My “Never, Never” Advice
1. Never, never contend with elders in a Reformed church concerning doctrine because:
A. To them, Authority = Truth so you are totally wasting your time.
B. If things go south, other pastors, and other churches will not help you. I repeat: they
will not help you because:
a. Authority = Truth.
2. Never, never agree to any kind of counseling in a Reformed church because:
A. Change is NOT the goal, because:
a. you can’t change the totally depraved.
B. There must be some other goal that couldn’t be good such as:
a. getting dirt on you for future use.
3. Never, never underestimate what totally depraved leaders will do to totally depraved
subjects because:
A. When everybody is totally depraved, stuff happens.
B. You deserve it because you are totally depraved, and:
a. who can dish it out better than the totally depraved?
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Paul,
I understand your frustration with New Calvinist theology, which you believe to be fundamentally erroneous. I can also make sense of your indignation with regard to your excommunication from Clearcreek Chapel, which you believe to be unjust. These are sensitive and provocative issues that naturally lend themselves to strong emotions. What I do not understand is the vindictive nature of your blog. Keeping in mind that there is always going to be a wide range of disagreement, even among genuine believers, about matters of doctrine and practice, can you honestly say that you doubt the very salvation (that is, the basic belief in the atonement of Christ) of this particular chuch’s members and elders?
If not–if you cannot deny that at the very least, the membership and leadership of Clearcreek Chapel PROCLAIM to believe in the gospel of Christ–then I must urge you to be mindful of the manner in which you discuss the men and women who so profess. Even if the leadership at that church has wronged you in the way they administered discipline, it is not your place to seek vengeance through the use of this blog. I anticipate that you will cite a desire to protect fellow believers from doctrinal error as a primary reason for your writing, and it may be so. Only God knows the heart. But whether that is your intention or not, I would strongly encourage you to transform the purpose of your blog from one of accusation and refutation to one of Spirit-enabled, Christ-centered, God-glorifying, constructive writing that seeks to edify others in all that it proclaims. Such an endeavor would leave little room for the derision that seems to characterize many of your posts.
As I said, perhaps you are entirely correct in your assessment of your dealings with the elders of Clearcreek Chapel. Let us assume that you are. Even still, because it is a church of professing believers, I urge you to remember that, as I’m sure you know, Ephesians calls us to practice “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4)
Even among our enemies, this exhortation applies. I pray that the Spirit may persuade you to set aside grievances and instead to “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them”, “live in harmony with one another”, “never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God”, and, “if it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom. 12)
Please consider my encouragement.
Peace of God be with you.
A Friend
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Friend,
Excellent comment, and I will make it the subject of a post I will be writing today. This comment brings up many opportunities for clarification that are long overdue. And though the past 5 years have pretty much made me indifferent to the lose of friends, I will take one when I can get one, but never at the expense of truth.
paul
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Paul,
Send me an email please so I can contact you.
– Been there
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Ok, sent you an email.
paul
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