More Questions

Here are some more questions that I had written around April about MFC. I hope to be able to discuss these questions somewhat individually in the near future. There are a couple of questions that I had that should have been huge red flags to anyone but a lot of these questions have just kind of built a case by sheer volume. My goal in this is that maybe, just maybe, one day, I can work through all of the torment that I have been through. And who knows maybe this will be a help to someone else. I also plan on putting some links to some very helpful articles and blogs that I have found. On to the questions:

Why have we always done things to "honor" former pastor? And most of the time these things are just so extremely extravagant.

Lately I have looked at former pastor's stuff and asked, "Is that necessary?" Is it right for the pastor of a church to live multiple times better of a lifestyle than 95% of his church? His living is made by their giving after all.

Not really a question more of an observation: The auction... Now that really grieved my spirit. Did they really need to hire a professional auctioneer to run an auction IN PLACE OF a Sunday morning service? Especially since they announced that it would not take place during the service or in the main sanctuary? For my personal thought on this see Matt. 21:12-13.

Now as far as counseling goes... When my wife and I went for premarital counseling it consisted of one question, "Why do you want to get married?" and one other requirement "Read this book". Others I have known who have gone for counseling about problems were told simply "get over it." Those unfortunate enough to be sick were told it was because of "secret sin". WHAT? Where is the counsel in that? Seemed like former pastor just wanted to get us in and out as quickly as possible.

People whom I have known and trusted for years as upstanding men with good moral character just disappeared without a word. Just cast aside like yesterday's paper. If they were leaving on good terms the pastor would have made a big fanfare for them, but instead these people are just disappearing.

We were in a building program, having recently moved into our new building, and shortly afterward letters went out to everyone to verify what they had paid in the pledge program. Former pastor told us these letters were not sent out begging for more but to verify what was paid because they had lost track. LOST TRACK! former pastor's family was in charge of that money. Where is that money?

I did not bring anyone to church with me for years, because I never knew what embarrassing thing would happen. For instance someone I know brought a guest to church with him. He was greeted at the front door not with a welcome but a comment about how his clothes were not appropriate. He never returned. Why have I been going to a church where I don't feel comfortable bringing someone?

Former pastor publicly chastised the youth recently on how to "correctly" "dance in the spirit". Those kids were still reeling from other recent events in the church. How could he ridicule them like that? They just wanted to worship God, but he had to kick them in their side while they were down.

These questions I had just helped to reveal a pattern that this church was not a healthy environment and I can tell you for sure that I had not been fed very much there for quite some time.