Friends -

The season of giving is upon us. Should you need a jumpstart to get
into the holiday spirit, consider this. Send one extra Christmas card
to the address shown. Express within its contents your
appreciation of the sacrifices made on our behalf by American service
men and women. Encourage people you know personally and through email
conversations to do the same. Nothing terrible will happen if you
choose not to pass this on. However, something wonderful may happen if
you do choose to act on this.....

A very merry holiday,
Rob


A Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

The first night of Hanukkah begins at sundown today.  I would like to
offer my best wishes for a joyous celebration for those who observe
this holiday.

Happy Hanukkah!

Jack

Enlightenment is the subject of the first week in the observance of
Advent, symbolized by the light of hope coming to a people in
darkness.

We celebrate a number of things as we light the first candle:

The acceptance of reason over tradition is celebrated.  It is not
neccessary to follow blindly after primitive doctrines, but we can
let the goodness of humanity trump the power of religion.

There is a sense of universal acceptance.  The Christmas season was a
combination of Pagan rites and Christian beliefs.  Although no one
knows when Jesus was actually born, this season was chosen to allow
the Roman people to accept the new edict of Christianity as the
official faith more easily.

Even though it was promoted for political reasons, it is still a
powwrful symbol of the traditions of many people coming together.
When you think of all of the different ways Christmas is celebrated
in various countried, and yet it is all a Christmas celebration, it
is easy to see hope of unity.

Hope is the key element of Advent and Christmas.  Although the days
are shorter and the ground not productive, there is still the promise
of new life coming.  At the time of this celebration we near the day
when daylight will again increase, and although we have a long winter
to overcome, it will be followed by a season of light.

Enjoy your celebration.

Jack

My earlier message stated that the first Sunday of Advent was December
3rd.  It should have read December 2nd.  My apologies.

Have a great thanksgiving celebration today!

Jack

Last Saturday Lorraine and I met with a skeptics group at MacGregor's
on Jefferson Rd.  They were decent people, and we had a nice time.  One
member of the group had a hard time understanding how we could be part
of a church and yet still be skeptics.  Lorraine suggested that it was
about comfort zones, and the individual who questioned us stated that
she has a hard time finding comfort in something she doesn't believe in.

However, we all find comfort in these things all the time.

How often do we blow out the candles on our birthday cake, knowing full
well that it won't make our wishes come true?  Or do we cheer or groan
at the television set with the knowledge that our team cannot hear us
and it has no bearing on the outcome of the game?

The term "goodbye" comes from the phrase "God be with you."  Even those
who do not believe in God use the term when parting company.

Our ancient ancestors would gather around a fire to ward off evil
spirits, wild animals, or to pay homage to what was considered an
element of life and a holy gift from the gods.  Today we enjoy a fire
because it gives comfort, even if we are not threatened by beasts or
demons.

In times past a hand was offered to demonstrate that no weapon was
being drawn.  In present time we shake hands as a greeting, although
the fear of a violent confrontation may not be an issue.

Celebrations and rituals are part of the human experience.  Some people
are so afraid of appearing irrational that they attempt to shun all
manner of ritual, but it is so ingrained in our social interaction that
to deny it is almost foolish.

Religious ritual can be a valuable element of a community.  Even those
who are avowed atheists have stated that they are awed by the feeling
they get when in a church or synagogue.  Much of the great music
composed by the masters over the centuries has been inspired by
religious beliefs.

When we come together to seek the writings of the Christian traditions,
it isn't because we believe them to be the word of God, but because we
recognize the part they have played in the development of mankind.
When we celebrate the Advent season, or observe the rites of Easter, it
is purely for the aesthetic value of these rituals.

Don't be so afraid of enjoying a celebration that you lose out on the
experience of being human.  One can be rational and still engage in
certain observations such as these.  In fact, it may bring a dimension
of joy and a cultural connection within your community.

Yours in celebration,

Jack

The first Sunday of Advent if December 3rd this year.  This is a very
meaningful celebration, as it symbolizes hope and enlightenment, and
encapsules all of the rational elements of Christianity in beautiful
illustration.

As in the past, I will be posting ideas for observing the Advent season
from a practical point of view.  Our Sunday gatherings will also follow
the format described, and we encourage those of you who meet in your
homes to do the same.

Enjoy,

Jack

For the time being we will meet at 11:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM on
Sunday mornings.  This is to accommodate my and Lorraine's schedules,
and to allow everyone to sleep in a bit on Sunday mornings.

