Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

I've read the by-laws for I am a licensed minister with the UPCI. And unless you or the deacons were in the room, then you have nothing to say in the matter either.

You sound like you would rather believe a deacon more than you would a pastor. This thread is turning into gossip.

Pastors will, and has LIED before; es[ecially when they're into something ungodly, or trying to protect someone in error....stay true and real to rightness, and righteousness lest you fall into this same snare of deception: be faithful to God more than to anyone else...Love God first and foremost=that's bible!!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by CC1

The UPCI only discovered "restoration" when the bluebloods son's started having moral failures. Right off the top of my head I can think of three UPC 20th century legends whose sons required either restoration or the appearance of it in the past 25 years or so.

As someone mentioned these sons received treatment strictly based on their last name. Any other licensed minister in their situation would have been toast with no questions asked.

I still highly respect all three of the elders (father's) I refer to but no doubt this bias toward protecting their sons was a weakness. The same weakness I see in much of old time Pentecost and in ex old time Pentecost churches where churches are passed down to sons like a deserved legacy regardless of whether or not the sons are the best person to lead the flock.

Amen!!!!

[Tlswift2009]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

WOW.

That is a sad ending for that former pastor, Bro. Swift.

Amen!!! I was disciplined {silenced from preaching} twice as a young minister over 25 years ago, and once about 20 years ago while pastoring; NO adultery or money issues involved; just the growing challenges of getting along in my marriage during our first year, and once for not making wise decision with a family in the church, and while it was pauinfully embarrasing, and hurtful to my ego; it helped to make me a better husband-minister, and pastor. I thank God for the ministers that's not afraid to hold other leadership; even pastors accountable for their actions; if this is done according to biblical principles; it would help to detour possible shipwrecks of scandals, and it would spare God people from harm, and the church from the snares of reproach!!! I AM VERY AWARE OF WHAT'S EXPECTED OF MY BY GOD-THE CHURCH, AND THE WORLD!!! GODLY CHARACTER, AND INTEGRITY!!!

[not4saken]

This thread makes for some very interesting reading. I have been 'out of the loop' for awhile, as I no longer attend an Apostolic church. I am 5th generation apostolic- PK. When my mom mentioned to me last week about Bro. TB, I knew immediately where to go, to get answers for her. And...you didn't disappoint! I realize that not every word typed on this forum is true- but there is ALWAYS a grain of truth in EVERY POST. Whether large, or small...truth will be present. This nation is full of people that are disallusioned, disgusted and tired of closing their eyes to the blatant wrong-doings of those in leadership within the confines of the so-called TRUTH. We are taught that we should forgive and move on. We are to hold ministry in the highest regard. "Touch not my anointed" has come forth from every single pulpit in the Apostolic movement, I would wager. What they seem to forget is this- we are ALL God's anointed. NOT just the ministry. I lived in a preacher's/pastor's home all of my life. My friends were children of pastors...ALL good men, striving to do the right things. Living good lives...trying to live above reproach. But, my daddy always admonished me to never put a MAN on a pedastal. He may be a God called man- but he is still just that- a MAN. Flesh. And, just like all of us, if pastors do not DIE to their flesh- DAILY, they will fall. Period. He has an advocate with his Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, just as all of us do! I marvel at our shock whenever we hear of yet another minister falling into sin...isn't it just a fulfillment of His Word? YOU are not exempt, let me tell ya. The fact that TB hid his sin for years, is disgusting. And do you, for ONE second think that his wife was not aware?? Don't be fooled. She KNEW. She chose to be ignorant. What fools. She also owes those precious people of God an apology. I find this whole situation to be sickening and the debauchery that soaps are made of. And yet, we are having a feeding frenzy over it. Shame on us. Where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear??? The very righteous are SCARCELY going to make it in, folks. My daddy always told me, when a man of God beats his saints over the head with the same stuff over and over and over- beware. HE is the one with the problem, and time will reveal his weakness and his failure in THAT area. I have witnessed this over and over in Pentecost. (as well as other denoms) We all need to remember that we are all sinners, saved by GRACE. God requires something of His bride. Some find the cost too high. And some, like myself, have lost all hope of EVER being able to measure up to a man's yardstick. I throw myself on the mercy seat, and pray with alllll my being, that God is more forgiving than the men I have sat under. God bless you all...God's family is a close-knit group. "And by THIS shall ALL men KNOW ye are my disciples- by your LOVE one for the other". I am so thankful that He is a just God. A righteous Judge. And a loving Father.

[H Gang]

Originally Posted by Godzchild

He was THE BEST pastor ever.

