OVR’s Goals
This is the time of year when many people set goals, so I thought it would be a good time to share what my goals are for Our Voices Rise.
I decided to follow Christ in my early 20’s because a lady I knew loved me in such a way that I could not understand. It wrecked me, and I had to have what she had! She was a true representation of a Christ-follower. She treated me just as her own, and that included holding me accountable when necessary. She allowed me to be myself, feel my feelings, state my opinions, and she never backed down from her beliefs to keep me there. The freedom she gave me allowed me to be malleable and open to the things of God. She simply loved as Christ loved, and it won me over.
God is a gentleman. He will never force us to follow Him. In fact, He allows us the free will to stay or to walk away. No good leader or teacher wants to be followed by force but instead wants to impart wisdom for the good of others.
“Sitting in church doesn’t make one a Christian, just like sitting in a garage doesn’t make one a Chevy” ”
Sadly, this is not the model many are seeing in the modern Church. I’ve learned through my journey of almost 25 years walking with the Lord that “sitting in church doesn’t make one a Christian, just like sitting in a garage doesn’t make one a Chevy” (Gary Post, former New Hope Church Care Pastor). Many people who sit in church are wolves in sheep’s clothing, but that shouldn’t surprise Christians—if we read our Bibles in context we know that we are warned about this all throughout the New Testament. However, unbelievers do not know this, and to the secular world, anyone who sits in a church is a “Christian” and therefore represents Christ. This is the furthest thing from the truth.
One of my goals with Our Voices Rise is to show the secular world that not all things “church people” do are endorsed by Jesus. Some of my topics will address:
The difference between being a sinner and living in perpetual sin
How the “Grace-Only Gospel” perpetuates abuse
The prevalence of domestic abuse in the church, and how God does not condone it
What to look for in a healthy church
Myths in the church, such as:
Christians need to repopulate the world with Christians by having as many babies as they can without concern for fiscal responsibility
It is un-Christian to use the court system to ensure safety when others harm us, even other Christians
Marriage consists of a male leader and a female follower
We should “forgive and forget” when others sin against us, and we should reconcile with everyone
The sanctity of marriage is more important than the people in it
Divorce is a sin
And many more
Other goals for OVR include:
Resources for survivors
Advice for singles
My personal story
Most of all, my goal is to follow the calling of my Lord Jesus Christ to further the true Gospel and help others have healthy relationships. What I can’t change for myself, I can at least help others avoid.
Be blessed in 2024!