Proverbs 27:5-6
5 - Open rebuke is better than secret love
6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
1Timothy 5:19-20
19 - Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 - Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear
Proverbs 28:9-10
9 - He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 - Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in posession.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 - THIS is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 - Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 - One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 - (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 - Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 - Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:8
8 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 - Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 - And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 - Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 - Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
I have to say, that I am disappointed that people seemed to almost completely ignore what I wrote in my previous post.
Everyone is entitled to have an opinion, and there are many things written in the Bible that ARE left open for interpretation.
HOWEVER, when it comes to the office of both a pastor AND deacon, I believe that it is pretty-well set in stone.
We as brothers and sisters in Christ need to take a step back, and realize that EVERY word that we say in OPINION that may offend another sibling in Christ IS SIN!
Romans 14:21
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
When we get caught up in what Bible version is the 'right' one, what denomination is the 'right' one, etc; We will lose sight of the Truth. Which is that Jesus died for ALL mankind!
He was no respecter of persons
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
We should never make accusations nor ASSUME that we know a persons entire story,
Pastors are human... JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!They have just as much of a sin-nature as ANY one of us.
Even the apostle Paul (who was never married) battled with the flesh.
Romans 7:18-19
18 - For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 - For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
To put someone other than God on a pedestal is wrong, if you are going to believe the Bible...You MUST believe ALL parts of it, not just the ones that might agree with your situation.
If you believe that God is telling you something (either in your heart or over a pulpit/teachers' desk) , IT WILL NOT CONTRADICT ANY PART OF THE BIBLE!!!
http://pembinaandfirst.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAmen! Beautifully written Laura :)
ReplyDelete2 Peter 1:20
ReplyDeleteFor this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of ANY private interpretation.
I say it again.
ReplyDelete"The only thing that I see that this pastor has done is not sided with liberal Christian.
A pastors duty is stand Strong in the faith, no matter what anyone thinks of him.
So far not one person has given any biblical reason why their "hurt" was not justified. as many have said that they had to go against their parents in order to live the was they wanted.
I have never heard of a place in scripture that tells a teen to go against their authority.
If you have sin in your life then the Lord will not hear you. this tells me that if I rebel against authority then the LORD won't hear my prayer. So people that are saying that they have never been closer to God then they are right now, and never repented of their sin of rebellion are deceiving themselves. 1 John 2:9"
Laura,
ReplyDeleteNo one has set Pastor Sullivant on a pedestal except you and the others that are trying to shoot him down. Not one person can give a Bible explanation for their reason for being upset with him. you all play the bleeding heart that has been hurt by a man who only taught the Word of God, not his opinion. You will never be able to be close to God till you truly leave your sacrifice at the alter and get right with your brother(Father).
I think it would be good to remember that it doesnt matter who the earthly authority is.....if what they are saying or doing or living is not in accordance with Gods word......your authority automatically is God Himself and His Word. As our children got older the authority switched from us as parents to God. When they were not sure where God was leading or were confused about what to do, we as parents opened up Gods Word and searched with our children. It did not matter what we as parents thought because we knew that if God was leading them (which He was because they would never have gone to the Word except to do His will in their lives) it would all be ok. We as parents need to let go of our children as life goes on and trust God to lead and guide our children. Thats the comfort we have as parents that if we raise them in the way they should go, even if they make mistakes they will come back to the Lord. Thats a promise from God. Its not about control, its about love and endearing our children to do Gods will and sometimes that is only between God and them.
ReplyDeleteTo: 2 Peter 1:20 @11:55
ReplyDeleteMany churches have used a private interpretation of scripture including PVBC. Please tell me how the Bible is clear that ladies should not where pants? The Bible is not clear about this subject. When the scripture was written, even men did not wear pants. Men wore a shorts-type garment underneath their robes. If that's what you believe, that's fine, but it IS an interpretation of the scriptures.
