Community Groups

Transitioning to a Healthy Church

Natalie Edmonson

 

• Time: Tuesday at 7:30 PM (Central Time)
• Dates: March 14 – April 18
• Zoom Meeting Duration: ~1 hr 
• Recording: Meetings will not be recorded, notes will be available

Group Description: In this group, we will be learning practical ways to identify unhealthy and toxic characteristics in churches. We will also learn how to locate Scriptural, healthy churches that are potential candidates to transition to. We will work through the tough situations, questions, and scenarios about leaving harmful churches to ensure all who participate in this group will leave feeling more confident in their discernment abilities regarding Healthy vs. Unhealthy churches. This group will help guide those who don’t know the next steps to take with relaying the information to their family and friends about their decision to transition to a different church.

About the Teaching Leader: Hey, I’m Natalie! Many of you know me as one of the co-founders of Berean Holiness. I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead groups this spring and get to know you all on a personal level. For those who don’t know me, I grew up in Independent Pentecostal Holiness churches, graduated Valedictorian of Free Gospel Bible Institute in 2017, graduated with a Bachelor’s in Christian Counseling from Hobe Sound Bible College in 2019, and in just a few weeks I will have completed my Masters of Biblical Exposition from Liberty University. I have years of experience in children’s ministry and community outreach, as well as missions experience from trips to the Philippines, South Korea, and three months in Albania. However, walking with believers on their journey out of fear and shame and into a grace-filled understanding of the gospel will forever be my passion. Thank you so much for trusting me to lead this community group. I am praying for you and looking forward with expectation for what God has in store for us as we study His Word!

About the Assistant Leader: Hi, my name is Aurelio Lessey and I’m a proud husband of 3 kids residing in Florida. Formerly a licensed minister within the UPCI which I was a part of for 16 years. Currently volunteering as an assistant group leader for Berean Holiness and have a Christian Youtube Channel, Keepin’ It In Context, with the goal of empowering Christians to experience a healthy relationship with Christ and a balanced understanding of God’s Word.

Romans Bible Study: The Righteous Shall Live By Faith

Brock & Jenna Carroll

 

• Time: Monday at 5 PM (Central Time)
• Dates: March 13 – May 8 (No meeting April 10)
• Zoom Meeting Duration: 1.5 – 2 hrs
• Recording: Meetings will be recorded for group members only

Group Description: Romans has been widely described by scholars as Paul’s thesis on salvation. Within it we find some of the most clear statements and teaching in the Bible on the Gospel and how salvation is attained by faith apart from our works or effort. Many Christians throughout history have come to an understanding of the depths of God’s grace and love when studying, reading and hearing the book of Romans. 

In spite of this, many churches within hyper-fundamentalism would argue that Paul only explains a partial salvation in Romans, thus robbing it of its beauty. If you come from one of these churches, you may even have Romans memorized and still miss what God is trying to communicate because of the filters you have been conditioned to place on it.

 In this group we will remove those filters by studying the book while questioning our assumptions and presuppositions so we can come to an understanding of the text similar to the original audience. We will see how God’s plan of redemption is enacted on us through faith in Christ and  his cross and not our own efforts.  As a result, “we have peace with God”, and “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.”

“The righteous shall live by faith.” 

About the Assistant Leader: Ralph Brickley was a member and minister of an Independent Holiness, Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal church for nearly 16 years. In those years, Ralph graduated from the Texas Bible College XCell program with a degree in Biblical Studies, served as a Sunday School and Bus Ministry leader, Youth Bible Study director and taught a Faith-Based Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation program for nearly 6 years. In 2017 God began to expose the fallacy of legalism and self-righteousness to Ralph and by 2018 a Grace Awakening took place, allowing Ralph to see the real Gospel of Love, that it was the Works of Christ that saves us, not our own, and brought the Scripture alive. From that time on DivideTheWord as a blog and YouTube channel was born, leading him to the never-ending effort of supporting those breaking away from false gospels and legalistic control.

Safeguards Or Stumbling Blocks? Examining Holiness Standards in Light of Scripture

Natalie Edmonson

 

Group One

• Time: Tuesday at 3 PM (Central Time)
• Dates: March 14 – April 25 (Seven Weeks)
• Zoom Meeting Duration: 90 mins
• Recording: Meetings will not be recorded.

 

Group Two

• Time: Thursday at 6:30  PM (Central Time)
• Dates: March 16 – April 27 (Seven Weeks)
• Zoom Meeting Duration: 90 mins
• Recording: Most meetings will be recorded for group members only. Video clips of Natalie may be used for promotional use, no reference to or audio/video including a group member will ever be shared outside of the group and the Berean Holiness team without express written permission from that group member.

