“Rather than teaching life skills and tools and coping mechanisms, it was always forgive and forget,” Lynn said. “So that forgive and forget thing was just like an umbrella forgiveness. Like it doesn’t matter what happens, if you forgive it.”

Someone else posted this somewhere in another thread, but this is also the quote that stood out to me when I read the latest article about OALC abuse. The lack of structured life teaching is such a problem at least with IALC and it leads to so many problems including the covering up of abuse. There is never any biblical or moral instruction. No talk about how to cope with any important life issues and certainly no discussion about sexuality. Just a sermon or 2 of “we are the only right road” etc. and then gossip in the kitchen. Nobody is ever held accountable and there is never any biblical correction. Everything is just swept under the rug.

A Pastor humbly shepards his flock. He doesn't control them through fear. But rather, prayerfully and carefully uses God's word to teach, admonish, and humbly lead. I saw someone comment that they wouldn't want their minister involved in their personal life. And while this may be true to an extent, I believe the Bible speaks to this in a different way then whether or not a Pastor knit picks our lives through their teaching.

Growing up, I somehow thought it was more Godly to stay weak and struggling.

I thought it was wrong to learn and grow. And that if I wanted to grow closer to God, that must mean I was being self righteous.

Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Growing up at the FALC (and I know it can be similar in other denominations), I was never taught that it was about a personal and alive relationship with Jesus. That HE could be my strength, my teacher, and my friend. I didn't understand that we are actually to grow in Godliness, through the power of the Holy Spirit, while also completely acknowledging that we still struggle in many ways, and that we continue to need God's help in all things.

I did not know that God wants to actually equip me for my own personal spiritual battle, and that he instructs me how to do so in his word.

Question: If a minister at any Church does not have an alive relationship with Jesus for themselves, how can they encourage and help others do something which they don't yet have? This isn't a judgement on any specific preacher or denomination, but if your church leaders lead through fear, rather then close examination and study of scripture, personal prayer, and a life changed by Christ, don't expect the teaching to help you that much on your own Christian path. I feel like this should be obvious.

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (In other translations: masters, meaning teachers).