Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Peacemaker

A church is shaken severely when these type of things happen. Jesus stated that the only thing that preserves people when storms rage and the ground shakes is to be a person who hears and does the Lord's Word.

Making a decision during a storm is never wise. Hold onto the Lord, let the storm clear, and then people can make up their minds in a safe state.

I have been through this, so I know whereof I speak.

Staying in the eye of the hurricane is not wisdom...it is foolish.

Holding onto the Lord is paramount, but one should never, ever let sentiment cloud our judgment.

[The Lemon]

Once again, here is the good Ol' USA, it is the way we "Do Church" that has much to do with situations like these. Folks need good Godly leadership that feeds them, but they also need to be encouraged and responsible to grow their own relationship with Christ.

When people sit on pews for years at a time and are good "saints' but do not grow personally and deeply in God, they tend to develop a "Pastor Relationship", instead of a Christ Relationship. When this happens, if the pastor fails...the sheep scatter and many spritually die out as a result...it is sad.

The one man show, business model of Church has much to do with the possible open doors of temptation, be it money, lust, power, abuse, etc., etc. A good Pastor does not want "Yes Men" on the board that kiss his tush and stroke his ego; he needs a balanced board that is respectfull and has common sense, with good checks and balances in place.

I don't know if I will ever understand the enormous edifaces we build to use three times a week or less - the over reaction to status and image, the non-profit/profit business model etc. that we incorporate and wonder why, as it grows totally out of hand, there are so many "issues". I fear Christ in some cases is no longer the focal point, but agendas, calendars, fund-raisers, and so forth are - in the name of Christ.

Many do not want to live or except a more simple grass roots model, because we love our social clubs, but in my opinion, if America keepd getting engrossed in darkness, there will come a time where all these trappings will be done away with, and Christ will really be the head of the Church again...no more padded pews, or looking around for pats on the back....just my opinion...

[Peacemaker]

To Barb, your thoughts make sense. My point isn't to disagree with you.
Reading the comments on here, do you think this board has been well-trained to deal with these type of problems?
Rock and a hard place refers to leading members with differing and valid opinions.
Again, I can't disagree with you. If Apostolics would simply go by the Bible and the laws of their country instead of making it up as they go (we all do that, by the way), then pastors would be afraid to do wrong things. There are laws connected with jail sentences for much of what happens in the case of pastoral failure. A couple of instances of those being enforced would scare more away from doing the same.
But I wouldn't want to see my pastor treated that way if he did do something wrong.
Messy.

[Peacemaker]

Barb, I agree that some people may need to leave if that helps their spiritual condition.
If everyone leaves everytime there is difficulty, then that entire church would vanish. That doesn't sound like a good idea.

[HADDOCK]

My dad pastored the same UPC church for 27 years, was presbyter for many years and sat on the district board. He was held In high esteem in the upc circles and in the county and surrounding areas where he pastored. A man above reproach and he wasn't given a year's salary when he retired! And, he actually had to deal with the situation years ago at that church and former pastor. It broke his heart and his health. He would be saddened by All of this as he knew TB and his dad. TB attended my dad's funeral. I feel for this church family so deeply. It is sad to see pastors who no longer have the heart of a true Shepard. I know many folks that attend this church and I pray they find direction and place their trust in God to see them through this difficult time.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Tlswift2009

I AGREE with you 100%. I come from a terrible Memphis Apostle's manipulation, and abuse-it almost desroyed me, but my affectons were deeply rooted and anchored in Jesus; I was terribly wounded for many years, but God healed me, and I'm a man that practice, and exercise great discretion when dealing with God's sheep, and I've made it my business NEVER to abuse, nor injure God's people. I'm working on a book right now entitled, "Surviving Church Abuse And Betrayal". My wife and I despise abusive leadership towards God's people, and we will fight to DEFEND God's people from abusive pastors/leadership. Many, many Pastors start off well, but get lifted up, and far too comfortable with things in the church that should not be in their control: church finances should be handled soley by the trustees and/or deacon board. I believe that the Pastor should be given mtgs/reports on how the church is fairing financially, but should not handle the monies, plus-the IRS frowns down on this as well. Our job as Pastors is to FEED the Flock of God, and to be tendered and loving to them; even those that seems to have a little goat in them-this is our charge; to feed-nurture-pray for-uplift-encourage-reprove-etc; when we spend out time in our calling, and exercising disciplne in our lives, and truly remain trnasparent; then God will be pleased.

