A Wrecked Church!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by HeavenBound

Really Michael? I went into retirement but you just had to bring me out. Instead of skimming maybe you should read everything. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Maybe someone could tell me how to delete posts.



If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be almost useless, since their chief purpose is to make us bear with patience the injustice of our fellowman.

I have read all the posts. And, sorry to say, every time you said you were going to take the high road, you ended your post with a dig against Rapture, and/or the other side. It's very obvious that you two are the main antagonists over this subject, and that's fine, you're both very close to it. That's why you guys should discuss this privately and hope to come to some type of resolution.

The rest of the forum members who may happen to stumble across this thread don't need to be drug into this mudslinging marathon.

No offense, I don't know you, and am not speaking to your character....only to your public dialogue.

[deacon blues]

I'm a neighboring pastor and the little bit I've heard and know is sickening. I hate church trouble on any front, because it defames the character of Christ and disgraces His Holy Name. Nobody wins with church trouble. I read the first three pages and realized what was being discussed and decided to stop. I don't need to soil my spirit with church gossip. And gossip is anything that is controversial of which I am neither the solution nor the problem. Other churches in the area may benefit by picking up some departing church members (we've had some visit, but we aren't anything close to being traditional, so they haven't returned), but the truth is those people are hurting and need some TLC. The legacy of the Bishop is tarnished by all of this and I hate it for him and his sons and grandsons who are friends of mine. Bishop was a wonderful man. Had coffee with him from time to time and he and I as neighboring pastors had a great relationship. Prayers for all involved.

But this thread needs to die. What is a shame is that there's 30,000 views for this gossip thread, but other threads that are uplifting and encouraging barely get looked at. I guess that's why the National Enquirer, People, Us Weekly and other tabloids sell in the millions while traditional newspapers are going out of business.

[OHappyDay]

I appreciate what has been said in the last few posts especially from Pastor Mark but this thread has created a particular voice to the people have been done a GREAT WRONG. The thing about darkness is that light must shine and although it is painful and uncomfortable this thread serves to shine a light into this terrible darkness. I have said a couple of times that I feel terrible for the saints that have been forced from the church and the family, the ones with ** still in their names and to the legacy of the Bishop and the Bishop's wife. BUT WE DID NOT CAUSE THIS, IT WAS THE DAUGHTER AND HER BOYFRIEND THAT STARTED THIS AND KEEPS DOING TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE THINGS. This has been her goal and what she planned to do and what she has been doing for several, several years. This is nothing new.
Now their plan is to put on a big production to "anoint" the boyfriend and the son-in-law as pastor and assistant pastor. And it doesn't matter what you and I think or what the Bishop really wanted or what the by-laws said (because they were destroyed); none of this matters because this is what the daughter wants. I find it very ironic that the big guest speaker that they are bringing in for this sham is a man who used to pastor in the area and lost his church because of a moral failure with a woman. I also find it ironic that the only way they will have a crowd for this sham is because the treacherous dog from another state is calling and trying to work up anybody and everybody just to show up, but no descent pastor would be a part of this. I am also sure that the family, will not take kindly to the ones that show up nor will they forget it. Nor will they ever forget what the treacherous dog from another state has done. By the way, might I ask, what does the treacherous dog get out of all of this? What is his motivation? How does he benefit from all of this?

[stony ground]

Gossip, slander, now schoolyard name-calling. I'm embarrassed that this forum continues to allow such unseemly behavior. Saying your peace is one thing, continuing to try to stir things up and defaming those who aren't here to defend themselves are quite another.

[tv1a]

Love keeps no track of wrong. Love is kind. Love doesn't gossip. Love doesn't hold grudges.

