You Don’t Fall Down In One Town And Get Up In Another
You Don’t Fall Down In One Town And Get Up In Another
In the Kingdom of God, we sometimes hear stories of someone quitting church, or “backsliding”. Our hearts are deeply saddened by their disappearance from the church family.
Quite often then, news comes that the missing person has ‘prayed through’ over at Brother So & So’s church.
The person in question seldom comes back home. They just continue at their new place of worship. They expect everyone to rejoice that they are back in the fold.
It almost seems like they wanted to change churches and knew their reason was inappropriate. So what did they do? They figured if they backslid, then they could pray through anywhere they wanted to. (I wonder if they shopped a few churches to find one that was less restrictive?) By so doing, they would then be free of their old church and move on.
Too many make a horrible mistake in assuming that they can freely move around in the Kingdom of God like they were in a game of checkers, going from church to church without consequence.
To pacify their conscience, they just make sure that the sign at the new church has the magic name or initials painted on it, and then it’s OK. They are still in the body.
The church jump is made in such a way that the man of God’s opinion and influence gets bypassed. They choose to bypass it too. It’s a very dangerous and cowardly move.
My Mother-in-Law, Sister June Davis is a wise woman. She has a very practical saying that is time-tested. “You Don’t Fall Down In One Town And Get Up In Another.”
Church members that devise means to escape in such a way from the pastor under which God has placed them, will surely bring great damage to themselves and their families.
I am talking here about people leaving good pastors and good churches. They just don’t want to live it like they used to, so they leave.
If they just had a personal problem and quit, why didn’t they come back home and pray through?
Backslider! If you’ve really prayed through, you will come back home. The Prodigal Son did. You should too!
I’m not so sure folks have really prayed through if they don’t come back home. More often than not, the reason they don’t want to come back home is that they know they would have to repent and that’s always a problem for the proud, for the rebellious and for the cowardly.
Oh, and the other pastor that welcomes you to his church instead of sending you back home isn’t ethical either!
“You Don’t Fall Down In One Town And Get Up In Another.”
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“Too many make a horrible mistake in assuming that they can freely move around in the Kingdom of God like they were in a game of checkers, going from church to church without consequence.”
For some, it’s more like chess… it’s a slow, calculated process. The piece may have been moved and not touched for several moves, but with in chess all the pieces but one are expendable and never meant to stay in one place… Eventually, conveniently and strategically, it will be moved.
Years ago as a young pastor, a neighboring pastor gave me permission to help a family who had left them, and we did (and do) love them with all our heart. Unfortunately, previous moves on the chess board had never truly been resolved with the former pastor(s) and the time would come when something too uncomfortable and challenging would present itself to them and they would leave us too. They did.
The only hope is to somehow convince them that this is not like chess, or checkers, or any other game. Not at all.
Great post, Brother Ballestero.
Jay Jones
April 12, 2011 at 9:24 am
I would hate to think anyone was trying to “escape” from me. If so I would look in the mirror and wonder why someone who left God would want to come back to Him elsewhere. Did they perhaps not feel like there would be an atmosphere of grace and compassion to receive them back? Or why would someone commit sin in order to leave a church to go elsewhere? That’s dysfunctional! Its a free country—just go to another church! Is there some psychosis going on that the individual knows that if he/she sins, they will be so rejected that it will be easier to “get away” from those people?
We try to give people the sense that if they leave they won’t be butchered, fileted or dragged through the mud. We have had some folks leave, go to another church, and eventually came back because we allowed them to leave on good terms. It wasn’t a “our church or no church” mentality.
We try to create an atmosphere of love and brotherhood here that takes the pressure off of ministry and congregation. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and we are ALL sheep of his pasture first and foremost. The Holy Ghost does the leading and guiding. We are sons of our heavenly Father and He knows how to take care of us and provide for us. If one of us falls (and many do) then we who are strong do all we can to restore our brother. We are far from a perfect church but I have seen this spirit of love and grace in action and it works. It also creates a community of trust and unity. No one is “spying” on one another. No one is “tattling” on another. There is no manipulation or arm twisting. There is liberty and freedom.
Wouldn’t you rather people choose to live for God for the right reasons rather than by guilt?
Mark Edge
April 12, 2011 at 9:38 am
Amen..:)
Heather Tuliloa
April 12, 2011 at 5:18 pm
This is so profoundly true!
Dr. John Scheel
April 12, 2011 at 10:43 am
“I’m not so sure folks have really prayed through if they don’t come back home.” From your writings.
We have pastored the same church for almost 16 years. Yes people come and go for many reasons. For us as a Pastor – we would never ever make this statement! We are not God.
I am always troubled when I see and hear men of God, doing more than just preaching and teaching His Word. We must use much wisdom… my Bible says to not add to or take away!
Wonder if you will allow this to post?
Tami Keller
April 12, 2011 at 11:11 am
I would be concerned about anyone trying to “escape” from my leadership. Its a free country. People can go to church wherever the choose. And God can restore someone in more than one church. If someone felt they had to commit sin and fall out of grace with me and the church I pastor in order to be so rejected and shunned that it would give them more liberty to move on to another assembly, I would deeply be concerned about how someone could develop such a warped view of God and the church and sin and repentance under my tutelage.
Love covers a multitude of sin. We who are strong should consider him who has fallen and seek to restore such. We will all need to be forgiven by our brothers and sisters at some point. Developing an atmosphere of grace and love at a church is paramount to being a healthy assembly and at peace with God and men.
