Why I Left the Apostolic Christian Church?

It was a difficult decision, but I left the Apostolic Christian Church. I faithfully attended the church since I was a child, and yet it was not where I belonged. I found that many of the doctrines of the church did not align with my personal beliefs.

Though my faith grew and developed during my time at this church, I had to ultimately leave because of a number of issues that came up for me. One major issue for me was that of exclusiveness. The Apostolic church forbids its members from participating in any activity outside of the belief system of the church - such as seeing a movie or attending another Christian denomination service - both activities which allowed me to develop a bigger understanding and appreciation for life with Jesus and what's important to Him.

Another point of contention for me was the fact that members are encouraged to become emotionally and financially dependent on their Church leaders — essentially turning the community into one giant family controlled by an isolated group of elites. This dependency goes against everything Jesus taught us: we still need to depend on each other in strength and courage, but not at the cost of our individual freedom or self-respect.

Finally, apostolic doctrine on women’s roles is one-dimensional, clearly upholding scriptures in regards to women’s submission but overlooking others which may provide insight into modern day equality between male and females within spiritual bodies. This left me feeling confined, like my opinion was rarely—or never—validated or taken seriously.

As uncomfortable as it may have been for me—and most likely for those closest to me in attendance—to divorce myself from this particular institutional body and move away from those people who were like family, it was necessary for me; and at risk of soundly trite...it has been the best myself-depreciating step forward I could have ever taken!

The reasons for leaving the Apostolic Christian Church are both varied and personal. Many former members cite a disillusionment with how spiritual leadership is organised within the church. This is in contrast to how it was taught to them by their parents, who followed a more hierarchical structure of clergymanship. As a result, some believers feel that it has become less about worshipping God and more about building and maintaining power.

Other members have expressed concerns about the conservative nature of the church's teachings, urging individuals to adhere to familiar values at the exclusion of more progressive ideas and life paths. This has made them feel stifled in their spiritual growth, unable to take advantage of the wider world's offerings fully or question aspects of their faith openly without fear.

There are also those that have left due to personal needs not being met by the church. Although many will stay for longer, some may find themselves uninspired or unsupported by their new spiritual home – whether due to lack of communication from pastors or gaps in topics or areas which don’t otherwise fit within its doctrinal structures.

No matter what particular reason causes an individual to leave the Apostolic Christian Church, it is clear that there are a variety of factors which can contribute towards this decision. People must be granted the freedom to explore their own spiritual needs before settling long-term with any church organisation, in order for them to truly benefit from any shared religious beliefs they may have.

The Apostolic Christian Church holds strict beliefs that differ from mine, and our differences in beliefs ultimately caused a divide between myself and the Church. I began to recognize that my values no longer aligned with those of the Church, and rather than attending out of obligation, I decided it was best that I no longer associated with them.

Not only has my faith journey evolved slowly since my childhood upbringing, but so has the way in which I choose to practice Christianity. I believe it is important to stay open to understanding different perspectives and evolving beliefs, which this Church does not prioritize; therefore I chose to separate myself from their teachings.

The emotional aspect of no longer being an active part of the Apostolic Christian Church can feel difficult at times. It is necessary for me to remember why this decision was made in the first place: for growth. This growth — as uncomfortable as it can sometimes be — is essential in order for each person to explore their own relationship with faith and their values more deeply. I know that coming to terms with stepping away from this Church will bring new spiritual depth and understanding into my life that would not have been possible if I had stayed associated with them.

Growing up in the Apostolic Christian Church (ACC), I always accepted the traditions and teachings from my parents without question. But being a part of the ACC opened my eyes to new beliefs and ways of thinking that I hadn't been exposed to before, and it challenged some of the beliefs that I previously held very closely.

One of the biggest things I had to adjust to was how strict the lifestyle was, from rules regarding clothing and technology, to purely religious practices like communal prayer. Although these weren't major issues for me personally, it showed me how believing different can look different across multiple churches – something I hadn’t previously thought about in such a tangible way.

In addition, ACC members are expected to abstain from certain activities, like smoking and drinking alcohol. These weren’t things that would typically be approved of within my family or other churches however, by abiding by them in ACC I slowly began to realize that there were many ways in which one could show respect for God. This allowed me to see past some of my prejudices against those with s different beliefs — which was one of the most significant changes in how I thought about others outside of my church.