Originally Posted by OHappyDay

I appreciate what has been said in the last few posts especially from Pastor Mark but this thread has created a particular voice to the people have been done a GREAT WRONG. The thing about darkness is that light must shine and although it is painful and uncomfortable this thread serves to shine a light into this terrible darkness. I have said a couple of times that I feel terrible for the saints that have been forced from the church and the family, the ones with ** still in their names and to the legacy of the Bishop and the Bishop's wife. BUT WE DID NOT CAUSE THIS, IT WAS THE DAUGHTER AND HER BOYFRIEND THAT STARTED THIS AND KEEPS DOING TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE THINGS. This has been her goal and what she planned to do and what she has been doing for several, several years. This is nothing new.
Now their plan is to put on a big production to "anoint" the boyfriend and the son-in-law as pastor and assistant pastor. And it doesn't matter what you and I think or what the Bishop really wanted or what the by-laws said (because they were destroyed); none of this matters because this is what the daughter wants. I find it very ironic that the big guest speaker that they are bringing in for this sham is a man who used to pastor in the area and lost his church because of a moral failure with a woman. I also find it ironic that the only way they will have a crowd for this sham is because the treacherous dog from another state is calling and trying to work up anybody and everybody just to show up, but no descent pastor would be a part of this. I am also sure that the family, will not take kindly to the ones that show up nor will they forget it. Nor will they ever forget what the treacherous dog from another state has done. By the way, might I ask, what does the treacherous dog get out of all of this? What is his motivation? How does he benefit from all of this?

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by stony ground

Gossip, slander, now schoolyard name-calling. I'm embarrassed that this forum continues to allow such unseemly behavior. Saying your peace is one thing, continuing to try to stir things up and defaming those who aren't here to defend themselves are quite another.

Agreed, I'm going to appeal to Admin.

[MissBrattified]

In fairness to the AFF, as long as names and locations are kept out of the posts, only people who ALREADY know about this situation will know to whom (and where) this thread refers.

Also, 30,000 views doesn't refer to 30,000 unique visitors. 218 AFF members have viewed this thread multiple times. While I'm sure some guests have viewed it as well, I would guess that most of the views are by members.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

In fairness to the AFF, as long as names and locations are kept out of the posts, only people who ALREADY know about this situation will know to whom (and where) this thread refers.

Also, 30,000 views doesn't refer to 30,000 unique visitors. 218 AFF members have viewed this thread multiple times. While I'm sure some guests have viewed it as well, I would guess that most of the views are by members.

Well, even those who already know the situation are reading the allegations and accusations contained in the posts. And those who don't know don't have to go back in the thread very far to figure it out.

[CC1]

Just when I thought this thread had run its course someone has to post again. Arghhhh.

I really don't think any more can be said or added to this thread. What occurred has been laid out and is a warning to pastors and saints as to what can happen if;

1. A pastor continues to pastor after his health directs otherwise
2. No plan of succession is in place before a pastors health fails

The intent of this thread was not to be a running commentary on what is happening in the specific incident cited. If someone is going to update it needs to be in a calm, rational manner without referring to people as "dogs" etc even if names are not involved. A little Christian charity and common sense would be greatly appreciated when posting in this thread.

[kingsmen]

Let me respond to the last 2 to post. First of all, what is said about "no plan of succession before the pastor's health fails" is not true nor is it true that the Bishop, of his own will, tried to continue pastoring. He attempted several times to bring in help but was blocked. So you contradict yourself when you use statements like "a little Christian charity and common sense" when you are blatantly dishonest and clearly dont know what you are talking about. In fact there were a set of by-laws, that were destroyed, that did set forth a plan of succession. And in fact, the reason people keep posting is because things still keep happening.
I see that the ones that are complaining so much about the thread and what is said are a) not involved in this situation so they have nothing at stake b) have derrogatory signature/tag lines on their posts toward Apostolics. This forum is called Apostolic Friends Forum not Pentecostal Friends Forum... there is a difference you know.
This is not gossip, slander or name calling it is simply the events that have happened. And if you are "so embarrassed" then simply don't read it. But this thread needs to be about the truth and the truth needs to be told.