In the future we may change our meeting day and time again, this time
to a weekday evening.

The reason that we are considering this change is that I am being
called upon more often on Sundays for private functions.  As these
functions provide for my income, I need to adjust my schedule to
accommodate them.

Lorraine's work and school schedule will also been considered in
determining the new day and time.

The meetings are now held in our home.  Those of you who joined here
because I had performed a ministry service for you know where our
home is.

Many of you found this group because of a web search.  Some people
joined, and after realizing that this wasn't what they were looking
for have left.

A few have written asking about our meetings, so I thought I might
take a moment and explain what we do.  Our meetings are geared more
toward the adult and older teen level.  We engage in frank
discussions about our personal beliefs and ideologies.

There are no resources or facilities for young people.  This is not a
traditional church service where children are sent to a different
room to be indoctrinated through the ministry.

We feel that parents should teach their children as they choose.  I
would be happy to share privately with individuals some ideas I have
on how to do this.

If you are interested in more information about these meetings feel
free to contact me individually or post to the group.

Thanks,

Jack

Unless you are as old as me or you like "retro" TV shows you may not
remember the old Bugs Bunny cartoons with the sheepdog and the coyote
who was always after the sheep.  Their dispute was often violent, as
good cartoons were way back then, but hey, they were just doing their
jobs.  At the end of the day they would punch out at the same time
clock, and head for home with no hard feelings.

In chapter 10 of John's gospel Jesus continues his dispute with the
Pharisees over the blind man he had healed.  In this passage Jesus
calls himself the good shepherd, and the religious leaders of the day
he calls "hired hands."  They're just doing their job, and they could
care less about those whom they should be serving.  In fact, they are
more interested in benefiting from their positions, by keeping the
people under their control and raking in the cash.

Many ministers refer to their "flocks" and attempt to present an
appearance of caring.  However, underneath it all they are more
interested in padding their bank account and manipulating the members
of their churches.  Sometimes that manipulation extends to sexual
impropriety, and yet their "flocks" are willing to forgive them and
let things go without repercussion.  This happens around the world
and right here in our own area.

Watch out for these hired hands.  They preach fire and brimstone and
punishment for the wicked, yet when they are found out they plead for
grace and convince the simple minded with the help of their fellow
coyotes.  Demand accountability, and run from hypocrisy.

People are so convinced that they need the corporate church that they
are willing to overlook these abuses from their clergy.  As Jesus
taught, your beliefs are personal and do not need some massive
structure of a commercial church to maintain them.  Find some people
who believe as you do, and get together regularly to observe your
faith or discuss your ideology as you see fit.  You will find this to
be a much more fulfilling exercise of your beliefs.

"Night Ralph"

Night Sam"

Have a great day,

Jack

In the gospel of John chapter 9 we read of a Sabbath day encounter
between Jesus and a blind man.  After rebuking his disciples for
their remark about the cause of the blindness (they thought it was
because of sin, either the blind man's or his parents') Jesus spat on
the ground, made some mud, and put the mud on the blind man's eyes.
He then told the blind man to go wash.

When the blind man washed the mud from his eyes, he was able to see.
His neighbors were amazed, but the Pharisees were angry that someone
would heal a man on the Sabbath!

The man who was once blind entered into an exchange with these
religious leaders.  They tried to convince people that the man was
lying, and that he hadn't been born blind.  The man produced
witnesses to attest that he was.  Then the Pharisees explained that
Jesus was a bad man for not keeping the Sabbath, and the formerly
blind man said, "I don't know what kind of man this was, all I know
is that I was once blind, and now, I see."

Religious leaders will always try to keep you in the dark about many
supposedly "higher spiritual truths."  It's a way of controlling the
church population, bringing in the money, and diverting attention
from their own shortcomings.  All too often I hear of pastors being
referred to as "anointed" when they are just really good salesmen.
But once someone comes along with hard questions, that person is
labeled as contentious and sent away.

Christianity isn't about magical incantations and supernatural
nonsense.  It is a means to live a rich, rewarding, abundant life.
If you are caught up in a crazy, charismatic church whose leadership
is trying to control your life and your finances, it may be time to
take a closer look.

Here's mud in your eyes!

Jack

We will no longer be meeting at Brueggers Bagels on Sunday mornings.
Please contact me for more information regarding meeting locations.
Contact information can be found at this group's home page or at
ourfellowship.org/contact.html

Thank you,

Jack

I'm sorry, the reminder went out before I had a chance to stop
it.  The meeting for 10/14/07 is still cancelled.

