Woman claims Church unfairly disciplined her amid marital separation

A troubling situation is unfolding at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where a woman named Lorraine Zielinski has come forward with accusations of wrongful church discipline related to her marital separation. Zielinski claims that her efforts to distance herself from her allegedly abusive husband led church leaders to publicly announce her as being under discipline during a communion service earlier this year.

In her statement, Zielinski detailed her experience with the disciplinary measures imposed by the church, noting that she was recently approved to proceed to a stage commonly referred to as “ostracizing” from the church community. This particular step of discipline, as outlined on the church’s official website, signifies a serious level of separation from fellowship.

In a candid communication sent to church leaders, Zielinski expressed her frustration, asserting that the church had “sadly defamed” her and acted inappropriately. During her time of marriage counseling at Grace, she reported feeling undermined and dismissed, stating that her concerns were often ignored despite the pressing nature of her mental health challenges. Zielinski revealed that her doctor had advised her against entering stressful situations, a recommendation that she felt was disregarded by church officials. “Every time I raised this point with the pastors, it was completely ignored,” she described.

Despite not pursuing a divorce—despite her lawyer’s suggestions—Zielinski shared that it was her husband who took that step and informed her that he intended to remarry. She claimed that church pastors failed to properly address her concerns for her safety and that of her daughter when they suggested her husband return home.

Adding complexity to her situation, Zielinski had already stepped down as a member of Grace Community Church due to her discontent with the church’s handling of her marital issues. She mentioned that she had actively sought reconciliation with her husband under suitable conditions and had even recommended alternative churches for counseling, as she had lost faith in the leadership at Grace.

Having spoken with others who endured similar experiences, Zielinski pointed out a troubling trend within the church. She suggested that men’s voices were more readily accepted as true, while women’s concerns were often disregarded, reflecting a lack of accountability for male members.

In a recent interview, she noted that she has since relocated from the area and is not in contact with her husband. When asked if she might consider taking legal action, Zielinski shared that she is still processing the emotional toll of these events, making it difficult to discuss further.

The church community, under the leadership of renowned pastor John MacArthur, has previously faced scrutiny over its stance on divorce and marital issues. The church asserts on its website that divorce should be regarded with disdain and pursued only when all other options have failed. Furthermore, they emphasize that the grounds for divorce, according to their interpretation of the New Testament, are limited. Past incidents involving the church leadership, including cases reported as far back as 2002, have raised questions about its counseling practices and treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking help.

Attempts to reach Grace Community Church for a response to Zielinski’s allegations have gone unanswered, leaving many in the community wondering about the implications of her claims and the broader culture of the congregation. As the conversation unfolds, the focus remains on the experiences of those who have felt marginalized within their own faith communities…

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