| Author | Message | ||
| Springperiwinkle Registered user Username: Springperiwinkle Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2019 |
Hello...I am just coming out of the SDA church and need all the support and help I can get in retraining my mind and conscience. Does any one know of any Groups around or near Spokane, Washington of former Adventists where I can receive support and get some traction in following Christ out of the SDA church?? | ||
| Bgraham Registered user Username: Bgraham Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2010 |
Welcome to the Forum, Springperiwinkle. I do not live in the Spokane area, but the Moderator, Colleen, might be able to give you the names of some Formers there. BGraham | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 15589 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hi, Springperiwinkle! I'm sorry, but I do not know of any groups of former Adventists near Spokane. It's not that there are no formers there, but I don't know of any who meet together. I also don't know any specific people to whom I could direct you. I'm so sorry. I can tell you, though, that we will rally here if you need support, and you may ask any question you want. We have walked this same road, and it is very hard to leave—but it is also the most rewarding thing ever to follow Jesus into the fullness of His gospel and to leave behind the deception that clouded reality. Knowing Jesus really is the greatest thing! Do you get the weekly Proclamation email on Fridays? It contains new material every week, and I think you would find it encouraging and helpful. Also, the print magazine is free; we are currently putting the next print version together. You may sign up for the weekly email here if you wish: https://lifeassuranceministries.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8a3258beb1&id=db1eabd84c Also, you might like our YouTube channel. All the videos of our past FAF conference talks are there: https://www.youtube.com/user/FormerAdventist/featured I don't know how much you have read yet, but I'm going to put a couple of links below that might help you. The first is a link to an online study of the Covenants written by Chris Lee. Understanding the biblical covenants is KEY to understanding the law and what to do with the Sabbath! Adventism did not teach us the biblical covenants. Here is the link to the study: http://www.lifeassuranceministries.org/studies/covenants/index.html Also here is a link to an article explaining the differences between the Adventist great controversy worldview and a biblical worldview: http://www.lifeassuranceministries.org/proclamation/2015/4/whatisseventh-da.html I will watch for you here!  Colleen | ||
| Springperiwinkle Registered user Username: Springperiwinkle Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2019 |
Thanks Colleentinker! This is my second official week of knowing I’m leaving the SDA church! And the struggle has been tremendous! Thank you for the links. I thought I had signed up for the weekly email. I know that will strengthen me. Everything culturally, family, just everything has been Adventist. If someone wouldn’t mind just praying that I would be able to find some connections “Out There” so to speak in the Christian world. I am trying and did attend Calvary Chapel last Sunday. Just not a good fit for me. I still feel like I’m sort of living under the “antitypical Day of Atonement” if that makes any sense....and I sense others around me have no clue of the solemnity that has carried with it for me. My counselor called what I’m going through as “Cognitive Dissonance!” And it’s true...Thanks all for your support. | ||
| Jcd826512 Registered user Username: Jcd826512 Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2019 |
Hi Springperiwinkle! We used to live in the Spokane area and attended SDA churches in that area for 30 years. We moved to MT 6 years ago and early this winter our eyes were opened and we left Adventism. If we can be of any help, let us know. We are in Kalispell | ||
| Springperiwinkle Registered user Username: Springperiwinkle Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2019 |
Hi Jcd826512! Thank you for your response! It’s nice to know there is someone out there from Spokane who is taking this same journey; though everybody’s is unique to be sure...I would be interested in knowing how you found a new Christian fellowship (if you have) and if you have any suggestions for me as I check out surrounding churches here. Today, I realized that the Sabbath doctrine has really been my rock and security...I haven’t found a way to transfer that over to Christ, though I’m hoping I will be able to soon. | ||
| Jcd826512 Registered user Username: Jcd826512 Post Number: 15 Registered: 1-2019 |
SpringP: The dominoes fell in this order for me: 1) Salvation - no assurance - this lack of assurance cannot be from God 2) Read DM Canrights books which 3) got rid of believing EGW was a "true prophet" (that was a tremendous relief) then 4) Investigative Judgement is false, then 5) I decided if so much else was wrong and I KNEW it was wrong - I was willing then to look into the Sabbath - Two things settled my mind about the Sabbath: An understanding of the NEW Covenant - and what that means, together with my experience as an SDA - in which the Sabbath is practically "god" - one which is never satisfied - and which leaves one never certain if they are "doing it" right and, I read Dale Ratzlaff's book, "Sabbath in Christ." He presented the topic very fairly, with lots of documentation. Hallelujah! We were FREE!! Then came the "church shopping." We went to one Baptist church.. but it was too big; then we went to a Nazarene church, but everyone was ancient - and it seemed to lack life; then, we went to a very "popular" church, but it was like going to a "show." None of these were a good fit for us. Then our neighbors suggested we try a non-denominational, local church, Aletheia. We went, and it was "just right." There is no formula for finding the right church, but you will know. If it doesn't seem right, don't stay.. keep moving until you get there. We tried out each one except the popular church about 3 times - just to get a good sampling. We went to Sunday school immediately, and got connected - and were up front about getting out of Adventism, and asked anyone who would be willing to study with us to come to our home on Friday nights. There were several couples who came, we studied through Galatians, and they were very kind and helpful. I gave out several of Dales little booklets on understanding Adventism - so they could better understand where we were coming from. It is a wonderful journey my friend, We are so happy for you --- the only thing is, I am used to having another day off after church day... and now, the next day after church is a work day.. but that's a very minor weirdness that will fade with time. JCD | ||
| Springperiwinkle Registered user Username: Springperiwinkle Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2019 |
JCD: Thanks so much for sharing! I just ordered SDA Refuted by Canright from Amazon. It helps to get these tips from other’s journeys for sure. Ratzlaff’s books, both Cultic Doctrines and Sabbath in Christ have been very helpful to me too. They don’t leave any stone unturned which is important for an SDA mindset, as you know. I also just read Chris Lee’s explanation of the Covenants on Dale Ratzlaff’s website. That was very helpful too. Thanks for your advice on “church shopping”. I know this will take some time. Taking it one small step at a time. It’s harder when you try out churches on your own, but I know something will work out for me even if for now it’s only a small group fellowship; which might be better as I need somewhere to tell my story. I just found out from Colleen Tinker video that Rose Publishing has produced a brochure that sums up in 10 questions how SDA’s are a cult. This might be helpful in an Bible study group if someone has questions. I can only explain so much, and there is so very much to tell!! Thanks for your help and support! |