See you on the 21st.

Jack


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PM

Due to scheduling conflicts there will be no meeting this Sunday,
October 14th.  Meetings will resume on the 21st.

Thanks!

Jack

we all work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  I can not tell
you how to live your faith that is up to you.  Yes brother we are
pursuing adoption thanks for listening to the ramblings of a sad person
I feel better now.  Jack you are a good man with a good heart.  Thanks
for listening and have a blessed day

James,

The issue of your wife not being able to bear children is, I am sure,
a painful one.  Perhaps you can offer the love you have to a child
who was given up for adoption?  I know it sounds like a glib answer,
but it is an opportunity to love and raise a child.

Regarding why we are here, I have found that we can waste a lot of
time considering that question, time that could have been spent
living life.  I know this from first hand experience.  Personally, I
don't dwell on what others believe or don't believe.  I try to stay
strong in my own personal convictions, and live my life based on them.

Perhaps you should also know that I do not believe the Bible to be
the "inerrant word of God" but just the observations of many people
who were trying to find individual and regional identity.  The
gospels, I believe, are a combination of recorded teachings by Jesus,
and some stories included to follow the Jewish tradition and give
legitimacy to this new sect of Christianity.  As they were written,
at the earliest, some 35 years after Jesus died, much of it is questionable.

I'm sorry if my views discourage you, or you had a different idea of
what this group was about, but I figured it best to be honest right
up front in case you get the wrong idea about us.

Legalism and the adherence to a literal interpretation of the Bible
can lead to a certain kind of bondage and allow some church leaders
to manipulate and abuse their followers.  Throwing off the shackles
of this view can lead you to live a much more rich and fulfilling life.

All the best,

Jack


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just alot of different types of struggles.

a barren womb for the mrs while so many unwanted babies are discarded
each day so many are abused and neglected while a loving couples
prayers go unanswered.

Struggles to live a holy life in a unholy world.  Struggles to find
true believing poeple of real faith in their actions.  Struggles with
just wondering why we are in this world anyway but knowing the only
purpose as solomn found was to fear God and believe there are reasons
to everything that happens to us in life.


--- In OurFellowshipRochester@yahoogroups.com, Jack Porcello
<pastorjack@...> wrote:
>
> It is easy to get disillusioned when we see people and things that
> represent all we hold dear exposed for what they truly are.
However,
> we still have the greatest gift we can ever possess - life!  And as
> we still lie, we can still affect the world at our fingertips in a
> positive way.
>
> Grab on to life, and live it for all it is worth!  Set yourself
> goals, and celebrate when you achieve them.  Do not have
unreasonable
> expectations for yourself or for others.  See your friends and
family
> as treasures, and cherish them!
>
> Money gets a bad rap, but we all need it to get by.  Don't see it
as
> an end, but as a means to help you along your way.  As with people,
> if we have unreasonable expectations that money will give our lives
> meaning we will be disappointed.
>
> It is up to each of us to give our lives meaning.
>
> In life we have love, happiness, beauty, and the fulfillment that
> comes with achievement.  We also have pain, discouragement, and
> loss.  It is up to us to recognize that there is a balance, and to
> look to the good to encourage us to get through the bad.
>
> We need to love one another, be kind to one another, and help one
> another through the tough times.  The reason that we don't
emphasize
> "end times" eschatology here at Our Fellowship and Joining Hands
> Ministries (besides the fact that I do not ascribe to it) is that
it
> gets our eyes off the here and now.  It is a placebo to distract us
> from life, and life is not something to ignore.  It is something to
live.
>
> Get out there and live!  Look at the world and see its
> beauty.  Realize when you read or watch the news that there are
> probably 100 stories of hope for every one of despair that makes it
> to the media.  Be one of those stories, and share that hope with
others.
>
> Have a GREAT day!
>
> Jack
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.2/1052 - Release Date:
10/5/2007 6:53 PM
>

It is easy to get disillusioned when we see people and things that
represent all we hold dear exposed for what they truly are.  However,
we still have the greatest gift we can ever possess - life!  And as
we still lie, we can still affect the world at our fingertips in a
positive way.

Grab on to life, and live it for all it is worth!  Set yourself
goals, and celebrate when you achieve them.  Do not have unreasonable
expectations for yourself or for others.  See your friends and family
as treasures, and cherish them!