 

Group Description: Do you have questions about whether or not Holiness standards are taught in Scripture? Or maybe you have friends and family who believe they are and you want to be better equipped to have discussions with them? Perhaps you know Holiness standards are not biblically required, but you’re still grappling with questions about whether or not pastors and groups are right to require them? If so, this group is for you!

The first question we’ll study together will be, “Are Holiness standards required by the Bible?” We’ll be diving into Scripture and history to thoroughly examine the arguments for and against jewelry, cosmetics, and women’s pants. As time permits, we’ll also have discussions regarding entertainment, modesty, and more. We’ll take a deeper look at the underlying theological assumptions about separation from the world, worldliness, and the meaning of holiness. (We will be respectful of the fact that some believers personally choose to follow Holiness standards; there’s nothing wrong with that!)

The second question we’ll address will be, “Should Holiness standards be required by pastors and church groups?” In these discussions, we’ll be looking to Scripture to better understand the role and authority of church leadership. We’ll discuss church membership models, platform standards, drawing lines, and the idea of “pastor’s convictions.” Last but not least, we’ll grapple with how Holiness standards are often enforced—with shaming, fear tactics, ostracization, an overemphasis on church identity, and spiritual abuse. We’ll take a serious look at how these tactics distort the gospel, divide the Body of Christ, and push believers away from faith altogether.

If you join one of these groups, please be ready to ask questions, answer questions, share your story (as you’re comfortable), laugh, cry, support one another, pray for one another, encourage each other in Christ, have some great conversations, and make Christian friends! It’s not enough to rebuild theology, we’re here to rebuild community. If that’s what you want to do—and help others do too—then you’re in the right place. ‘See you in March!

About the Teaching Leader: Hey, I’m Natalie! Many of you know me as one of the co-founders of Berean Holiness. I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead groups this spring and get to know you all on a personal level. For those who don’t know me, I grew up in Independent Pentecostal Holiness churches, graduated Valedictorian of Free Gospel Bible Institute in 2017, graduated with a Bachelor’s in Christian Counseling from Hobe Sound Bible College in 2019, and in just a few weeks I will have completed my Masters of Biblical Exposition from Liberty University. I have years of experience in children’s ministry and community outreach, as well as missions experience from trips to the Philippines, South Korea, and three months in Albania. However, walking with believers on their journey out of fear and shame and into a grace-filled understanding of the gospel will forever be my passion. Thank you so much for trusting me to lead this community group. I am praying for you and looking forward with expectation for what God has in store for us as we study His Word!

“Berean Holiness Study groups has been exactly what I needed when leaving UPC. I knew what I had been taught was not biblically correct and these groups helped me to ask the right questions and showed me how to research and study the Bible in context. Berean Holiness has played a huge part in finding the true gospel and growing my relationship with Jesus. I have such a deeper relationship with the Lord because of these small group studies. 

Also- this ministry and the people I met in the small groups have acted as my church family and have provided loving/ wholesome fellowship in a time when I was desperately needing it.”

– A.B.

“This group made an impact on me by helping me realize I was not the only one who was questioning things. I appreciated the transparency of the group members participating. One can feel very isolated and when going through this process and having a place to be heard and know that what you have experienced is not just in your head or dismissed like the ‘church’ members of the organizations we come out of would do. Our group leader was understanding and compassionate which was helpful to those who were going through the transition or contemplating transitioning, as that is a very painful and challenging process. It’s nice to have a place to feel heard and supported, knowing that you are not the only one that sees and realizes things that should not be in the ‘church’ setting. This community is a safe place. Thank you so much for your willingness, support and dedication to leading this group.”

– S.M.

“I am so thankful for Berean Holiness! I’ve been struggling since I left the Oneness Pentecostal/Apostolic church. I was consumed by fear and I am just starting to disentangle from that fear. Thankful for the Bible study groups, articles, videos, and everything Berean Holiness does.”

– M.S.M.

“I would highly recommend taking any class Berean Holiness offers. Not only will you learn more about what the word of God means through biblical scripture you will be blessed with the personal interaction with all the members who attend and get others perspectives on the subject at hand. You will not regret taking any class. I fully intend on taking another when they open up.” 

–  S.A.

“When I signed up for my study group, I did not realize just how bad I spiritually needed it. While going through it, my eyes were opened to scripture in a way that I could understand and comprehend. Now that some time has passed, this particular study has truly stuck with me. I have watched people who I love and hold in high esteem turn to legal traditions that we do not Biblically need to participate in nor are they required. Group studies are so important that we can better understand scripture and help each other along the way.”

