Today I cried in my church. I literally had to excuse myself and go into the ladies room. Today I saw something that I will never forget and something that I thought I could move on through and stay with my church family, but I just don't know if I can. This is the truth about what happened in my church.
We attend an old country church. It was built in 1905. Many members of the original families still attend. They are on the boards but are not the majority. Some of them decided that they were not happy with our Pastor and went to the Diocese requesting that he be re-located. None of this was announced to the congregation, there was no meeting and no vote. Our Pastor, not wanting a division in the church resigned and requested to be moved to another church. After all of this had taken place, a candy coated announcement was made to us, the members and body of the church that our Pastor was leaving.
It was only later that we discovered the truth of the behind the scenes activities that caused the lynching of our Pastor and let me tell you, it was a lynching. The most unbelievable un-Christian behavior. Trust me, you would be shocked.
Today was our Pastor's last day. I was in tears as well as many others. This is a great man whose heart is with the Lord. The man who baptized my children. When we brought Elijah to church for the first time, he came down from the pulpit and took him up to the front of the church and held him up for everyone to see and introduced him as the newest member of our congregation. He has prayed for our daughter in China and offered anything to help us. I love this man and so do so many other families. We have lost so much because of a few.
I just don't know if I can stay in a church where this happens. Today I am just heartbroken.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A Sad Day for My Church...
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35 comments:
I am so sorry for your disappointment.
That is precisely the type of behavior that has disappointed me so deeply in the past with church involvement. It makes no sense to me.
Again, I am sorry.
I am so sorry for your hurt. You are correct, it is a very un-Christian thing for them to do.
I hope the pastor can move on to a better and much more accepting fellowship. He sounds like a wonderful person.
*Hugs* to you my friend.
praying for you and your congregation
This is just sad. I don't understand people sometimes.
I'm so sorry that your heart is hurting.
So sorry. My parents had this same experience, and it was quite difficult for them too. They found another church, and are now very happy. Hope you can find peace with things again.
That is so sad! Politiking in church is so unchristain.
What a yucky deal - we have been through a thing much like that too - makes me sad since we call ourselves Christians. I will pray for you and your family and for your pastor's new adjustment - those are never easy. I pray God will send you a new pastor as well that also speaks to your heart.
Sometimes from where we sit, it's hard to imagine good coming from something this devastating. My hope is that God will continue to draw your Pastor to Himself, and sometimes being broken/hurt opens us in ways we might not have otherwise been able to open. I have watched our bishop take 2 of my favorite priests, and they keep sending us new ones, so that feeling of "home" in my parish is gone. It's hard, but it's teaching me to be more open to God's word and not focus as much on "who" I connect with...though certainly (and especially for me) it's the "who" that seems to bring me closer to God more than the words that are spoken at times.
That said, in no way does that change how this effects you and so many in your congregation. I am truly, truly sorry for this loss. I can't imagine that many years with him, having baptized your kids, etc and then having to say goodbye.
I will pray for him and for you and for all those in your church. Perhaps there is something greater in store... my hope is that those who "lynched" him will see their mistake.
But more than that, I pray what lies ahead for him is just as incredible as what he had in your church, I pray the next chapter of his life unfolds gently.
So sorry that some "Christians" act that way -- it must absolutely break God's heart...
How sad for your Pastor, and sad for his congregation. I hope he finds the right place since he is now no longer with your church.
We'd love for you to visit our church with us, if you decide to leave.
I am so sorry. I grew up in a small country church and the politics got out of hand....sorry you are having to deal with this. I hope you find resolution to your feelings and he is able to do that as well. {{{HUGS}}}
It is so sad how a few people can cause so many problems.It is to bad that they themselves did not decide to move on instead.
I can never or never will understand how some people can be so mean and nasty.
Just remember they have to look at themselves in the mirror and see their reflection.
May your hear soon heal and may you be able to go on and findforgivness for those who hurt not only you but many others.
I can think of how Satin is so happy seeing conflict in Gods house.He would love nothing more then to see people turn away.
Stick together,support each other and best of luck.May your hurt start healing today.
I am so sorry! As stated in the comments, this is why some are suspicious of "church". It's hard for people to realize that people in the church are just like everyone else- NOT PERFECT! What a hard time for you. I hope that time will heal this. Really hard.
So sorry you're having to go through this. Losing a pastor at any time is difficult. Losing one under these circumstances is heartbreaking.
Pray your way through. Seek the Lord and He will show you where He wants you to be.
Lifting you and your family and your pastor before the Lord today.
I'm sorry this happened. It sure is not a nice thing to do. Hopefully your pastor will find a new church where things like this don't happen. ((HUGS))
That sucks. My heart goes out to you and your family. What a difficult situation.
That's pathetic... cowardly and political.
so sorry to hear it.
My heart is breaking, what a terrible situation. I am so sorry.
We had to leave a great church as well. Sometimes, the politics of the church just get in the way. We found another great church and we just accept the fact that every church will let you down at some point...Church is for God, but run by humans and no human is perfect. Humans will constantly let you down.
Sorry for your struggle within the church.
I am so sorry...
Some people you can never figure out...
Hope your week is better.
Kim
I've been through something like that at our church as well. Hopefully we can talk this weekend! GNO?
Just reading your post has made me cry. I can only imagine how you all have hurt with this.
I am so sorry you have to go through this.
I will keep you in my prayers
i am so sorry for your pain ....i will pray for God's guidance for your family and peace for your pastor ...
I am so sorry you are feeling so bad about this. I don't understand when this happens in churches. It happened to our old neighbor (pastor)the old folks wanted him out. He was beloved by the members. Broke up the whole church and was the talk of the town for a year. It broke in half and the newish members started a new church. But so so sad it happened to your church. I'll be thinking of you.
I am so sorry to hear this. Gosh, my heart wants to say so much, but I can't find the words. I have seen this before and it crushes the spirit to see "Christians" act so unlike Christ.
God will direct you in the way you should go.
Sorry you're feeling so sad RMJ.
hugs
I'm very sorry this happend. I hope you just wait, calm down, and pray for wisdom about what you should do.
The same thing happened at my husband's church years ago (before we were married) and it actually happened a few times. Turns out the same people were complaining over and over and in each case the Pastor didn't want to cause division.
I pray that a blessing will come out of it, for your Pastor and your congregation.
((((((big hugs))))))
Sounds very disappointing. Unfortunately, Christians are very imperfect, but, thankfully, God is perfect and will continue to work in your life and reveal Himself to you. Let us know how things work out ...
I'm so sorry that your communuty is experiencing this hurt.
(I'll e-mail you about the shower idea, OK!?)
I meant "community"!
I am sorry... it is very sad when things like this happens and the world looks on and uses it as an excuse to say.... "That's a "Christian" for you..." No church is perfect as every church is full of sinners. But I would defiantely pray and search the Lord's will if you are to find a new church home or stay and let your light shine. I know you are hurting and I am sorry... He has a plan for you, for your pastor and for your church.
I am so sorry. The pastor can really make a church feel like home.
Kim
Sorry you had to go through all this, I'm sure there mut be a reason beyond our understanding.
You are in my prayers.
Hopefully you can still stay in touch with him.
I am so sorry, as a Catholic we have suffered a lot of dissapointments in our church. I feel your pain and I am very sorry. I will pray for you to find peace and for your congregation.
I left a post the other day, but it disappeared.
Anyway, I, too, feel your pain. It is distressing that so many Christians forget to act Christ-like.
If you lived in WA, I'd suggest you come to our church. We'd love to have you.
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