Although entering the ACC wasn't always easy for me - as there were a wide range of practices which were incongruent with some of my own thoughts - it allowed me to challenge and reexamine some beliefs that had become solidified over time. This broadened my horizons and gave me greater appreciation for both conservative lifestyles and those who stray away from them alike.

Often times, one of the most difficult steps to take in life is to find the courage to break away from a religious tradition in pursuit of uncovering one’s own values and beliefs. Leaving the Apostolic Christian Church was certainly a demanding process for me, but now I look back with gratitude as it has allowed me to grow spiritually in multiple ways.

To start, by going on this journey of spirituality without the confines of one religion, I was able to explore various faiths that inspired and influenced my life in myriad ways. This gave me more exposure to foreign beliefs and practices that helped me shape my own sacred philosophy. A few centuries ago, people often stayed within their own religions so this step permitted me to break free of those boundaries and discover what brings true meaning into my life.

Another aspect of spiritual growth after leaving the Apostolic Church has been in creating more mindful practices that better serve me and foster a closer relationship with myself. From introducing yoga and meditation into my daily routine to creating time for personal contemplation and reflection, I found taking time for self-care enabled a newfound understanding and appreciation of who I am as an individual, separate from what any religion dictates. By ditching any prior held religious expectations or obligations—which often come with their own pressure and values—I could discover an inherent connection with That-Which-Is without feeling like I had to fit into any preconceived spiritual box.

Leaving the Apostolic Christian Church brought much uncertainty at first but now I look back on this significant transition with admiration as it helped bring about meaningful spiritual growth unimaginable before starting down that path.

My experience in the Apostolic Christian Church has taught me an incredible amount about faith, leadership, and service. I'm grateful for the many lessons I've received from this wonderful community, and I'd like to share what I've learned with you.

Firstly, believing in a cause is essential for spiritual growth. Through attentively listening to the sermons and other activities at my church, I discovered that being devout in your beliefs is important. Doing this allows us to build a strong relationship with God while growing closer to him through faith-filled practices.

I also learned that leadership within the church is crucial. The members of the congregation take their role as leaders seriously, helping lead towards a successful church life by inspiring fellow congregants to reach their full potential. This proved to be invaluable advice as a reminder that having good leadership encourages progress and helps build an uplifting environment.

Finally, service and giving of yourself are keys to contentment within our faith community. Volunteering my time and energies helped me appreciate how much of an impact we can have on society when we embrace opportunities to help where we can, no matter how small or large it may be. Doing this opened my eyes to the knowledge that we can improve our community by investing our hearts into making it a better place for others too.

Overall, my experience in the Apostolic Christian Church has offered not only spiritual insight but also tangible life lessons about faith, leadership and service that have stayed with me ever since joining ‒ these lessons will help shape me into who I'm supposed to be in times of difficulty and guidance throughout life's winding paths ahead.

Taking a step away from the Apostolic Christian Church was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, but it has also been one of the most rewarding. After years of struggling with my faith, I found that there were parts of the beliefs and teachings of the church that did not resonate with me or align with my own personal understanding and relationship with God. Eventually I realized that in order to find true peace in my faith, I would have to move beyond those teachings to discover where I truly fit in.

The Spiritual journey since leaving has been both challenging and eye-opening. It took some time for me to come around to understanding how closely related all faith systems are, regardless if they are organized into modern institutions. Though they may differ in structure and beliefs, many values like love, mercy and justice always remain at its core. That is why when stepping away from one church’s teachings should not be viewed as moving away from faith but rather as a more personal exploration into faith.

Since leaving the church I have been better able to follow my spiritual intuition and reconnect with God on an individual level. Doing so has allowed me to find a more fulfilling connection with the Divine while also unlocking an inner peace within myself that comes when supreme confidence is held in one’s relationship with his or her creator. Those around me can easily see this newfound peace emanating from within and how it’s affecting how I relate to people and view my every-day life experiences which until now were clouded by doubt brought on by beliefs that no longer served me well spiritually. The truth is no matter what spiritual path you choose we are all connected at the core by a common thread which ultimately allows us to share peace in our faith journey no matter how differently it looks for each individual person or organization.