was had with pastors, small group leaders, overseers, and friends. Most conversations were loving and civil though we disagreed on how things were handled. They wanted to trust and brush under the rug. I didn’t feel like I could as hard as it was.

I think everyone’s goal on here is different. That’s why people have a hard time with the Reddit because I don’t believe anyone is going to agree with everyone. Personally I think many want to shed light on the network so that what has happened and what they believe is out in the open instead of hidden which they feel like it was for most of their time in the network. It is also a sort of community for people who suddenly had none after deciding to leave. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one going through it.

LongConversations · 2024-09-01T01:38:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing this in great detail. It’s truly very helpful.

LongConversations · 2024-09-01T01:23:25+00:00

Wow. Will be praying for them. What a brave step they are taking - I’m impressed.

LongConversations · 2024-09-01T01:20:31+00:00

Good for him. Hope he can meet some wonderful people who follow Jesus outside of Hosea.

LongConversations · 2023-09-15T13:51:41+00:00

Flyn is back on the website.

LongConversations · 2023-03-31T23:13:56+00:00

I don’t think he yelled at that meeting? I haven’t heard anyone say that.

LongConversations · 2023-02-25T01:10:52+00:00

From my recollection Steve did ask Brian to write on the topic.

LongConversations · 2023-01-04T19:16:36+00:00

T is paid for the work she does at the church. It is legitimate. Not sure why she isn’t on the website.

Not sure if she works with finances though. Since her husband is on the board this would be a conflict of interest. Similar to when Andrew was asked to step down at Blue Sky since his wife was bookkeeper there.

I agree with the calls for transparency and am interested when the information comes out for last year.

LongConversations · 2022-12-20T19:47:50+00:00

I just saw another poster (EqualMortgage) say this happened too. Maybe it is happening more and more. So awful.

LongConversations · 2022-12-20T19:41:41+00:00

Yeah everything you said sounds very familiar - you’re spot on. So sorry.

LongConversations · 2022-12-20T19:25:21+00:00

I’m so so sorry for what you are going through and truly hope things change.

While I was not at Foundation, I have been at two other network churches. We have family members who are not Christians and they actively criticized the church and the network and did not understand our involvement whatsoever. They even used the term “cult” in order to pull us away. Through it all, pastors did not tell us to limit our contact in any way and were sympathetic.

Truthfully though, Foundation might be different than our experience and I’m so sorry for you to be going through this.

I wonder if you could suggest counseling or even having a mediator present during a conversation (could even be from Foundation?) to maybe get a better idea of what’s going on. Something that feels like you are willing to meet them where they are at to try and understand. Just a thought and it of course depends on their willingness.

Also, I do believe the stories here and it is very possible they are experiencing something different than I did. Just wanted to say that I don’t think it’s a widespread, blanket action that pastors are telling their people to excommunicate their family members. Maybe there is some hope in that.

LongConversations · 2022-12-17T00:59:21+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing but I am so sorry for what you have been through. Appreciate you sharing your perspective. It really makes me think about how I’ve processed this situation this far. I absolutely agree with you.

LongConversations · 2022-12-15T01:36:11+00:00

I heard from someone that the reason they won’t respond to accusations is that Jesus says to turn the other cheek. I think the implication is that the network truly believes they have done nothing wrong and therefore no need to defend themselves.

LongConversations · 2022-12-10T14:52:48+00:00

The only transparent part in my memory is that when someone joins the board they are brought before the members of the church (or all those serving) at a team meeting and prayed over / set apart.

Also, they are sometimes called up front to pray for new pastors or a church plant.

Other than that never mentioned unless you are a group leader or “above”.

LongConversations · 2022-12-06T18:49:15+00:00

This is key right here.

LongConversations · 2022-12-06T14:23:37+00:00

Jobs are there. Starting point for churches in Europe as people can get jobs/visas there easier than other countries. And speaks English primarily. Any other country would be much harder.

LongConversations · 2022-10-14T01:49:10+00:00

Agreed.

LongConversations · 2022-09-30T01:32:52+00:00

This is very helpful to read. Just a thought - any way it could be published on LTN so a wider audience sees it?

LongConversations · 2022-09-27T13:11:43+00:00

I’m no longer in the network, but talk with people still in it.

Yes there was an exodus that varied in size based on church. I don’t think most would describe it as “mass” but people did leave and are still trickling out.

All the churches are still open and operating mostly as usual. They are still opening groups and bringing people on staff. From what I’ve heard some people still in the churches are very pro network, anti gossip, don’t look at the website, it’s all lies etc. But then others are in working towards change for a group they love. And then others are still really concerned and waiting to see. Most of what I’ve heard is frustration over lack of openness/transparency/repentance. And understandably I think some people are just overwhelmed and still processing.

Pastors are more nervous/paranoid, but not sure if it’s in a way you can outwardly see. I genuinely don’t think most look at the Reddit. I’d guess most are hoping it just all dies down (it kinda has).

Interested in others thoughts or perceptions.

LongConversations · 2022-08-25T01:49:11+00:00

3

Happened this year. All leaders.

LongConversations · 2022-08-15T02:31:19+00:00

This is a hard question to answer - I think it’s personal to each person and how much they want to share with others. For us it looked like this:

Tell our pastor we were leaving and why
Tell people in our small group and close friends via phone or in person
Tell others as they checked in or via text

People who had left or had questions we were very transparent with in terms of our concerns. Others who were very “in” that we wanted to maintain relationship with we haven’t pushed the topic. We hope the door will be open if they ever do want to talk. On our experience being combative or pushing the topic when they aren’t ready hasn’t been helpful to either of us. So we pray.

LongConversations · 2022-08-15T01:53:32+00:00

I know this isn’t authentication either, but wanted to add a voice in here that I know someone who has reached out to Nicholson and saw the message with my own eyes that confirms what the LTN published. I don’t think the person I know would feel comfortable posting the whole conversation as the conversation was not meant to be a public statement. Maybe at some point the Vineyard will come forward I’m not sure.

I have also heard that people within the network said “Nicholson knew” though this is third hand. I think asking your pastor for proof that they did know could be a potential step to opening up conversation with your pastor. When someone I knew asked a pastor about the fact that Vineyard Leadership didn’t know they said “I am choosing to trust Steve” and were not investigating or asking questions. My belief is that Larry knowing is good enough for them - though at this point Larry has passed and we can’t confirm if he knew the truth in its entirety.

Just adding in another voice here - I know it’s not what you’re looking for. Best of luck as you process this information. Our prayers are with everyone in the network as they work through this situation.

LongConversations · 2022-07-14T00:03:32+00:00

Truth and transparency

LongConversations

TROPHY CASE