| When I became "converted," I sought membership in the
Worldwide
Church of God. I remember calling this minister before I ever
considered attending. I wanted counsel about a marital problem. He
counseled me to get a divorce and then consider coming to church. Later
I learned that this was his way of saying my husband would just hinder
my growth in the WCG and I would probably quit anyway. (what a laugh!) You
would
think that would have opened my eyeballs, but I had a tendency back
then to believe that somehow I was just not getting it, so just keep studying
and keep trying. I was also very introverted back
then and the mainstream church that
I attended was of little help when I sought council from them. At Least
the WCG ministers were "attentive" (another laugh!)
Finally I was graced with a
visit. I was told that they really
preferred my husband to be there. This was all against his will, but he
complied for my sake. He was as confused as me. Of course, they told
him that as a member of the church I was required to submit to his
authority. He seemed more interested in the church after that. Ha!
Later when we were having
difficulties (understatement), I asked
the ministry for help, and then once again "complied." They
said that if my hubby agreed, they would counsel us both. Remember now,
my hubby was considered an "unconverted mate." I later learned
that he did not really appreciate being considered "dead." I would have
been a spiritual "widow." Ha! I hope we can laugh more about this in the
future. I am still hurting from all this, but anyway back to this
counseling session--so called.
The minister asked us to come to his
house. This was kind of a test
to see if we would--and we did (dummies that we were then)--and he was wanting to get things done as he had other
"commitments." I mean he was so interested, you see.
Anyway, he asked my husband what he wanted of me. I could write
a whole chapter on this, but to put it in a nutshell, I just said this
was all a joke. After all, they asked me if I thought so.
(I
hope you are laughing.)
It was then that this minister "asked" me not to come to
church anymore until I "repented." (How hilarious!) Of course,
I still didn't learn my lesson. After 18 months of not being in church
and keeping the Sabbath by myself, I just called him one day and said
I was gonna obey God whether he liked it or not, and for some reason,
that gave him validity to "ask" ("allow") me back.
Some of us are slow learners. I went back and was baptized. My
family even thought it was cool.
Oh well, I still don't why God
allows this stuff. I have been mad at Him. But I know He works all
things together for good. I wish I wasn't such a slow learner. This is all I am gonna share at
the moment. I have more. If you are in the
"church" long enough you get quite a collection of stories.
Ha!
I just praise God that He delivered me from the
WCG.
By Phyllis (first name used
with permission)
2003
Articles For Those Who Were Emotionally and Spiritually Abused
Back to Stories &
Testimonies by Former Members of WCG and Offshoots
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