Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by CC1

I think you are wrong. But then I think that often! For a moment lets say that for once in your life you are right and this doesn't "facilitate healing". At the very least it is a warning to other pastors and saints to make sure their churches have proper accountability set up for finances and other critical areas and a pastor who some sort of accountability also.

Pastor's don't typically spend their entire ministries leading duplicitous lives (although I did just find out about one that did - first affair 3 months after he married as a young man out of Bible College). While they are still right with God they need to understand they, like all of us, are subject to failure and should WANT, yay I say even INSIST that accountability for them and the church finances be in place. Those are the pastors I pray read this thread and take action.

Amen....tv1a opinion is his opinion, which is NOT law for others-"let every man be persuaded by his own mind"-that's bible, and when we usurp ourselves above bible instructions; you get into self, and trouble(s)....there are many that uses bad situations to further troubles, and there are some that can be helped through social media. tv1a; you cannot legislate others thoughts and opinions based upon your OWN: NO DICTATION(S) ALLOWED MY FRIEND!!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

While any failure in the ministry is inexcusable and horribly affects so many and those who do so become infamous. I do want to remind everyone the great majority of preachers are faithful to their God-wives-churches. Most are givers instead of takers. They never get mentioned and don't expect it since it is their duty and privilege. Sometime when events like this take place it becomes easy to lump all into one batch. We preachers also suffer with the failures of saints we pastor that destroy their families and sometimes target the church itself.
CC1 is correct many times living a double life begins early but in time they are their own undoing. No one is smart enough to get by forever.

AMEN!!!!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by insider

these are wise words. Typically i am against speaking of these types of church issues on a public forum. When this first came to light tpc members aired this all over fb. That was foolish and ill-advised. It was non-productive. It caused ill-feelings because there were those that had no idea what was going on and those that did. It caused a ton of hurt and mistrust. I chose not to participate. I also chose not to post here. At first it was very difficult to read posts here that were full of misinformation. And honestly some of the comments hurt. Tpc is my church family. But is way more than that. It is my life. I am very involved there.

In my bewilderment and confusion there were emotions i have never felt before. Having said that, and now that 3 months have passed i can talk about it with a clear head and balance of thought. I feel others can benefit from what happened. I am not here to throw darts or stones. My hope is that we all can learn a valuable lesson from what happened at tpc. The really sad fact is there are many churches, of all faiths, that are currently using the same paradigm that was previously being used at tpc. Unfettered reign of all aspects of the church being controlled by one person. This is not biblical and is a disaster waiting to happen. You give that much leeway and power to any man and the flesh will eventually take over.

amen, and that's what took place

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by bonniefried

he had the opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness the night of the resignation, which you would have thought would be the most logical time for that!??? But, no he wants to come back and get behind tpc pulpit after the fact??? I can't say i blame the board or whoever of tpc for not letting that happen at this point. That's some messed up thinking right there.

yep, it may do more damage now???? Should have dealt with this at resignation time-the church is trying to heal and move on now...

[tv1a]

Last I check, the Bible gave explicit instruction how to handle the unfortunate situations like what "happened" in Memphis. Everyone who "posted the truth" about what happen has ulterior motives.I provided verse after verse supporting my view. The Bible says God hates gossip and snooping into other people's business. This thread violates principles established in 1 Corinthians 13 and Phillipians 4:8. Not my opinion but facts. The Bible tells us how to deal with these situations. There is nothing new under the sun. You don't have to drag people's misey into your conversation. The ultimate goal is healing for the offended and restoration for the offender. Deliberately encouraging diaolog does not accomplish either. If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Originally Posted by Tlswift2009

Amen....tv1a opinion is his opinion, which is NOT law for others-"let every man be persuaded by his own mind"-that's bible, and when we usurp ourselves above bible instructions; you get into self, and trouble(s)....there are many that uses bad situations to further troubles, and there are some that can be helped through social media. tv1a; you cannot legislate others thoughts and opinions based upon your OWN: NO DICTATION(S) ALLOWED MY FRIEND!!!!

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by not4saken

WHY, BLESS YOUR HEART!....*batting eyes rapidly and smiling coyly*

POINT taken...now, why didn't I think of THAT???!!! LOL Sall good, I guess...

Heh. I like you.

[Fiyahstarter]

Originally Posted by tv1a

The ultimate goal is healing for the offended and restoration for the offender. Deliberately encouraging diaolog does not accomplish either. If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

ADD to the above goals.... To help keep this from happening in other unsuspecting churches EVER AGAIN through establishing

A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y

Cross-checks and accountability are PART OF THE SOLUTION. But first we have to admit we have a problem!

We learn from our mistakes. I don't know TB from TPC from Adam. But what I do know is that the scenario under which this church functioned exists everywhere... and as we've already pointed out over and over, it is senseless temptation. It is a scandal begging to happen.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Fiyahstarter

ADD to the above goals.... To help keep this from happening in other unsuspecting churches EVER AGAIN through establishing

A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y

Cross-checks and accountability are PART OF THE SOLUTION. But first we have to admit we have a problem!

We learn from our mistakes. I don't know TB from TPC from Adam. But what I do know is that the scenario under which this church functioned exists everywhere... and as we've already pointed out over and over, it is senseless temptation. It is a scandal begging to happen.

This very same thing happens over and over because it is the 2000 elephant in the room that nobody wants to acknowledge.

[Steve Epley]

Can I give the other side without seeming to be excusing any bad business practices? Most Pentecostal churches were built by a handful of folks who sacrificed lead by a pastor who sacrificed much to bring them to where they are. They were honest and kingdom minded. Many had to borrow many against their own names because institutions would not loan churches money. So at times churches would be in the pastor's name not by choice but of a necessity. Pentecostals had seen or denominations hire and fire preachers at whim run by two or three church board members. That would fire a preacher if he stepped on their toes. Thus the set up we have today. Where the preacher was given the right to preach his heart and make most decisions concerning the church. Now these churches are old and the founding pastors are dead or retired and the 2nd-3rd-4th-generation of pastors and saints were given a wonderful heritage and some do not appreciate it nor respect it. Again as sad as this is this is NOT the norm most churches has existed for decades without scandal or impropriety.

[seekerman]

The problem is that the tens of thousands of 'churches' are built upon a Romanist system of religion and most folks never read their bible enough to realize this. If the church was organized as the early church was, you'd not have as many problems.