Letter Sent to Presbitery Portuguese
I write to the Presbitery of the Maranatha Christian Church and to all friends who prayed for me and my family
and those who collaborated when I was a worker, a deacon and, most recently, a pastor so that our work in the church
would be fruitful.
Our message comes along a profound sadness and disappointment that we are announcing our resignation in our membership in the Maranatha Christian Church effective today, September 3rd, 2012.
Our decision is personal, especially in a difference of opinion according to eh Bible relating to the measures and decisions taken by the current leadership body of the church.
Though during the period in which I was evaluating this decision there were several publications in Brazil regarding the scandals of the church, these did not influence our decision in any way.
Although we are certain of the operation of the Holy Spirit in the Maranatha Christian Church, we cannot allow ourselves to continue to be led by a sectarian leadership that is intolerant, ignoring the basic principles of the gospel, especially “love.”
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” I John 4:8
I see today an agenda much different than that which nurtured the beginning of the church I partook in for forty-four years.
We have always taught and practiced faithfulness to those whom the Lord placed above us and overall to an effort so that the work of the Lord (which bears no official name) could prosper.
My family and I placed our efforts with all sincerity and devotion to the aid of the ministry of the time to begin the church in Boston in 1998 and we continue to work with this same dedication still today.
We are not, in any way, relinquishing the faith the Lord has placed in our hearts, nor are we denying any of what we have preached or lived in the past.
We are merely seeking an environment of peace, free from personal interests or hostilities.
The ministry that was entrusted to me by the Lord Himself, through his infinite grace, is irrevocable by the will of man and will never be undone by whoever it may be.
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,[a] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” I Timothy 1:12
“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.” Acts 26:16
“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:15-16
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” I Corinthians 4:1
“of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.” Ephesians 3:7
“And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” Colossians 4:17
I would like to thank all those with whom we walked throughout these forty-four years as well as those who collaborated with me and my family in prayers and assistance.
I also thank all once more for the fellowship we shared.
We would like all to know that we will continue to hold the utmost respect for those whom we know in the church and I will be asking the Lord to bring all back to a less political direction.
I will never demonstrate sentiments of joy or triumph in seeing such facts taking place in your midst, rather I will be hopeful that a new path is taken to ensure the prosperity of the Maranatha Christian Church.
Sincerely
Paulo Sousa
Carta de Paulo Sousa Portuguese>> Next>>
source: http://www.igrejamaranata.com/english.html
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