"saved by grace"- i hope for tragedy in your life, for you to be persecuted beyond biblical measure (job), i hope your family turns their back on you, and your "church" and "friends" ex-communicate you and wish you dead, and all this at no fault of your own. then we all will tell you to repent of your "sins" from the past that we'll link to the present and tell you that you can't be close to God till you do this and that, etc.....this is to all pms followers. you are all as Jobs friends were. p.s. didn't you read laura's blog, i thought that was a pretty clear Bible explanation, unless you think she didn't use the right version. at the stage you're at you should be listening for the "woes" out of the sky. if you don't know what that means read revelations, i hope you're here when that bit of prophesy is fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous March 1, 2011 1:35 PM
ReplyDeleteyou evidently are bitter, and should be avoided.
There was nothing wrong with the scriptures that Laura quoted. The problem with her post was her opinion that she added. No one wants to take responsibility for their wrong doing.
We all feel your kind of love.
Anon 1:35
ReplyDeleteYou should be ashamed to wish that a person would go to Hell for eternity. If you call yourself a Christian you are the biggest hypocrite that I have herd. you should give an apology to all who read then you should ask God for forgiveness.
Well said Laura!
ReplyDeleteThe bible speaks for itself and you did a great job of backing up your actions along side the bible!
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing is that in the bible there are 2 type of Christians, those living in sin and those living under grace. There are no liberal/conservatives... And definitely no "holier then thou" (the Pharisees were not saved).
Many Indy/fundy churches have reverted right back to the "law" to please Christ and are not living or acting under grace, love & peace.
Is it just my bible or are rebellion & rebel never mentioned in the new testiment? So how are you basing church discipline on your idea of rebellion?
reality and bitterness can sometimes be confused when you don't hear them say, what you read off the computer.
So then we'll trash the Old Testament because Christ teaches love there. All scripture is inspired by God.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people trying to prove that Laura is not close to God? (e.g."saved by grace") Shouldn't people like THAT be apologizing for their hurtful and judgmental comments?
ReplyDeleteYour insights are great, Laura! I can see you are studying the Word and deepening your faith! Keep looking up!
Laura, I just want to commend you on sticking to the bible and maintaining a godly example to the rest of us. Praying for everyone involved, Rebecca
ReplyDeleteanon 2:06- where did you read that i wished a person go to hell for eternity? hypocrite? really? hypocritical=professing feelings or virtues one does not have, or contradicting ones earlier statement. Since that being my first statement on this blog and this my second, I find it childish and ignorant for you to even post such an un-thought out response. I have not contradicted any statement I have made therefore am not a hypocrite. "if you call yourself a christian than your a hypocrite," how ridiculous, that's like me saying to you, "if you call yourself athletic your a hypocrite" but I have no idea about you, just as you don't concerning me. Do you think these were unGodly wishes? How many times did God Himself not wish persecution and famine and even death on His own people? He sent warriors out to slaughter. Remember David, or Samson?
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across this blog.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a real "Battle of the Bible" is taking place ... flaming arrows with Bible verses are attached ... each aimed at the other parties head!
Sadly, what I read seems to be a lot of anger couched in Bible lingo. As long as you hide behind "God's Word" you will not "hear" each other, nor will your eyes be opened to the young ladies familial trauma. Sometimes a father must accept their wrong actions and say I am sorry. (I am a father)
Hey Dad, (PMS) you are to be the strong one here and make the first move toward your daughter ... don't wait! I think your church people would respect you more for going the extra mile as Jesus would.
Remember, when Jesus was killed ... his followers thought life was finished ... but God in a glorious split second raised Jesus to life. May God give you all a happy ending as well.
