Posted on 08/19/2007 11:08:17 AM PDT by Terriergal
No harm done, Mary. I’m sure you’re right that the liberal crowd likes to see preachers fall. I don’t like to see anyone fall or fail. In all fairness, I would imagine that our preacher and his wife did not sit around and discuss how they would manipulate or take, take, take in any sort of a malicious way, nor were they likely even aware they were doing so. In fact, I would more likely think that they both excused their in tandem control freak ways as doing the will of God for our own good; and after thirty years or so in the religion business, I think they had both just become spoiled to the pedestal. Unfortunately, it is highly difficult when one’s own personal old 61 yr. old bones lie bleaching in the sunlight in the wake of a couple of apparently egotistical, self-important peoples’ machinations.
Since I don’t know everything, I know I probably should just imagine their motives as pure. I chose to not cause problems in my husband’s diaconate work by confronting this preacher on his out of line, unscriptural tongue lashings (on me personally from the pulpit because he knew he could get away with it I think). In retrospect, I probably should have anyway, but would have either been told I was imagining things (which I wasn’t) or else I was meddling in his control of the pulpit. So, I chose to quietly get out of the way until finally about 8 months later certain factors involving my husband and his health caused me to confront my husband. I still didn’t make him leave that addiction, because the accolades he was receiving in that situation WERE very addictive. He chose to leave there, and all’s well that ends well. I probably should just quit commenting on what I consider to be the excesses of preachers as I’m really not the judge. Just thought some questions need to be posed about some of these yahoos, not all but surely some of them. I wish everyone in that situation well and actually have been in a healing process for a while now as my husband didn’t let go of that situation in reality until very recently. I think some things are becoming crystal clear to him now; but not until after almost two years. When people who were supposed to be his real friends treated him like a pariah, he woke up to the harm done by blind loyalists.
I don’t think anything hurts much more (except divorce and death of a loved one) than betrayal by those you trusted, especially in a church where those things aren’t supposed to happen but so often do. It’s not always the leadership but it doesn’t matter who it is, it hurts. satan is very subtle. He gives people just enough control to want more and more. It’s almost obsessive. I’m sorry you had to go through it. I know it hurt you both. Love, Maryxxx
From old and fuddy duddy to new and happenin (and void of substance).
yup.
Well then! :-)
Yes that is true (as you suggest). It says so in the story.
Purpose Driven Church/Church Growth/Transitioning = Pastor is master!
I think you’re right. But trying to find a small group that believes the TRUTH is worth it. (also helps you obey the ‘forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as is the habit of some’ - even though it was dangerous to do so, they were admonished not to neglect it.
But it takes years of searching sometimes to find a group that isn’t caught up in worldly fads. You may have something valuable to do for the Lord’s elect.
lol
Nah. I ‘ve spent a couple years focusing on evangelicalism. They are way off track.
Somewhere, yep.
BTW people always DO what they really believe. (at the time)
www.purposedriven.com
That kind of purpose driven. Anyone can be purpose driven. Doesn’t have to be Christian. Which means I don’t want it in my church.
Yep. WAKE UP people, hold your leadership accountable! Boy it really is painful to do though because you end up ostracized and vilified and guilt-tripped for ‘causing division.’
I agree. But you have to think that this guy WHILE he was talking about blacklisting ‘troublemakers’ (e.g. those who questioned his ‘transitioning’ or hostile takeover of the church) he was embezzling money. Apparently there wasn’t much in what he was teaching about integrity or holding himself accountable etc.
I would wager that those who really understand the gospel and teach it well have a much lower incidence of criminal or even bad behavior.
Am I my brother's keeper?
Are you judging me?
lol yup. Or he just thought he could stick another purpose in there along side Rick Warren’s “five purposes” (none of which are “bear witness to the truth.”)
I hear ya. They’re theological brethren, Jim Wallis and Rick Warren. All social-gospel oriented. There is nothing sanctifying in Purpose Driven teaching because it dilutes the Word so much.
I hear ya. Yeah Hannegraaf has gone over the edge too. (Didn’t quite like some of his theology but... that’s pathetic that he could be bought!)
Thank you — I think you’re right.
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