Dropped By & Somewhat Dismayed But Not Surprised

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Is it gossip if it's true?

Michael, gossip can be fact--the definition of gossip was placed on this thread & other threads.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

You make good points, Ron, but let me run the chain out a bit further......Paul says to "mark" those who cause divisions and walk contrary to the doctrine.

The word "Mark" in the Greek is "skopeo" which means to "Observe and contemplate or to brand, to take heed"........

Paul was against gossip, but he was highly in favor of observing ungodly behaviour among those who claimed to be Christians so they could be avoided.

Now, I'm not in favor of arbitrary gossip, but to think that it's not the right of outsiders to observe and discuss the ungodly behavior of a person who claims to be a Christian is unbiblical.

Uh, uh, but that is something for the local assembly, for those in leadership (Ministers have a chain of accountability) and while I understand that there are imperfections in that system, that is how it works.
Michael, were you there? Are you privy to "ALL THE FACTS?'
Do you think it is appropriate, or put another way, say a person or persons make accusations against you, (none that I know of) & that thse accusations
whether true or untrue, & you go & deal with it in a Church service. Do you then want all of that to be smeared on the internet, which may be true, untrue or half true?

[rgcraig]

Ron,

Unfortunatley, we live in an electronic world where news is immediate. I understand your hurt and frustration, but stopping people from talking about this is like trying to put canned biscuits back in their container - you can't.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

No offense, Ron, but this kind of propaganda is outdated and unmerited. If you use the "God's going to punish you with death" argument, then what about all the wonderful Christians who have NEVER spoken against another person who die early? And, what about the heathens who rail against God on a daily basis yet live to be 90.

Scare tactics. I grew up with them. They are unmerited.

It rains on the just and the unjust......and Asaph said he nearly slipped when he saw the prosperity of the wicked.......

No offense Michael, I sometimes think I am in another Church than the one most go to on AFF. I was born in the Spirit, try to live in the Spirit, & have the Spirit guide my life. I have been around the use of Spiritual Gifts for coming on 30 years now. I have seen Agels, had visions, dreams from God.
I have been there to cast out demons & have heard the voice of God a few times so audibly loud that I have turned my head because I thought he God was physically in the room with me.
I have been in services where someone (in the judgement of God) was turned over to a reprobate mind. That person is looney tunes today sadly.
I have had God prophetically say, "there are two spirits at work here & if you do not repent you will die."
There was a witness in my spirit that this was God talking & not some scare tactic.

Michael, I know the voice of God, & when I prayed 3 years ago about the lack of respect for Apostolic Ministers on this board especially & in other places, he was not impressed either & said that he would deal with it.
Now if that means that anyone on here doesn't wake up tomorrow, or ever gain--that is his business.

Nothing may happen until that last breath which may be 100 years old, but I am not presumptious as those whom Jude talks about in the New Testament.
Call me a crackpot, a wingnut, I could care less, but I think before you outright dismiss me, that you may want to consider the scriptures & pray before you chew & spit out Ministers with complete contempt.

There is a Bible process we should abide by---that is if we beleive in the divine authority of the Word of God.

BTW, the Bible has clear examples of dealing with troublemakers & it ain't pretty--look them up.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by CC1

Wow! You really are old time Pentecost. Bringing out the scary story of the person or persons who dared talk bad about a preacher then got killed in horrible car accident.

You would have fit in good with the preachers of my Youth in the Deep South. Those stories were a staple of Sunday night services.

I am just shocked you would "gossip" about this poor dead woman in this way. She is not here to defend herself, etc. etc.

Wioa, woa, for one thing she didn't just talk about him--she railed on him, & this wasn't ba one time deal, but it went on for a while.
She was also part of a group that was trying to split the Church.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Peacemaker

Really, gossip is forbidden period, not just against ministry or fallen ministry. The problem is we want to protect ministry but fail to protect saints. All should have protection. Gossip is wrong whether it is against saints OR ministry.

Amen!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Peacemaker

Does this mean that you think there is a possibility that the congregation wasn't hurt by this?

I ain't saying what happened---I don't have all the facts!
That is for the local assembly & parties involved as well as the District Board & fellow Ministers to provide accountability.

[AreYouReady?]

I've seen three pentecostal church splits in my community. It wasn't the saint's doings either. All three splits were the minister's own wrongdoings and power struggles with each other.

Problem is, not all District Boards and fellow ministers provide accountability honestly and with integrity. Some of them do sweep problems under the rug and hide them for their own personal gain.

It happens and there are some on this forum who know it happens because they experienced it.

[StillStanding]

Ron, you can't unring this bell! Maybe instead of lamenting over how the story has gotten out, you should move on with your self-righteous self!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I've seen three pentecostal church splits in my community. It wasn't the saint's doings either. All three splits were the minister's own wrongdoings and power struggles with each other.

Problem is, not all District Boards and fellow ministers provide accountability honestly and with integrity. Some of them do sweep problems under the rug and hide them for their own personal gain.

It happens and there are some on this forum who know it happens because they experienced it.

Correct.

The rules and process only works if everyone plays by the same rules and processes.