Sleeping with Uncle Jeff

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by ILG

Way, way too much stuff is "not the business of the district". Funny, if a pastor allowed women to wear pants it would be all over the place.

You can see the pants but you can't see what goes on behind closed doors...such is the stigma of legalism.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

True Story:

We had a board member in our church who was arrested for molesting children on the school bus that he drove. The previous Pastor was told by his two neices [who were obese, suicidal, and very troubled] that they were molested by their uncle/this same man. The Pastor told them that they needed to forgive him because "...it was under the blood".

1. If it were under the blood he would not have continued to do it.
2. Forgiveness is not always the beginning of healing but near the end of it.
3. A Pastor should never cover the sin of saints in regard to the 'duty to report' abuse of children.

Because the Pastor did nothing to stop this man, he molested his children, grandchildren nieces, ect...there is quite a list. But the Pastor did have a "yes" man on his board who would do anything the Pastor said because the Pastor kept his secret.

Oh, my.

If that pastor was in Florida and withheld information concerning molestation, the pastor would be charged with criminal charges. The pastor was not only wrong for what he did but also should have been prosecuted along with the pervert who raped the children under the pastor's care. The crime of the pervert was heinous enough but the pastor's lack of intelligence ensures him a place in a cell next to the pervert.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

You can see the pants but you can't see what goes on behind closed doors...such is the stigma of legalism.

Right. Pants are cut and dried. Closeted sin is not. I think that sexual sin covered up in the name of God has to be the worst kind. It is so hard on people.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

If that pastor was in Florida and withheld information concerning molestation, the pastor would be charged with criminal charges. The pastor was not only wrong for what he did but also should have been prosecuted along with the pervert who raped the children under the pastor's care. The crime of the pervert was heinous enough but the pastor's lack of intelligence ensures him a place in a cell next to the pervert.

I think the moral of the story is that these types of things have to be investigated by authorities and can't be decided by the pastor.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

If that pastor was in Florida and withheld information concerning molestation, the pastor would be charged with criminal charges. The pastor was not only wrong for what he did but also should have been prosecuted along with the pervert who raped the children under the pastor's care. The crime of the pervert was heinous enough but the pastor's lack of intelligence ensures him a place in a cell next to the pervert.

Bro. Benincasa,

I agree with you here, but I know for a fact there are many preachers standing in line with this one...this one just got caught.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by ILG

I think the moral of the story is that these types of things have to be investigated by authorities and can't be decided by the pastor.

ILG, Pastors cause themselves so much more anxiety by taking all the responsibility onto themselves. Render unto Ceasar...would be a good place to start. Secondly, it is God's church and he is the one responsible not the Pastor. Pastor's need to trust God and trust other people who God have called into the help ministries. Pastors who do not delegate and give authority to others are burned out/stressed out substandard leaders! That is Rhoni speaking

[CC1]

Originally Posted by ILG

You have to wonder why a man would call his grandchildren liars.

Old Time Pentecost is not exactly brimming with professional people. I believe that the pastor involved took particular pride in the fact that his son in law was a respected Cardiologist.

Not only was this man his son in law but also a church member. I understand that the Dr. is very impressive and likable and pretty much everyone was proud he was a member of their church and friend.

I am afraid the stature that comes with being a respected Doctor probably carried even more importance in this situation and when a horrible reality burst the bubble the pastor was in denial.

Add to this the pastors health issues and the fact that he particularly found joy in this son in law as other offspring had endured marital problems and married persons he found unworthy, and I believe you have a recipe for disaster.

You would think there would be a little rightous indignation at your grand daughers being violated. Or at least a fair hearing and the realization that with multiple accusations from multiple victims the old saying that where there is smoke there is fire might apply.

I am sure that within the pastors circle of ministerial friends this has been spun as vindictive girls lying to "get" someone but the truth is most or all of these girls looked up to and loved the accused and his wife.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

ILG, Pastors cause themselves so much more anxiety by taking all the responsibility onto themselves. Render unto Ceasar...would be a good place to start. Secondly, it is God's church and he is the one responsible not the Pastor. Pastor's need to trust God and trust other people who God have called into the help ministries. Pastors who do not delegate and give authority to others are burned out/stressed out substandard leaders! That is Rhoni speaking

I agree with you, but the authority structure of the UPC makes this difficult. Not impossible, mind you, but it is similar to the Catholic church cover-ups. There is always the thought of bringing shame upon the church and the thinking that covering up is so much easier. This shows how horrible it is though. And yes, pastors carry too much. This isn't just hard on saints, it's hard on the pastors themselves.

[CC1]

While this type of newspaper article brings bad publicity to Pentecost I hope that preachers / pastors reading it will take some things to heart.

You cannot ignore illegal sexual activity like this. It is not just a spiritual matter. It is a legal one!

[ILG]

Originally Posted by CC1

Old Time Pentecost is not exactly brimming with professional people. I believe that the pastor involved took particular pride in the fact that his son in law was a respected Cardiologist.

Not only was this man his son in law but also a church member. I understand that the Dr. is very impressive and likable and pretty much everyone was proud he was a member of their church and friend.

I am afraid the stature that comes with being a respected Doctor probably carried even more importance in this situation and when a horrible reality burst the bubble the pastor was in denial.

Add to this the pastors health issues and the fact that he particularly found joy in this son in law as other offspring had endured marital problems and married persons he found unworthy, and I believe you have a recipe for disaster.

You would think there would be a little rightous indignation at your grand daughers being violated. Or at least a fair hearing and the realization that with multiple accusations from multiple victims the old saying that where there is smoke there is fire might apply.

I am sure that within the pastors circle of ministerial friends this has been spun as vindictive girls lying to "get" someone but the truth is most or all of these girls looked up to and loved the accused and his wife.

You said it very well. The question is, has this pastor apologized since the confession? So many UPC pastors just won't apologize for anything. It's like it's an admission of being human, which many feel they cannot be. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that has been my experience.