UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Interesting that you posted this.

Just listened to a conference where they had a panel discuss this very topic. This sexual abuse topic has become so prevalent in organized religion that the UPCI has created a task force or special office that deals with this very topic. One of the panel members said that whether it was just in the UPCI or he was stating all organized religion that they had over 700 cases last year alone.

What do you think is the reason for the uptick in such actions especially among the ministry? My goodness the Catholic Church dealt with their molestation of little boys, and now we’re seeing this behavior becoming a common news story among the apostolic/pentecostals.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Now?

Ever heard of Lanny Wolfe?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I’ve heard of Lanny Wolfe. And it goes back much further than Lanny Wolfe.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

In fact I’ve only heard the gossip about Lanny Wolfe. But, there is a saying about smoke and fire. I’m not sure what the truth is, or was.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Charles Parham was accused of "unnatural activities" in Texas but never prosecuted. That was back in the early 1900s. Not sure if it was anti Pentecostal propaganda or something else. He apparently had some connections with the local good ole boys' clubs so could have gotten things quashed. Who knows?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I think Parham was arrested.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

It is my understanding that he was arrested and charged, but not convicted. There was a huge campaign to defame him but it is not clear to me if it was justified. His explanation did seem to be peculiar though.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

It may just seem because the world we live in and the fact so many have their heads in their phones and addicted to social media, that they post everything they do during the day. That we’re hearing more about sexual assault in Pentecostal and Apostolic ranks. I mean for the UPCI to now have a task force to help prevent this atrocity, obviously they have influx of these problems. Question is, is it happening now more than before and if so, why? Social media?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

UPC has a task force?

:lol

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Those kinds of issues happen everywhere, in every church organization. Some come out, some don't, some more than others. We are dealing with sinners, you know? If you, Nicodemus, create an entire fellowship of churches with your doctrine, you will be facing those issues as well among saints and ministers. All you can do is to bring them to justice, and keep teaching Word and Wisdom on the topic. Aren't the issues in the N.T. church, just created, with the Apostles still alive, enough for you? Are we better than them? Unfortunately, the media likes to capitalize on these things to vilify their "enemies" as a whole.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Social media? Are you serious?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Social media isnt the cause of the sexual issues...social media is the window of accountability thats showing whats been going on the whole time now that the narrative isnt only driven by those with the largest platform.



Now, it isnt just a prophet that can call you out cause we've got good and ducking and dodging and all the masking and posturing...now its just going to be shouted from the rooftops.


Lets stop doing creepy stuff folks.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I’m just asking a question.

Do you think social media has given an opening to more sexual exploitation, especially in the religious ranks?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Not saying social media is the reason.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Yes, I believe that porn exposure and the like definitely contributes all around in a huge ripple effect as well. Pornography weaponizes people against themselves. Wanna overthrow a conservative people with a strong family unit? Throw porn into the mix. Breaks down relationships with spouses, family etc.


It has literally been used as psychological warfare to demoralize populations with the full knowledge and intent of doing so.


Pornography is simply the commercialization of sex.


All for money and people who don't even watch the stuff become victims to whatever mindset or spirit is active in those that do...whether its molestation, fornication and or infidelity and also the insidious one that no one sees...self loathing.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Yes. People become too familiar, too comfortable. A green light on by his name, the girl sees that her youth pastor is online at 1:20am.

She messages him, “hey, what are you doing up?”
He replies, “I can’t sleep. I think I’m gonna pray.”

She responds, “I also can’t sleep. I can’t believe that none of the guys in the youth group want to date me.”
The youth pastor states, “You’re only 16. Give it time.”

The girl asks, “Do you think I’m pretty.”
The youth pastor, “Very much so, but I’m 22. I’m too old for you.”

NO MATTER THE OUTCOME OF THIS SCENARIO, THE YOUTH PASTOR IS AT FAULT.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I’m still trying to find out about the UPC task force to investigate preacher allegations. What is the official title of this task force?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Real one or Funny one?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

The real one.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Evang.Benincasa,

https://upci.org/safechurch/

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I don’t see anything wrong with that.

Thank you Diakonos for posting this.