– Tabitha T.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a small online zoom group through Berean Holiness. It was wonderful to meet each week and share what we were learning together. We could cry, pray, laugh and know we shared a common bond.”

– S.B.

“I can’t recommend Berean Holiness Community groups enough! I started on a journey, through prayer, at the beginning of the year asking God to remove all religious lenses from my eyes and let me see scripture for what it is & not how its being/has been manipulated or taken out of context. I joined a group that covered the Oneness Apostolic Gospel vs. The Biblical Gospel because I thought there was no way there could be a difference & it intrigued me. Being at a place of my heart, mind, and eyes being opened to whatever God wanted to show me, I SAW things I had never seen or really completely understood, or was taught the scriptures COMPLETELY out of context. Seeing things CLEARLY for the first time was life changing for me. Especially having been in an environment for 35 years where we have been indoctrinated with “we have the truth & the whole truth”. The revelation I received (and am continuing to receive) was something I was NOT expecting, but it’s been truly life changing for me. 

My walk with God has become deeper than ever before because I’m diving in and searching the scriptures with a renewed mind & heart. I was challenged to search the scriptures & to view them within context. The revelation that the work at the Cross was enough, Jesus’ sacrifice was enough, His grace is truly enough had me in tears during one Bible study. 

This was a completely different narrative than I had heard all my life. I am truly thankful for their ministry & all the time and energy that’s being invested into this incredible resource. I would challenge and encourage anyone wanting to deepen their walk with God, dive deeper into His word, be able to discuss the scripture with like minded believers, to join a group & see what God has for you ♥️ ”

– Cat

“It was such a blessing to me to be able to talk with others who had experienced what I had. I realized that I am not alone and my struggles with my past are valid!”

– M.G.

“If you have never really been involved in a small group Bible study you are truly missing out and the past two Bible studies I have been apart of were so encouraging and eye opening and put a longing in my heart to search and study Gods word deeper!”

– Hannah

“I recently took part in a 6 week small group sponsored by Berean Holiness and led by Natalie Edmonson. It was so refreshing to meet other people with backgrounds similar to mine who haven’t ‘thrown the baby out with the bath water’ while disassociating from hyper-fundamentalist religious groups, and who so clearly are searching for truth. We laughed together, we lifted each other up, we built new friendships based upon shared experiences, and I learned so much from Natalie’s teaching. The small group was a safe place, and our meetings quickly became one of the highlights of my week! If Berean Holiness’s content resonates with you, I highly recommend participating in a small group!” 

– Patrick T.

“It is not easy to find yourself asking questions about the beliefs that you have been taught and have held close your entire life. The experience of having questions and/or asking questions about standards, practices, or beliefs can be downright terrifying. When I found myself questioning the practices of the religion I had been brought up in I felt scared, alone, and broken. 

I enrolled in a Berean Holiness small group desperate to find clarity and understand how people could leave Holiness churches and maintain strong faith in God. Not only did I find clarity and grow in understanding but Natalie, and the Berean team, passionately connected me with likeminded people. My small group listened to my questions, encouraged my studying and searching for a church, uplifted me in my journey and worries, and stood beside me as my friends watching me grow in faith. 

The six weeks I spent as a member of a Berean small group encouraged and uplifted me to have a better understanding of God, His word, and to grow a real relationship with Him. I will be forever grateful for the community and friendship I have become connected with, and the growth I have experienced as a person and Christian in a Berean Small Group.”

– Bethany

“I really enjoyed the zoom group with Berean holiness that I had for the last few weeks it was very informative it was very people oriented I was very skeptical it’s the very first zoom group that I have ever joined with basically strangers and I wasn’t sure about committing to it I wasn’t sure I was gonna be able to be there every single week that we met but Natalie was just so easy-going and so understanding of the couple times I was not able to make it so that definitely doesn’t stop me from joining more in the future. I appreciate that we began discussing about ourselves and our situation we were in and then she went on to speak over the topics that were presented for that week very informatively, it has definitely helped me to feel more confident and more secure in the decisions that I making for myself and for my family as far as finding a healthy church that we can congregate at. I know that whenever another opportunity arises from Berean Holiness for us to join zoom groups I will certainly be there.”

– E.L.

“Tracy was a blessing to me personally because of the way she just exuded the love of God all over herself. She welcomed everyone with open arms and created a safe space for others to share about past and current events they were struggling in within the church and loved them where they were at. I felt like I was no longer alone in my journey of healing from past hurts in the church.”

– Shawnda K.