Spring Valley, Calif. – In breaking news from the Spring Valley congregation, evangelist Gary Preman has announced that only sin will be forbidden by the church in the future.
At the Labor Day Meeting 2013, Preman said “Our admonition is not to forbid anyone from doing anything, unless it’s a sin.”
The author of the Stanton Church of Christ blog says that this is a significant change from past teachings of the church, which are largely based on 45 years of church tradition.
“Church traditions and the opinions of church teachers are not properly called ‘doctrines’ in church nomenclature,” according to the author of this blog, “but are called ‘judgments.’ So it remains to be seen if this new ‘judgment’ will work its way through the church into next year’s March Meeting to establish the following year’s church doctrines.”
In any case, he says church watchers have nothing but commendation for the new policy.
“Many people inside and outside of the church are excited by this change in policy, because it means hundreds of unbiblical church prohibitions, like wearing blue jeans to Bible class, men wearing shorts, or traveling out of town over a Sunday without permission from a teacher, will be scrapped in favor of purely Biblical teachings on sin,” he says.
He notes that there are hundreds of church members waiting for further information on this new teaching to learn whether it was misspoken or represents a permanent change of direction.
“It is unclear whether Mr. Preman will be reprimanded for this public departure from church policy, or even whether the church noticed it.”
This story will be updated as new information arrives.
Update: The following lists of rules, among others, are expected to be reviewed for compliance with the new policy. A full report will be expected in March 2014.
- Rules for travel
- Rules for marital sex
- Rules for attire
- Rules for the Lord’s supper
- 2 Opinions Chapter 3
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He also reiterated that questions are considered contempt of church er court.
I am disappointed with insufficient research on this blog. If you want to be considered credible, all the most important rules must be included. Since you missed one, I will help you out, but please notify your research team to get on its game.
Men must not use urinals in public restrooms.
You're right, if I've failed in one point of The Law, I've failed in all points. Dutifully added to 2 Opinions Chapter 3.
Ha, Ha, that made drug testing in the Navy rather difficult.
Yeah, quit usurping Gary's authority Kevin 😉
Spread the goodnews! Attention Attention!! Here ye; Here ye! And all the people said, AMEN!
Love your pieces, love your good natured humor.
Thank you, I hope they find it as good natured as it is intended. I really would love to buy Gary or Tom a coffee and chat sometime. I've got nothing personal against them or anyone else, that's for sure.
Preman said "Our admonition is not to forbid anyone from doing anything, unless it's a sin." It is exciting that some CoC kids that got together to start the "secret" facebook page (and now a public facebook page), has had an influence over the CoC! Most of us who were/are involved in these rouge FB pages/posts were excited that there were others who experienced what we did and that we were not alone. There was another affect too, we got the attention of the CoC and don't forget "Gary Preman". Most of those on the page are healing from a… Read more »
Thank you Christy. Let me just add that I love and care about Gary as well, and I have to assume he does what he does in good conscience, believing he's been right about his 40 years of service. I am not sure the above quote from his talk is actually believed strongly enough to implement it to its logical conclusions, but that was the point of this good natured satire, I guess–to point it out and cause someone, maybe even Gary, to say "hmm, maybe that's an important thing to start teaching."
Speaking of the Facebook page. I found it pretty vulgar and disrespectful. Particularly one young man of Atheist beliefs. I knew his mother, who could be sweet but imposed unscriptural rules such as no playing at Sunday fellowships in her home. I think that fruit speaks for itself. Anyway, the point I want to make is that I heard PLENTY in classes about the FB page. But I never, not once, heard about this blog. I figured it's because that page proves more to them how people end up if they leave the church (they also lose sight that they… Read more »
They've tried different tactics to snuff out the impact of the blog, initially "counseling" people to stay off of it, and later, preaching sermons and talks at meetings about it. Here's a talk by Gary that a former member sent me:
Not ready to give an answer
As for Facebook, yes, that was easy to bash. They also have frequently confused the public Facebook group, which is pretty vulgar, with a private one that is not. But since they stay away from Facebook, they don't know the difference.
I can understand why Merie's churches leaders do not want this blog to be read. I had not read it until I chose to do some research about this religious organization. Totally amazed of what I've been learning. Such an ugly history and the fact of how it all began this group condemns themselves as they teach against other religious organizations who's beginnings are started by man or woman. Is their an example in scripture of a woman or man doing what Merie did? Many in this group if they learn the ugly history and it's off teachings of today… Read more »
I don't know if an ugly history is enough to cause any to leave; the catholics have a very ugly history with its behavior in spain; i.e. the torturing of its members in the inquisition and many are members today. What you get out of your religion is more a deciding factor than history. I was promised much in the way of teaching and understanding of the scriptures but in reality it turned into religious slavery very quickly. The teachers demanded all my time and that I financially support many other members of the church with very little in return.… Read more »
For me it did have a lot to do with church history because that is what I despised about other religions. Most mormons may not have more than 1 wife but their founder had many and was a pedophile. History has a lot to do with it for me in that I could no longer feel this church was ok with God if so many mistakes were made from the TOP, and Merie's withdraw is hypocritical too. Also their current unscriptural structure of preachers and teachers in lieu of elders is wrong. No excuses.