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I was put out last year for whistling on a Tuesday.

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Sry I don't quite get it, my english isn't that good.

I understand English and, unfortunately, I get the joke. lol... Terror is making fun of the ability of Revival churches to excommunicate members from its fellowship for trivial matters. Adultery etc. are of course not trivial, however repentance does cleanse us from sin and frees us from condemnation. Segragating people at the times when you need fellowship the most is, by my definition - CRAZY...

I have been put out of fellowship... It was 6 months of what felt like a holiday... part of me was sorry to be 'allowed' back in. But certain sacrifices I felt were necessary to continue friendships and dinner nights and supper nights and coffee nights and other food related events. Man, I hated prayer and fasts...

My wife has been put out of fellowship 3 times in her history there. She was a bad girl. But in those times of shunning she did not learn any lessons or make any growth. She just felt punished. Since leaving the Revival cults international she has grown so spiritually and contented that I can hardly recognise her. It's a great thing, freedom.

Whistling is that sound you make when you pout and blow. You weren't perhaps wolf whistling at the pastor's wife? Any day but Tuesday!

i was put out for the first time @13 yrs old. I was then put out out on a continually regulated basis when i  was 22 and married, unwillingly.

my worst crime was to wear a skirt too short, shoes too high, and be altogether far too free with my idea of what salvation was all about.

get out of there, if you are trapped in a place that doesnt make you happy.

I remember how exciting it was when someone was put 'out of fellowship'.  The gossip grapevine loved it! I swear some people would think to themselves... 'that'll teach em, worldly so and so'.

"OOOh did you hear about so and so"...

"I thought she was a nice girl"...

"I wonder how long they'll get?"

So... you've slipped up and proven yourself to be an imperfect sinner eh johnny? Well if you spend the next 6 months alone shunned by all your friends you should be right as rain. That'll teach you the love of God. Hopefully when Jesus comes back to gather his elect you'll be ok... but don't hold your breath OK... that's a boy. -------Bastards.

Someone once remarked on here that even though the good old RFers are an arrogant and self-rigteous bunch of fundies, thinking that the are God's gift to worldlies, they often finish their 3 minute testimony ramble with the line 'and I HOPE to meet Him when he returns'. Too much guilt. The guys sweat over masturbating to K-Mart catalogues and the girls are worried that their skirts are too short. Over generalistic? Perhaps.

I know i'm not all dat... I could pray more... read more... blah blah blah... but God will have to take me as I am. I used to be worried that I didn't have what it took to be acceptable by God. I've got a feeling that it may be a self assessment process getting into heaven... so it'll be easy to cheat... lol

OHHHH...you had a meeting with the great and terrible PBill... lol. Now there is a church leader who is completely out of touch with reality. I always got a feeling that he would have loved to have stayed with the RCI after the split -  watta warlord! (akin to the Planet theatre warlord) Even after his congregation has been leaving in droves in the last few years he still doesnt get it.

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I never was.But over the years in my small assembly i have seen several people "put out " and come back.People who get put out indefinately but their families still go only to show up month or so before their children get married "In the Lord".People who "put themselves out" and come back when they feel like it.People who leave and come back but because they wern't anyone "big or contributed alot", or came when the assembly was small and the majority of people don'tknow them,get"shunned" by assembly members. When they evetualy leave because the feel unwelcome the reason is " well they feel condimnation" But when did anyone talk to them ?I talked to a few people after seeing them leave and they felt that they didn't have any friends. I felt bad because I felt I was responsible. They were much y

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Reply to : Anonymous

When my days were numbered in Brisbane RCI, I was threatened, be involved or else. When I decided for the sake of my sanity to have a break for a while, Darcy told me if I left, I'd lose all my friends. Since I didnt go there for my friends sakes, I told him I was leaving and not to contact me again. Next day, my friends told me he'd 'put me out' for being rebellious. Isnt it funny how 'putting someone out' is the ultimate power wielding to those who need to feel 'in control' of the flock? If someone leaves, they are excercising their own power, but to be 'put out' excersises power over us. How difficult it is for a family to stay harmonious when one member is 'put out' indefinitely or worse, permanently. How can a family stay together and fellowship together when one is not allowed to return to fellowship until 'the powers' say so. How can healing be acheived when this is allowed to happen? At the time I was given Ezekial 34 to read by a friend in a similar boat and it was very illuminating.

Unfortunately for you and your family, being put out is used as a punishment by the church, a means by which they (oversight) may maintain control over what you and your family do. Without that ability to threaten you (I have seen and heard it first hand used as a threat many times so they get their way) they are powerless and they know it. What they fail to see is that they(oversight) are no differnent to you in God's sight and have no authority given to them except the authority you allow them (sounds rather Satanic??) They are ssupposed to be servants of all and should be setting the example to others.