Shalom
Just a word of caution for you young ladies out there,whose polential suitors are awaiting a nod from Mike to ask your fathers to court you.Keep in mind that should you get married,your husband will also respond too Mike's nod,should Mike decide that your husband should shun you.Girl's if you marry one of Mike's "boys" and your parents cross swords with Mike,you could very well find yourself shunning them.Parents,I caution you should one of Mikes "boys" show up and ask for your daughter in courtship,remember Mikes "boys" are loyal to Mike.Mike is essentially God too them,their very essence rests on his decisions.It could very well be that the marriage made in "heaven" will be lived out in hell.You say it can't happen,you're deceiving yourself,it is happening every day under Mikes direction.Girls,essentially Mike will be your "husband",the husband that you marry will only be delivering orders from Mike,that you will march to.And you will,otherwise you will be seen as" not being right with God",in this case not being right with god and we all want to be "right with god"
ReplyDeleteAnnon 8:00 AM:
ReplyDeleteWho are you? Did you marry one of Mike's "boys?" Is this the truth or is this just your take on it (hence opinion)? Remember the difference between truth and opinion. You will probably say it's truth because you believe it to be truth which doesn't necessarily make it truth.
The TRUTH is that Laura has been shunned from her family as a result of man-made rules. And so have many others.
ReplyDeleteWill anyone ever start writing about specific events that happened instead of making general assumptions? (With the exception of Laura who really is the only one that has done that).
ReplyDeleteI understand this blog is Laura's blog, and she is the manager of it. Why put others on guilt trips for not sharing specific events?
ReplyDeleteLaura, I want you to know how much I admire you for posting this blog.
ReplyDeleteKeep strong <3
I'm quite tired of people begging for specific stories. If something had happened to you or the situation was sensitive you wouldn't share your families name or details either. You don't know what you're asking for. I understand partly why you want it, but just like the people against Laura don't side with her or believe anything she says cause your minds are made up with or without the facts, it wouldn't be any different if we shared our personal experiences. They're much too long, and too complicated to spill in a place like this to a crowd this size without hurting or involving people who'd rather not be brought into it.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous March 4, 2011 8:40 PM
ReplyDeleteIf people don't want to tell their story they should seek council so they can get on with their lives. And not try to elude to things they don't wish to make public.
One word will explain why people want specific events: Defamation. Without proof some of the comments people have made are legal defamation. I don't care if it is how you feel or if you think it is the truth. Some of the statements made on this blog about Pastor Mike Sullivant is slanderous and could probably be taken to the courts. That's why people ask for specific events.
ReplyDeleteAnd what of the defamation Mike has caused? Perhaps those people should take him to court?
ReplyDeleteNobody here can be accused of slander. Slander is spoken word.
ReplyDeleteLIBEL is probably what you are thinking of, but that can't be done either. Libel is when you just spout lies and pure BS for the SOLE purpose of tearing down a company or person.
Laura, you look like a Tomboy and that proves you are in rebellion to your role as a woman. Get right and repent and become the woman God made you to be. I pity your husband. having to live with a manly woman. Brother Mike tried to raise you to be a Godly woman not a Tomboy. FIX YOURSELF!!
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:48
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for showing everyone just how small a brain can be. You are an excellent example of what 50% of the church is like. Full of judgement and spite. Luckily you posted anonymous, cause I would have to track you down and slap you upside the head if I knew who you were.
Annonymous @245.
ReplyDeleteReally?
1) Being a toyboy does not prove rebellion.
2) Being a tom boy does not mean you are not attractive or that your husband is not attracted to you.
3) If thats all you have to say then you shouldnt have said anything at all.
Annon 2:48a.m
ReplyDeleteNow we are judging on how a persons looks from the outside to decide if they are a christian or godly?
Maybe you should put not only your name but your picture up too so we can tell if you are godly or not? Because i thought it was what was in your heart but by YOUR word it does not tell me thats you have a loving christian heart, so maybe if you go with the outward look we could tell by your picture.
Anonymous 2:48
ReplyDeleteWOW! My jaw dropped when I read your post. I do not know you, nor am I sure that I would want to. It is people like you that give the PVBC their bad name! How could you possibly think that you know what is in a person's heart, and what kind of a relationship they have with God based on their appearance. God created each one of us, and we are all different. I have found the PVBC attitude to be very superficial. How can you possibly believe that something you do, like wear a dress or skirt all the time, is going to make you right with God? And to tell someone in no uncertain terms that they need to "FIX" themselves over a personal opinion of how someone looks, kinda makes you look VERY JUDGMENTAL. Who are you to judge? You need to worry about YOU, not everyone else!
