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Pastor worried outspokenness may cost him job
Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/11/9 | Jennifer Garza

Posted on 02/11/2009 8:18:07 AM PST by SmithL

For years, the Rev. David Thompson has angered some members of the Presbyterian community with his views.

The pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church has said gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve as clergy and marry. He has spoken repeatedly against Proposition 8, global warming and attempts by conservative congregations to break away from the denomination.

Now, Thompson and his supporters believe his outspokenness may cost him his job.

Two weeks ago, the Presbytery of Sacramento, the local governing body of the denomination, assumed control of the historic downtown church across from the state Capitol. The presbytery installed an administrative commission, a committee made up of pastors and lay people, to oversee several aspects of the church including worship, finance and personnel.

Thompson said he has done nothing to merit such an action, which he called unusual.

"I've done nothing illegal, nothing unconstitutional or immoral or anything worthy of severing pastoral ties," Thompson said. "From time to time, you make mistakes, everyone does, but this was a drastic action."

He admits his leadership style has not always been considered respectful. "I can get passionate about something, and I think I need to work more on courtesy," Thompson said.

The commission has the power to fire Thompson or place the pastor on administrative leave, and some members of the congregation are afraid that's its purpose.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Mainline Protestant; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: davidthompson; homosexualagenda; presbyterian; prop8; religiousleft

The Rev. David Thompson of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
1 posted on 02/11/2009 8:18:07 AM PST by SmithL
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To: SmithL

So a preacher speaks against the views of the church and of the bible and is worried about his job? Well knock me down with a feather!


2 posted on 02/11/2009 8:21:49 AM PST by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: Oldpuppymax

He looks a little “light in the loafers”....


3 posted on 02/11/2009 8:24:12 AM PST by CheneyChick
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To: SmithL

Given this is the PCUSA, I’m predicting that they won’t do anything. Off the record, they will probably tell him to not be so outspoken.


4 posted on 02/11/2009 8:25:15 AM PST by CommerceComet
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To: Oldpuppymax

God fired him a long time ago.


5 posted on 02/11/2009 8:25:35 AM PST by Right Brother
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To: SmithL

There is TWO Presbyterian Churches.. One is as liberal as an Abortion CLinic..


6 posted on 02/11/2009 8:26:57 AM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
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To: SmithL

“Global warming”?
Huh. Not only is this assclown immoral, he’s stupid.


7 posted on 02/11/2009 8:28:05 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: SmithL


Sir Ian McKellen contemplates his next move.
8 posted on 02/11/2009 8:29:16 AM PST by UncleDick (Sola fide)
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To: SmithL
Now, Thompson and his supporters believe his outspokenness heretical views may cost him his job.

Fixed it.
I know its the 'PC-USA' ... but still, this wolf in sheep's clothing should be pounding the pavement. He doesn't belong in the pulpit.

9 posted on 02/11/2009 8:34:23 AM PST by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: SmithL
Now, Thompson and his supporters believe his outspokenness may cost him his job.

They are right. If he had kept his fool mouth shut on the subject, no one would suspect he rejected the Bible's teaching.

10 posted on 02/11/2009 8:46:28 AM PST by magslinger (I talk to myself but sometimes I like a third opinion.)
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To: SmithL
Now, Thompson and his supporters believe his outspokenness may cost him his job.

The reason these oldline churches are in trouble generally is because they allow their ministers (ministresses) to “speak their mind” on matters unrelated to the gospel, rather than to ensure for the sake on the congregation that they faithfully preach the Word of God and salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

I predict the presbytery is clueless in this regard, and has merely taken this action for appearances sake. This guy will be back and pontificating on all sorts of “social ills” in no time.

11 posted on 02/11/2009 8:47:57 AM PST by topcat54 ("Dispensationalism -- like crack for the eschatologically naive.")
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To: SmithL

Pastor Thompson is a heretic and should be driven out of the ministry. The Bible commands it until he repents.


12 posted on 02/11/2009 9:04:11 AM PST by DarthVader (Liberal Democrats are the party of EVIL whose time of judgment has come.)
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To: CommerceComet

That’s what I was thinking. The people in his congregation who are upset should just very vocally leave that church and find a PCA church instead.


13 posted on 02/11/2009 9:28:37 AM PST by brytlea (You can fool enough of the people enough of the time.)
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To: SmithL

These false teachers are a spreading cancer in the PCUSA.


14 posted on 02/11/2009 10:39:47 AM PST by kaehurowing
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To: brytlea
The people in his congregation who are upset should just very vocally leave that church and find a PCA church instead.

Personally, I'd have other recommendations for church affiliation. In my experience, the reputation and reality of the PCA do not align.

15 posted on 02/11/2009 11:44:08 AM PST by CommerceComet
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To: CommerceComet

I’m a member of a PCA Church (converted from Catholicism about 5 years ago) and our pastors ALWAYS preach directly from the Bible, give the Gospel every single time, and are quite conservative, Biblically speaking. Of course, some may be different, this is the only one I’ve had experience with.


16 posted on 02/11/2009 12:40:15 PM PST by brytlea (You can fool enough of the people enough of the time.)
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To: brytlea
Of course, some may be different, this is the only one I’ve had experience with.

I was a member of a PCA for several years in the past, I am currently in a church which is considering PCA-mission-church status, and I am currently taking classes from Covenant Seminary. I have lots of friends in the PCA.

PCA churches are all over the board; some really good ones, some really bad ones.

17 posted on 02/11/2009 3:29:18 PM PST by CommerceComet
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To: Oldpuppymax
So a preacher speaks against the views of the church

He's actually pretty much in line with the leadership of the PCUSA.

18 posted on 02/11/2009 6:11:48 PM PST by PAR35
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To: CommerceComet

Then we are blessed indeed!


19 posted on 02/12/2009 8:56:43 AM PST by brytlea (You can fool enough of the people enough of the time.)
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