HELP! My church is falling apart!?

Question

Hello,
The church I have been attending for nearly all of my life is falling apart. In short, the elders, deacons, and other administrative figures are pushing for the resignation of the head paster and they are giving little to no reason as to why this measure should be taken. The congregation loves him and doesn't want to see him go (but then again, we have been given very limited information on the subject and are really not fit to make any judgment.) Anyway, there is a congregational meeting this weekend (where i hope to express my opinion) and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful quotes or bible verses i could use.
Some subjects I hope to cover: censorship, staying focused on god/where is god in all of this?, re-evaluating ourselves rather than others, etc.

Answer 1

I am sorry that you are going through this. As a career minister of music in various denominations, I have seen this more than once in the last 37 years.

It is probably too late to save your pastor. If you pastor spoke truth and the elders did not want to hear, there is nothing you can do. If the congregation loves him, the elders are threatened and my be jealous. If the pastor is loving and enlightened, they may resent him.

Christianity is not a democracy. Jesus never asked for a vote from the apostles.

This is going to happen no matter what you do. You can't change that, but you can change how you react to it. You can stay and watch this happen again, and it will. Or you can go where you fit. You can be angry at the powers that be, or you can turn your energy to support this person who is being crucified by Christians. Imagine how he feels. (There is a book called Crucified by Christians, look for it).

When the dust settles, some people will be pissed, some will be smug, most will be hurt.

My prayers for you and your faith (or lack thereof) community.

Answer 2

Is sad how the body of Christ divides like this.
Check out 1Titus 5:17-19. Pastors should lead the congregation, not the other way around.
Also check Romans 16:17-19 where you can see what Paul said about the people bringing division within the church.
If your pastor is doing something wrong, he should acknowledge it and seek restoration and if that means he has to resign maybe is better, but if not there shouldn't be a reason to kick him out at all. You don't do that to a Servant of God.

Answer 3

You should force the elders or deacons to justify their action. Make them get to the point. No church member should allow deacons to run the church-that is not their job, a deacons job is to serve the church and the pastor and never to run the business of the church. The membership together should ask the elders and deacons for their resignation if they can not give good reason for wanting the pastor to leave.
The pastor is supposed to be the one who is seminary trained.
You do not need to quote Bible verses to the deacons-just stand up to them and make them tell why they want the pastor to leave.

Answer 4

I went through this in one congregation.

The end result was that the congregation split into two churches.

I was at another congregation where it started to happen and I took off before things got out of hand while I was still on friendly terms with everybody. Having gone through it once, I refuse to sit and watch fellowship turn into mutual mistrust and even hate!
.

Answer 5

The church is made from believers, no longer the homes. that is a mirrored image that persons are turning out to be extra non secular, a lot less non secular and legalistic. the rage in the present day is in course of smaller, a lot less formal gatherings in human beings residences. it really is interesting to observe that contained in the survey sixty 5% call themselves Christian. they received't perceive with the further prepared denominations, yet they certainly are not any more falling remote from Christianity. What unifies and is the cornerstone of the church is Jesus Christ. How we make sure to construct on that foundation is as a lot as us.

Answer 6

I am sorry you are having to go through this. This is devastating. I know because we are between pastors right now. It is hard. You have the right to know why his resignation was called especially if you are a active member there. If you cant get an accurate answer go to district council if your church is affiliated with a certain branch. PRAY PRAY PRAY. I hope it goes okay for you and your church family.

Answer 7

I've been there and done that. I love my Pastor and wept when he quit. But later the truth came out and I was shocked. The proof was there, the facts were the facts and not one could deny it.

So hang in there and understand, God is in control and knows what is best. He knows the hearts of all men.

Get the facts before you make a decision.

Answer 8

1Corinthians 6:9 Don’t you know that evil people will not receive God’s kingdom? Don’t be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who are prostitutes or who commit homosexual acts. 10 Neither will thieves or those who always want more and more. Neither will those who are often drunk or tell lies or cheat. People who live like that will not receive God’s kingdom. 11 SOME OF YOU USED TO DO THOSE THINGS. But your sins were washed away. You were made holy. You were made right with God. All of that was done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

SOME OF YOU USED TO DO THOSE THINGS…

The list is pretty broad, but were ALL FORGIVEN.

Answer 9

Hate to say this, but it happens all the time, and in most every church at one time or another. A church is just a bunch of people, and while I'm sure you can find a Bible verse to support your side, they can find . . . or twist themselves . . . a Bible verse to support theirs. That's the trouble with organized religion; it's organized around human nature!

Answer 10

I am not Christian, but I do know of The Gospel of St. Thomas. Part of it says: "The Kingdom of God is within you, not in walls of brick or stone.... flip a stone and you will find me"