ARE YOU BLIND??? all you have to do is look in her eyes and there is NO question that she is a beautiful woman who is full of Gods grace and adores her family. again i ask "ARE YOU BLIND"? see, God created her and she is ALL female and beautiful, if you dont like what you see, maybe, you should talk to God about it. this for ANON 2:48 am God doesnt look on the outward appearance anyway, its the heart, maybe you should look at yours!!!
ReplyDeleteI think many of you don't even realize how hypocritical you are. And you don't realize that your hypocrisy is what drives people away from your church.
ReplyDelete**Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues that one preaches.**
Your church preaches/teaches that you are saved by grace.. that believing in Jesus Christ as the son of God guarantees salvation, never to be lost again. Yet, here you are accusing most of us (who believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God) of worshiping a god you would not want to know, and you are accusing Laura of being in rebellion due to her outward look and because she left her parent's home when she was 18.
Does she not have salvation just as you do because she believes in Jesus as the son of God? Don't I? I go to a different church than you. I dress differently than you. I have not been immersed. But.. I do believe that Jesus is the only begotten son of God. Do you believe that I have salvation? Do you believe that I am living in rebellion because I don't dress as you do and I have not been immersed?
You need to think before you speak!
Laura, good for you for getting out of that cult. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteIn searching for a church i went to the PVBC website just to see what it's about and there thing is a heart for people. I think this is a lie in it self when the pastor does not even speak to his own daughter. I will for sure not be checking that church out!
ReplyDelete2:48..You can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of how sick you make me. There's been several times I've wanted to say that my hunch was the NUMBER ONE reason people are against Laura and think she's in rebellion is cause she wears pants. How very, very, very sad. How small you must be.
ReplyDeleteSince when does being a tomboy make you not feminine? I am a female that enjoys fishing, guns, cars, fast motorcycles and am capable of using various tools and fixing most things myself. I could even do an oil change on my own car if I wanted to. But I have long hair, wear feminine clothes, makeup and look like a female. I clean the house, do the laundry, dishes, cooking, raise the children while staying home, all things labelled "womans work". But thank the Lord I have a husband that enjoys my little quirks and enjoys the time I will go fishing, hunting, building things as time spent together bonding over his interests. At the same time he loves how I can turn around and put on a fancy outfit, curl my hair, put on some lipstick and be the very feminine wife. We have a little girl, and of course we're going to raise her to love clothes, makeup, hair, but also teach her how to fish, hunt, change the oil on daddy's car, and it won't make her any less female in our eyes. Does any of this make us less Godly women in God's eyes? I doubt it. I worship the same God every Sunday that I belive everyone else does, but if my wearing pants, and going hunting means you think He won't hear my prayers...I don't want to know YOUR God.
ReplyDeleteAmen Jolene!
ReplyDelete2:48: It really does not matter what you think. Laura is my wife and I love her heart and how she looks. I would not trade her for anyone. Next time you want to make a comment like that, put your name on it. I doubt you would say that to my face. By the way, If you are married, I pity your wife/husband for having to live with such a shallow, judgmental person as you are.
2:28: Thankfully God looks at the heart, and yours doesn't seem to have much light it in. How narrow view you have, at first I was angry at your post, but more appropriately, now I feel sad for you, so sad. I wish you knew the God I serve, whose love is beyond what we can comprehend. I second Jolene Klassen & Jason Sterk in their comments.
ReplyDeleteI made the above comment- sorry I meant to address Anonymous 2:48, not 2:28 that I posted. Thanks
ReplyDeleteTO: march 6, 2:48am what are you doing looking at another mans wife in any, way, shape or form. especially at that hour of the morning? i dont think i need say "or ask" anymore. i believe mike would have a thing to say about that. dont you?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Laura post 2:48 comment?
