Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[CC1]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Actually, what would be really rich is if
anyone concerned who had even a hint of
impropriety resigned, like even a worldly
corporation would do.

Ah, Big Bird, you are quite the dreamer!

[ttpaba]

Originally Posted by Churchlady

What I am trying to get across is that the people who are posting lies and assumptions are wrong. That is NOT what The Lord would have us as Christians do. The facts WILL come out in due time. However, that is something that needs to be within the TPC church body. We don't owe any divulgence of ANY details of this situation to the apostolic community. A measure of patience is often necessary in many aspects of our lives. Why not in this also? You seem to be trying to fight some "cause" on behalf of all TPCers demanding they be told the magical truth. Well, thanks but we don't need you to fight our battles. The Lord Himself is dealing with this. It is in Him we put our trust, not a bunch of strife driven busy bodies. When people get over their opinions and realize it's not what we think or what we want that matters we can be a real force to reckon with in soul winning. There are MANY patient members waiting on The Lord to have His way and believe me any wrong-doing on the part of a board or a saint can and will be dealt with by God. He won't be mocked. No amount of debate by those not involved is going to change things. I suspect that you would have us DEMAND the whole story be told to the members in hopes that some of us will come and post the whole truth here for you all to read the juicy details or perhaps that one totally lacking in wisdom would actually RECORD it and post it here for you all to hear. That would be rich now, wouldn't it?

I understand your frustration in that I am a TPCer. I know you are hurting as am I. But I don't understand how your post says "believe me any wrong-doing on the part of a board or a saint can and will be dealt with by God." but wasn't any wrong doing by TB able to be handled by God? Why wouldn't you trust Him to handle your pastor but you trust the board/saints will be handled by Him? I'm really curious why you are even on this forum if you feel it is divulging, and has busy bodies along with misguided opinions of what should or shouldn't happen or what the congregation should require of the board.
It's my opinion that this forum is exactly what is needed. I have my own set of issues and I don't have all the political knowledge. The church is so scary to me right now because so many have formed such strong opinions and many without basis. I come here and read and question because I as you see from my previous incorrect post don't have the correct info, I thought I did! I've been at TPC,,,, let's just say over a decade. I didn't know who the board members were, I didn't know there was a petition, I didn't have a clue anything was up. Up til the point the week before TB resigned. The week before I knew something was up because of the "jackal" talk. I thought that was related to people tearing down a young couple in the church with unfortunate circumstances. I had no idea!!! I know a lot of people are putting their trust in 3 board members to do what's right. I know a lot of people are disgusted at the allegations they hear with no proof. Maybe they've heard word of some proof? Who knows cause it's a mess. The church will likely not even resemble it's former self within a few short months. It's likely there will be branches that fall from the tree and re-root elsewhere. It's likely some will fall, others will grow stronger. Spiritual innocence will be lost, wisdom will be gained, friends will split hairs and friendships will be lost all the while others will be started fresh. Life is going to continue but in the meantime I know I need to calm down, take some breaths, pray, study, be faithful, bless where able, apologize when mistaken and continue to develop into the person I want to be.
I respectfully disagree that TPC doesn't owe any divulgence to the apostolic community.
Don't we have a responsibility at the very least to like faith people to warn them of a predator among us? What about a child molester? What about a thief? A wayward minister? A whore monger? Doesn't the Word teach us to "mark them". Here it is, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Ok so how do we mark them? Do we tattoo it on their head? Do we cut off the offending member? As far as I can tell we notify each other which requires communication. Ideally first hand, complete, intelligent communication. But since we all can't be where the offender goes to give first hand knowledge we communicate. Unfortunately the least informed and least intelligent of us are part of the process so it gets all mixed up. We that pride ourselves in our faith can't be like some that turn their heads from indiscretions or cover it up so that it continues on. We cringe at modern media handling anything because they have their own agenda that doesn't have our faith's best interest at heart. So we all have to figure our part of this thing out. Are we original members? Are we the "new church" members, are we scape goats, are we victims, are we on the path of an offender? What will we stand for and not? Where are our fence poles? I set mine, you set yours and hopefully if our fences align we can live peaceably but if the guy down the street claims to be a leader and I know him to be an offender I'm going to warn you. If the guy down the street is a leader and a group of offenders make a move on him, I'm going to warn you. If there's a whole lot of mess going on and most is veiled in secrecy but effects mine and your's lives, I'm going to discuss it with you. Some say trust the board!!! Really? I trusted the pastor! Some say trust the pastor!!! Really? He's gone and for what reasons I don't know. Right now I trust Jesus and I am attempting to clear a path for the future that is guided by the Lord. I'm a thinker, I'm driven by seeing things from numerous angles. I rarely align myself totally to any group due to experiences I've had. I need input, I need to have a sounding board, I need interaction with people that have gone through similar experiences. Does that make me or them a busy body? Does any one post make or break a person's ideals? Are we guilty of some horrible injustice? I think not. Change is hard, if I had a pastor I'd go to him but I don't, If I had people I could trust in the church I'd seek them out. I don't have that or should I say I can't tell the difference right now because of the mess. What I have is this outlet/inlet and Jesus.

