Swindled churches? What to do?

[Jaxon]

I would like to know if anyone has a solution to a problem that seems to be occuring more frequently.

Here's the scenerio:

Let's say an established church that has been affliated for years (you can say UPCI or other initials if you wish) has a pastor vacancy. The reason is because the longtime founding pastor has died. The church votes in a new pastor. Everything goes smoothly, no major changes for a few years. Then the pastor brings the ideato the church that disaffiliatingfrom the organization would be good because they would have more flexibility to reach the lost. The pastor tells the church he does not want to change anything that's always been preached, no deviation from docrtine or anything like that. He just says disaffiliation would be a good thing for the overall good.

So the congregation believes every word he says and votes to disaffialiate. Then it isn't long before he actually does begin to change. Doctrine, you name it. He pretty much does as he pleases. Accountable? He put in a puppet board. Of course he wil be accountable in the end to God. For now though, a church that took years to establish has been turned upside down. The saints that were deceived - most will go somewhere else and there will be a skeleton of a church remaining, if that.

I've seen it happen. It's sad. It's dishonest. If someone wants to start a church that believes whatever, fine. But it's a sad day when a man stoops so low that he would destroy a church that a man had worked so long to build, and destroy it through dishonesty.

There doesn't seem to be an answer for the problem. Any thoughts?

[Sherri]

If the new pastor was sincere, and then God spoke a new direction to him somewhere down the road, then he has a right to lead the church however God spoke. BUT, if he went into the situation deceitfully, knowing that he was going to change the direction, then he was wrong. Only God knows his heart and God will be his ultimate judge.

The older I get, the more important I believe a pastor's character is. Give me integrity any day over talent. God can increase a man's talent, but it's rare that his character changes.

[pelathais]

This is a problem endemic to the Pentecostal movement since its inception. The deceit of some knows no bounds. The only way to protect your church is to remain affiliated. Most of my life's work went into a building and property that's going to make another man a millionaire.

But what do you do when the organization that you affiliated with changes?

First you notice certain writings are no longer available.

Changes are made in your articles of faith without the necessary steps being followed, and then a resolution designed to cull the herd is introduced in an extra-parliamentary procedure. The justification for this is given by an official who deceives those assembled with numbers he conjures up by "evangelistically speaking."

What do you do when everything that you thought was "in the kingdom" turns out to be one huge scam followed by another?

[TalkLady]

Originally Posted by pelathais

This is a problem endemic to the Pentecostal movement since its inception. The deceit of some knows no bounds. The only way to protect your church is to remain affiliated. Most of my life's work went into a building and property that's going to make another man a millionaire.

But what do you do when the organization that you affiliated with changes?

First you notice certain writings are no longer available.

Changes are made in your articles of faith without the necessary steps being followed, and then a resolution designed to cull the herd is introduced in an extra-parliamentary procedure. The justification for this is given by an official who deceives those assembled with numbers he conjures up by "evangelistically speaking."

What do you do when everything that you thought was "in the kingdom" turns out to be one huge scam followed by another?

You pray and allow your spiritual wounds time to heal. You don't beat yourself up when you're not healing fast enough to suit yourself and when you have set backs. You pray for your enemies. Most of all you don't allow yourself to feel as though you are a victim. That's part of the process. Most of all you stay away from those who scammed ya!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by TalkLady

You pray and allow your spiritual wounds time to heal. You don't beat yourself up when you're not healing fast enough to suit yourself and when you have set backs. You pray for your enemies. Most of all you don't allow yourself to feel as though you are a victim. That's part of the process. Most of all you stay away from those who scammed ya!

Wow Lady. You should Talk more.

[Cindy]

Cry out to Jesus, and he will heal your broken heart. Then you warn others so it doesn't happen to them.

[Revelationist]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

I would like to know if anyone has a solution to a problem that seems to be occuring more frequently.

Here's the scenerio:

Let's say an established church that has been affliated for years (you can say UPCI or other initials if you wish) has a pastor vacancy. The reason is because the longtime founding pastor has died. The church votes in a new pastor. Everything goes smoothly, no major changes for a few years. Then the pastor brings the ideato the church that disaffiliatingfrom the organization would be good because they would have more flexibility to reach the lost. The pastor tells the church he does not want to change anything that's always been preached, no deviation from docrtine or anything like that. He just says disaffiliation would be a good thing for the overall good.

So the congregation believes every word he says and votes to disaffialiate. Then it isn't long before he actually does begin to change. Doctrine, you name it. He pretty much does as he pleases. Accountable? He put in a puppet board. Of course he wil be accountable in the end to God. For now though, a church that took years to establish has been turned upside down. The saints that were deceived - most will go somewhere else and there will be a skeleton of a church remaining, if that.

I've seen it happen. It's sad. It's dishonest. If someone wants to start a church that believes whatever, fine. But it's a sad day when a man stoops so low that he would destroy a church that a man had worked so long to build, and destroy it through dishonesty.

There doesn't seem to be an answer for the problem. Any thoughts?

If someone from within the church that has worked and slaved over the church with that pastor would step up and pastor that church, they would have a little more love for the work...

[ManOfWord]

Trust but verify!

[Sister Alvear]

Different circumstances sometimes cause changes...I think each case should be weighed...I think a pastor should be upfront...
I know of several pastors that are preparing (according to them) to take their people out of the UPC...I would never tell their names so no PM`S please....however I think it is wrong to deceive people...if you are deceiving...
If a pastor feels another direction and he is waiting on God to speak to some of the people that might be another story...
So my thing would be: The REAL motive of the pastor...

Is he a man of integrity? What is his track record? People at times associate a church or organization name with salvation and God...

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by sister alvear

different circumstances sometimes cause changes...i think each case should be weighed...i think a pastor should be upfront...
I know of several pastors that are preparing (according to them) to take their people out of the upc...i would never tell their names so no pm`s please....however i think it is wrong to deceive people...if you are deceiving...
If a pastor feels another direction and he is waiting on god to speak to some of the people that might be another story...
So my thing would be: the real motive of the pastor...

is he a man of integrity? What is his track record? People at times associate a church or organization name with salvation and god...

exactly!!