Deputies arrest ex-pastor

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Hold on, Bubba - you are totally misreading what I said!!!!

Under NO circumstances do I condone what this man did! Under NO circumstances do I want to bury it and pretend that it never happened!

I am appalled that a "man of God" did such a thing and continued his life of hyprocrisy

I think he should have his day in court and justice should be done!

Do I make myself perfectly clear as to where I stand??? I tend to agree with a friend who was called for jury duty on a child molestation case - when questioned by the DA, this man calmly stated:

"Sir, I personally think someone who does such a thing to a child should be strung up by their toes and shot at daylight...."

Needless to say - this man was quickly dismissed from the jury pool. Have to say, I think he made a great point.


NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT CLEARED UP......

I still think that to post it on an "apostolic forum" as it was done here is:

1) malicious
2) unnecessary
3) unkind
4) unChristlike


The fact is that it is pure, unadulterated, old-fashioned gossip to be posted in the manner that it was posted. We're not talking just about this man - you are dragging his family through it as well - and heaven knows they don't deserve that!

while I understand your point on one hand on the other I dont understand why its ok to discuss Paula Whites divorce, some ex UPCer opening a gay church...Reba Rambo opening a gay church...should I go on?

the excuse that they public figures doesnt fly b/c him being a regular joe like everyone else doesnt protect him from public discussion.

If this were to be discussed anywhere it is here....how many other forums do you think have compassion on the family and the victims and just might lift them up in prayer?

this man lost his right to NOT be discussed when he put his hands all over a child in some sick perverted manner.

To say public reaction is sleazy gossip is just ridiculious. Discussing events that matter to this forum is it's entire purpose. Regardless of how connected we might be to the subject matter.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

Whatever happened to grace, and mercy, and restoring a brother to Christ and Christian community? What ever happened to 'it's by your love for one another that the world will know you are my disciples."? A good friend of mine in the UPCI said that one of the things he likes the least about the UPC is that the culture is such that they tend to shoot their wounded. It's spiritual barbarism.

Amen to what Sweet Pea said.

he's as much my brother in Christ as that fat con they just executed.

God is the one dishing out the grace and mercy. I'm a mother who would solve his sexual issues if he did this to MY child. It's not about religion or organization.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by Theresa

while I understand your point on one hand on the other I dont understand why its ok to discuss Paula Whites divorce, some ex UPCer opening a gay church...Reba Rambo opening a gay church...should I go on?

the excuse that they public figures doesnt fly b/c him being a regular joe like everyone else doesnt protect him from public discussion.

If this were to be discussed anywhere it is here....how many other forums do you think have compassion on the family and the victims and just might lift them up in prayer?

this man lost his right to NOT be discussed when he put his hands all over a child in some sick perverted manner.

To say public reaction is sleazy gossip is just ridiculious. Discussing events that matter to this forum is it's entire purpose. Regardless of how connected we might be to the subject matter.

gossip is a pig no matter how much lipstick you smear on its mouth. we are commanded to pray for our fallen brethren and do everything we can to reconcile them to Christ and Christian community. How is that possible when we're talking publicly about stringing them up and killing them, etc...? It is ok to talk about it, but when we do it needs to be done carefully, respectfully, and with grace always mindful that next time it could be us being ground up as grist in the rumor mill. ask me how i know.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by Theresa

he's as much my brother in Christ as that fat con they just executed.

God is the one dishing out the grace and mercy. I'm a mother who would solve his sexual issues if he did this to MY child. It's not about religion or organization.

Wow.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

gossip is a pig no matter how much lipstick you smear on its mouth. we are commanded to pray for our fallen brethren and do everything we can to reconcile them to Christ and Christian community. How is that possible when we're talking publicly about stringing them up and killing them, etc...? It is ok to talk about it, but when we do it needs to be done carefully, respectfully, and with grace always mindful that next time it could be us being ground up as grist in the rumor mill. ask me how i know.

discussion about the events does not equal publically stringing them up and killing them....

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by Theresa

discussion about the events does not equal publically stringing them up and killing them....

others have suggested it. i believe you mentioned something about solving his sexual deviancy for him as well. perhaps i misunderstood.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

Wow.

is he YOUR brother IN CHRIST?

no sir he's not.

so your argument that we are supposed to do such and so to our brothers in christ doesnt hold water in this example..IMO.

When the pastor in Houston was falsely accused (later proven false) of something similar, HIM we held up in prayer b/c he is OUR BROTHER IN CHRIST.

He doesnt get a pass IMO b/c he's UPC.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

others have suggested it. i believe you mentioned something about solving his sexual deviancy for him as well. perhaps i misunderstood.

no, I said it...I said I'd solve his problem if it were my child.

just stating facts. Not dragging it out or anything LOL

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by Theresa

is he YOUR brother IN CHRIST?

no sir he's not.

so your argument that we are supposed to do such and so to our brothers in christ doesnt hold water in this example..IMO.

When the pastor in Houston was falsely accused (later proven false) of something similar, HIM we held up in prayer b/c he is OUR BROTHER IN CHRIST.

He doesnt get a pass IMO b/c he's UPC.

sis, we all sin. every day we sin. sure, some sins are more vile than others. but they're all sin. i am a sinner saved by grace and if this guy repents i'm sure he is saved as well.

i am not upc, in fact some have accused me (falsely) of having an axe to grind against the upc. so i'm not one to protect the upc from criticism. but in something like this i tend to fall on the side of compassion and mercy. let justice mete it's punishment to the man. it appears he's earned it. but as christians we are held to a different standard in regards to sin and how to react to it. the thieves on the cross most likely deserved to be there, yet christ has compassion on them. one accepted it and the other didn't. they both suffered the consequences of their earthly sin, but christ showed them a spiritual mercy and grace in spite of their sin. last i heard christ was still our example in these sorts of things.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

sis, we all sin. every day we sin. sure, some sins are more vile than others. but they're all sin. i am a sinner saved by grace and if this guy repents i'm sure he is saved as well.

i am not upc, in fact some would say i have an axe to grind against the upc. so i'm not one to protect the upc from criticism. but in something like this i tend to fall on the side of compassion and mercy. let justice mete it's punishment to the man. it appears he's earned it. but as christians we are held to a different standard in regards to sin and how to react to it. the thieves on the cross most likely deserved to be there, yet christ has compassion on them. one accepted it and the other didn't. they both suffered the consequences of their earthly sin, but christ showed them a spiritual mercy and grace in spite of their sin. last i heard christ was still our example in these sorts of things.

funny as I'm one of those UPC folks usually accused of covering up such indescretions...

but my point here is this...all this banter about us NOT discussing the issue (note I didnt say publically crucifying the man) is ludicrious. To say we shouldnt do it b/c he's our Brother in Christ, IMO isnt a valid excuse. Sure we should temper our discussion and our emotions when reacting to the news but the posting of the story shouldnt be squelched all together just b/c he's UPC. We can freely discuss Catholic priests doing the same thing and no one runs to their defense....

why now? Why this time? Why the outcry?

I have seen nothing in the comments that were anything but discussion about a newsworthy event that hits home to many of us...

and my response was basically I dont care who or what he is or was, UPC or not...if it happened to MY child, I'd be inclined to take matters in my own hands.

I understand his familys hurt and humilation, the church devistation but we arent discussing them....

we reacted to the actions of a deviant. he just happens to be UPC.

Just b/c I'm held to a higher standard does not mean I cant have very real emotional reaction to such an event.