How should a congregation handle a pastor who seems to always "talk down" to people, and never has anything nice to say? He believes that any accomplishments made by the church is because of him, and not the church. He held an officers training class, and told the members in attendance that those who didn't attend, want to remain ignorant. He always reminds the congregation that he keeps his bags packed, and will ask to be moved if we don't want to "do right." People will "do right" if they are treated with respect. We don't go to church to be treat as children. He always preaches about drinking alcohol,and drugs, however, he never speaks about smoking, which he does. He always preaches about "shacking up," and why people shouldn't get married, yet he has been divorced twice!

As a result of his demeanor, the church has lost a few members. He doesn't seem to realize that he is killing the church. This congregation is ready to move on without him. Pray for us!

Help!

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2001

Answers

I feel your pain. What I hear from your comments is that the pastor and chruch do not mix. A pastor is supposed to be the leader og the church not a threatening dictator. There are many pastors who could use a good look in the mirrior so that they can see that their actions are not up to snuff. All I can suggest is that you keep praying. If this mismatch of pastor and charge continues it is up to the officers of the church to stand on beha;f of the church and demand change. The church is bigger than any one man and if he is stopping the church family from moving forward then the church family must take the neccessary steps to get a better fit.

The Mole

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2001

Smoking???!!! You're kidding, right?

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I'm not kidding about the smoking.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

While I do not condone the pastor's behavior, the beam in our own eye sometimes makes it hard to remove the splinter in our brother's eye. We have the process and procedures to handle this and all situations. First, document in writing what you beleive is improper behavior on the part of the pastor. Send the pastor and your Presiding Elder copies of your charges and indicate that you would like to appear in person at the Quarterly Conference to press the charges. If you are not willing to confront the pastor in person at the Quarterly Conference, then the charges cannot be handled. The psator and all persons have the right to face thier accusers. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

This man (based on this post) is spiritually abusing this congregation. He appears to be on a power and control trip. He does not care that "he" is killing the church...it is a mental sickness. I've read the comments about going through channels...this man needs counseling!

No one should be abused...even at the hands of the preacher. The church is supposed to be a safe haven. It should be a very loving and trusting environment. If his bags are packed (which appears to be way he handles challegenes-running away from them), perhaps he should move on. The only way to repel darkness is with light. Pray for his deliverance.

In Love and Light,

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

Okay I will not talk, (yeah right!) but I will let the Word talk about this topic

Jer. 23:1-2 "WOE BE UNTO THE PASTORS THAY DESTROY AND SCATTER THE SHEEP OF MY PASTURE!!!" YE HAVE SCATTERED MY FLOCK AND DRIVEN THEM AWAY AND HAVE NOT VISITED THEM BEHOLD, I WILL VISIT UPON YOU THE EVIL OF YOUR DOINGS" SAITH THE LORD GOD

Luke 12:47 " AND THAT SERVANT WHICH KNEW HIS LORD'S WILL AND PREPARED NOT HIMSELF, NEITHER DID ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, SHALL BE BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES"

The "Woes" found in Matthew 23

1 Peter 4:17-18 FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGEMENT MUST BEGIN IN THE HOUSE OF GOD AND IT FIRST BEGIN AT US WHAT SHALL THE END BE OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD? AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARELY BE SAVE, WHERE SHALL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?

With all this in mind, now I will speak LOLOLOLOL. Okay, the scriptures clearly points out the consequences of Pastors and othe members of the clergy that go against the word of God. We shudder to think that God wont pour out his judgement upon his own, oh yes He will, especially to those he warns constantly. Warning does go out before destruction. We cannot talk about those who are over us, for the Word says, "TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED AND DO MY PROPHETS NOT HARM" even though this pastor is tripping, he is still, unfortunately, God's anointed. Look at the example with David and Saul. When Saul flipped the script and attempted to kill David, though David has millions of opportunities to kill Saul, he reconized that Saul was still God's anointed. So, God was the one that brought the ax down on Saul. Here's the deal, when we encounter situations like this with pastors or other members acting in the church, our job is to pray. Pray that in the judgement of God, He will be merciful, and in the eror of his ways, the pastor will see his sin. See when we, who are ministers are in the public eye, sometimes a spirit comes upon some of us, what I call the "untouchable" spirit. Some of feel we have become so high that we are above being judged for sin and asking for forgiveness thereof. We become proud, thinking that what we are doing is of God, but instead we have brought forth a reproach upon what we do. However, in this despensation, we, all of us are under accountability for what we do, how we treat the people and so forth. In December 2000, I preached a message the Lord gave me, "When Shepards Cry and Lambs Bleed" the Lord told me to come out of Jeremiah 23. He said that He is using a sickle to bring those pastor who are bringing forth a reproach upon His people. He moving swiftly to correct his Bride, purging out the pervertivness, that is found. He is doing this, a quick work. Either we must get it together and be purified before the Lord or suffer the judgement. Guess what?? He is begining in the high places, starting with Prophets, bishops, ministers, etc because WE KNOW BETTER! Once we get cleaned up, then rest of the Church shall be corrected. But no one wants to believe it!! His word is true and it will surely come to pass.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2001