So I have been outside of my cult church for nearly 1 year now. And how awesome these past 11 months have been. I still find myself amazed at what I find and see. Case in point:
Since I have been away from MFC, I have not heard one single minister smear a congregant. I have heard ministers talk about how they have themselves have done things to embarrass themselves. But never, talking about someone sitting in the pews. At My Former Church, this happened on numerous occasions. One such occasion has always stuck with me, because of how vile of an attack the pastor gave. The pastor began to berate and belittle an individual who had just passed away. This was all from the pulpit. To make it more shocking, it was a staff member of the church, who was well liked. If he didn't like the person, he should have fired them long ago. But that wasn't it at all. They were an asset to him alive, but dead they were a liability. When a person dies of cancer in a church that the pastor "declares" a "cancer free" church, well it hurts his credibility.
This so-called pastor did not and, sadly, does not love and respect those around him. Rather, he uses people and when they are not convenient, he rolls them under the bus. This is not a sign of a true pastor. That man is a bully not a pastor. If a pastor begins to show this kind of sign, leave. Never look back, just leave. A pastor should never talk down to or bad about the people that sit in the congregation, especially from the pulpit.
I have an earlier post called "More Questions" where I reference the pastor stopping a service to talk down to some youth. This sort of behavior does not build up the congregation. It does, however, put fear into them. It begins to make people scared of what they have said to the pastor in counselling sessions or to go to the pastor for counsel. Nothing is sacred when a minister wants to humiliate you from the pulpit.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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5 comments:
re-barr,
I know what you mean...When I first started attending my former church I went to the pastor for help and a couple of months later he shared it in a service. He didn't use my name, but I'm sure at least his family knew who he was talking about. I was really hurt.
In my new church I have not heard one person gossip and the pastor has NEVER talked about anyone in a negative way. It is so awesome to be around people who really care, love, and accept one another.
I remember services where my former pastor has called people idiots, clowns, snakes, and liars. Pastor? No! Bully? Yes!
Wow! I am so thankful each time I read about your experiences...so thankful that we are in a body of believers where love is really displayed. I pray that I can be loving towards others and never show this type of attitude that your family has experienced. I appreciate you being so open and sharing!!!
This is a wonderful post and sadly a very true one. I pray that somehow all men who are in pulpits and are not called of God or displaying His character will somehow be removed so they can no longer harm the sheep.
You and I now attend the same wonderful church. What a blessing to have regained the knowledge of the true love of Christ and to be benefitting from His goodness.
I am so glad our eyes were opened and we are prospering now in many ways!
God truly is a good God...all the time! Let's continue to enjoy His goodness in our lives and pray for the leadership of our church and praise God for His continued blessings on it.
To Anon,
Yes it is definitely a blessing to see how Christ wants to reach out to hurting people and not just feel like God is all about your money.
Let's pray not just for our new church, but for the church universal to seek to follow His plan even better each day.
See you at Church!
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