Editors note- I would like to address the following post before you read it. Church is messy, from small church’s to larger ones. One can almost read an article a day about some troubles/scandals happening with a pastor or church somewhere around the world. So i was hesitant to post an article about this here on my blog, its not my focus. One of the reasons I hesitate is because there is always two sides to a story and I am not privy to the other side. A second is I have seen well meaning people attack my pastor about something he preached or made them feel and they were completely off the mark. So it always gives me pause.
I urge the readers to read Titus and see how Paul dealt with appointing leadership etc.
Quoting from the study guide by David Guzic in the Blue Letter Bible online(LINK) These elders were not chosen by popular vote, and they were not chosen through their own self-promotion. It was Titus’ job to look for men of the kind of character Paul would describe in the following passage and to appoint them as elders in congregations.”
Also “
iii. The list in the following passage means that God has specific qualifications for leaders in the church. Leaders should not to be chosen at random, or just because they volunteer, or because they aspire to the position, or even because they are “natural leaders.” Leaders should be chosen because they match the qualifications listed here. It is fine if a man thinks he is “called.” Yet he must also be qualified.
iv. The qualifications for leadership in the following passage have nothing to do with giftedness. Paul didn’t say to Titus “Find the most gifted guys.” We might say that it is easy for the Lord to grant gifts by the Holy Spirit as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), but developing character takes time and a real relationship with Jesus Christ.- Going to seminary doesn’t make one qualified for spiritual leadership.- Being a good talker doesn’t make one qualified for spiritual leadership.- Natural or spiritual gifts in themselves do not qualify one for spiritual leadership.- What one gives in money or volunteer time does not qualify them for spiritual leadership.- What qualifies a man for spiritual leadership is godly character – and godly character established according to the clear criteria Paul will list.
v. However, this is not a rigid list which demands perfection in all areas. It provides both goals to reach for and general criteria for selection. We should take this list and ask “Does the man in question desire all these things with his whole heart? Does that desire show itself in his life?” Titus was to take the following list, find the men who best fit the description, and then use the list as a training guide to disciple these men.
vi. As well, these qualifications are valuable for every person – not only those who aspire to leadership. They are clear indicators of godly character and spiritual maturity; they can give a true measure of a man.”
This would probably mitigate a lot of issues described below. I would also like to add what Dr Missler has been harping on for years, the once and future Church “Small home studies” As quoted here from khouse.org
“Over the many decades that I have enjoyed my love affair with the Bible, I have had the marvelous benefit of many great teachers. I’ve also had the incredible experience of fellowshipping in one of the most famous churches emphasizing expositional teaching from the Word of God.
But I also would like to let you in on a precious secret. Unquestionably, the greatest personal growth I’ve ever witnessed occurs in the home Bible study. From those early years on Harbor Island Road in Newport Beach, to those precious times on Mountain Home Road in Silicon Valley, the fellowship of those intimate home groups, where people can interact, ask questions, and hold one another accountable, was the place of growth for all of us — teacher and student.
This was, of course, the way it all started. A group of but a dozen — fishermen and others — along a seaside in Galilee. Even later as Paul traveled and planted, it was the intimacy of home fellowships that provided the earliest forums for the Gospel. The declarations in the synagogues and on Mars Hill were but an initiation. Their resulting questions were responded to in small groups in homes and on hillsides.”
The small home church is indeed the future. https://www.khouse.org/articles/2016/1284/
By Jim Towers
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 devises 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 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.” N.K.J. 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