Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[Godzchild]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

such as?

Who would want a Pastor who believes he can be corrupt and nobody find out?

obviously...some would! I would not 4 sure~

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by tv1a

There are less cowardly and more biblical ways to find out what's going on than by airing dirty laundry on the internet. Who would want to pastor people who feel they have to share their drama with the world?

I thought Insider was writing to set the record straight without throwing out accusations or innuendo. He wrote of the hurt and devastation of some of the loyal saints who had been betrayed with forgiving heart toward TB and a desire to see TB do what is right, repent and find reconcilation with God. And if TB had humbled himself and repented, do you think this would be an issue? Wouldn't love have covered up the offense when repentance is offered?

tv1a, I'd prefer to talk about this type of thing without using names and places to learn from it. I'm sorry that this has happened. Good people are hurt as is God's reputation. But I'm glad Insider has given us a glimpse into the process of healing in his heart and hopefully in the heart of TPC. A better end to the story would have been if TB had repented and made restitution.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Cindy

It's like hypocrites posting on the internet, about people posting on the internet about people.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by CC1

Great post. Thank you for sharing your heart. I think the vast majority of readers and posters on this thread do not "hold one denomination or faith hostage for the actions of one man". There has been criticism of church systems that elevate the pastor to a position with no accountability but that is not limited to UPC churches. The point is that pastors needs to protect themselves and their churches by having accountability measures in place.

You stated in your post that you would never again be part of a church without accountability or one that practiced nepotism. That is exactly what most are talking about on here. Hopefully this thread and posts like yours will make pastors and saints reading take steps to make sure their situation is a correct one and they protected from something like this.

And this is THE crux of the matter!

We need to learn from these incidents. As a denomination the UPC has out grown the day of single pastor churches with unquestionable authority, and veto power over all things church related. The question is, are enough people up to the challenge to call for change?

[tv1a]

How is that hypocritcal? People feign concern and compassion as an excuse to spread gossip? What about scrubbing a thread so the gossip can continie?

Originally Posted by Cindy

It's like hypocrites posting on the internet, about people posting on the internet about people.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

And this is THE crux of the matter!

We need to learn from these incidents. As a denomination the UPC has out grown the day of single pastor churches with unquestionable authority, and veto power over all things church related. The question is, are enough people up to the challenge to call for change?

If they do, they will be accused of being in "rebellion"...you know.

[tv1a]

How much of the story do you need to know to "learn"? The Bible is clearly explains how to handle faulty leadership. If this group really cared about the feelings and well being of the hurting saints, this thread would have been closed the first day.

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I thought Insider was writing to set the record straight without throwing out accusations or innuendo. He wrote of the hurt and devastation of some of the loyal saints who had been betrayed with forgiving heart toward TB and a desire to see TB do what is right, repent and find reconcilation with God. And if TB had humbled himself and repented, do you think this would be an issue? Wouldn't love have covered up the offense when repentance is offered?

tv1a, I'd prefer to talk about this type of thing without using names and places to learn from it. I'm sorry that this has happened. Good people are hurt as is God's reputation. But I'm glad Insider has given us a glimpse into the process of healing in his heart and hopefully in the heart of TPC. A better end to the story would have been if TB had repented and made restitution.

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by Insider

I signed up just to respond to this thread. I am a member of TPC with intimate knowledge of what happened. I am not a board member but I am close fiends with 2 of the 3 original members. I wanted to respond early in the thread but my emotions were all over the place. I am glad I waited. My initial feelings of anger, hurt and shock were overwhelming when I first learned of the evidence that was discovered on the church's servers. TB's initial claim that this evidence was gathered illegally was false. What initially happened was one of the church computers was in need of repair. The repair technician happened to be a church member.

This person came across pictures and correspondences in texts and e-mails from TB's Blackberry and e-mail accounts. This person initially was hesitant to come forward. His accountability partner happened to be his boss. After a few weeks this person felt compelled to tell his accountability partner what he found. He eventually did and they both approached the church board with what they had discovered. The board and their accusers then (as is required by scripture) approached TB. "1 Timothy 5:19-20 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."

He did not deny it. He asked the board to destroy the evidence. I will not go into details of what occurred next. Suffice it to say he admitted guilt. And the evidence found on the church servers was compelling to say the least. He was caught and was smart enough to know there was no way out. The next church service, after the board meeting with TB, I looked to with pure dread. I expected TB to be repentant. He was not. Instead he went into the now famous 'jackal rant'. I cannot adequately describe the feelings I had after that service. Shock, hurt, anger, just do not suffice.

I expected my pastor to seek forgiveness, to be contrite. Instead he was indignant and actually tried to bully his way through the situation by intimidation of the board members and his accusers. The following days were just terrible and I had a hard time sleeping. I could only think of the betrayal I felt. In the coming days and weeks, through many phone calls to people that were intimately involved (board members), I came to hear of other things besides the pics, texts and e-mails. There were church finances that were mishandled. It was devastating. How could this man that had been my pastor for years, a person I dined with, cried with, counseled with, laughed with, have done the things he was being accused of?