[CC1]

From an analyitical standpoint apart from the terrible tragedy here it will be intersting to see what TB does.

So far my understanding is that he has been defiant admitting any serious wrongdoing. Trying to frame it as just a "bump in the road" or some such thing. A little "failure" not unlike everybody does.

With that posture it leads me to think he might continue pastoring even if he loses his UPC license. In a church that big I would be willing to bet there would be at least a hundred or so long time supporters of the pastor whom he could convince to follow him across town to a new independent work.

I am not starting a rumor as there is absolutely no indication of this. However my experience in observing these situations in the past is that unless these preachers have socked away enough money to retire early and be financially independent with real esate investments, rental properties, etc their only marketable skill to earn a livelihood is preaching and they will do whatever it takes to continue doing that with as little interruption in income as possible.

We might see him move further right as an independent pastor or suddenly "discover grace" because of his failures and become a lib. Either move would most likely be self serving to allow him to continue preaching.

[Monterrey]

Yep, according to the ministerial gossip line, TB is gonna try to start another work.

[Hizzangel]

Originally Posted by CC1

From an analyitical standpoint apart from the terrible tragedy here it will be intersting to see what TB does.

So far my understanding is that he has been defiant admitting any serious wrongdoing. Trying to frame it as just a "bump in the road" or some such thing. A little "failure" not unlike everybody does.

With that posture it leads me to think he might continue pastoring even if he loses his UPC license. In a church that big I would be willing to bet there would be at least a hundred or so long time supporters of the pastor whom he could convince to follow him across town to a new independent work.

I am not starting a rumor as there is absolutely no indication of this. However my experience in observing these situations in the past is that unless these preachers have socked away enough money to retire early and be financially independent with real esate investments, rental properties, etc their only marketable skill to earn a livelihood is preaching and they will do whatever it takes to continue doing that with as little interruption in income as possible.

We might see him move further right as an independent pastor or suddenly "discover grace" because of his failures and become a lib. Either move would most likely be self serving to allow him to continue preaching.

I doubt that TB will start a church in tn, if he feels led to pastor again. Buy I can tell you that if there was any wrong doing- And he repented.. Who am I to decide whether he should or should not pastor. The bible says God's callings are without repentance...and If the church were in my state. I'd happily attend. From what I've known of him in the past, he's a great man...has done a lot for a lot of people....nothing's been proven.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Hizzangel

I'd happily attend.

Think about what you just said.

[Hizzangel]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Think about what you just said.

Yes, I currently don't attend a church ...
Right now, it's all accusations, but
If God can forgive so can I..

