Things were getting to be more and more ridiculous in our church district. Not a church Sunday passed that the members didn't have to remain seated after the children were dismissed. We never knew what to expect but it was almost without fail that it what ever new thing they decided needed to be worked on was directly linked with my brother David, my parents, or us.
The Amish in Somerset always had a problem with anyone who seemed to be successful and focused most of their energy nitpicking until they moved away, but instead of having a nice peaceful church then, they simply found their next family to work on. They had managed to drive three families away several years earlier and now the focus had been turned on us. We loved our farm, and life was great for the two weeks tucked between church Sundays and we were determined to not let all the fussing and picking make us move
They didn't like the way David walked. When ever he was self conscious he had a way of tilting his head and it annoyed some of the people. Someone had seen him with the collar of his shirt open. Never mind that the next button only an inch lower was closed, it was a matter worthy of a church confession. He was required to grow his beard long though all the other boys had been allowed to trim theirs until they were twenty one. And the list went on.
My parents had almost all they could handle and decided rather than stay and be the source of all church related troubles they would start checking out new communities to see if they could find one where they would be comfortable to move to with their children.
We weren't very excited about the idea that they would be moving away, but after several more months in which they decided we would no longer be allowed to use our tractor lights and a host of other nonsense the thought of finding a community where they weren't constantly picking and changing rules became more and more appealing.
When David came over one evening and told us he would be having to make another church confession the next time in church for things even more ridiculous we decided we would have no part of it. We made hurried plans to visit a community in Michigan that we had been considering as a place to move to. After making arrangements for someone to care for our animals while we were gone we called a driver and were on our way.
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Wow You are so Brave!!!And hooray for you!!! Blessings, Joanne
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. There's an old hymn, "They'll Know We are Christians by our Love". Seems the folks at your churh missed that one. I'm so glad you finally managedto get out of that situation. Keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds almost as though they were forcing you out. how very sad.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. Sad.
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ReplyDeleteDidn't like the way he walked...really? As if that's something we control. It's sad that they would just move on to the next family. I wonder if they still do that today. There are many Bible verses I could insert here. But I'm sure you know them. They were definitely wrong for doing that and definitely not acting according to the Bible. Anyway, glad that you decided to get away from all of that.
ReplyDeleteI sure do feel for you and your family to be put through this all. I am courious as to what community you came to in MIchigan to check out. I only know of the Camden area that has a comunity of Amish. I am only about 1/2 hour from there. Been a long time since I have been there.
ReplyDeleteHi! How did other communities welcome new families? Was there any reason for families to move besides for the situation that you all were in? Did the bishops talk amongst themselves?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of the song "Jesus Loves Me But He Can't Stand You."
ReplyDeleteI don't feel sad that you moved away from that judgmental community at all. I feel relief and gladness. They missed the point of life entirely and especially life in Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteWhat a loss for that community. To lose so many good families because you didn't fit their mold. Their loss was another's gain!
ReplyDeleteMary Ann...your entries are so enlightening! I had no idea of the goings-on in any Amish communities, and this one, again, reinforces the fact that I was SO uninformed. I am sorry that the church chose your family to be so unkind to.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how things progress from this point. ((((HUGS)))
Clisby...please tell me that there is NOT really such a song!
My heart goes out to you for what the church put you through. We had a similar issue where the church leadership in my church, which I had attended for over 40 years, decided they wanted to have more power and control over the congregation and we were forced to leave and find a place of safe harbor. Sadly, man often corrupts God's work, evident by the fact that this particular church, which had been a strong and healthy church, no longer exists. May God forgive us for the things we do in His name!
ReplyDeleteTo be "nitpicked" by fellow believers is one of the most painful experiences a Christian can endure.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and your family for leaving the criticizers, rather than leaving the faith, as so many so.
God bless you - Marsha
It was good to read your post today.Perhaps now,more people will see that many of the Amish community are not so pure as the outside English see them.I see far too many people seeing them through rose tinted glasses.Congratulations to you all on your wonderful news.
ReplyDeleteRun, Swareys, run!
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog. Seems the same in any religious community. It is all about who is in charge and what the members will put up with. I am glad you were checking about moving away. Made me feel like cheering! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my. *big sigh* I'm really glad you & your husband & your brothers, too, didn't become puppets to the whims of mere mortals. We are called serve the King of kings, and His wishes are in print for us to study. Thank the Lord! Can't wait to hear what happened next. :)
ReplyDeleteKathleen, you doubting Thomas - it's a song by the Austin Lounge Lizards.
ReplyDelete"I know you smoke, I know you drink that brew
I just can't abide a sinner like you
God can't either, that's why I know it to be true
That Jesus loves me -- but he can't stand you"
Yes, sadly it does go on in other churches, besides the Amish... If that pastor is given "to much" control, that makes some of them like the power... I know a pastor is suppost to have the peoples best at heart, but they are men also..
