Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[exTPCMusician]

Originally Posted by Barb

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.

In times like this, some think it is a sign of unity to hold out. The will of God is paramount, and the obligation is to God. ...family and THEN church. People not speaking to others because of opposing views, people frustrated because they feel they're being spoon fed information like we're retarded children, and reputations being over protected while others have been publicly trashed in the past . Cliques, hypocrisy. I choose not to subject myself nor family through another meeting in which (by the applause) it's obvious some idolize a pastor WAY out of scriptural context. I was waiting on grape Koolaid at one point. Yes. ...some storms you ride out. Some you run from for your safety.

Enjoyed your post

[CC1]

Originally Posted by TPCmusician

In times like this, some think it is a sign of unity to hold out. The will of God is paramount, and the obligation is to God. ...family and THEN church. People not speaking to others because of opposing views, people frustrated because they feel they're being spoon fed information like we're retarded children, and reputations being over protected while others have been publicly trashed in the past . Cliques, hypocrisy. I choose not to subject myself nor family through another meeting in which (by the applause) it's obvious some idolize a pastor WAY out of scriptural context. I was waiting on grape Koolaid at one point. Yes. ...some storms you ride out. Some you run from for your safety.

Enjoyed your post

The next step will be for those wanting transparency to be labeled as rebellious and sensationalists. Heaven forbid anything would keep the truth from being swept underneath the rug!

I have watched these type situations far too often in old time Pentecost and pretty much know how it goes.

[exTPCMusician]

Originally Posted by 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.

Everyone has to decide what's best for them and their family. The more time passes, the more ugliness comes out regarding TB, the board, and the "cheerleader" mentality of some members.
If the pastor is a manipulative crook, the board incompetent and many applauding (literally) the concept to fully trust the next pastor , its time to go. There is no scriptural principle that allows a pastor to be a dictator. As i listened to the opinions of some and heard the applause.. .i knew it is time for ME and MINE to leave. Socalled Revival, fake churches we're allegedly building as we are continually moving FAR away from the heart of Memphis.. .scam. The church has been hoodwinked for years and instead of making common sense decisions we debated for two hours about praying folks MORE money.

Servants. Ministers have become everything BUT that.. ..and gullible saints feed the problem.

The fact that our meeting was almost completely talking about severance (still trying to figure out $342,000 and $200,000+ real estate loans for people who make $75,000) suggests the membership is focused on personalities and cliques. ..not righteousness. Unbeweavable, how someone did a near somersault to the front to protect TB’s reputation.

And we're talking about severance? While membership is still worshiping personalities, there's a city still going to hell. The meeting was not completely enlightening because folks are still hiding information. MORE of TB’s family were on payroll than just the SIL’s. Why? Lets "borrow" $8,000 (stolen) for our closing on our house.. ..and then get a severance package. We might as well given the family every dime we have.. ..theres not 'much left ANYWAY

[exTPCMusician]

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...

Hallelujah! !!! Preach!!! Manipulation, cover up, violation of by laws, a financially beat up church and we get an "oops". So funny the other adultery and sin of others was never hidden. But now we want to protect a reputation. When a pastor abruptly resigns in sin and manipulated a lavish lifestyle the church deserves to know what happened.

[H Gang]

It is my understanding that the meeting produced a no vote for the severance for the SILs. TPCmusician, is that true?

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by StillStanding

You have a good and godly spirit!

Thank you so much-this has come over the years of growing in the Lord, and observing what the scriptures says about, "And I will give you pastors according to MINE HEART, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding"...Jeremiah 3;15...A Pastor has too TRULY strive to have a very intimate, sensitive, prayerful, and obediently/faithful, comitted relationship with God; this comes with diligent practice with abiding in God's word, and spiritual growth; oftentimes PAINFUL lessons learned through many trials/mistakes. A Pastor has to FULLY understand that he is not a superior church leader, but an UNDERSHEPHERD, and that the sheep belongs to Jesus, and we're not to LORD of God's herittage: a Pastor does have boundaries as a leader: Love your OWN wife; operate within your calling, and walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; God has set other GIFTS in the church as it pleased Him; to aid, and assist with the overall care of the church: respect God's order for His church, and RESPECT others within the Body of Christ. ALL church members should remember the need of prayer that thier pastor need constantly, and DO NOT take this for granite; satan is ever so busy "seeking whom he may devour"; especially the leadership; "smite the head and the sheep will scatter". congregates should make special times for prayers {corporate/private} for their Pastor/leadership, and even offer to pray for your Pastor-sometimes I will ask our church members to come forth and pray for my wife and myself, and when we have visiting Pastors/Ministers; I'll ask them to pray openly for wife and myself: submit ye one to another; it keeps the flesh/carnal man subject to rightness, and humility, and reminds us all that we all need prayer. I DO NOT want to fail God, nor His people, and I most certainly DO NOT want to reproach myself,nor fail my calling to leade, nututre, and equip God's people.

[Tlswift2009]

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...

Amen!!!! Your commentary is B-I-N-G-O!!!! I had to learn the responsibilty of not only following leadership, but to DEVELOP that one-on-one intimate, personal relationship with God through prayer, study time, and communing with the Lord. I has a Pastor once that wanted you to listen, and trust moreso in him for your reliance upon the Lord; I saw this early and began my own private time with God. This Pastor began to notice my personal growth and dependency upon the Lord and was very uncomfortable with it; even though I gave him the ultimate respect. A wise and genuine pastor should ALWAYS PROMOTE/ENCOURAGE-insist that the members strive for that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and should oftentimes reminds the members that he is also a child of God himself in need of that same one-on-one with the Lord-you commentary is very insightful, and ON POINT!!! Thanks!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by 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.

AMEN!!! Let me help scripturally to support your comments; ROMANS 13:1-7..."Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

IN A NUTSHELL: RESPECT-OBEY-ABIDE WITHIN THE CIVIL LAWS OF THE LAND, OR RECEIVE RECOMPENCE FOR YOUR NEGATIVE ACTIONS-GOD HAS DET THIS IN ORDER; EVEN CHURCH PEOPLE HAS TO OBEY-ITS EXPECTED BY GOD.

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

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.

I do plan to make this book very PUBLIC because every church person need to know that Pastors/leadership have limitations, and can, and do oftentimes CROSS the line through manipulation and fear tactics. Sometimes our greatest trials, wounds, and fight for survival comes right from the parameters of the church, and leadership is often at the helm of church people troubles-confusion; these wounds takes years to heal if at all ever healed: there's a lot of wounded, hurts, and destroyed Christians that really LOVED the Lord. I WILL MAKE THIS BOOK KNOW BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by 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.

Wonderful commentary; thanks for sharing.