[navygoat1998]

Its a trust issue not forgivness issue. If a man gets removed from a pulpit I will never sit under him. I must be able to trust my pastor.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by ttpaba

I understand your frustration in that I am a TPCer. I know you are hurting as am I. But I don't understand how your post says "believe me any wrong-doing on the part of a board or a saint can and will be dealt with by God." but wasn't any wrong doing by TB able to be handled by God? Why wouldn't you trust Him to handle your pastor but you trust the board/saints will be handled by Him? I'm really curious why you are even on this forum if you feel it is divulging, and has busy bodies along with misguided opinions of what should or shouldn't happen or what the congregation should require of the board.
It's my opinion that this forum is exactly what is needed. I have my own set of issues and I don't have all the political knowledge. The church is so scary to me right now because so many have formed such strong opinions and many without basis. I come here and read and question because I as you see from my previous incorrect post don't have the correct info, I thought I did! I've been at TPC,,,, let's just say over a decade. I didn't know who the board members were, I didn't know there was a petition, I didn't have a clue anything was up. Up til the point the week before TB resigned. The week before I knew something was up because of the "jackal" talk. I thought that was related to people tearing down a young couple in the church with unfortunate circumstances. I had no idea!!! I know a lot of people are putting their trust in 3 board members to do what's right. I know a lot of people are disgusted at the allegations they hear with no proof. Maybe they've heard word of some proof? Who knows cause it's a mess. The church will likely not even resemble it's former self within a few short months. It's likely there will be branches that fall from the tree and re-root elsewhere. It's likely some will fall, others will grow stronger. Spiritual innocence will be lost, wisdom will be gained, friends will split hairs and friendships will be lost all the while others will be started fresh. Life is going to continue but in the meantime I know I need to calm down, take some breaths, pray, study, be faithful, bless where able, apologize when mistaken and continue to develop into the person I want to be.
I respectfully disagree that TPC doesn't owe any divulgence to the apostolic community.
Don't we have a responsibility at the very least to like faith people to warn them of a predator among us? What about a child molester? What about a thief? A wayward minister? A whore monger? Doesn't the Word teach us to "mark them". Here it is, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Ok so how do we mark them? Do we tattoo it on their head? Do we cut off the offending member? As far as I can tell we notify each other which requires communication. Ideally first hand, complete, intelligent communication. But since we all can't be where the offender goes to give first hand knowledge we communicate. Unfortunately the least informed and least intelligent of us are part of the process so it gets all mixed up. We that pride ourselves in our faith can't be like some that turn their heads from indiscretions or cover it up so that it continues on. We cringe at modern media handling anything because they have their own agenda that doesn't have our faith's best interest at heart. So we all have to figure our part of this thing out. Are we original members? Are we the "new church" members, are we scape goats, are we victims, are we on the path of an offender? What will we stand for and not? Where are our fence poles? I set mine, you set yours and hopefully if our fences align we can live peaceably but if the guy down the street claims to be a leader and I know him to be an offender I'm going to warn you. If the guy down the street is a leader and a group of offenders make a move on him, I'm going to warn you. If there's a whole lot of mess going on and most is veiled in secrecy but effects mine and your's lives, I'm going to discuss it with you. Some say trust the board!!! Really? I trusted the pastor! Some say trust the pastor!!! Really? He's gone and for what reasons I don't know. Right now I trust Jesus and I am attempting to clear a path for the future that is guided by the Lord. I'm a thinker, I'm driven by seeing things from numerous angles. I rarely align myself totally to any group due to experiences I've had. I need input, I need to have a sounding board, I need interaction with people that have gone through similar experiences. Does that make me or them a busy body? Does any one post make or break a person's ideals? Are we guilty of some horrible injustice? I think not. Change is hard, if I had a pastor I'd go to him but I don't, If I had people I could trust in the church I'd seek them out. I don't have that or should I say I can't tell the difference right now because of the mess. What I have is this outlet/inlet and Jesus.

What a well thought out and articulate post! Thank you.

[ttpaba]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

What a well thought out and articulate post! Thank you.

Thank you but it's just my way of trying to be thoroughly understood cause I hate being misunderstood. Hmmm maybe that'll be my signature tag line.

















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