The results are usually catastrophic for the person and his family to be removed from what they term, 'fellowship" if you allow that to be the case. The fact is, you have the Holy Spirit and have the same rights and privileges with God as they do. They are not your judges. They are weak men, none of who would make it in the world on their own with out the comfort of 'like minded men' around them ('united we stand?" Not scriptual by the way). They actually need to be part of a group to survive and feel important.

Incidently, fellowship as described by the Word of God refers to two or more people GATHERED in my name. Whether there is 1 meter of air,  40km of copper phone wire or any other form of communication media between them is irrelevant. As for those who choose to stay in the comfort of a protected group, they will always find extreme difficulty in confronting and overcoming any form of serious tribulation unless they have the wise counsel of such learned and experienced men to call on. (Never mind God)  My experience has been that fellow brothers and sisters are discouraged to bring their tribulation to the church as it may cause a false impression to outsiders. (We are a happy bunch). They will continue to destroy families and lives as long as the 'fellowship' remains strong. (large numbers)

Yeah, I was put out of fellowship(officially) by proxy. No one told me, face to face, phone call, email etc etc. I found out through the grapevine while I was away on an interstate trip.

Admittedly, the pastor did try to ring on my mobile and I didn't respond but that was some weeks after the oversight had made their decison in one of their closed court rooms to throw me out. I knew that discussing the matter on the phone while I was out of town gave him complete control of the situation and would be in vain. There has been thousands of other opportunities for them to contact me since, but none has been forth coming.

I was threatened once before for telling the senior pastor that I refused to put money in the bag for a new $20,000 public address system as the existing system was quite adequate provided the maintenace had been kept up (haha). Of course what would I know about such things? How could a professional electronics engineer (and one with a major in Theoretical Physics) and with years of involvement in the production of concerts and public stage shows know more than the pastor who read about such matters in Reader's Digest?

My kids had been put out several times over very serious crimes such as not sitting in the right row and talking during the meeting etc... (fortunately farting was acceptable as it doesn't originate from that vile tongue)

Just as an aside, when I was in the 'inner circle' PD was devastated when I told him that Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame was gay. (I wouldn'treally know or care, but I thought it was a good point to start a conversation). Next time I saw PD, before he could give me the usual brotherley greeting (cynical), he flashed an article in my face from Dolly or No Idea or something that Patrick Stewart was getting married after living with this chick for 5 years. Ah, another serious matter was resolved once again....

(Praise the Lord for being kicked out. Where would RCI be without the Spanish Inquistion and the Soul Patrol?)

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OH my gosh!!! Is Patrick Stewart GAY!!! I've fantasized about him for YEARS. Ever since I saw him in his Star Trek uniform (I have such a thing for men in uniform). Woe is me! Life will NEVER be the same!!!

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Reply to : BraveBearOH my gosh!!! Is Patrick Stewart GAY!!! I've fantasized about him for YEARS. Ever since I saw him in his Star Trek uniform (I have such a thing for men in uniform). Woe is me! Life will NEVER be the same!!!

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Didn't you go on to read...he flashed an article in my face from Dolly or No Idea or something that Patrick Stewart was getting married after living with this chick for 5 years. Ah, another serious matter was resolved once again....

It is Ian McKellen, who played opposite Patrick Stewart in the X-Men movies, that is the pillow biter.  Ian McKellen is one of the most open gay actors in Hollywood.  Patrick Stewart aint gay.  Sheesh!!!

I wasn't saying the Patrick Stewart was gay. To clarify the circumstances, I was at PD's place for a dinner. He disappeared from the dinner table and after some 20minutes or so, I got up to go to the loo. On the way, I passed our host spreadeagled in his recliner watching Star Trek. And of course, being the greatest despiser of worldly authority and in my rebellious nature, it was a instanteous reaction of mine to throw a spanner in his little fantasy world being his guest and all. I guess only true Trekies would know how he feels.

Actually, the idea was fresh in my mind because I was in London only a few weeks before and it was spread all over the headlines of the tabloids. (About Patrick Stewart being gay). Anyway, who cares??? Obviously someone does enough.

 well I can see you are trying to allay my fears but who said being married or living with someone means you dont bat for the other team? I have been watching my Star Trek collection very carefully over the last 24 hrs and yes, it does seem as though the walk is a little stiff, and the hand movements a little flamboyant and that perfect actors speech.....well......I dunno.

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Just s a point of interest rebelsister, most pastors in the RCI are ex military.

Reply to : Anonymous

So what are you saying then, that RCI pastors are well equipped to lead the 'Lord's Army'?

I knew there was a reason for all that marching and drill sargeant stuff.

No, just curious about your earlier remark - I have such a thing for men in uniform  -

Interestingly, most of the world's dictators, Hitler, Napoleon, Mussollini, Idi Amin etc only rose to the non commissioned rank of corporal. Coinicidence or part of the psyche of men who believe they should hold more power than they would otherwise have?

Reply to : Anonymous

so tell me.....do you wear a uniform????

