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Hello jer33 3

I just wanted to reply..I have not read through all 500+ pages, but only the first page. As you can guess from my handle, I am a Boston Church of Christ member. I am not sure what you are looking to find out about us, or if you have any questions, but I figured I would respond as I don’t think any BCOC members are a part of FR.

I figure I will tell you a little about myself: I am in my late twenties, male, black, and I have been a member of that church for the past 6 years. I studied the bible and was baptized there in 2003.

Yes, there has been some abuse I have experienced here from my discipleship partner. He swore at me one time and threatened me. He was struggling spiritually though, and decided to leave our church soon after. I have not heard abuse preached from the pulpit though. There are times when we exercize church discipline on an individual (in accord with Matthew 18). For instance there was a case of a brother that was abusing his girlfriend, and having premarital sex with her. He was dis-fellowshipped and for the most part we don’t talk to him anymore. I personally was dis-fellowshipped because of doctrinal matters but I have been restored after wrestling with my faith on the issue. It is something that is only done in the most extreme of circumstances.

For what it’s worth, becoming a Christian has changed my life. Before I lead a life selfishness, greed, self-abuse, greed, sexual immorality etc. I came from a home where I and my mother were abused. Now however I am a changed man, and I am not ashamed that to say that not only was it the Lord Jesus that changed me, but His body, the Boston Church of Christ that has helped as well. I am a college graduate and will soon be attending gradschool this summer. I have just started dating a beautiful woman (also in the church), and we will be getting married hopefully when she finishes law school. I am employed full time, and I do tithe 10 percent of my income to the church..not because I am forced but because I desire to see the work of the church continued. I am what you would call a leader of a small group of singles people actually.

I just started dating a few weeks ago and held a woman’s hand romantically for the first time in 6 years...I have been abstinent for the past 6 years as well. Again, not because I was being forced but because sexual immorality is a sin that will offend God (Galatians 5:19) and get you dis-fellowshipped (1st Corinthians 5) from the congregation.

I do believe baptism and repentance is a requirement for salvation (Acts 2:38) but I also believe faith and confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9) are requirements too. I also believe actually hearing the word is essential as well (Romans 10:14).

I don’t disagree with people that say our congregation has done abusive things. That’s well documented and factual. A lot of things changed though, after 2003. Kip Mckean no longer leads, and his abusive discipleship practices have been put to an end. We no longer preach we are the only church. We no longer preach you HAVE to be at every service or midweek to be saved. My girlfriend, because of her work schedule often misses midweek and is still a member. No one turns up if they have the flu to church, etc. Anyone who says we preach anything differently is a liar, to put it plainly.

Sometimes there are problems. It’s true, I won’t deny it. I once had to correct a brother that was telling a sister to “shut up” and being disrespectful towards her. We sat down together as Christ said we should and discussed the matter like in Matthew 18. He got the message and apologized. If he didn’t it would have gone further. People have issues, psychological and otherwise. Those don’t change when you become a Christian. you need love and acceptance to get over those.

One thing, I will say though, in our defense, because we are so “strict” about 1st Timothy 4:16, widespread problems you find in other churches, never will occur in ours. Such as:

Widespread Child Abuse:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/700708/posts

Acceptance of Homosexuality:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2294710/posts

Preaching “Race Centered” theology:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2089147/posts

False doctrine, making up own scripture,weird practices: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2284782/posts

Etc, etc.

These things are unheard of in the Boston Church of Christ, and if these things do happen, it is by individuals who are doing them in secret and are struggling spiritually. If any of us did find out the problem WILL be dealt with believe me...in accordance with scripture of course. Why do I say all this? Well, I think we need to have a healthy perspective here. I can’t see someone leaving our church for the Catholic church because the Catholic church is somewhat “better” and less abusive than what they experienced here. Based one what I know and what has been published and verified in public and private, that does not make much sense to me.

Anyway, those are my two cents. Those that wish to respond please do. I am making myself available for questions, comments, insults, etc. It’s what I do. Take care and God bless.