A while back I told you about my wonderful church falling apart because an egotistical and power-hungry group of men had taken over, after saying an untimely goodbye to our long-time pastor (27 years), practically kicking him out the door.
It took 27 years for our Pastor under God’s supervision to make our church what it was. It was a conservative Bible-based church in which the scriptures were read aloud while standing. Then the pastor would expound on the verses read. Afterward there was an altar call, and baptisms in the warm Gulf waters were frequent. There were no flashing lights, abracadabra, smoke and mirrors or overt shenanigans among this crowd (as in a rock concert.) All were well-read, educated people, with many professionals in the mix.
How sad that this had to happen just because a handful of men plotted to take over. Recently the pastor had bestowed “pastor” titles to them all just to keep them happy, but it seems they wanted more power and prestige than he was able to give.
An Email was sent to over seven hundred members – most of whom weren’t aligned with the usurpers. This group (and I among them) crashed their “business as usual meeting.” But knowing this was going to happen through spies, they arranged for an experienced old-timer to moderate the meeting while the lead usurper went into hiding. While these folks were claiming to be “transparent,” the two huge monitors in the chapel (where the meeting was held) read, “No recording devices or videotaping allowed,” which doesn’t sound very transparent to me.
Afterward, I queried the guys I knew were in cahoots with the Executive Pastor about his whereabouts and was told by the music director, “I’m not supposed to say,” and who seemed offended that I should ask; and he immediately turned to speak to someone else to avoid further questioning. I told the second man that it was quite a coincidence for the leader of the pack to be absent from this important meeting. This man just gulped as his face screwed up in defeat. The third crony said, “I heard he’s in the hospital.” Quite a coincidence indeed. In trying to find out if this was true from the church office through an Email I sent, I received no response, and that was two weeks ago. This same guy tried to assure me that it was all in God’s hands, and I had to agree. Had God laid up this man to a bed of affliction or is this just a ruse? It’s hard to say because all six of them have all shown themselves to be dishonest men.
Whether these wolves in sheep’s clothing thought that they were doing good by trying to slander a man of God is questionable. One error on the part of the pastor is that he hired and promoted what he thought were sound spirit-filled men; and even if the pastor made a few other errors (as we are all prone to do), these usurpers have made a grievous mistake in scattering the flock the way they have.
The director of communications must have been very hurt by the pastor’s suggestion that his son in law be given that role. With the pastor out, this man takes to the podium every chance he gets. (I suppose it makes him feel powerful.) Another thing that irks me is that one of them, while being a good speaker, never refers to God as “Father.” This isn’t in keeping with the prayer Jesus taught, as in “Our Father who art in heaven….,” and that tells me that he doesn’t have a close enough relationship with God to address Him in that way. Also, it irks me that this childish man and the pompous music director tend to emote fake weeping during their public prayers on the podium, like the old-time televangelists used to do – think Tammy Fae Baker and Jan Crouch. (But this is just me – and although I am only a sinner saved by grace, I don’t tolerate phonies. The things of God are a very serious business.)
While there are other lesser followers of this cabal, they aren’t worth bothering with; and like worldly people, they are only vying for position, but you can be sure their sins will find them out – just as the leader of this fiasco. Such are these men. “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” wolves.” (NKJ)
The following passage hits the nail on the head in so many ways: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”….. “By their fruits you shall know them.” – Jesus.
“But if [they] do not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if [they] refuse to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer” (Matt. 18:15-17). None of these men are loving and kind but are phony and narcissistic in their behavior.
So, here is where we are now – having to take a stand and revealing these ruthless and divisive men for what they are. Although their family members may be hurt, these ambitious men took it upon themselves to take over the church, hurting countless people; and they must repent – pack their bags –and leave.
Postscript:
In my forty-five years of church attendance, I have been privy to three other such events; and, frankly, I’ve seen enough ruthless men running roughshod over God’s people. If these men think they are capable, then they should venture out and start their own corrupt and loveless church.
Many people in our church have had their faith shaken to the core, so much so that many have already left the church. What a tragedy!
Insofar as the integrity of the cabal that has taken over our church, I can’t think of anything worse for man to do than to shake another person’s faith in Almighty God.
YBIC
Jim Towers
You can write me with your thoughts at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com