WE HAVE HAD A NEW PASTOR FOR TWO YEARS. THE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN RENDERED INEFFECTIVE DUE TO THE TOTAL CONTROL AND ATTITUDE OF THE PASTOR. THE MAJORITY OF THE OFFICERS AND STAFF HAVE RESIGNED BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT WORK WITH THE PASTOR. MOST OF THE MEMBERS ARE LEAVING OUR CHURCH. THE PLEASE DON'T SAY GO TO PRESIDING ELDER. THE PRESIDING ELDER HAS SHOWN US HE IS INSENSITIVE TO OUR CONCERNS, AS WAS THE PREVIOUS BISHOP. THEY TURNED A DEAF EAR TO OUR DILEMMA.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Answers

Sister Moore,

I find it curious no one has responded to your input yet. I'm not in the AME so I'll defer to others, but if no one else answers in a day or two I'll offer some principles true for any church.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2001

Sister Moore - The Presiding Elder is the person you must go to, but do it in writing, with a copy sent to the Presiding Bishop. Request an audience with each one of them and be prepared to make your case in the presence of your pastor. You must be able to PROVE your allegations. If you get no satisfaction with the Eldewr and the Bishop, then you must take it to the General Church Legal system. Again you must be prepared to prove your allegations. Check your Discipline and you will bfind the appropriate place to make your compliants. By the way, when you meet with th eelder and the bishop, don't shout ALL CAPS is shouting and yelling at the person. Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Sister Moore.

You are obviously in a great deal of pain over the situation at your church. It is my thought that you have the right to shout. When people are in pain they shout. When people are hurting they shout. When people are in trouble they shout. When nobody is listening people shout. So to you sister Moore I say shout to the highest heavens. Yes try to use the appropriate mechanisms that are listed in the discipline but if that does not work then shout. Stand up for yourself, and your church. Reguardless of Bishops, Elders, or Pastors that is YOUR church and you should shout to the highest heavens if it is in the condition that you say. Because when Bishops, Elders, and Pastors move to their next charge it is you who will be left there to pick up the pieces at YOUR church. So Shout. Shout now. And shout some more until someone listens to you and you concerns. God Bless

The Mole

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001