Money gets a bad rap, but we all need it to get by.  Don't see it as
an end, but as a means to help you along your way.  As with people,
if we have unreasonable expectations that money will give our lives
meaning we will be disappointed.

It is up to each of us to give our lives meaning.

In life we have love, happiness, beauty, and the fulfillment that
comes with achievement.  We also have pain, discouragement, and
loss.  It is up to us to recognize that there is a balance, and to
look to the good to encourage us to get through the bad.

We need to love one another, be kind to one another, and help one
another through the tough times.  The reason that we don't emphasize
"end times" eschatology here at Our Fellowship and Joining Hands
Ministries (besides the fact that I do not ascribe to it) is that it
gets our eyes off the here and now.  It is a placebo to distract us
from life, and life is not something to ignore.  It is something to live.

Get out there and live!  Look at the world and see its
beauty.  Realize when you read or watch the news that there are
probably 100 stories of hope for every one of despair that makes it
to the media.  Be one of those stories, and share that hope with others.

Have a GREAT day!

Jack


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you know life is so hard.  You have hopes and dreams that sweep away
like the outgoing tide after a sunami.  Life is full of
dissappointments and failures.  So easy to lose focus and let go of
hope for a better tomorrow.  What is the meaning and purpose of
life?  Is it really worth waking up tomorrow morning?

Money materialism is just a temporal appeasment to an inward
emptiness.  Lust of the eyes and flesh are only escape mechinisms to
try and numb the awful fellings deep inside the barren soul.  The
yurning and lust fullfills for a moment than like vapor evaporates
only for the hunger to return twice as strong as before.

Pride is believing you are something when in fact even what you
thought you were was all lies anyway, in fact you are nothing at
all.  Those with the most toys when they die win nothing but a life
that was lived for naught.

Everyone you look up to has their own set of struggles.  You are
amazed when it comes out that a respected Pastor a pediphile another
cheats on his wife.  Dissillusionment invades the truth of what they
really are to what you had thought along the way.

Why live at all?  Muslims tell you believe as they and you will live
but all they do is kill themselves and others around them.

I wish God would put an end to this world and send people to heaven
that belong in heaven and those in hell sent to hell.  Be done with
this world and let eternity begin.

Hope faith and belief is only what can help you get through today
because without it tomorrow is not worth living anyway.

Good and evil is not just God vs Satan, Muslim vs Christian and Jew
not just good people and bad, but it is you against yourself.  Making
the right choices in life and denying the wrong.

I judged the pediphile but is my sins any better I feel sad for him
he lost his family and wife and was forced to move away.  I really
feel sad for people and the consequences that they reap from the poor
choices they have made in their past.

All I can say is God is loving and understanding and forgiving and
without him there is no life at all

Welcome to the group, Jim.  Hope you can make it to Brueggers some
Sunday morning.

Jack

hello

my name is Jim

I am 35 born and raised in Rochester.  Was a part of the heritical
movement calvary chapel for many years too but recently saw the
falseness of it and have concluded faith is belief in yourself and what
you can do with what the fate of life has brought to you.

Anyway thanks Pastor Jacjk for showing us that there are many roads
toward our destiny and we must take the step to live peacefully with
others.  All organized church is out for money and to deceive the
unfortunate

Jimmy britt

The seventh chapter of the Gospel According to John shows us Jesus at
the Feast of Succoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or
Booths.  During this time, the Jews would live in small tents to
commemorate Moses leading the twelve tribes through the wilderness.
In this story, not only did the Hebrews live in tents, but the
presence of God did as well.  The celebration lasted a week.

In modern times some people, Jew and Christian alike, will spend these
seven days in a hotel, motel, or cabin to observe Succoth without the
hardship of tent living.  Like many religious observations, it seems
to miss the point.

Our story shows Jesus spending a good portion of this event teaching
or in heated argument with the Jewish leaders.  Much of his discourse
addresses the fact that where he is going they cannot follow at this time.

This story, like most of this book, once again directly parallels
Jesus with Moses, and the rulers of the Jews with the unfaithful who
had to die out before they could reach the promised land.  However,
there is a flip - while Moses was unable to enter the paradise, Jesus
is going there before those who follow him.

On the last day of Succoth, priests would take pitchers of water and
break them to symbolize Moses striking the rock at Meribah and water
flowing out of it.  At this point, our narrative has Jesus shouting
that streams of living water will flow from within those who follow
him.  Here Jesus is not only likened to Moses, but also to the
promises of God fulfilled.

