Are we to abandond our family, the domestic church?

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Oshiego_Rod

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Hello brothers & sisters,

Being a leader in a community is not easy. I just recieved this email regarding my absence from an event, and I wanted to see what all of your thoughts are concerning this.

Right now I am helping my mom to deal with my teenage brother who can be quite a handful. Also, my mom was injurred on the job so I try to help out as much as I can around the house. So, I have not been as active in this community, but I still serve God by attending mass weekly and maintaining weekly Bible studies.

Anyway, here is that email. It sounds kinda cultish to me…

Did not see you guys at the rally. No indication from either of you regarding attending. I ask you guys to please try to make SFC a priority. I fully understand the resposibility of family. However, since nither of you are married yet, you can make this a priority. Moreover, in scripture Jesus says, "Whoever forsakes father and mother for the sake of the kingdom of God is a Child of mine. " Real growth and maturity comes when we are able to do things apart from family. I know that it is important. I am supporting all of my family right now. However, it will not get in the way of service to God. Jesus had to forsake Mary and Joseph in order to do His eartly ministry. We measure manhood when we are able to cut the apron strings and move forward on our own trusting that our parents have taught us everything we know. I am serious about making changes in SFC. Sometimes it needs to start with ourselves and our priorities. Please tell me your available free time this week. Be generous in making yourselves available this week.
:confused:
 
It does sound cultish. What does SFC stand for?
I would be leary of any group that tries to separate me from my family. :eek:
 
Get out of there!! Not only is that person insulting, but i think they have problems with their own priorities!! I’d find another group to work with!!

I have a friend whose mother got kicked out of the christian womans group by the leader, who was the pastor’s wife, at their church because she didn’t attend one weekly meeting because she was at the hospital with my friend who was having an asthma attack. They said she didn’t have her priorities staright as well, that her daughter needs to learn to be on her own, and that she needs to put God first and not her daughter. Needless to say that the family left that church and found a better one. Oh and a few months after that, the pastor and his wife were taken out of thier position due to thier incredibly radical teachings such as how black people are bad, and women should be slaves to thier husbands becuase they were born from hell, and his wife , agreed to this.

People like that are up to no good.
 
:bigyikes: That sounds scary to me…manipulative…using something good to lure you into something else. Not that the work SFC perhaps is doing is bad…but the pressure here does not seem right. If they were truly acting in and of the Spirit to do God’s work they wouldn’t pressure you like that. They’d pray for you, certainly, and continue to invite you to future events. But I don’t believe they are right to follow through with an admonishing toned letter when you don’t show up.

Jesus called people to follow him, then kept walking…God knocked a few people of their high horses…the apostles spoke to all peoples, but I don’t know if the went back to the same people to scold them for not believing them. It seems to me they just kept putting the word out there for all to hear and trusted in the Holy Spirit that their words would fall on open hearts and souls.
 
It seems that they have their Bible a little mixed up. When did Jesus abandon his mother and father? He honored his mother and father. That’s a commandment. Also, wasn’t his mother with him a lot of the time? Right up to the cross?

I believe that this person is on an ego trip. I have seen their type before. He must have his group confused with the Kingdom of God if he wants you to forsake your mother for it. You are serving the Kingdom of God by taking care of your mother and brother.I would put plenty of distance between me and this fellow if I were you.
 
I agree with all the other replies, get out of that group. Jesus fullfilled the law perfectly, including Honor thy Mother and Father. The bible never mentions that Jesus abandoned his parents, if fact I’d like to think Our Blessed Mother went with him on his journeys, even if she didn’t, I don’t think she was out of His life for 3 years only to reenter for His passion and death. You are doing right by attending to your family. Follow God’s will and pray hard about the situation.
 
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Poisson:
It does sound cultish. What does SFC stand for?
I would be leary of any group that tries to separate me from my family. :eek:
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Ironically, SFC stands for “Singles for Christ.” I, too, am a member. However, I dislike how we are “encouraged” to join activities such as retreats, conferences and assemblies. Not that they are wrong… but sometimes, it can become too much to bear.

I feel that it is true that we have to place God first and foremost but then again, He did also say to love thy neighbor just as you love yourself.
 
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Poisson:
It does sound cultish. What does SFC stand for?
I would be leary of any group that tries to separate me from my family. :eek:
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SFC stands for Singles For Christ. I joined years ago but the pressure has been recent since I am hardly involved now. They do have the approval from the vatican but sometimes their methods are questionable. 😦
 
How weird! Way over the top! Jesus said something about abandoning mother and father to follow Him, not some optional apostolate in a church.

I can’t find the quote (where’s the quote when you need it?), but didn’t Jesus denounce the Pharisees because they allowed people make a contribution to the temple in exchange for being released from the requirement to take care of their parents?

This ‘leave your father and mother’ quote is out of context of the Bible, in which we have not only the commandment to ‘honor your father and mother’ but the promise that those who do will have long life! And then throughout the Bible in story after story you see the bonds of parents and children extolled. One of the blessings of children is that they will take care of you in your old age.