ReplyDeleteDoes she love causing trouble?
I doubt she would ever refer to her father as "Brother Mike" besides, Laura never comments on her blog.
ReplyDeleteObviously the person who loves causing trouble attends PVBC and worships Mike
TO: ANON MARCH 8,2011 10:01AM. I THINK IT IS TIME THAT YOU GIVE UP YOUR FOOLISHNESS. NOT ONE PERSON THAT I KNOW OF WOULD POSSIBLY BELIEVE THAT LAURA WOULD WRITE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THATS GLORY IN CHRIST, "NOT HAVING TO PLAY GAMES LIKE THAT". GODS PEOPLE HAVE DISCERNMENT AND KNOW THE WOLVES AMONGST THE SHEEP. YOU ARE A WOLF. BUT US SEEING THE LIGHT AND HAVING DISCERNMENT FROM GOD, COUNT OURSELVES SHEEP.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon march 6. 2:48 am. its interesting how quick people are to judge how someone looks, i can honestly say if I were Jason Sterk i would have had a very hard time posting such a friendly, soft spoken response to your ridiculous comment.
ReplyDeleteAnd to Laura and Jason. I am thankful you two have the strength to withhold harsh words for people that insult you so directly. You two are an inspiration, I look forward to hearing more from both of you.
you are all blind?
ReplyDeleteLaura allows all the posts and she allowed this one. So yes she does like stirring things up.
she allows ALL relevant comments, did he not mention her "rebellion"?? seriously, that comment lets people see the true spirit of what a cult does.
ReplyDeleteThe church parking lot is FULL at least 3 times a week, like no other church in Winkler. Who can speak to that? What does that mean?
ReplyDeleteIt means that 3 times a week a parking lot full of people are being blinded.
ReplyDeleteMost of them are home-schoolers, aren't they? And I thought home-schoolers had a tendency for independent thinking. There must be something there that lures all these people. Would you say he's a ladies' man, and makes the ladies feel very special? . . . But only until that fateful day when they don't exactly conform?
ReplyDeleteblinded from what?
ReplyDeleteWhat does a parking lot full of cars prove? Have you seen the crowds Pope Benedict can rustle up? Sorry, but that's a poor argument.
ReplyDeleteobviously anon 8:24 seems to think numbers are important. SO "not true". its about the hearts. remember that the reason the gate is "wide" that goes to hell and the gate to heaven is narrow is because there are more going to hell then to heaven! numbers in a church are the LAST thing you should be thinking about.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous 8:24am : Sadly, you're focus is misplaced- It should be Kingdom growth , not church growth. We're to spread the gospel, not build walls around us.
ReplyDeleteThe local pub parking lot is full every night,doesn,t mean its a good thing.
ReplyDeleteLaura if you are not attacking the people that go to that church why allow these comments on?
ReplyDeleteWhy are PVBC'ers SO defensive, and upset with Laura? Maybe it's a fear of being exposed . . .
ReplyDeletebut with a FULL parking lot and church, along with being saved by grace, there shouldn't be much that would ruffle their feathers.
my opinion.......is that most pvbc'ers are so grounded in the man and not on God that they feel VERY vulnerable and dont really know what it is to be stable in God. thats why it is so important to be grounded on the ROCK JESUS CHRIST and then you dont ever feel vulnerable and you dont feel a need to be defensive.
ReplyDeletemaybe the PVBC'ers are standing against the attack that the Devil is sending their way. we are all to stand for the defense of the Gospel. The church was ordained by God for that very reason.
ReplyDeletenot to be a feel good country club that many churches have become.
to Anonymous @ 10:32
ReplyDeleteSo since it is a heart matter in relation to rebellious attitudes, are you saying that a person with a heart transplant has to accept the previous "owners" religious views and opinions? You should be examined by medical professionals.
To Anon @ 10:32 Why even bother posting foolish postings like you did.You obviously have no clue,or understanding as to what they are talking about.There by showing your immaturity.
ReplyDelete