I was put out of fellowship in 1993 because I would not stop telling the pastor how badly he treated myself and others in the fellowship. He gave the word pig a whole new meaning. He hated women and because i am a woman with an opinion he got rid of me the only way he could. He said I could come back if I gave in and learned how to be quiet. I guess I hated injustice so much I could not stop pointing out the truth. And how I paid. I lost all the ppl I thought were my friends, except one who left because she still wanted to be my friend.

See I thought the ppl there all loved me the way I loved them. Completely and without reservation. What a wally I felt like when I finally worked out I had been having a very one sided relationship with this bunch for nine years. The betrayal has caused such a deep wound in my soul I have not been able to trust anyone since, particularly Christians. I have tried to go to a pentecostal church for ten years, but havent been for 6 months now. I am always thinking, yeah they say thy love me, but what if I disagree with them. Strange how church love seems to evaporate the minute one walks out the door. I always doubt now that Christians even know what love is, and I don't believe they do really care.

While I am glad I got put out, it has been the most devastating expereince of my life, and in a life of quite a few of those, that is saying something. I have lost the capacity for hope,and I have never been able to get it back. I think I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from this experience, and I do not know where to go for help. I have just read about the 16th book on Spiritual Abuse. They all say the same thing, how devastating this experience is, and then in the next breath say, oh yeah just forgive and you will get over it. Well that does not work for me and I am worried that I am going to be sad and lacking in hope for the rest of my life.

I wonder if Jesus would have told his disciples to leave the fellowship for 6 months if they slipped up. I think not. But I suppose his 'powers' of forgiveness were much better than Revivals.

After stopping the woman from being stoned he said to her, "On yer way kiddo, and sin no more... oh and by the way... you're out of fellowship for 6 months... sorreeee... rules are rules!"

i was "put out" when i was 16, i was going through an extremely traumatic time, with family dying, dealing with the realisation of abuse that i received in my childhood, and plain old homesickness (we moved across the country), and in typical RCI form, instead of helping and taking the time to listen, the pastor decided that i should be put out. he also told me that i was going to "burn in hell". he then rang me back the next day and basically begged me to go back to his church, i didnt for a couple of weeks so i could clear my head a little. during this time it was rumoured around the church that i had gotten pregnant, a drug addict, and an alcoholic...

i went back after about three weeks, and heard all of the gossip, and decided that it wasnt worth it, i was 16, i wanted to have fun and i never really took orders well anyway, so i told this pastor to stick it where the sun dont shine, and i heard a couple of weeks later that word round the place was " the pastor had put me out for fornication... (which was quite amusing as at that point i was still "sweet 16, never been kissed")

I was put out 3 times for varios offences as they put it.

First was when I was 16 and had been at the church for 2  or 3 months .we went on camp at Carrakalinga and a girl who I fancied ended up snogging me through the van window. Her jealous friend dobbed me in to Daryl Williams who put me out for 3 months.Nice! Welcome to the church of love, now bugger off for being a typical teen.

The night I was 'allowed' back I walked into the Vogue Theatre and guess who was waiting there like a hawk-Dazzling Daryl! He started to antagonize me about my appearance it was the mid 80's and flannie shirts were in as were ripple soles and tight jeans. But Daryl didnt understand the fashion of the times and thought i looked like a thug. I politely disagreed and he told me to get my earing out..or get out. I politely refused so he said 'That's it, your going home'. banned for 6 months again. This time I didnt bother returning for some yers.

When I finally did go back 5 years later, i got involved with a couple of girls after being back for 2 years or so. I admittedly screwed up by feeling up these girls and one was married and keen as hell on me( and vice versa).  I fessed up and was excommunicated until I got married. Bwahahahahahaha! Funny as.

Well, I did get married 13 years later and have had a great life full of joy, happiness, freedom, love, friendship, blessing...all without the RCI/RCF. I will never go to a church like that again and can only hope that they see th error of their ways and change (not likely)

To anyone else who has had problems with them- onwards and upwards, never give up because you aren't the worthless backslider that they want you to believe they are.

Rant over, back to living!

First was when I was 16 and had been at the church for 2  or 3 months .we went on camp at Carrakalinga and a girl who I fancied ended up snogging me through the van window. Her jealous friend dobbed me in to Daryl Williams who put me out for 3 months.Nice! Welcome to the church of love, now bugger off for being a typical teen.

isn't that just typical RCI behaviour, you'd think with the amount of young people that (you find out about) that do this sort of stuff, that they would try and find a more productive way of stopping it if they are so against it!! everyone i know, even the ones that are still in RCI have at some point whilst in the church has sexual relations with someone of the opposite, or even same sex. its just that the "pastors" only find out about a quater of it.

and these people are still "fellowshipping" and "worshipping god" while living a life of deceit. altho im a "backslider", at least im straight up, would that at least be slightly better than lying to everyone you know, and yourself??