A YouTuber visits a Nationwide Fellowship church

[Ernie]

I think the only thing I have to say about this video and what ultra-conservatives stand for is this...

What the majority of children are given in these settings, is better preparation for life than what most of the 8 billion people in the world get.
I'm just glad that it isn't our only choice.
But while saying this, I will also say that most people who grow up in and leave a setting like this -- lose more than they gain in the long run. Consequently, I would discourage most from leaving.

[GoodGirl]

I think the only thing I have to say about this video and what ultra-conservatives stand for is this...

What the majority of children are given in these settings, is better preparation for life than what most of the 8 billion people in the world get.
I'm just glad that it isn't our only choice.
But while saying this, I will also say that most people who grow up in and leave a setting like this -- lose more than they gain in the long run. Consequently, I would discourage most from leaving.

I do agree with this.
I think we just picked the wrong ultra-conservative church.
I know now it has a ‘reputation.’

My adult son is still there & I think, having basically grown up in it, he’ll do well there. Especially because he also married a girl who has grown up there, so he’s kind of “in” in a way we never were able to achieve.

But for me, I’m very grateful for where I am now, & also that I’m ‘allowed’ to do things like post on MennoNet!

[ken_sylvania]

I do agree with this.
I think we just picked the wrong ultra-conservative church.
I know now it has a ‘reputation.’

Are you saying you think if the folks at that particular church would have had a bit more of what was advertised in their church name in their dealings with you and one another, that things may have worked better long-term?

[NedFlanders]

It is amazing how what people are looking for they can find. Not at you in particular Goodgirl but some other comments on legalism and lack of evangelism are interesting. Some ultra churches create a very safe and happy place where believers can be comfortable being vulnerable to each other, a place where things like following Christ, evangelism, and doing things that support and build up the church are very much cultivated. But if someone is looking for legalism and isolation they will find it.
But some of us seekers find a supportive, and even accepting place where much effort is put in to build up - but if we see it as scorning or discipline that is how we will react to it - which exposes are brokenness or lack thereof. Was it the “line drawn” that was the problem or our view and reaction to it?!
Don’t get me wrong that there are rough churches that are not very welcoming but if we seek to give in following Christ a much different experience presents itself, and not so much because of the setting we are at as much as our own perspective wherever we are.

[GoodGirl]

Are you saying you think if the folks at that particular church would have had a bit more of what was advertised in their church name in their dealings with you and one another, that things may have worked better long-term?

Yes, definitely.

Honestly, when we got there, we had well-behaved, sheltered, homeschooled children, who all lived at home by choice, & an okay/decent marriage… and that is *not* what we left with.

I do have hope for the church itself though. I mean no disrespect, but the “old school” leadership (like the bishop who made my special-needs daughter cry) is approaching elderly… and I think as it changes hands to the younger ordained folks, it will get better.

[GoodGirl]

Some ultra churches create a very safe and happy place where believers can be comfortable being vulnerable to each other, a place where things like following Christ, evangelism, and doing things that support and build up the church are very much cultivated.

I understand.
This is what I am so grateful to have now, it’s just middle-of-the-road conservative though, not ultra.

[JayP]

I think the mistake is looking at these examples in isolation and trying to evaluate both sides pov.
That misses the real point. Which is often (maybe very often) converts are treated inconsistently.

Not on the specific issues, but across the board.

An example. My minister (one of those VS and LMHS kind I talked about elsewhere) was supportive of my watching TV with some relatives of mine. Many in the congregation were not.

Let me explain. There was a news (not entertain but real news) series of investigation into the Amish and issues like abuse.
My minister, correctly IMHO, understood watching some TV at my parents home was not the keystone to break my commitment to either Eastern of Christianity. BUT, I would need to deal with my family’s perception of our life among Anabaptists based on what they saw opin this news series. I needed to KNOW what was in it to effectively communicate with my family.

One might agree or disagree with the final decision but you are foolish to ignore it’s a real life concern.
But the animosity it generated. As a convert, and few of you are born and bread isolated Mennos, you understand that the converts battles to find a home in such circles is NOT about overhearing someone playing The Rolling Stones on the radio and suddenly you leave the church to become a roadie. But some Mennos act that way,

Another pet peeve of mine. Our Mennonite neighbors had lots of family in the church and nearby. Should two related families come over after church to eat, the teenagers could go outside and play volleyball or croquet. As a “family gathering” this was quite acceptable.
Now, should we invite two families we are unrelated to, and the same events occur, we are told we have a party attitude and this behavior by our youth is unacceptable.

Same literal actions, different view of it. The worst part IMHO? They could not remotely see it or meaningfully discuss it.
They did not HAVE to agree with my view this was inconsistent and unfair, but even a remote “well, you have a point but…” would have been welcome.

[Josh]

I think the only thing I have to say about this video and what ultra-conservatives stand for is this...

What the majority of children are given in these settings, is better preparation for life than what most of the 8 billion people in the world get.
I'm just glad that it isn't our only choice.
But while saying this, I will also say that most people who grow up in and leave a setting like this -- lose more than they gain in the long run. Consequently, I would discourage most from leaving.

I would agree with this too.

Ultras teach that family togetherness is very important. Thus I’m reluctant to encourage seekers to go to ultra settings, since even if the children become members and stay, the parents often don’t make it.

For someone born and raised in that culture I would encourage them to stay. In a sense ultras are becoming an Old Order.

[Josh]

Another pet peeve of mine. Our Mennonite neighbors had lots of family in the church and nearby. Should two related families come over after church to eat, the teenagers could go outside and play volleyball or croquet. As a “family gathering” this was quite acceptable.
Now, should we invite two families we are unrelated to, and the same events occur, we are told we have a party attitude and this behavior by our youth is unacceptable.

This is one of the most aggravating qualities of the ultras (particularly Eastern). It makes it very hard for convert families to really have any kind of normal social life.

[Ken]

I don't know who those people are, but they aren't Rosedale. This is the actual Rosedale College Choir



Half my extended family is CMC and I've attended their churches. None of them except perhaps extremely elderly women wear plain dress. Rosedale Bible College has an Instagram account with hundreds of photos of college and church events. They dress like ordinary college students you would see anywhere else.

https://www.instagram.com/rosedalebiblecollege/