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 ...
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!
He looks a little “light in the loafers”....
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.
God fired him a long time ago.
There is TWO Presbyterian Churches.. One is as liberal as an Abortion CLinic..
“Global warming”?
Huh. Not only is this assclown immoral, he’s stupid.
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.
They are right. If he had kept his fool mouth shut on the subject, no one would suspect he rejected the Bible's teaching.
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.
Pastor Thompson is a heretic and should be driven out of the ministry. The Bible commands it until he repents.
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.
These false teachers are a spreading cancer in the PCUSA.
Personally, I'd have other recommendations for church affiliation. In my experience, the reputation and reality of the PCA do not align.
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.
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.
He's actually pretty much in line with the leadership of the PCUSA.
Then we are blessed indeed!
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