Today I want to answer a question I received, and maybe it’s one that many people have. A person wrote to me saying that a pastor, who helped her at the beginning of her faith and touched her soul at the beginning of the walk, and for whom she still has affection, left the Universal Church, opened a ministry for herself, and began to invite her to attend the new church.

And then she asked: “Bishop, is it wrong to go to a meeting of his?”

First of all, let me say: you are free. Free to listen to whoever you want and to decide where to congregate. But, although free, you are not free of the consequences. That’s why you need to protect your soul.

The interest of the man of God

I want to make it clear: my answer is not intended to keep you in the Universal. The true servant of God does not dispute members; he fights for souls. The problem here is not church A or B, but the spirit behind the invitation you received.

Since the early church, divisions have happened. Paul faced this in Corinth, when some said it belonged to Paul, Peter or Apollos. His answer was clear: you are from Christ (read 1 Corinthians 1:12-13). This problem spans centuries, and Jesus already warned us about bad leaders, distorted doctrines and false prophets (read Matthew 7:15).

The era of the “Bank Deposit Prophets”

Today, this scenario gets worse. We live in the era of the “Bank Deposit Prophets”: people who only have revelation for those who give. And often, invitations like this have nothing to do with salvation; they have to do with setting up a religious club.

So, I ask you:

• Where was this new ministry opened?
• In the midst of the needy?
• Or next to the church he left, trying to pull sheep already cared for?
• Those who want to win souls seek the lost. Those who want to gain members, open doors next door.

If I had to choose a church today…

I would try to know three things:

1. How did this ministry begin?
Is it the result of passion for souls or rebellion, fight or disagreement?
2. Why did the pastor leave?
It took him 20 to 30 years to realise he no longer agreed?
Or did you no longer want to obey, serve, submit?
3. What are the fruits?
Anyone can have oratory.
But fruit reveals character.

The analogy of marriage

If you were going to marry someone who was divorced, wouldn’t you want to know why their previous marriage ended?

Similarly, before putting your soul under someone’s leadership, try to find out who followed the case, not just by the version of the one who left.

Why will someone who was not faithful to his ministerial vow, his altar, and the flock entrusted to him… be faithful to you?

In conclusion

I say all this with sadness, but also with responsibility.
My only intention is to warn you, as Jesus warned the disciples.

You’re free.

But you are also responsible for your soul.

And you? Are you making spiritual decisions with awareness or letting someone “flirt” with your faith without realising it?

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https://www.universal.org/renato-cardoso/post/e-constrangedor-mas-tenho-que-falar/