Inasmuch as this has unfolded and information has become known relative to money, inappropriate conduct, and other "rumors" flying around relative to a multiplicity of subjects - this has all become a HOT mess. One thing is for certain. I want to be in the will of God. My family is at stake. I'm not trying to prove a point. I'm not trying to "stand" one way or the other. I want to be in the will of God. Pray. Yes. But, Jesus said WATCH as well as pray; perhaps, too many of us were too busy praying and running aisles and didn't SEE what was right before us.
I've read the rhetoric about forgiveness relative to the perpetrator. This is not about forgiveness. It's about TRUST. It is hard for some to swallow that we sat and shared our passions, failures, vision with someone who was living such a reckless life. And if one can live such a lifestyle and take the pulpit preaching without conviction while living in sin what trust CAN one have at this point even IF there is repentance. THAT is why a bishop is to be BLAMELESS. More rides on his backsliding than merely when a 'pew member' does. It makes me question every "tongue and interpretation" that was uttered from his mouth, every "vision" of winning 1,000,000 souls (when we continue to move farther away FROM the city we're supposedly reaching)...it causes distrust and cynicism. Speaking of cynicism: I saw a picture of a shade-wearing, smirk grin bearing TB driving his BMW on a popular social media website last night. Maybe I misinterpreted and read more into it. The picture disappeared about 5 minutes later. Really? I thought his profile was deleted? Evidently, hiding it and 'fading in and out' at will. I looked at the picture and the man (for the first time in my life) with SUCH disrespect. Maybe it's time for a complete fresh start.
Bottom line, there is a church hurting. THAT is what's important. I left church headed out of town on business only to get a call while on the road to find out I no longer have a pastor. And to this point, only rumors. Others failed in the past and it was made known QUICKLY what happened. THIS happens, and NOW it's 'hush hush' and information given ONLY if asked. Really?
And MY issues? This is the SECOND time this has happened within this church's history. Who will the new pastor be? What measures are in place by the board to make sure this same type of financial malfeasance doesn't happen again? My family has given VERY liberally the last few years....for the kingdom. NOT for lavish lifestyles. NOT for the intention of paying salaries to some who do......nothing except have a certain last name. And speaking of salaries: people making exorbitant salaries...who approved them? The board? Public records show house loan amounts. You can't buy a home of a certain value UNLESS you make a certain amount of money. What the heck have we been financing all these years while THINKING we were supporting the Kingdom. WHOSE Kingdom?! And about this new church. When exactly is the building to begin?
We need more than prayer. The body needs answers. (And I KNOW I am not just speaking on my own behalf). I'm one who will say what others are scared to. Keeping unity is NOT equated with shutting up and acting like nothing happened while we just "pray".
G
Pray for me and my family as we seek the will of God. That's all that matters. HIS will in our lives.
Last edited by exTPCMusician; 10-25-2012 at 11:27 AM.
Reason: Mostly grammatical errors and rewording of a few phrases
TB brought in Dr. James Hughes and James Kilgore originally to counsel him and help him to be restored if possible. Once additional facts were made known, this became impossible. Kilgore facilitated asking for his resignation, along with every staff member that serves at the will of the Pastor. Several were hired back, such as music minister, children pastor, janitor, church secretary, and Pastor's secretary. It was decided by Kilgore and later agreed by the board, that family members (both SIL's & son) were best not to be rehired, but were to be given a unknown severance amount.
I seriously doubt a new Pastor could be hired with the following in place on the payroll:
Associate Pastor: Former Pastor's Son -in- Law
Youth Pastor: Former Pastor's Son -in- Law
Database Administrator & Receptionist: Former Pastor's Daughter
who knows what he did: Former Pastor's Son
I've said it before.......maybe in most churches this is not necessarily a pitfall but too much power and control for one man to have. The system itself with its lack of checks and balances helped this man keep his sin unrevealed. Family members given an "unknown severance". Give me a break. Every tithe paying member has a right to know what that was.
Inasmuch as this has unfolded and information has become known relative to money, inappropriate conduct, and other "rumors" flying around relative to a multiplicity of subjects - this has all become a HOT mess. One thing is for certain. I want to be in the will of God. My family is at stake. I'm not trying to prove a point. I'm not trying to "stand" one way or the other. I want to be in the will of God. Pray. Yes. But, Jesus said WATCH as well as pray; perhaps, too many of us were too busy praying and running aisles and didn't SEE what was right before us.
I've read the rhetoric about forgiveness relative to the perpetrator. This is not about forgiveness. It's about TRUST. It is hard for some to swallow that we sat and shared our passions, failures, vision with someone who was living such a reckless life. And if one can live such a lifestyle and take the pulpit preaching without conviction while living in sin what trust CAN one have at this point even IF there is repentance. THAT is why a bishop is to be BLAMELESS. More rides on his backsliding than merely when a 'pew member' does. It makes me question every "tongue and interpretation" that was uttered from his mouth, every "vision" of winning 1,000,000 souls (when we continue to move farther away FROM the city we're supposedly reaching)...it causes distrust and cynicism. Speaking of cynicism: I saw a picture of a shade-wearing, smirk grin bearing TB driving his BMW on a popular social media website last night. Maybe I misinterpreted and read more into it. The picture disappeared about 5 minutes later. Really? I thought his profile was deleted? Evidently, hiding it and 'fading in and out' at will. I looked at the picture and the man (for the first time in my life) with SUCH disrespect. Maybe it's time for a complete fresh start.