What I find puzzling is why anyone would make fun of it?
It’s not directed against ministers. But it’s for anyone involved in abuse.
Which isn’t just a church thing, but is wide spread throughout society.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

It’s not a church thing alone. However, it is wide spread throughout the church.
And for the organization to now create this branch of the organization that deals with just these issues, is concerning.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

I understand these issues happen everywhere. Not debating that, some issues are worse than others.

The question is this, when this happens (sexual assault) does the church deal with it. Or do we call the police right away?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Well, it is.

I’m assuming you’re on the side of calling the police ASAP?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

This was posted on WL Attorney website:

"An administrative staff member at your church may be held accountable for damages if they assisted in concealing your abuse or aided your abuser in avoiding public scrutiny. A lawyer can assess the situation and determine if you should file a sex abuse lawsuit against a church administrator."

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Implied consent.


Function under the belief that a reasonable loving parent would want their child protected.


If you wouldn't call 911 first...why?


Are you prepared to mediate a peaceful discussion with a father and mother that just found out that someone they trusted abused his child



This dad may even have some anger issues that you're not aware of...seems so nice until in the moment he snaps and now its you in-between him and the guy that did it.


I mean...I certainly wouldnt want to be in that position and I dont know that Id have the restraint to not take matters into my own hands myself.


Much simpler to call 911 that way I dont have to help the dad hide a body cause dead people are heavy and murder is wrong...ish.


See, thats what I mean?😅

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Kick the person out of the congregation, notify to the authorities. Obviously.

What would be your plan?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

That’s understandable.

I have to asses the situation.

What if the man/women is repentant? Based on the situation and the severity of it.

There is so many scenarios which sexual assault is classified.

You can have a young single man or women sending pics through social media, or texting. If it’s made known do we kick them out of the church? Do we call the police?

It’s not just an older male trying to manipulate a young female into activities.

I heard a panel say that when sexual assault arises call the police right away. Don’t call the pastor or elders of the church just call the police.

Now that can be under the wisdom of the leadership of the church.

I bring this up, because obviously this is something we’re going to be facing. Social media is bringing a lot of these situations to the surface.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Here is the definition: SA is rape.

There are no “many scenarios”

Rapists go to jail.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

There was a situation on CA. Two of the youth got involved. One was 18 years of age. The other, a few years younger. This was a case of statuary r@pe, not child… that other thing.

They both were repentant. They went to the pastor. Under CA law the pastor reported the young man to the police per the mandated reporter law.

I’m not sure why he didn’t go route of clergy-penitent privilege.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

People can repent in jail.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Correct. But this wouldn’t have been a jailable offense somewhere like Arkansas where the age of consent is 16.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

That would have to be left up to the authorities in whatever state the church was located.

You spoke of California therefore the pastor followed the protocols.
Still we are talking about SA.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Hmmm.......that fired Youth Pastor seems like a real "people person"!! The really said thing is that this arrest was his second time being accused of this so clearly a pattern. I can only imagine what his new wife must think. Unless he is a controlling person and she is passive where he can make her believe whatever he wants her to. I hope he repents, gets counseling, and finds a good church to be a part of just not in any kind of leadership position.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

https://m.arcamax.com/healthandspiri...news/s-3112095


Ran across this today and thought of this thread. Gives some examples of how this played out when brought before the entire church body.


Thoughts?

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

That notion that “God won’t forgive you unless you tell us everything you did” is false. Confessing faults to other believers, absolutely! Thats biblical! Did that situation need to be brought in front of church members?

However in a situation like this that man will have to pay for his actions. But I would also charge the parents for what happened to their daughter.
If parents would be more involved in there children’s life’s we wouldn’t have these situations. Parents give their children liberty on social media (it’s a problem) and they have liberty to come and go as they please.
Yet when the church family structure submitted to the “American dream” this is what you get.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

Sounds like you’re blaming everyone but the perpetrators.

Re: UPCI Church fires youth pastor
 

To some it may.

The man that did this to that young girl will pay, and obviously will spend a long time in jail. Yet, I’m looking at this from a pastoral role, do I just stand this man up in front of the church and expose his sin to all? Does that somehow give back what was done? Do I give them “Florida”, or “Texas” style law and let the family members beat him within an inch of his life? What’s the correct course of action?

If this man was willing to confess, I would almost guarantee he was willing to turn himself in.

However, that man has a problem, probably going back to his childhood. But that young lady and her parents should be looked into.