For those who want to know...RULES at my church!

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Sarge

If that is someone's motive, they have big time problems. They have a long ways to go in their healing.

You DO still remember Thad from FCF?

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

You DO still remember Thad from FCF?

Ohhhhhh. I think you are going to get it from someone for that!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Hello, my friend!

Doth my tired eyes deceive me?! Hey, girl...

Originally Posted by Barb

Doth my tired eyes deceive me?! Hey, girl...

Hello, Barb! No, your eyesight is fine. 'Tis me.

For anyone who has been hurt that may be interested, I have one copy of The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderan that I'd be willing to send you free of charge. I will do the same with one copy of Twisted Scriptures by Mary Alice Chrnaloger and ocCULT: They Didn't Believe It Could Happen In Their Church by June Summers. These are all used copies, with the exception of the latter, which is a fiction book based on a true story.

Please PM me your mailing address if you are interested. Please just one book per person. They will be on a first come, first served basis.

My online support group has been giving away books such as these all year long. I'd be glad to set aside these three books to give away here.

FYI, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse has been claimed. The other two are yet available.

[Nina]

Originally Posted by Sarge

I believe any organization that issues ministerial licenses (no matter what they call themselves) should be concerned and take action when they hear about a minister they have licensed that is doing things that are harmful. They do have the authority to take away a license or not reissue one. To hide behind the statement that "we are just a ministerial organization and all our churches are autonomous" is a cop-out.

While that person holds a license, they are representing the organization that gave the license. Thus, as in the case of the UPC, their rules require that any minister licensed by the UPC who pastors a church, there is to be a mention of it being a UPC church on the sign somewhere. It matters not if they are officially affiliated.

So when one of these ministers gets messed up, their actions reflect on the organization. And when the organization does not take action, then it reflects poorly upon the entire body.

At my former church, the District Superintendent well knew there had been problems through the years. People from my church even went directly to him. A family from my church left (this was before my time there) and started attending the DS's church and their daughter married the pastor's son. That family knew of abuses in the church. There is no way that the District was ignorant.

But the years passed and people continued to be hurt and the pastor continued with his license, unchecked. This should never have been.

Lois

Originally Posted by Sarge

The thought that one cannot or should not speak about these things is erroneous. Even the Bible addresses problems the early church had. Some people's names are given, too. And these things have been read for literally hundreds of years, all over the earth.



Ah, now come on! Name names. If you don't, you can be discredited. If you do, then you are accused of other things. Either way, in some people's eyes, you will never be in a 'win' situation. You're wrong if you do and wrong if you don't.

Sis Lois,

Is there ever a time for Matthew 18 to be allowed to have it's way?(if Your brother offends You...)

And have You ever seen it in action?

Should it be obeyed even when overseers (Pastors, District Supers etc)
ignore it?

Nina

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Sarge

FYI, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse has been claimed. The other two are yet available.

I just wanted to stick my nose in and say that that book really helped me a lot! I highly recommend it to anyone who has been in an abusive situation, anyone who knows someone who has been in an abusive situation, and it should be required reading for anyone in church leadership!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Michlow

I just wanted to stick my nose in and say that that book really helped me a lot! I highly recommend it to anyone who has been in an abusive situation, anyone who knows someone who has been in an abusive situation, and it should be required reading for anyone in church leadership!

Ditto ! Find ye a book store and get thee a copy.

Especially pastors who don't believe this stuff happens...chances are you are an abuser.

These are great post everyone...I am so happy to see the upbeat attitudes, the seeking to heal, the desire to mend hearts, the care, the awareness that those in power....really need to become open to this and investigate what is happening in their organization, I think the focus over all in any big church becomes blurred. The leaders become so far removed from the main stream, they just believe all must be well because they don't see it or hear about it directly.

I do see an over all change in the attitudes by many who would have attacked this thread in the past....I am glad to see some eyes are open!!!


I heard a preaching one time about the dysfunction of ministers and how you see a smiling man in church but he is a tyrant at home, belittling his wife and children, ruling with an iron fist....I saw it for myself and it broke my heart to see this man raised up as awesome man of God, when in the back ground he was not a godly man at all! I pray that God will reveal this, humble him and make him see what a hypocrite he is, and most of all for him to really know God and fall in love with HIM.