Brother, I would like to read your book when you get finished writing it. Please let me know where I can buy a copy.

Peace to you.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Barb

I see what you are saying, but if the board knew of sin and deception, and they STILL agreed to a severance, there is a problem here.

That is not a "rock and hard place" situation...that is coverup and payoff.

So now inquiring minds want to know why?

None of our business? Sure, but when someone, anyone takes bold stands against sin, or what they perceive to be sin, but is in reality hiding a life of corruption, they have put their own life on 'Front Street'.

A sinning pastor should not be given one cent to hit the road. His main concern should be the salvation of his soul and that of his family, and not about how is he gonna get by without the big pay check.


This is shameful on so many levels...

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by The Lemon

Once again, here is the good Ol' USA, it is the way we "Do Church" that has much to do with situations like these. Folks need good Godly leadership that feeds them, but they also need to be encouraged and responsible to grow their own relationship with Christ.

When people sit on pews for years at a time and are good "saints' but do not grow personally and deeply in God, they tend to develop a "Pastor Relationship", instead of a Christ Relationship. When this happens, if the pastor fails...the sheep scatter and many spritually die out as a result...it is sad.

The one man show, business model of Church has much to do with the possible open doors of temptation, be it money, lust, power, abuse, etc., etc. A good Pastor does not want "Yes Men" on the board that kiss his tush and stroke his ego; he needs a balanced board that is respectfull and has common sense, with good checks and balances in place.

I don't know if I will ever understand the enormous edifaces we build to use three times a week or less - the over reaction to status and image, the non-profit/profit business model etc. that we incorporate and wonder why, as it grows totally out of hand, there are so many "issues". I fear Christ in some cases is no longer the focal point, but agendas, calendars, fund-raisers, and so forth are - in the name of Christ.

Many do not want to live or except a more simple grass roots model, because we love our social clubs, but in my opinion, if America keepd getting engrossed in darkness, there will come a time where all these trappings will be done away with, and Christ will really be the head of the Church again...no more padded pews, or looking around for pats on the back....just my opinion...

[Praxeas]

[quote=Peacemaker;1200236]That board is likely caught in between a rock and a hard place. Some people want to know everything that they know. Others probably don't want any information shared at all. The people who want to know everything will accuse them of covering sin. The people who don't want to know anything will accuse them of touching the Lord's anointed. The real job of a board caught up in a disaster is to try to keep as much of the people together, look for solutions to problems, and keep the church going at some level until they can get a long term solution.
what they should do is have 2 meetings.

One the people that want to know where they will be informed.

The next day the people that don't want to know can show up and talk about the people that did want to know

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Peacemaker

That board is likely caught in between a rock and a hard place. Some people want to know everything that they know. Others probably don't want any information shared at all. The people who want to know everything will accuse them of covering sin. The people who don't want to know anything will accuse them of touching the Lord's anointed. The real job of a board caught up in a disaster is to try to keep as much of the people together, look for solutions to problems, and keep the church going at some level until they can get a long term solution.
Regardless of what decisions are made, they will be criticized.

I am amazed that there are people who think publicly declaring the sin would be "touching the Lord's annointed". I have a feeling that deep down it is more a case of not wanting to be embarrassed for having followed and revered a man who had done what would be revealed.

The saints of this church deserve and should have honesty. It doesn't need to be dwelt on but it does need to be declared clearly and fully and then the church can move on.