Billosophy

About Me

My name is Bill Brister … for as long as I can remember my family has been part of a church. I was raised by my parents on biblical principles and teachings of pastors and elders. I have always questioned why things were and who had the final decision. There were times when the church trumped my mom and dad – there were other times when my parents would make a decision and then would have to defend themselves as to why that decision was made. I grew up watching “authority” figures in the church use and manipulate people into doing “what the Lord asked.”

I was enrolled in the church school from Kindergarten through 11th (with a break in the 5th grade and 12th to attend public schools) … I wore what the church told me to wear … I acted the way the church told me to act. The whole time asking why things were the way they were and receiving answers back ranging from “Its what the bible says” to “I am your pastor – you must obey!”

I would not consider myself bitter or angry at the church, I do not think the people who were in a leadership position did things malicious or for selfish reasons. They behaved because of their interpretation of what was written in the bible. They believed they were leading and teaching the way God wanted us (the congregation) to be taught. They did the best they could – however, for me – that was not good enough.