Practically speaking, this story demonstrates that we should take the
time now and then to realize all we have, and to understand that we
can get on with a lot less.  Another good lesson is that we can be
fonts of living water in as much as we can practice compassion and
demonstrate generosity, while still being examples of self-reliance
and frugality.  Charity is not only providing for the needs of others.
  It is helping others become fonts of their own provision.  Through
word and example we can pass this message to those who need it.

Stay tuned next week.  Better yet, come join us at Brueggers!

Jack

The sixth chapter of the gospel according to John relates the stories
of Jesus feeding the multitude and walking on water.  Continuing in
the Moses theme, the author parallels the accounts of manna and the
parting of the Red Sea.  Our discussion last Sunday pointed out the
relationship between these stories, and the parts each one had to play.

Note that 12 baskets of leftovers were collected after the first story
in the chapter.  Again, the author gives the Moses mantle to Jesus as
he provides enough food so his disciples won't have to collect it the
next day.  In the book of Exodus, the manna was collect every day but
the sabbath.  In the view of the faithful, Jesus was the manifestation
of the sabbath, the divinely appointed rest that God provides to those
devoted to him.  Therefore, his actions negate the curse on the earth
stated in Genesis, that only by the sweat of man's brow would he eat
of the fruit of the ground.  His provision is divine.

Peter's role in the walking on water story is particularly interesting
to me.  He can either be seen as one who has a wavering faith, such as
those who made it through the parting of the sea only to revert back
to being unfaithful once Moses was no longer in view.  When Moses left
the children of Israel in order to commune with God on the mountain,
they forgot about crossing the sea bank dry shod and concentrated on
getting back to Egypt.

This is a great symbolic demonstration of how we can lose sight of our
goals when circumstances overwhelm us.  By keeping our mind focused on
where we are headed, we can overcome the obstacles on the way.

Hope to see you next week!

Jack

Last Sunday we discussed the 5th chapter of the gospel of John.  In it
we meet a man sitting by a pool for 38 years hoping to be cured of an
infirmity.  Every so often, the story goes, an angel would trouble the
waters, and the first one in would be the one cured.  As this man was
not ambulatory, he needed to wait for someone to carry him in.  In the
meantime, he would always be beaten to the punch by one less
debilitated than he.

Jesus comes along, and asks the man what he is doing.  The man
replies, and Jesus instructs him to rise, take up his stretcher, a go
on his way.  The man complies.

Of course, it's the sabbath, so the Jewish leaders get in a snit.  The
man is adamant - he will follow the instructions of the one who healed
him.

It appears that one purpose of the gospel of John was to reconcile the
ministry of Jesus with that of Moses, while at the same time
demonstrating an enmity between the then rulers of the Jews and the
teachings of the law Moses represented.  This story appears to be
something of a "redemption of Moses" as well as critical of the rulers.

We know from the Jewish scripture that Moses was not allowed to enter
the promised land.  After 38 years of aimless wandering (although the
most common number is 40, Deuteronomy 2:14 reports 38), all were
allowed in except for Moses.  According to the story, he died and was
buried outside of the promise, beyond the river Jordan (represented
by the "troubled water" in our story).

The symbolism of this account in John restores Moses to the promise,
not on the power of ancient beliefs (the angel troubled the water) but
on the action of his own faith.

What we can learn from this lesson is that archaic superstitions and
outdated restrictions can do little for  us.  As we depend on
rationality and rely on our abilities, we can fulfill our aspirations
more effectively.

Jack

Thanks for the well wishes.  I'm sure it will be a great day.

Yesterday at Brueggers  we discussed the story of the woman Jesus met
at the well in Samaria.  The Samaritan sect and the "true" Jews did
not take kindly to one another, but that is a whole other discourse.
There were disputes about many things, including the location and
manner in which God was to be worshiped.  How familiar this sounds!

One point about the story that I find important is that Jesus asks the
woman to get her husband, and she answers that she has no husband.
Then Jesus tells her she has spoken well, as she has had 5 husbands,
and the man she lives with now is not her husband.

Throughout Jewish scripture Israel is called the "bride of God" and
the relationship is not one of consistent faithfulness.

The woman in this story can be symbolic of either the Samaritan
people, or of all the Semitic people collectively.  The "five
husbands" refers to the five covenants that God had made with Israel:

1) The Adamic Covenant - The garden would be theirs so long as they
did not eat from the tree of knowledge.

