Why would a Pastor do this to me ?

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I haven't been known for kicking folks out. I have preached a few out but wasn't happy about it.

How do you preach someone out of church?

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I haven't been known for kicking folks out. I have preached a few out but wasn't happy about it.

I can see it now. Steve Epley stands behind the pulpit preaching against whiners and prozac. Someone who needs a shoulder and an ear and has been abused all their life comes to God and is happy to have the Holy Ghost, but needs help with all the abuse they've suffered. Steve says "It's easy. Just quit whining and hold tight to God". This they do. However, the pain doesn't go away but rather increases. Steve does not kick them out but the preaching against whining and no need for emotional healing gets to be too much. They leave and Steve says they just couldn't submit to God. ILG's version of what she thinks probably happens there.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you haven't been known for kicking people out.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by CC1

One thing I don't get is all of the angst from some of the crazy things a few extreme pastors do...

You are right on here, CC!. However - from my perspective I've seen our org and even the larger Apostolic/Pentecostal culture actually endorse the bad behavior of the "nutjobs." People are often sent right back into the hamburger mill that just ground them up.

It's more than just a one-on-one "one saint vs. one pastor/nutjob" kind of a problem. It's systemic.

Remember, you hail from that place all of the rest of us were warned about our entire lives. Getting acclimated to a wholesome environment takes work and even a bit of encouragement from people who have been there.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

...Steve Epley .... I believe he has a true heart for people. Real people. In real life.

This is the internet.

I know someone who attended his last church, and I agree with you.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by pelathais

You are right on here, CC!. However - from my perspective I've seen our org and even the larger Apostolic/Pentecostal culture actually endorse the bad behavior of the "nutjobs." People are often sent right back into the hamburger mill that just ground them up.

It's more than just a one-on-one "one saint vs. one pastor/nutjob" kind of a problem. It's systemic.

Remember, you hail from that place all of the rest of us were warned about our entire lives. Getting acclimated to a wholesome environment takes work and even a bit of encouragement from people who have been there.

This is sad, but true!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Timmy

How do you preach someone out of church?

No answer yet? Okay... here's what you do...

You simply make it plain from the pulpit what your expectations are. When that goes "Whiff!" right over their heads you begin to drill down a bit.

Without actually calling them by name you make it clear that the "some folks" who you're preaching about know it's them who're in you sights. Personal references, imitating some of their characteristics in a mocking fashion, rehearsing from the pulpit things that they said to you in confidence and consciously making light of any concerns that they may have expressed.

You follow this up with the alternating "cold shoulder and saccharine" treatment. Ignore them and even show outright rudeness to them when no one's looking and then make a big show of "sweetness" and "hospitality" in front of everyone else. This way any complaints they have will fall on deaf ears around the church house.

Some folks get stuck on a "Kingdom" sort of way of looking at things and never seem to realize that they're supposed to be pleasing only one earthly human guy who really is "watching for their souls" but would prefer to watch from afar.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by pelathais

No answer yet? Okay... here's what you do...

You simply make it plain from the pulpit what your expectations are. When that goes "Whiff!" right over their heads you begin to drill down a bit.

Without actually calling them by name you make it clear that the "some folks" who you're preaching about know it's them who're in you sights. Personal references, imitating some of their characteristics in a mocking fashion, rehearsing from the pulpit things that they said to in confidence and consciously making light of any concerns that they may have expressed.

You follow this up with the alternating "cold shoulder and saccharine" treatment. Ignore them and even show outright rudeness to them when no one's looking and then make a big show of "sweetness" and "hospitality" in front of everyone else. This way any complaints they have will fall on deaf ears around the church house.

Some folks get stuck on a "Kingdom" sort of way of looking at things and never seem to realize that they're supposed to be pleasing only one earthly human guy who really is "watching for their souls" but would prefer to watch from afar.

Yeah. That could work.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Yeah. That could work.

Of course most pastors are really not like this at all.

I have seen cases where toxic saints were allowed to hang around and commit some rather horrendous abuses themselves. So whatta you gonna do? Humans are really very problematic critters sometimes.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Of course most pastors are really not like this at all.

I have seen cases where toxic saints were allowed to hang around and commit some rather horrendous abuses themselves. So whatta you gonna do? Humans are really very problematic critters sometimes.

What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?

Don't ask.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Of course most pastors are really not like this at all.

I have seen cases where toxic saints were allowed to hang around and commit some rather horrendous abuses themselves. So whatta you gonna do? Humans are really very problematic critters sometimes.

That's a great description: toxic saints and toxic pastors!