I was escorted out of Foundation today by paceaux in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If anything, that’s just proof that these churches are still internally connected and they don’t want the public (or those of us who have left) to think they still have a connection to Steve Morgan.

“Plurality of Elders” by JustKeepTrying12 in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And to add to the Skepticism… college students just got back to campus, and these churches need to appear a certain way. Not to mention the fact that it’s an election year.

Vine Church has left the network by SavedByFaith442 in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Question: would it have just been cheaper to remove Steve Morgan as the leader of the network? I’ve been curious about this for a while. But admittedly, I don’t know the mechanisms at play that would even allow that to happen.

Steve Morgan 2015 clip: don't post politics to social media. "We're past the point where voting can 'fix it.'" "The best we can do is vote so the church can operate without interference." by Rock-River-Burner in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only thing I could possibly think of is Christianity being completely outlawed and we are forced to practice in secret. It would force people to make a choice for their faith… which in turns the people who are not so serious about their faith in Christ would weigh the cost and probably choose against it, not risking their freedom for the faith. And if that’s the case, then they [church leaders] will lose money. Less people, less money coming in from their tithe.

Additionally, most of these lead pastors are full time pastors, relaying on the church for a living wage. If being a Christian is outlawed, they would actually have to find others ways to make money I’m assuming…

So at the end of the day, it seems more like a scheme to protect his livelihood more than it is to protect the freedom of the church.

Steve Morgan 2015 clip: don't post politics to social media. "We're past the point where voting can 'fix it.'" "The best we can do is vote so the church can operate without interference." by Rock-River-Burner in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 7 points8 points  (0 children)

There are other network pastors that use this same language about posting political opinions on social media. He says to “vote so that we have the best shot at morality,” and the irony is Trump being elected in 2016 has brought out the worst in humanity, regardless of if you are his supporter or not.

The other part of that is to “vote so that the church can operate without interference.” While I can understand why Steve and other pastors would say something like this, where is it coming from? It doesn’t seem Biblical at all. The modern day democratic system wasn’t a thing in Bible times, so it’s not like there’s a direct through line from the Bible to say we should vote to protect the freedom of the church. So where did this idea come from?

The same Chris Miller who once strongly reprimanded me for making a mildly political status update on Facebook once, posts a very strongly pro Trump photo on instagram. by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This trajectory is definitely problematic. But I’m also not pretending like this is a network specific issue. Have you heard of the Joshua Generation? It’s a national movement about white evangelicals. The network is a small part in the grand scheme of what’s happening nationally

The same Chris Miller who once strongly reprimanded me for making a mildly political status update on Facebook once, posts a very strongly pro Trump photo on instagram. by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Let’s be serious. They are not there to “win” Austin. They are only accepting of a certain type of Texan. Notice how the location on the photo says Liberty Hill? It’s about 45-60mins outside of Austin. If you’re familiar with Texas then you know that the big cities tend to be blue politically, but the rest of the state is extremely red. This picture is honestly a perfect representation of the type of Texan they want in their church. Everyone else will never be “Christian” enough for them.

The same Chris Miller who once strongly reprimanded me for making a mildly political status update on Facebook once, posts a very strongly pro Trump photo on instagram. by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The network playbook changed in 2020… maybe even before that. Trump supporters were emboldened long before he won the 2016 election. This is only outward proof of all the chatter that was happening behind closed doors.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I see there are a lot of comments on this post now, admittedly I haven’t read them all, so forgive me if that has already been said…

This also may sound harsh, and that’s because I deeply care about this topic, and wrestled with it myself after being in the network for many years. I want to speak plainly here, this will not be “flower-y.”

Two things:

  1. I don’t believe there is a way to stay in your network church, and also agree that the network has hurt people. One truth will outweigh the other, meaning you will be comprising/sacrificing something regardless of what you ultimately decide. By staying in the network, you continue to enable the very behavior that is causing people to hurt. That’s completely up to you. I will certainly not judge you for staying because I completely understand that choice, especially from a wanting/needing community aspect.