2) The Noahic Covenant - God will never destroy all life as he had done.

3) The Abramic Covenant - The descendants of Abraham will be as
countless as the stars of the sky.

4) The Mosaic Covenant - So long as Israel keeps God's commandments,
he will bless them.

5) The Davidic Covenant - If Israel remains faithful to God, he will
always keep a descendant of David on the throne.

It has been said that all but the Noahic Covenant was conditional on
man's behavior, but the argument can be made that even the covenant
with Noah was based on Noah's faithfulness in worship through
sacrifice.  However, that covenant did have a caveat, that God would
not destroy all life :in the manner in which he had done" by the
flood.  Other options of destruction remain open.

As we know from the stories surrounding these covenants and the
accounts of Israel in the Jewish scriptures, none of these covenants
has been kept.

The writer of this story may have been attempting to show that Samaria
was unfaithful, or that all Semitic people were, but the conclusion is
the same - a time will come when it doesn't matter where you are or
who you are, all will be accepted before God.  Therefore, our ethnic
prejudices are invalid.

Practically speaking, this message demonstrates that no matter how
righteous we believe we are, and how much we rely on our righteousness
to justify our bigotry, these beliefs are unacceptable.  We should see
all people effectively the same.  Of course, the behavior of
individuals may cause us to desire not to associate with them, but to
jump to conclusions based on physical attributes is wrong.

This group was created to promote informal, personal fellowship and
the practical application of Christian principles.  As such, we hope
to see more of you at our upcoming meetings.  if your schedule or
location does not allow this, consider having informal meetings of
your own.  They need not be on Sunday morning.  You can use the notes
I post here on Monday to start your discussion, or come up with your
own topics.  Either way, we would love to hear from you.

Jack

Lately I have been considering what parts of the Bible are the most
important to me in determining how best to live my life.  Actually, it
is probably more accurate to say that I have been reviewing the Bible
to see which parts agree with my personal views.  Either way, I have
concluded that this is the list of topics presented by Jesus that best
reflect the practical Christian life:

The Sermon on the Mount

The Greatest Commandment

New Wine, Old Wine Skins

Transgression Begins In Your Heart

Salt and Light

Stand By Your Word

Do Good For Its Own Sake

Know All By Their Fruits

Build Your Life On A Strong Foundation

Be Persistent

The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body

Do Not Worry

Many of these topics will find their way into Sunday morning
discussions in upcoming weeks.

Pastor Jack

My ministry career began with the denomination known as Calvary
Chapel.  I know, I was a nut, but I was young and impressionable and
have grown much since then.

Lately, there has been much controversy surrounding these churches,
both in my general area and around the world.  Accusations of
in-fighting, embezzlement, child abuse, womanizing, and general
manipulation have reached epidemic levels.  That's only counting
circumstances that have come to light.  Apparently, many more are
swept  under the rug.

In fact, in our general area alone this has been the norm for decades.
  Pastors have been kicked out to make room for those who are "better
connected" to the hierarchy.  The guy who was looked upon as the
"authority" in NY State for the longest time was usurped by his son,
who had earlier expressed no desire to pursue the ministry whatsoever.
  Several churches have left the organization in the past few months
due to one pastor being found in sexual impropriety, for which he
suffered no repercussions.  This pastor (whom I had served with) has
turned his church into a family business, with his wife and children
on the pay roll, and others forced out to make way for them.

Business and church do not mix well, especially when the church is
manipulative and abusive like at Calvary Chapels.  They use methods of
extortion to build up their treasury, and then cast people aside when
they are done using them.  Fear of punishment and promise of heavenly
reward string people along and keep them obedient, while the
leadership engage in lavish and sensual lifestyles.  It is the worst
form of hypocrisy, as it also causes others' lives to be destroyed.

Be skeptical of the church to which you belong.  Calvary Chapel
doesn't have the market cornered on this sort of behavior.  It is
everywhere.  Does your church make financial requirements on you, tied
directly to your standing in the organization and claims of your
eternal condition?  Flee.

Calvary Chapel used to be a small group of people meeting in a home
talking about things that were important to them.  Granted, these
things were rather silly, but not so dangerous as those things which
seem important to them now, such as pride, greed, and lust.   Find
people who share your interests and beliefs, and get together over
coffee and hang out.  That's what the church used to be.  That's what
we are trying to turn it back into.

By the way, if you're interested, Sunday mornings at 10 AM, Brueggers
Bagels, 1400 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY.

Pastor Jack