Hi Everyone!

[Nicodemus]

I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I'm a recovering church of Christ preacher who preached for over 16 years. I left the church of Christ last fall, but for probably the last 5-6 years I had mentally checked out out on so much of the toxic environment and teachings of that faith tradition. I guess I had trained myself to be quite the actor out of survival. I graduated from one of the "big " church of Christ universities, going on to get a MDiv at a denominational seminary. I only list these things to reinforce just how surreal the last eight months have been for me. Along the way as a preacher, I almost lost my parents, definitely lost a marriage and countless relationships, and it feels like so much more.

My leaving that tradition was liberating, but at the same time, I have ironically seen first hand now so much of the toxicity that I experienced (and took part in) from the other side for years. I've pretty much left religion completely now as anything more than a research interest. But I'm learning more and more daily after leaving just how harmful the coc culture truly was, even more than I discovered when the scales started falling from my eyes years ago.

Thanks for letting me join the forum and I look forward to the support!

[Ivy]

Welcome Nicodemus!!

[zeek]

Welcome, Nicodemus, and genuine condolences for the things you lost upon your exodus from the coC.

[Moogy]

Welcome! I can’t imagine how difficult it was to keep preaching when you were mentally through with the COC. As a woman, I never had my career attached to my COC religion. I was fortunate that my husband and I got ready to leave around the same time.
Wishing you happiness in you new freedom.

[agricola]

Welcome to the ex-board - do feel free to browse!

[B.H.]

welcome. But don't spread any false doctrine around here or you will get rebukified.