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Hi! You may have seen my other conversation thread. I wanted to update you and let you know that things had escalated with the leadership and requiring things of us that were demeaning and not necessarily Biblical. They wanted us to sign this agreement and we just couldn't bring ourself to do it. So we figured the time is now to leave the church. Most of the members were in shock and sad to see us leave. Of course, everyone wants to know what happened. My husband was honest and told them that God is leading us towards joining a house church. This concept is not new to our church because awhile back another couple who were key members in the church left to join a house church. Most people seem understanding. As far as sharing other details, we are leaving that up to discretion. Some people we trust more than others. It is funny the people you tell who say "oh, we know so and so who goes to a house church and likes it." It seems to be more common place.
It will be weird not being at a church on Sunday. Some people ask where we will be attending. We do have a couple of people that were a part of the small group we hosted... neither of them attended our church so we will just fellowship with them for now and maybe invite others....so sort of like a house church. Once school is out we will move back to our home in Phoenix, where my family lives. I found a network of house churches there so it will be interesting to check it out. If anyone knows of any good organic churches there, please let me know!
The nice thing is the church is continuing his salary until the end of 2011. He is still busy looking for a job though. I can't imagine the huge transition for my husband but he is happy to be out of the pressures of being a pastor and the whole "business" mindset.
Kellie
Permalink Reply by John Tyler on I'm not sure that this is the right word, but Congratulations! You have taken an enormous and painful step, but with your hearts set on serving Jesus will be blessed.
You may already have read The Rabbit and the Elephant (Tony and Felicity Dale and George Barma), but if not, may I heartily recommend it to you. I think that it will have some very pertinent things to say to you in your current situation.
It's great that the church is paying a salary until the end of the year. A little breathing space! Something I learned when leaving an insitutional church was the need to overcome feelings that I did not realise were even there. I talked with some people about my reasons for leaving in a way that I thought was loving and even supportive. Later, I realised that in reality a degree of negativity and resentment had come through, and had to deal with it. And, oh boy! isn't it hard truly to forgive people who have behaved badly? Please don't think that I am pointing a finger at you two, as I most certainly am not; I have no idea of the details of your inner turmoils. But if my past wrongs can help then I may as well share them.
I'm sure that the prayers of many will be with you both now and in the future.
Blessings on you both.
Permalink Reply by Jeff Stewart on 
Permalink Reply by Joshua Westcott on This is encouraging to hear! Be blessed as our Lord leads your family. The wilderness won't be forever, not if we're willing to sacrifice - If you thought leaving the church was the end of the 'dying to oneself' process, guess again, haha. Buckle up, as our Lord will continue to show you what parts of you need to be put to death so that He may be your all-in-all. I don't know what those parts are, but He does. You and your husband are right where our Lord wants you, and you are there because of His grace and kindness. Keep us updated, Kellie. :)
Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on THanks everyone! yes, there is freedom now but I know we still have work cut out for us- thankful God gives the strength and glad to know we are doing the work of the Lord. We were blessed with the opportunity to visit an organic church in Orange, CA and enjoyed it so much! We can't find a good house church here but in the meantime, we are fellowshipping with our Life Group from our old church because it ended up having people in it who weren't attending our church and were burned out from their experiences. So they are all supportive of us. Our plans are to move to Phoenix in June b/c we have our house there and my family lives there. Hoping to find a good organic/ house church there. My dad is a pastor and we still have not told my parents. Please pray they take it well! I will make sure the know there is no judgment.
Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on Sorry, I just realized I had repeated myself from the original post. I appreciate your words of advice and encouragement!
Permalink Reply by Jeff Stewart on blessings, Blessings, BLESSINGS!
Permalink Reply by Patricia Campbell on Hi Kelly,
Would you be interested in visiting my friends' house church in Visalia? It's about 40 minutes from you. Let me know and I'll send you the details. I live on the coast about 4 hours from you. God bless you!
Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on oh wow, I didn' t know there was a house church in Visalia! That would have been neat to check out, though still a little bit far for us to drive. At this point, we will just wait to find one in Phoenix, as we are moving back there in a couple of weeks. That is where we are from- we have a house there and my family lives there. Lots of changes, but we have so much peace about it!
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