Mark Edge
April 12, 2011 at 11:34 am
Great post….those that are offended by it must surely be guilty of receiving such! Bro. Ballestero is not talking about the “Exception” to the rule….merely the basic principal!
Ramona Yandris
April 12, 2011 at 11:41 am
I wonder if Mr Ballesteros is even opperating within the structure of the Apostles [Ordained Eldership] or is a one man show. As if God gives his people to be Lorded over like they are merchandise. This kind of mentality is prevalent in our day, and it is they [Pastors] who are in rebellion against God in the very foundational aspects of the church. They are so far from Christ, to suggest that God is a place, and a doctrine which is so spiritually ill. Remember, Jesus said to “go” and make diciples of me, not “stsy”. God help you as you stand behind the Bullpit.
Andrew
April 12, 2011 at 1:16 pm
My, my! Thank you Bro. Ballestero! A post like this is bound to raise a reaction and it is evident in the comments that it has.
Over a lifetime in the church, I have observed the disastrous results when families and/or individuals get caught up in church-hopping. When unsettled, easily offended spirits take flight, they tend to perch in the next situation only until another offense arises. Then, unless the underlying problem is addressed and overcome, they continue their set pattern and fly off only to cycle through it over and over again. Such spirits will have problems wherever they go because the underlying problem is not external – it’s arising from within!
I have also seen the victory and blessings that follow moves that are proper and undertaken with integrity on all sides.
Marjorie Kinnee
April 12, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Thank you for your enlightenment Br. B.
I was under the impression that such a “Lord it over my saints” ownership attitude had been eradicated by the greater knowledge of the word people have today as compared to 50 years ago.
I am shocked to be made aware that “sheep” will sit still and be fleeced by such ministry today.
Jim
April 12, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I normally don’t leave a response, but I feel compelled to on this one. Bro Ballestero is dead on on this one and I am shocked and saddened by the responses about this post. A Pastor is NOT a dictator, BUT he is the man of God in your life. Church hoppers will NEVER be stable christians. The scripture about people with itching ears comes to mind right now. You show me someone that church hops and I will show you someone with a submission problem.
Great post Bro. Ballestero.
Daryl Jorden
April 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Sounds like someone’s worried about losing valuable income (or sheep’s wool).
John
April 12, 2011 at 6:53 pm
This is so profoundly stupid.
John
April 12, 2011 at 6:54 pm
John, sounds like someone is getting their toes stepped on to me!! And before you start throwing out “stupid” random comments, why don’t you check and see whose blog you are reading. Had you bothered, you would have found that Bro Ballestero is not a pastor. However he is a moral evangelist & has a pastor’s back every time. If you don’t have something good to contribute then shut up….& I mean that in a good Christian way!!
Carlene Branham
April 12, 2011 at 7:20 pm
You go, Carlene! It is amazing what people will write without ever knowing the facts. If it is their opinion, then for crying out loud, they should write a blog and maybe they’ll have one or two people “stupid” enough to read their posts. It seems like some of these people who comment on Brother Ballestero’s blog must have done what he was talking about, because they are squealing the loudest.
Being a faithful saint is one of the highest callings. I pray God will keep me faithful to His house and to my pastor.
Nila Marxer
April 12, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Great post, Brother Ballestero. Until one has a revelation, they will always find an excuse to backslide or hop churches because they don’t want to be under subjection to anyone. Wow, we have women pastors now? Sweet…we are moving up in the charismatic world aren’t we, with all these nasty attitudes and positions. LOL Sounds like some of you need to pray through. You could wake up to an earthquake.
Veridical_Angel
April 12, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Great post Brother! For those that have posted awful comments, shame on you! The basic principle here is so true! If we reject spiritual authority we are in trouble. We need to be followers of the men of God in our lives as they follow Christ, and if they are following Christ and we quit following them, hen please tell me who we are following? Thank God for great men of God that will not give into itching ears but will preach the word! Follow your man of God as he follows Christ, as long as he follows Christ you have no excuse!
Justin
April 12, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Luk 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
If folks don’t like the Preacher for preaching the word, then that’s to bad! A man of God must preach the word! If ever before men of God need our support, as they preach the word, it is now! Great honor is due to the anointed of God that are fulfilling their calling in these days. Usually the ones that are against Spiritual Authority are those that want “loose” church. They want it their way, well sorry but you got to do it God’s way.
JC
April 12, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I was always taught that if you leave the church and pastor you came in under, for whatever reason and however you do it, you are in rebellion until you make it right with that man. We are sheep and Jesus is the Head Shepherd but he puts shepherds over us that are what we need! As far as I’m concerned, and for what my little opinion is worth, Bro. Ballestero hit the proverbial nail right on the head with this one! If a sheep strays from it’s flock and shows up somewhere else that shepherd brings it back to the flock where it belongs. Correct?? Same principles apply. I am thankful for everyone who prays through but until they make things right with their pastor, they have no business attending another church!
Crystal Smith (Morris)
April 16, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Only an experienced Man of God in this matter could write an article like this. In addition, Mr Ballestero speaks with wisdom and maturity and above all Truth.
Lady Lynn
August 29, 2016 at 8:43 am
My backslider husband has had so many things said about him over the pulpit. If he ever comes back to God, and I’m praying that he does, I don’t see how he could ever go back to that church. I don’t think he would ever be fully accepted after everything he has done. If he went to another Apostolic church he would just be a backslider coming back, to those saints and pastor.
Ashley
April 12, 2018 at 6:37 pm