Bottom line, there is a church hurting. THAT is what's important. I left church headed out of town on business only to get a call while on the road to find out I no longer have a pastor. And to this point, only rumors. Others failed in the past and it was made known QUICKLY what happened. THIS happens, and NOW it's 'hush hush' and information given ONLY if asked. Really?
And MY issues? This is the SECOND time this has happened within this church's history. Who will the new pastor be? What measures are in place by the board to make sure this same type of financial malfeasance doesn't happen again? My family has given VERY liberally the last few years....for the kingdom. NOT for lavish lifestyles. NOT for the intention of paying salaries to some who do......nothing except have a certain last name. And speaking of salaries: people making exorbitant salaries...who approved them? The board? Public records show house loan amounts. You can't buy a home of a certain value UNLESS you make a certain amount of money. What the heck have we been financing all these years while THINKING we were supporting the Kingdom. WHOSE Kingdom?! And about this new church. When exactly is the building to begin?
We need more than prayer. The body needs answers. (And I KNOW I am not just speaking on my own behalf). I'm one who will say what others are scared to. Keeping unity is NOT equated with shutting up and acting like nothing happened while we just "pray".
G
Pray for me and my family as we seek the will of God. That's all that matters. HIS will in our lives.
Brother, the best thing for you to do is find yourself a new church family.
Dear G,
Your post is very sobering. As a 3rd generation Apostolic Pentecostal I am deeply troubled by this situation--but kind of not surprised. I have seen so much flaunting, fighting and lust in Pentecost re money and its trappings--yes, even when so many are floundering financially.
I'm always reminded of II Cor. 11:14-15 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
I have felt for a very long time now to be on guard because some of those who appear the holiest are going to be the most deceptive in these last days--along with those who are blatantly deceptive. I'm convinced that Satan is very capable of using those who adhere to "Apostolic Identity" to the highest degree (and I am a pentecostal lady who adheres to "Apostolic Identity") to deceive many. We don't need EGO in ministry--it's disgusting!
__________________
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2 Corinthians 5:16
This is now the 2nd most viewed thread of all time, I believe. Second only to Gabby's. But this thread did in a few weeks what it took years for Gabby's to do.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I attend TPC also, and you were not the only one told that the son-in-laws received positions and resigned. There are some rumors that this was true. I know that they didn't for a fact because I have spoken with them.
I predict a new Pentecostal church starting somewhere in the Memphis area, fully staffed and ready to go.
I can say from exerience; when these church big shot board/trustees persons gain power/position of/in the church-they can be very RUTHLESS to have/keep charge; even are willing to disrupt order-this is another reason why Pastors must not live in willful sin/error; those board members will have a hayday with yuh.
The board members aren't that way. They are good men that were used of God to bring an end to the charade that was going on. The interim pastor is the District Supt and he too is a good man and will give good counsel to this board throughout the process. And the board won't do anything without the oversight of the District. TPC is incapable hands.
Inasmuch as this has unfolded and information has become known relative to money, inappropriate conduct, and other "rumors" flying around relative to a multiplicity of subjects - this has all become a HOT mess. One thing is for certain. I want to be in the will of God. My family is at stake. I'm not trying to prove a point. I'm not trying to "stand" one way or the other. I want to be in the will of God. Pray. Yes. But, Jesus said WATCH as well as pray; perhaps, too many of us were too busy praying and running aisles and didn't SEE what was right before us.
I've read the rhetoric about forgiveness relative to the perpetrator. This is not about forgiveness. It's about TRUST. It is hard for some to swallow that we sat and shared our passions, failures, vision with someone who was living such a reckless life. And if one can live such a lifestyle and take the pulpit preaching without conviction while living in sin what trust CAN one have at this point even IF there is repentance. THAT is why a bishop is to be BLAMELESS. More rides on his backsliding than merely when a 'pew member' does. It makes me question every "tongue and interpretation" that was uttered from his mouth, every "vision" of winning 1,000,000 souls (when we continue to move farther away FROM the city we're supposedly reaching)...it causes distrust and cynicism. Speaking of cynicism: I saw a picture of a shade-wearing, smirk grin bearing TB driving his BMW on a popular social media website last night. Maybe I misinterpreted and read more into it. The picture disappeared about 5 minutes later. Really? I thought his profile was deleted? Evidently, hiding it and 'fading in and out' at will. I looked at the picture and the man (for the first time in my life) with SUCH disrespect. Maybe it's time for a complete fresh start.
Bottom line, there is a church hurting. THAT is what's important. I left church headed out of town on business only to get a call while on the road to find out I no longer have a pastor. And to this point, only rumors. Others failed in the past and it was made known QUICKLY what happened. THIS happens, and NOW it's 'hush hush' and information given ONLY if asked. Really?
And MY issues? This is the SECOND time this has happened within this church's history. Who will the new pastor be? What measures are in place by the board to make sure this same type of financial malfeasance doesn't happen again? My family has given VERY liberally the last few years....for the kingdom. NOT for lavish lifestyles. NOT for the intention of paying salaries to some who do......nothing except have a certain last name. And speaking of salaries: people making exorbitant salaries...who approved them? The board? Public records show house loan amounts. You can't buy a home of a certain value UNLESS you make a certain amount of money. What the heck have we been financing all these years while THINKING we were supporting the Kingdom. WHOSE Kingdom?! And about this new church. When exactly is the building to begin?
We need more than prayer. The body needs answers. (And I KNOW I am not just speaking on my own behalf). I'm one who will say what others are scared to. Keeping unity is NOT equated with shutting up and acting like nothing happened while we just "pray".
G
Pray for me and my family as we seek the will of God. That's all that matters. HIS will in our lives.
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