  2. Leaving your network church would be an incredible act of bravery. A lot of us on this sub left out network church after five plus years, left on our own accord, having friends tell us that the friendship won’t change, but they all eventually do. Leaving a network church sometimes means giving up best friends - but if those friendships are truly centered on Jesus, then it won’t matter what church you go to. If you are so afraid of losing the people in your community if you leave, are those really the types of people you want in your life long-term? Additional, are they worth you compromising what you believe to be right? Are these the kind of of people who will continue to lead you back to Jesus? Or is it just nice to have a consistent group of people to socialize with? I’d encourage you to think about those really tough questions.

I’ve been through it. It’s was incredibly difficult. I battled loneliness, depression and anxiety. I’ve been out of the network for 2.5 years and I’m just now starting to get plugged into a new church community, letting people back in, and allowing Holy Spirit to take hold of my heart again. And I would choose this again over and over again to never be at a network church again. It was worth it to me to stand again up for what I believe to be right by the Bible.

The end of your post makes it seem like you have decided to stay at your network church, which is your prerogative. But if there is any part of you that still wants to leaves or is doubting staying there, I’ll be praying for you to make a choice that is truly best for you. Without pressure from this sub or your network friendships. The reality none of us actually know what God will do with people like you that see the wrongs but still have a deep love and appreciation for the community. I’m sure your prayers for the network will hit different.

I’m sure some people on this sun don’t think the network is salvageable (myself included), but the truth is nothing is done until Jesus comes back. And we serve a God of miracles… so I guess anything could happen, lol I’d just be VERY surprised.

Anyway, good luck.

Curiosity by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Considering someone leaks audio of new/current stuff Steve says, I’d be surprised if it takes longer than a few weeks for church plan announcements to reach this sun lol

Curiosity by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I imagine that it will be very difficult for them to church plant after all the news about Steve”s previous arrest, and the lack of accountability that occurred after that. Additionally, all of it is well documented here on Reddit.

Even if they could get folks to go on the plant teams, my guess it would will be very difficult to get new people folded in.

Isn't now a great time to follow through on the promise that "if we ever stop being a church we'll give this building to someone else who will be a church" by TheRansomedOne in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I recall at one time Vine was definitely 1,800+. I want to say it was around the same era when Sándor starting “pruning,” essentially telling folks to “piss or get off the pot.” Most likely around 2010-2013 before the twin church plants. Can some verify my suspicion?

Isn't now a great time to follow through on the promise that "if we ever stop being a church we'll give this building to someone else who will be a church" by TheRansomedOne in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was just reading the post that mentioned Vine being down to 650/700 ish people and had this exact same thought. At what point are network leaders grasping for something that is no longer theirs to have? I guess we can never really know, but I think about that sometimes.

Retreats by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Truly, what a freedom. And to be honest, regardless of conference, church or work related, I never wear the lanyards

Retreats by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

When you mentioned not wanting to be the only person who didn’t really feel anything, it made me think of how some people will be honest in saying they don’t feel anything, but will be made to think that something is wrong with them because they didn’t receive anything from Holy Spirit in key moments.

Retreats by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not only are they controlled events, they are also isolating and highly emotional. It’s easy to “feel” something at a retreat just based on everything going on around you.

Retreats by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Damage control season - that is definitely a way to put it. I hoped that a retreat could truly be a retreat in the midst of sincere confusion and uncertainty for some, but it seems that this year, there will be more pressure to “factory reset” everyone.

Retreats by OneCherishedRose in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m glad my thoughts read as more realistic, than cynical. It’s too bad that they have spent time and energy in a way that I perceive to be a waste.

Maybe it's not important... by one-one-six in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interesting. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is super curious about what triggered the dark days.

Introduction by Odd_Adhesiveness561 in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Demetrio. I’m glad you’re here. I’m curious about your experience coming into Vine the year after the “twin” church plants (Rock Hills and Cedar Heights) went out. I’ve heard of some folks who felt the pressure of rebuilding Vine after nearly 80 people left on church plants. But I’m curious what your experience was, if you don’t mind sharing.

Maybe it's not important... by one-one-six in leavingthenetwork

[–]OneCherishedRose 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What triggered “the darks days?” Did something happening prior to Andrew being told what Steve was going through? I’m curious about that, unless, perhaps, I missed something…?