Your e-mailer is at least over-zealous in his ‘encouragement’ to attend meetings. At worst, though, it does sound cultish. Don’t cults try to convince you, ‘The group is your family now’?

Just to give them the benefit of the doubt, you could pray on it and write a thoughtful note about how the e-mail struck you - in case the writer was just getting a bit over-excited. (It sounds like s/he doesn’t have much trust in God to provide whatever is needed for the group to fulfill what God is calling them to do!). It might get you drummed out of the group…but it sounds like it might be wise to give them a wide berth if that’s the case.

Sounds like your instincts are on target here.

Nel
 
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Nel:
It sounds like s/he doesn’t have much trust in God to provide whatever is needed for the group to fulfill what God is calling them to do!
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Funny you mention this. They always taught to have trust in God and know that He has plans… This is one of the first talks or teachings within the group.

But furthermore, you are also correct. We should get the benefit of the doubt.
 
I can also add my concurrence to your thoughts on this individual seemingly being rather cultish. I think that the person needs to explore their biblical knowledge a little more and not be so narrow as in the case of protestant religions only extracting what they deem necessary.

If we haven’t met the needs of our brothers and sisters and send them away wishing them well when they are without food or clothing or anything, then what good is that?

I would be wary!

Carl
 
Way over the top and insulting…personally, I wouldnt give them my “other cheek” to slap as well… I’d bow out…life is too short to have CHURCH of all things put STRESS into ones life…Church should be for recharging our batteries thru the Eucharist…not spreading ourselves thin and to be questioned when we dont show up for something.
 
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raphaela:
Get out of there!! Not only is that person insulting, but i think they have problems with their own priorities!! I’d find another group to work with!!
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It’s funny you should mention that. When I first joined SFC my knowledge in our Faith was so limited. I joined to learn more about being Christian. Everything seemed to go well, but I was then asked to be a leader. I never did pressure anyone and was very patient and understanding. My philiosophy was WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) Then I wanted to find out what it meant to be a Catholic. The more I found out about Catholicism the more I found out what flaws we had as a community that was approved by the Vatican. If we were approved by the Vatican, why do we not teach the church’s doctrines and beliefs?

I am actually looking for work at my Parish or another because I know I wil get more out of serving the church than serving SFC. So, I am looking. :yup:
 
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YinYangMom:
Not that the work SFC perhaps is doing is bad…but the pressure here does not seem right. If they were truly acting in and of the Spirit to do God’s work they wouldn’t pressure you like that. They’d pray for you, certainly, and continue to invite you to future events. But I don’t believe they are right to follow through with an admonishing toned letter when you don’t show up.
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It is true. SFC is not doing bad. One person cannot represent the whole as we had learned when our own church faced scrutiny. But, I agree that the added pressure did not help. They did offer prayers to me, but this individual tried to get my attention the wrong way.
 
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SusanL:
It seems that they have their Bible a little mixed up. When did Jesus abandon his mother and father? He honored his mother and father. That’s a commandment. Also, wasn’t his mother with him a lot of the time? Right up to the cross?
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I didn’t think of that. That is so true! :clapping:
 
Mothers Boy:
You are doing right by attending to your family. Follow God’s will and pray hard about the situation.
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Thank you, I feel that God wants me to help my mother with all these things that are happening.
 
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Nel:
Your e-mailer is at least over-zealous in his ‘encouragement’ to attend meetings. At worst, though, it does sound cultish. Don’t cults try to convince you, ‘The group is your family now’?

Just to give them the benefit of the doubt, you could pray on it and write a thoughtful note about how the e-mail struck you - in case the writer was just getting a bit over-excited.

Nel
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Very good answer! I think I will write a reply to him. Sometimes, we all can tend to be a little over excited.
 
Camp Pueblano:
I think that the person needs to explore their biblical knowledge a little more and not be so narrow as in the case of protestant religions only extracting what they deem necessary.

Carl
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So true, and to think he has a background in theology. But, I agree with extracting what is necessary. It’s a good lesson to learn. Sometimes, it takes more than just learning His word, but to always relearn what has been learned in order to gain true knowledge and wisdom.
 
Faithful 2 Rome:
Way over the top and insulting…personally, I wouldnt give them my “other cheek” to slap as well… I’d bow out…life is too short to have CHURCH of all things put STRESS into ones life…Church should be for recharging our batteries thru the Eucharist…not spreading ourselves thin and to be questioned when we dont show up for something.
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Amen to that. About not stressing… “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

:amen:
 
Oshiego Rod:
Jesus had to forsake Mary and Joseph in order to do His eartly ministry.

:confused:
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Perhaps he may be referring to Luke 2:41:52. But even then, I don’t think Jesus “had to forsake” his parents. Read the end part and notice that Jesus subjected himself to his parents… Then again there could be something to this. Still, forsake is a strong word.
 
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