I wanted to think it was not true, but I knew the board members too well. They are upstanding, salt of the earth, godly men that live what they believe in faith and in their actions. I knew their character. One of them, at one time, would have taken a bullet for TB. Loved TB dearly, supported his ministry, loved his family. This man I saw cry over what he actually saw with his own eyes on the church servers. I knew he was telling us the truth. I have read a lot of posts here, not all, but several. It is sad that non-Apostlics have taken this opportunity to trash the UPCI and the Apostolic Movement.

The fact is, all men sin, regardless of faith. Was what TB did wrong? You bet. Should he be held accountable? Absolutely. But to hold one denomination or faith hostage for the actions of one man is foolish and folly. I guess since Peter and David failed we should hold all of Christianity accountable and throw out the Old and New Testaments. It is a silly, pathetic, small-minded person that would do so. Do I believe the message of UPCI. Whole-heartedly. Are we perfect. No. Truth is truth no matter what the situation. Please don't try and bait me into a debate on standards or legalism or the theology of the UPCI.

I won't bite. I'll leave that for others. I will pray for you and with you but I will not debate scripture on a public forum. No one wins. You want to talk one-on-one. Be glad to. But debates on a public forum such a FB or here is not productive and serves no purpose except self aggrandizement. There are those that will chose to not forgive TB for what he did. I am not one of them. I am past the anger stage. My tithes, offering and other monies I gave to TPC were given from my heart to God and his ministry. What TB or others did with that money, he or they, will be accountable to God for.

I did my scriptural duty. I will never forget what TB did and I will never be a part of a church that is family run by one man making all the decisions nor will I be part of a church that openly practices nepotism. Churches should be board driven by Godly men of character in concert with the bishop. We had a board, but it failed us. If you talked with the board members they will tell you they failed our church. But they trusted their pastor explicitly. As Ronald Reagan used to say, "Trust and Verify". This situation is truly pathetic in every way. But if we are to be forgiven we must forgive.

I have forgiven TB. I pray he has or will repent. I cannot say whether or not he has. From all indications it appears he has not and that is truly regrettable. I will not go into or be part of the rumor mill. Usually after these situations all types of non truths and innuendo are spewed by people just being hateful and vindictive. Christians should be forgiving and love the sinner but not the sin. There are souls at stake, and too many have suffered because of this. In the meeting before service, in TB's office, the Sunday of the 'jackal rant' TB made this statement. "Remember, Be Gentle with the Body". Never more truthful or ironic words have been spoken.

Thank you so, so much for the spirit {calm and sincere} in which you shared with us. My heart can feel your pain from this matter, but better yet; your resolve to forgive and move on. I pray for you continued trust in God and ability to follow godly leadership {through wisdom/discernment} as that leadership follow God. Your experience of such a hurtful situation will help many because you have allowed God to healthily help you through this matter. If we would follow God's word as we follow His leadership; we will NEVER go astray, although leadeship sometimes does: KEEP YOUR AFFECTIONS, AND HEART UPON THINGS ABOVE, AND CONTINUE TO ALLOW GOD TO**ORDER**YOUR STEPS. Thank you very much, and I pray that the readers of your post will do so in the spirit of righteousness, and rightness: I see NO reason to debate, or trash what you have shared.

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by Godzchild

WOW.....I am blown away!!!! I am so glad my family was not there when all this mess blew up. But on a personal level, alot of people seen this starting to unfold years ago. TB was too good to be true and and a BIG let down as a pastor. He KNEW of some things going on in the church and about some people being hateful to one family, and when approached....he never once tried to do anything about it. He allowed this behavior to go on until the family was literally run off. That is pathetic and sad!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was not the pastor he wanted people/his saints to think he was! Some may say, you go to church to worship God...TRUE , BUT, if some of the s"AINTS" are making your life miserable and they are being hateful for no reason other than their own ignorance, then you go to the pastor for his assistance.....and he all but turns his head?????? , then God understands why you need to go elsewhere!! Shame on you Terry Black for being everything BUT a TRUTHFUL loving pastor and a devoted leader of "your" flock! Be sure your sins will find you out! p.s. you are right....many people want to hold the denomination/faith accountable...when it could and does happen in MANY different denominations! Apostolics are not perfect...even tho many of ones think they are...truely dillusional!!!!

Amen about NOT trashing, or holding the Apostolic Church in contempt for individual failure(s). Our Lord Jesus Christ {THE PERFECT PREACHER} had the original 12 men disciples; he was PERFECT towards leading them, but Judas made his OWN decision to do wrong, and NOT repent; the other 11 disciples went on to ETERNAL GLORY!!! Judas is known throughout history for his OWN failure; not the church-yes, we have flaws and imperfection, but if we continue to walk with integrity before God; He will perfect that which He has began in us unto eternal glory!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I hope and pray that all of the church body at TPC has your attitude. God is able to bring good from this evil. God bless you all.

Amen!!! Insider has delivered such a very POWERFUL post!!!!!