Deputies arrest ex-pastor

[revrandy]

I still luv ya SweetPea...:P)

[Esther]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

Good questions, not that we want to point the finger at the church or the ministers, of course. But it does make you wonder. If a child molesting pastor is preaching to his flock, it had to affect the level of his anointing. You wonder how many of his church members noticed. It could well be that some folks noticed in their spirit that something was "off" with this man... but confronting a sinning pastor is something difficult to do, even if you feel strongly in your spirit that something's just not right.

But along those lines.... I've always thought that spritual gifts in general (including discernment) are not nearly as pervasive in the church as they should be.



I firmly believe it happens much less in Apostolic churches.(I could name you a couple of denominations I know of where sexual sin among clergy is MUCH more prevalent.)
And when we catch it we tend to deal with it more quickly and firmly than non-Spirit filled churches. (Just look at the decades-long Catholic Church child-molesting scandals, for example)

I used to believe that also. Now, I'm not so sure. I think the "church" has become so busy and distracted that our prayer lives have become slack, our reading the Word has slackened and our fasting has become near extinct. All these things weaken us spiritually and our spiritual meter, if you will, has lost its power.

The other reason I'm not so sure anymore, is because we believe and I do believe we have the truth, we are a bigger target for the enemy.

The whole thing is very sad. After reading all the blogs posted and many being from church members, there is MUCH hurt there. We truly need to pray for this church that God will heal their wounds as only He can.

[OldTimey]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

You may wish to put a bridle on your tongue, OldTimey.

Do you believe it is Christian-like to refer to your brothers and sisters in Christ this way?

Yea. I don't think I'll take my cues on how to be Christ like from you.

[George]

Sweat Pea - you have condemned this discussion and yet you have posted 10 times to this thread, referred to the comments below the news article in the given link, and spoke "knowingly" of the case. If it is such a bad thing for this to be discussed, why are you continuing to post multiple times adding fuel to the fire and keeping the debate going? You are obviously very curious about the case.

[George]

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.

First, let your dad molest your daughter and see how much you preach grace and mercy. I am flesh and if it were my dad, I would do bodily harm to him for hurting my daughter.

[Sweet Pea]

George - I already apologized for my manner and style of posting - my error in judgment to think that I could stop the thread or change anyone's mind for thinking it okay to "discuss" this situation. I should have stated my case one time and left it alone.

For the record - that is what I'm doing now. I won't be back to this thread. I had already told myself I would post no more on this thread - but felt that I should respond to your post.

[George]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

George - I already apologized for my manner and style of posting - my error in judgment to think that I could stop the thread or change anyone's mind for thinking it okay to "discuss" this situation. I should have stated my case one time and left it alone.

For the record - that is what I'm doing now. I won't be back to this thread. I had already told myself I would post no more on this thread - but felt that I should respond to your post.

Your apology is accepted but, for the sake of your blood pressure, I would suggest you stop reading anything to do with this case. Even though you said you won't post anymore, continuing to visit the links, forums, and news articles will keep you upset. None of us will be able to stop the media from blasting this case and it could potentially gain national attention. (I pray not.) Because it was a "minister" who committed these crimes, the media will have a heyday just as they have with the Catholic church. It is a tragedy but there isn't much we can do besides pray for the victims and, if you know them, love them.

For the record, I feel sympathy for the victims and know their pain is deep. Even so, it was the wicked pervert who caused this to become a public matter. I really don't think this forum will affect the victims as much as the local newspaper and television reports.

[SOUNWORTHY]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Okay........ so it was in the newspaper - and he really was arrested; I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why anyone felt it necessary to post it on this forum.

I guess "whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report...." etc. just doesn't apply to world wide web forums....

Oh yeah! Now, I get it now - it was just "sharing" so that we could all pray for him.... (well, and his family....)

Yeah, ri-i-i-i-i-ght!

Sweet Pea, haven't you figured out yet that AFF is the Apostolic Gossip Column. Many on here are the judge, jury and executioner.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by OldTimey

Yea. I don't think I'll take my cues on how to be Christ like from you.

Fine, then take your cues from the Bible if you prefer. Whatever works.

I dont even know you, and you dont know me, and I dont really need to get into a war of words with you.
But for someone criticizing others for what you saw as inappropriate speech, your speech was quite inappropriate also. If you dont see that, then I acually feel bad for you.

You have zero credibility to be criticizing anyone here, when you refer to people on this forum as "a bunch of sleazy gossips". You're in no position to claim the moral high ground in this discussion.

Think about that.
Physician, heal thyself first.

Good day to you.

[Weary Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by SOUNWORTHY

Sweet Pea, haven't you figured out yet that AFF is the Apostolic Gossip Column. Many on here are the judge, jury and executioner.

Then what is your purpose for being a member of AFF?