Posted on 03/22/2005 5:58:03 AM PST by Dr. Marten
CLEARWATER - Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer left his church last week after the pastor wrote him a letter suggesting "it might be easier for all of us" if he leave.
Greer, whose orders on the Terri Schiavo case have brought him criticism, is a Southern Baptist who attended Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater.
Though he had other unrelated problems with the church, Greer's attendance faltered after a Baptist publication the church supported criticized his decisions in the Schiavo case. He stopped his donations to the church, but remained a member. He briefly discussed his relationship with the church in a March 6 St. Petersburg Times article.
Four days later, Calvary Pastor William Rice wrote Greer a letter: "I am not asking you to do this, but since you have taken the initiative of withdrawal, and since your connection with Calvary continues to be a point of concern, it would seem the logical and, I would say, biblical course."
Rice's letter became public when he sent a copy to the Clearwater courthouse. Rice also said the church supports keeping Schiavo alive, though he said he was "truly saddened and embarrassed by the level of harassment and vitriolic nature of so many comments that purportedly come from people of faith."
Rice, who has been pastor at the church for five months, added: "But you must know that in all likelihood it is this case which will define your career and this case that you will remember in the waning days of life. I hope you can find a way to side with the angels and become an answer to the prayers of thousands."
Greer responded with a letter severing his relationship with the church.
Pastor: "As a member of this church, YOU'RE FIRED!!!"
We're in a fairly small town. It doesn't take long to find out what has happened to anyone here. Some of the folks have the nerve to move out on the family during the week and show up at church with the person with whom they are committing adultery in tow. It's kind of like they think if they can get others within their church circle to accept the situation, they are home free.
Which members of the church do the confronting and where?
It usually takes place in the Sr. Pastor's office with the spouse and the Sr. Pastor in attendance.
What does the member who is asked to repent specifically asked to do or say?
The member who in sin is given biblical reasons why he/she should turn from their sin, usually in the form of Bible verses. The Sr. Pastor reminds the person that there is forgiveness, if that person is willing to do what it takes to repent and the Sr. Pastor tells the person that he is there at any time to assist the person. The person is reminded that while we all have free will, we suffer the natural consequences of sin. If the person is receptive, the deacons or their wives (if it is a woman) will work with them on accountability and get them into a ministry we have at our church for situations like this.
Hope this isn't too nosy - I'm curious about this!
Not nosey at all. I had never heard of it happening until my husband of almost 30 years walked out on my and my kids and showed up Sunday morning with his secretary on his arm telling everyone that God wanted him to start a new life with a new wife. Seems like there was an outbreak of this when the kids were in their high school years. Lots of dads were of the opinion that they had done their job and they were outta the marriage.
I just remembered that this happened to my sister's friend a few years ago. Well, the man didn't bring his girlfriend to church - in fact I'm sure he avoided church at all. But he was called in by the pastor in the manner here described. He didn't care and then, the pastor booted him. (Good for him, cuz frankly, lots of times too much forgiveness and leeway is granted men like this, while women are told to forgive-forgive-forgive and get over it. Happened w/my sister herself and her NUTTY dangerous husband.)
This was a man who played main trombone in the gigantic orchestra for the giant church, during all their (awesome, and I'm very serious there!) passion and Christmas plays. Yet the church took the whole thing seriously enough to expel the husband and support the wife.
Thanks, texgal! Very interesting.
Gloat, gloat, gloat. Not like we have much to gloat about, OF. Give use a break. Greer is winning, for now. His master is the ruler of the world.
If you don't have chapter and verse why don't you put a sock in it? Biggest misconception about Christians: that we have to be nice all the time.
The job of a District and appeals court judge is not to simply rubber stamp SCOTUS rulings when their is cause to overturn it. If that was the case they why even have a defense argument on cases. The Defense will know that they Plantiff's will lose if there cause contradicts SCOTUS and the lower courts will just be a rubber stamp.
Do you want a rubber stamp lower courts when it comes to Roe v. Wade rulings?
The day a lower court overturns Roe v. Wade is the day we get closer to SCOTUS overturning Roe v. Wade!
Brother or Sister: Remember the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ: "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me first"
This is all that gets me through many times.
LOL!!
Terri's feeding tube was up for auction.
It should be noted that Jesus didn't hate pagans or tax collectors, it just means treat them as one outside the church -- invite them to repent of their sins, accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and enter into the joy of His Eternal Kingdom. I wish there was a little more of that in our church, Dave.
You are obviosly ignorant of chiurch dicipline.
You don't know what you're talking about. Everything about disfellowship is in the Bible.
I thought only liberals harrassed Christians.
I guess the Judge followed his Law and the Church followed theirs.
The Judge has strained out a knat from his legal drink, and then swallowed a camel.
Being a Judge is a tough job. Being a decent human is sometimes tougher.
I respect the guy for refering to the Constitution on this matter, rather than the Bible.
Had he voted with the Church, he would be another activist judge.
Nice to see Christian gloating in the morning.
LOL!
He should have excommunicated his ass.
The pastor said he wasn't asking him to leave.....doesn't sound like much discipline to me.
The pastor is a soft wussy boy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.