Delusional

[Not ashamed]

I just have to say a few things to those who were former members of TPC (like myself). First, I feel your pain. I get it, it's a raw wound and you want to cry foul. It's a perfectly normal human desire.

However, calling people's names here when they aren't here to defend themselves is unfair. I understand you see that things weren't as they should be, as do I, but calling people out for anything they may have done in the past 20 years is unproductive at best.

Secondly, there are still some "facts" being tossed around here about some people that don't quite square with what I know, but getting into a war of facts won't solve a thing, who knows who to believe on the internet anyway?

I'd like to use this anology: TPC is like the victim of a gunshot wound. They were hit out of the blue and spent some time on life-support in critical condition. Now, their condition is still very serious, they have lost some "blood" (members), but the heart is still pumping and it looks like the patient may yet recover fully. The most important thing is to make sure the patient doesn't die. Finding out exactly what caliber of gun the bullet came from might ease some of the confusion, but in reality, it won't change the prognosis of the patient at all.

I get why you want the light of day on every gory detail, part of me does too. I feel like a fool in some ways for trusting TB with my thoughts and my soul. But the church is moving on, and we should too. God will deal with TB and everyone else involved, I pray they seek His mercy. Whatever wrongs were done by TB or others are over now. It is time to mend the damage done.

I pray most of all for the precious saints at TPC to find strength & healing, the ones I've spoken to are still deeply wounded by this, and many are struggling mightily.

Instead of taking this to the internet, let's take it to God. Nothing hides from Him. Brothers, sisters, I beseech you...for your own peace of mind & soul...give it to God & leave it there. God bless you, you will be in my prayers, I pray I'm in yours.

[Chateau d'If]

Originally Posted by not4saken

This thread makes for some very interesting reading. I have been 'out of the loop' for awhile, as I no longer attend an Apostolic church. I am 5th generation apostolic- PK. When my mom mentioned to me last week about Bro. TB, I knew immediately where to go, to get answers for her. And...you didn't disappoint! I realize that not every word typed on this forum is true- but there is ALWAYS a grain of truth in EVERY POST. Whether large, or small...truth will be present. This nation is full of people that are disallusioned, disgusted and tired of closing their eyes to the blatant wrong-doings of those in leadership within the confines of the so-called TRUTH. We are taught that we should forgive and move on. We are to hold ministry in the highest regard. "Touch not my anointed" has come forth from every single pulpit in the Apostolic movement, I would wager. What they seem to forget is this- we are ALL God's anointed. NOT just the ministry. I lived in a preacher's/pastor's home all of my life. My friends were children of pastors...ALL good men, striving to do the right things. Living good lives...trying to live above reproach. But, my daddy always admonished me to never put a MAN on a pedastal. He may be a God called man- but he is still just that- a MAN. Flesh. And, just like all of us, if pastors do not DIE to their flesh- DAILY, they will fall. Period. He has an advocate with his Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, just as all of us do! I marvel at our shock whenever we hear of yet another minister falling into sin...isn't it just a fulfillment of His Word? YOU are not exempt, let me tell ya. The fact that TB hid his sin for years, is disgusting. And do you, for ONE second think that his wife was not aware?? Don't be fooled. She KNEW. She chose to be ignorant. What fools. She also owes those precious people of God an apology. I find this whole situation to be sickening and the debauchery that soaps are made of. And yet, we are having a feeding frenzy over it. Shame on us. Where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear??? The very righteous are SCARCELY going to make it in, folks. My daddy always told me, when a man of God beats his saints over the head with the same stuff over and over and over- beware. HE is the one with the problem, and time will reveal his weakness and his failure in THAT area. I have witnessed this over and over in Pentecost. (as well as other denoms) We all need to remember that we are all sinners, saved by GRACE. God requires something of His bride. Some find the cost too high. And some, like myself, have lost all hope of EVER being able to measure up to a man's yardstick. I throw myself on the mercy seat, and pray with alllll my being, that God is more forgiving than the men I have sat under. God bless you all...God's family is a close-knit group. "And by THIS shall ALL men KNOW ye are my disciples- by your LOVE one for the other". I am so thankful that He is a just God. A righteous Judge. And a loving Father.

Gotta love this post. Schizophrenic much?

[Old Paths]

Sad day when the inmates are running the nut house.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

Sad day when the inmates are running the nut house.

Yikes.

[not4saken]

Originally Posted by Chateau d'If

Gotta love this post. Schizophrenic much?

HAHAHA...I guess it DOES sound that way. Just to clarify: my mama was saddened when she heard the gossip..she was tryin to confirm whether or not it was true...NOW, as for ME? Wellllllll.....the jury is still out.