Perception

[Evang.Benincasa]

[votivesoul]

This is interesting. I wonder what the context was? It seems clear, but I should think there are some missing details?

Was the man sowing discord and backbiting a leader or elder, that he should be rebuked before all (1 Timothy 5:20)? Is this the final stage of the Matthew 18:15-18 protocol, or did some of the steps get skipped?

If the man was an elder, and they had tried to reconcile one to one and that failed, then in a small group, and that failed, and it was time to bring it to the church, then the only thing I think should have been done differently is to have had a closed-door, no visitors meeting to do this.

But otherwise, it looks pretty right to me, barring perhaps some of the language employed.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

This is interesting. I wonder what the context was? It seems clear, but I should think there are some missing details?

Was the man sowing discord and backbiting a leader or elder, that he should be rebuked before all (1 Timothy 5:20)? Is this the final stage of the Matthew 18:15-18 protocol, or did some of the steps get skipped?

If the man was an elder, and they had tried to reconcile one to one and that failed, then in a small group, and that failed, and it was time to bring it to the church, then the only thing I think should have been done differently is to have had a closed-door, no visitors meeting to do this.

But otherwise, it looks pretty right to me, barring perhaps some of the language employed.

You were the first to take this on and you pretty much nailed it.

Seems that Anderson's biggest beef (and the church family) was that the offender was text "blasting" people who were defending the pastor. The offender never sought to leave Anderson's church family. But his backbiting the preacher, and sowing discord contradicted his wanting to remain within the fold. It was interesting (which is pretty typical) the visiting "bystander" who voices his opinions of the pastor's railing against the offender. It is easy for first time visitors (especially the unchurched or ecclesiastically disgruntled) to be critical of the situation, pastor, and church family. They have totally no skin in the game. Therefore Anderson points that out to the first time visitor. To the amens of many of the church family. Even when Anderson gives the left foot of fellowship to the offender, the church family are cool with it and agree with the pastor's decision. Anderson explains how they had protesters outside his church who were coming agaisnt his views on homosexuals. Seems like that may have been the topic which the offender was sowing seeds of discord. Still it is only my perception of what I'm seeing, and hearing. I don't attend church there, I don't know Anderson, or anyone attending his church. Therefore I'm at a disadvantage. Still Anderson gave enough of his side of the story to let us know it was a church family situations. The vocal church members who side with Anderson allow us to know a little of some church family feel about it. Church families vote with their feet, and while we might want to shoot a pastor down we need to remember the most important equation in this math problem. It not only takes a pastor, but the willing followers to enforce all rules and las within a church family.

[diakonos]

This is why I never do my backbiting through text or a phone call. I will talk about you to someone while you’re across the room.

[diakonos]

All kidding aside. It was handled right, but should have been done in private, where 2 or 3 are gathered. (Matt 18:20)

Then an announcement could have been made to the congregation.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by diakonos

All kidding aside. It was handled right, but should have been done in private, where 2 or 3 are gathered. (Matt 18:20)

Then an announcement could have been made to the congregation.

You are correct sir.

Anderson should of dealt with the brother alone. But, I don't have all the finer details, but it looks like it just got hashed out right then and there. With the church family (the vocal ones we could here) being all cool with it.

[votivesoul]

I noticed the "backbiter" in the video was talking back to Anderson, so it may be he brought up the problem in front of everyone and Anderson decided to handle it in-house right then and there???

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I noticed the "backbiter" in the video was talking back to Anderson, so it may be he brought up the problem in front of everyone and Anderson decided to handle it in-house right then and there???

That's an excellent point. It also could be how the church family interact with the pulpit.