UPC District board suing church in MS.?

Minister_WD · #1 10-31-2008, 04:26 PM

It was recently brought to my attention that an influential UPC church, that followed the by laws it had set up for years, was brought under pressure by the WPF to disafilliate. Some board members were upset and joined their district board to sue the pastor to maintain affilliation. After appearing in court, it seems the church had properly followed their by-laws and the court refused to get involved. Do you think it is acceptable for board members and, particularly, the district board to file suit against their "brother?"

Tyk · #2 10-31-2008, 04:29 PM

Sure, if you don't read the bible.

Esther · #3 10-31-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minister_WD

It was recently brought to my attention that an influential UPC church, that followed the by laws it had set up for years, was brought under pressure by the WPF to disafilliate. Some board members were upset and joined their district board to sue the pastor to maintain affilliation. After appearing in court, it seems the church had properly followed their by-laws and the court refused to get involved. Do you think it is acceptable for board members and, particularly, the district board to file suit against their "brother?"

If this is true, it is a very sad day.

ILG · #4 10-31-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minister_WD

It was recently brought to my attention that an influential UPC church, that followed the by laws it had set up for years, was brought under pressure by the WPF to disafilliate. Some board members were upset and joined their district board to sue the pastor to maintain affilliation. After appearing in court, it seems the church had properly followed their by-laws and the court refused to get involved. Do you think it is acceptable for board members and, particularly, the district board to file suit against their "brother?"

Of course not.

TRFrance · #5 10-31-2008, 05:15 PM

I dont think the courts should be a first option. The first option should always be to resolve it with your brother, and if necessary, get a third party involved to arbitrate the situation.

But if that fails, I'm not sure I can condemn someone who chooses to use the court system if they tried the other measures and they didn't work.

Amos · #6 10-31-2008, 05:30 PM

Some members of the church sued the pastor. It wasn't the District Board, although the board was reportedly in support of them.

It was thrown out because the pastor had followed disaffiliation procedures and the church bylaws to the letter, and had a majority vote (albeit a slim one).

tv1a · #7 10-31-2008, 07:49 PM

Initially it looks like the District Board support was in name only. How much involvement did the district have in trying to keep the church in the "fold"? Are district officials making plans to put another church in that area? Initially, it looks like there wasn't much fight from the district.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

Some members of the church sued the pastor. It wasn't the District Board, although the board was reportedly in support of them.

It was thrown out because the pastor had followed disaffiliation procedures and the church bylaws to the letter, and had a majority vote (albeit a slim one).

Stephanas · #8 10-31-2008, 08:13 PM

1 Cor 6:5-8

5 I say this as bluntly as I can to wake you up to the stupidity of what you're doing. Is it possible that there isn't one levelheaded person among you who can make fair decisions when disagreements and disputes come up? I don't believe it. 6 And here you are taking each other to court before people who don't even believe in God! How can they render justice if they don't believe in the God of justice?

7 These court cases are an ugly blot on your community. Wouldn't it be far better to just take it, to let yourselves be wronged and forget it? 8 All you're doing is providing fuel for more wrong, more injustice, bringing more hurt to the people of your own spiritual family.

(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

It is indeed an ugly blot when "Jesus name" people subject His name to disrepute before unbelievers. It's amazing that we have enough faith to believe that He will save us, but we don't believe that He will vindicate us if our cause is right.

ILG · #9 10-31-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

Some members of the church sued the pastor. It wasn't the District Board, although the board was reportedly in support of them.

It was thrown out because the pastor had followed disaffiliation procedures and the church bylaws to the letter, and had a majority vote (albeit a slim one).

The board was in support of them? or of them filing a lawsuit?

CC1 · #10 11-02-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

Some members of the church sued the pastor. It wasn't the District Board, although the board was reportedly in support of them.

It was thrown out because the pastor had followed disaffiliation procedures and the church bylaws to the letter, and had a majority vote (albeit a slim one).

Sounds lke a sad situation for all. I am always surprised that folks who consider themselves Christians persist in airing the churches dirty laundry in the public courts where the church is trying to minister.

I would walk away with a right spirit and with the intent of doing no harm. If the church was heading a direction I didn't agree with I would find one I felt was heading the right direction.

This kind of public action and publicity dimenishes the church in the eyes of the world and hurts its witness.