ReplyDeleteIt's the peoples church, not the pastors... They can vote him in or out... Maybe the Amish don't get to vote..
We are ALL SAVED BY GRACE!!!
I enjoy reading your posts, cause I hire the Amish to help me with m housework, about once a month..
Congratulations on the "new" little one on it's way..
Sorry to hear this story...but I know the truth of it..as Lutherans we we're treated the same way...They deemed us Not Worthy...and that is exactly the reason I am NOT affliliated with any "Church" per say...I follow "God" by way of rejoicing in the "Nature" of his bounty!
ReplyDelete~~HUGS~~
Very sad - I agree with Monica @ mennobrarian said.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's sad to say, that this can happen in any human institution - even the church where people should know better. That's why we need a redeemer!
ReplyDeleteIt must of been horrible for you to live under that constant condemnation. You are a most courageous woman to leave the life you knew.
ReplyDeleteWe are so blessed to have a lovin' savior who shed his blood to set us free.
God bless ya sweetie and have a splendid day! :o)
Wow, It's hard for me to even imagine the betrayal and frustration your family felt. I really appreciate these inside glimpses. I know they're just one perspective, but they're so enlightening!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to sit down with a big cup of coffee (Well, make that a big pot of coffee), and read your entire story from start to finish. Not to get my kids to cooperate... :)
Blessings to you!
Oops, just realized I had a typo in my last comment.
ReplyDeleteShould be, "Now to get my kids to cooperate..." :)
Oh, this makes me appreciate our congregation. I recently posted on how our Lord commanded (not asked, but introduced a commandment) that we love one another. He repeated that in the same chapter, said it again in a later chapter and his students repeated it in letters to churches. It is a good lesson for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI am so astonished I just can 't believe this.
ReplyDeleteSounds a bit like a church we went to , I was not allowed to tell my adult children I was going to remarry 5yrs after my first husband had died they were not allowed to come to the wedding we told them after and it caused soo much pain in the family till we eventually left.
ReplyDeleteThe actions of that church group... One of the things which make me have no interest in any formal religion.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, for moving!
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching." ~Unknown
~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~
"Formal religion" is not the same as having a relationship with God. Two very different things. When Mary Ann says words like "nonsense" and "ridiculous" and "changing rules", these are indeed part of a religion.
ReplyDeleteJesus wanted nothing to do with religion either. He stood against similar practices in his day.
The saying, "if you find the perfect church, leave it, because you will ruin it" comes to mind. This side of heaven, we are not perfect and live in a fallen world. Some gatherings of people who follow Jesus are more outwardly judgmental than others. We all need to be mindful of NOT JUDGING, whether it is known to others or kept hidden between us & God. There is only one Judge that we all will be accountable to at the end of time as we know it. No one will stand faultless, but those who know Jesus can say "He took my punishment", and now I am free.
So TRUE Becca!!! "Formal religion" IS NOT THE SAME as a relationship with God!!! THAT'S where it's at...
ReplyDeleteAMEN to your whole comment...
They didn't like the way he walked!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it was time to move on!
This is sad indeed. Over the years my husband and I have been to different churches and found this same behavior in any fellowship not given over to the cross life. Christ admonished us to pick up our cross daily and walk after Him, to rightly divide His Word and act in true religion towards those disadvantaged in life. When we humans fail to die to self, we are very much inclined to selfishness and agendas of our will instead of His will. We were asked to leave one church just because we helped a local lady that had been married and divorced numerous times. She was in a sad state and needed assistance, so as neighbors we helped.
ReplyDeleteShe believed it was the church we were attending who had precipitated the act of kindness so she wrote a letter of thanks. That is when the elders came to us and told us they did not appreciate any act without their knowledge before hand to determine if they wanted it done or not and asked us to leave because we did not honor them. Everything we did in our lives was to be gone through the elders, every choice, every act, etc.
A while back, a missionary from overseas had visited our area and was raising money for the mission to a very remote village in his country. After visiting several American churches and failing in his mission to raise money, he started to have dreams at night of the very church he visited during the day, only upon walking up to the door of the church he would see the name “Ichabod” (the glory of the Lord departed) written on the door. If he dared to report the dream, often he was invited to leave. He was very depressed when he had come to our little fellowship. We had a small house church at the time.
The house church begin to fall apart once my husband begin to preach on the cross life and the sacrifice of picking up our crosses daily, walking after Christ in all our ways. God’s ways are narrow and there is a biblical autonomy in each family, yet with unity under the banner of Christ. When God speaks, we are do but when God is silent about things so are we to be. God tells us to dress modestly but does not tell us what to wear as far as style, color, etc. God wants us to use our build in creativeness to honor Him. It is why He gave us the fingerprint and other signs of His great love of individuality coming under His banner of love, many parts but one body.
Mrs. J.
Don't blame you!
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