January 1, 1993
Dear Friends (for indeed you are my friends),
This is the most difficult letter I have ever written. Let me say at the outset that the decisions written in this letter represent YEARS of prayer, thought, soul-searching and Bible study. Also, please be assured that no one has offended me nor do I have anything less than a complete love and appreciation for all of you. I trust that you will read what I have to say and, if possible, that you will still consider yourselves my friends. I suppose I have put off this decision primarily because I value your friendships and I don’t want to hurt anyone.
Although I value much of what I have heard in meetings, I can no longer honestly fellowship in them. I have become aware that some of what is heard in meetings is inconsistent with, and contradicts Scripture. My concerns have been growing for the past eight years. However, it wasn’t until I started listening with the untrained ears of my children that my concerns forced me to confront the issues.
I’m sure some of you have been concerned that Kirsten and Mary have not yet “professed.” When I talked with them about it, I realized that they did not have the same understanding of the Gospel that I did. Since I was brought up in a home where Salvation through the Blood of Jesus was taught, I assumed that they had heard the same Gospel (the Gospel message that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins). What I have heard and learned during the past 18 years were good lessons on living a life pleasing to God. But what I did not realize was that there had been no teaching on the saving power of Christ’s substitutionary death on Calvary.
I believe that my salvation is dependent SOLELY on my belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ’s complete work on the cross (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus Christ, God’s ONLY begotten Son is my Savior. It is His death on the cross that has redeemed me. I have been bought with a price (the life’s blood of Jesus Christ) and no man (not even myself) can separate me from the Love of God. (Luke 19:9, 10; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13)
Jesus said, “I am the way, the Truth and the LIFE. No man cometh unto the Father but by ME.” (John 14:6). I do not need any other mediator (not a worker or a priest or any other person) other than Christ Jesus, my Lord, to reach my Heavenly Father. The Life of Christ is very important to every true Christian; but were it not for His substitutionary death and resurrection, He would have been just another good man.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall make you free.” I am not in bondage to any particular form or rules and regulations—only the law of Christ’s Love. My salvation is not based on the form and method of a particular church. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells me that I am saved by GRACE, through FAITH, not of works (neither the “good works” of some denominations nor the works of dress, hairstyle and meeting format.) I want to please God, and I can only be pleasing through Christ’s blood.
In Colossians 2, Paul reminds us that we are complete in Christ (vs. 10), the law has been abolished (vs. 14 & Matthew 5:17) and that outward expressions of humility do not really honor God but rather satisfy the flesh (vs. 23).
I don’t have space to write all of my concerns and discoveries. However I would like to share what I have found with anyone who is interested. I love you and do not want to lose your friendship, but I would not be honest before God nor you if I continued to participate in the meetings. In thinking back on things that I have spoken in meetings, I have been honest. My greatest desire is to serve the Lord with a wholehearted service. But I no longer believe that this is the only true church. Christ’s Church is comprised of ALL who have accepted the free Gift of Christ’s SACRIFICE.
It is often spoken that “by their fruits ye shall know them.” I have seen true fruits in the lives of other Christians who are not part of the “Friends.” When Jesus’ disciples questioned Him, He said, “He that is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40 and Luke 9:49, 50) As part of a larger body of Christian Believers, we can have a greater influence in our community and in the lives of those around us.
I know that this letter may be as hard for you to read and accept as it has been for me to write it. As we encounter each other in the days to come, I trust that we can treat each other in true Christ-like love without judging one another. (Matthew 7:1 and Romans 14:1-13).
In Christian Love,
Janie
Concerns
I feel I must leave:
- To have a larger group of believers with whom to fellowship
- To get more “in-depth” Bible teaching (more than just the King James Version). I need more solid Bible teaching on how to apply God’s Word to specific events in my life.
- To have a place of service.
- Because I feel stifled. I feel that I have gifts of service that are not being used.
- Because I cannot believe that this is the ONLY TRUE CHURCH. I believe that there are many false churches, but I don’t believe that every other church is false.
- I believe that CHRIST is the head of the Church.
- My children need a larger Christian family in which they can build Christian relationships.
- I see great problems in our community which are not addressed at meetings: alcoholism, child abuse, apathy of youth, spread of Mormonism.
- I feel a need to reach out to those who know nothing of Jesus’ love.
Inconsistencies and Legalistic tendencies:
- Women wear long hair, but they are allowed to speak in meeting.
- Why no “adornment” but we do wear clothes!!
- Where is the grace and freedom Paul talks about in Galatians? “All things are lawful…”
- It often sounds as though people are trying to earn their salvation by “keeping faithful and enduring to the end.”
- If we are following the design of the early church, why is there no speaking in tongues?
- Why is it wrong for me to remarry, but it’s O.K. to divorce, live with someone, come back to meeting and be welcomed with open arms.
• Jesus and the apostles preached in the temple. Why, then, must meetings always be in homes rather than church buildings? Meetings traditionally have been held in homes as a safer alternative to public meetings in areas of Christian persecution. But does this mean that God only sanctions those churches that meet in homes?
By Jane Morissette
Hardin, Montana
January 1, 1993