News-Record.com

" When he started questioning the church's policies, financial and otherwise"........................

this same scenario happened to me and my family within the last several years. i was on the board at our church (where we had attended for several years) - as time went on i became more involved with the financial end of the church - it took no time at all to find out 'where' most of the money was going - basically into the pockets of the pastor for any use he deemed appropriate. when confornted with the misuse of funds, things began to go downhill and eventually the church collapsed and 98% of the congregants moved elsewhere. some ended up at the same church my family went to, some to others churches and some dropped out. i believe each of us choose to either become a victim of circumstances while others are victors over their circumstances. the difference is being labeled as 'the walking wounded' or 'those walking in victory'. pastors (or so called pastors) are only human and they are subject to every distraction that you or i are subject to - i believe too many people elevate 'pastors' above 'humanness' and make them godlike and when this pastor fails, many loose hope and faith because they had placed that very hope and faith in a man (i.e pastor) - when they ought to have relied on God.

These comments infuriate me. The pastors, and I am one so am commenting on my colleagues, violated some of the most basic rules of life and vocation. We have the difficult job of staying in relationship with those we do not especially agree with. And we certainly should always be clear on our financial dealings. The Episcopal church requires annual audits to help maintain that financial controls -- and frankly that protects the rector as much as anyone!

This subject line is realted to the one about the VA Tech suit, in the sense that people today are all too quick to unduly persecute those who have failed, or simply made well-meaning errors in judgment. There is a litigious and avaricious spirit in the land. It's one thing to have intentionally committed a serious crime; quite another to have merely been weak, imperfect and all too human (Presidents and Republicans excepted, of course).

According to the Scriptures it is a far more grievous to sin and bleak faith as a pastor of the flock. St. paul admonishes Timothy to be above reproach, an example to the flock. Since the Body of Christ is a reality of love and trust, to break that bond is to grieve the Spirit - whether from the pew or the pulpit. It does flow both ways, you know. In many ways its like marriage and adultery.

One aspect of this is that people who are living in sin and guilt are always prone to vindictiveness and bitterness, inside or outside the church community.(Just go to divorce court some time) That's why the Scriptures inveigh against this scenario by addressing sin, and by encouraging forgiveness and reconiliation.

Unity and harmony create peace and well being in the Body; which is the goal and ideal. There is all too little emphasis on both sin AND forgiveness in churches today, not to mention in the secualr sphere. It is precisely the power of the atonement (accomplished by Christ's death on the cross)that is the MEANS to stop sinning and to forgive.

However, there must be an atmosphere of genuine love and harmony among hte faithful for righteousness and forgiveness to flourish. If the church is "institutional" and carnal, devoid of the Spirit, the flesh will win the day, every day. But, even in the best of spiritual circumstances in this fallen world, sins and offenses WILL occur from time to time. Buz is right, that Christians must accept the limitations of people, keep their perspective, and try to be the walking victorious.

Of course, we must also understand that easy money is hard to resist when opportunistic atorneys are all to eager to fill the coffers. Most of us have received the deluge of letters after getting a ticket. Oh well, such is life.

So, Nikos, please DO tell us all about divorce court.
Did she dump you because you werre boring?

Alice, No; I've never been divorced - 30 years and goin' strong! You've taken ad hominem to the lowest point I've seen in these blogs lately. That's all the time your comment is worth - except a line from a familiar song:

"I'll take the high road and you'll take the low raod."

Hi, my name is Dr. John Setser. I have self published a book entitled "Broken Hearts Shattered Trust" dealing with workplace abuse of staff in the church. There is no cost for the book. It is available through my website: www.shatteredtrust.com. My sole purpose is to minister to staff associates and church workers who have experienced senior pastor mistreatment. If I can help my address is:johnsetser@hotmail.com