The biggest scare tactic that this church will throw at you if you even think of leaving their ranks is that of "losing your destiny." (A quick look at the latest sermon topics will reveal their last one preached in September.
Let's talk about that for a minute.
People who believe that it is possible to lose their destiny tend to agree to a few things. 1) That you were created by God for a purpose in this life. 2) That God has a "primary" plan for your life for which you were created, and 3) it is possible to either throw this plan away or somehow miss it and therefore lose the destiny that God created for you. (Note - I no longer believe this way because it stems from the Old Testament law and stories and ignores the cross - but that is another post)
Now, it sounds very scary to any believer who values loving God to think that they will get to heaven and find out that the very thing that God created them for has been lost, stolen or thrown away. It carries great significance with it. It carries the idea that God will (at least) be mad at you, and for some even hints that you may even lose your salvation.
My biggest question when I left this 'church' was this very question. Will I, or am I, walking away from or losing my destiny.
Well yes. I did. But wait. If, by losing my destiny you are referring to being able to do anything further with this group - then, I certainly lost my "destiny" there at that establishment. No longer would my destiny be to champion their ideals, pay for their ideals or give free labor to support their ideals. And in that sense, and only that sense, did I lose my "destiny" with those who are still there.
BUT if you are referring to my destiny in Jesus - my destiny that has been planned for me from the beginning of time - then NO! I have not!
I was destined to be loved by God. I was destined to love my husband, my children and my family. I was destined to love those who I am in contact day to day. I was destined to do the works of salvation. But even saying that, my destiny is tied up - not in my ability to walk perfectly - but in the very nature of who God is. He holds my destiny - Not some church or some apostle, pastor or prophet or some group of friends - God. And only He gets to decide if I have lost it! No man - Apostle or not- can declare that you have lost it. When a man holds that power and uses it to threaten you, it is Spiritual Abuse in its rawest form.
Let me assure you that mine and all others who have walked away because we finally could no longer stomach the abuse of either ourselves or other people have our destinies fully intact and flourishing. You won't lose yours either.
You might just understand for the first time what it really is though and that is simply too wonderful to "miss."
4 comments:
This was one sermon too blatantly obvious to miss, so I took the time to listen. I don't think it was as 'harsh' as the title implies, but the fear is still instilled via the don't-get-offended rule for the congregation.
Again, the sermon itself is not altogether bad, as there are agreeable parts. However, I think the common thread through most of your and mine own issues is that Perry does not talk about himself and how he handles offense.
I feel it's the showmanship and entitlement he took as an apostle that he is exempt from the 'no offense, always forgive' rule, and you only know about this because of your proximity to the Babbs, not as a Sunday member. Plus, it's always frustrating that he doesn't directly come out and say, "This is how you lose your destiny..." He always lets his congregation do the subliminal math.
Why doesn't he just come out and say, "You lose your destiny without me"?
(As a side note, I do enjoy the grammatical error of the original title: "Loosing Perspective, Loosing your Friends, and Loosing Destiny", for the fact that it implies that these things are bound up and will be loosened. Maybe they are prophetic after all).
P.S. - Yes, the life I have had after Keystone and the 'threat of losing my destiny' has been altogether wonderful. And I still have my friends who patiently waited for me outside the Antioch doors.
Abram, It was not harsh. What amazed me is how very good he is at what he does. Always the specifics left to your imagination. Always spoken with self depreciating humor and seeming humility. It is almost too good to not be scripted. I posted it because of your reaction exactly! So much of what he says is NOT BAD. But what makes is bad is the bit of lies mixed into the whole thing and that, as you say, he himself reserves the more blatant stuff for behind closed doors.
And yes, I had to go and second guess myself on the spelling. I'm trying to not be catty in all this :)I simply love the idea that it actually can be LOOSED!! Loose my friends Father and their destinies with them!
I think that pastors are learning to speak from the politicians
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