Another delemma

[aspen]

Imagine yourself as a member of a small church in crisis. The minister is under fire from a faction of the church that has organized in order to remove him from the pulpit. As you investigate the situation and sort through the bitter feelings and gossip, you realize that the person (a deacon in the church) who is at the center of the opposition group, has a personal grudge against the minister About six months prior the man was confronted by the minister and several other members in church leadership about a program he was leading during the week, which included Rekki (an Eastern religious practice, originating in Japan). Although the deacon was angry at the time, he agreed to discontinue the program, but it was obvious that he harbored angry feelings towards the pastor, As more people are interviewed, it becomes apparent that many people are being influenced by the deacon - one women even mentioned that minister used the Bible too much.

Just when it you are about to close the books and declare that the minister is being unduly attacked, it comes to light that the minister has been involved in activities as a representative of the church, without permission of the board or consideration of the congregation. The local paper recently reported that the minister was threatening the school board with church protest rallies if they adopted a school curriculum they were considering. He was also found to be pressuring a local clinic to stop supplying contraception to patients or he would organize a church rally and invite the media to the press conference in front of the clinic. Finally, it was rumored that he spread false information about the clinic regarding abortion procedures occurring onsite.

So, a liberal faction on the church has organised a group to oust the minister - a vote will be taken after the service on Sunday. The charge against the minister is using his position to bully members of the congregation. The ramifications of ousting the minister is a power grab by the liberal faction, who will use their influence to select a liberal minister. However, the minister's behavior in the community supports the liberal faction's charges of megalomania.

What do you do?

 

[aspen]

This situation actually happened at the first church I ever attended by choice. I was 15 years old and have never forgotten the the situation. I ended up voting too.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I'd leave. I hate being around havens of iniquity.

 

[Redeemed86]

Imagine yourself as a member of a small church in crisis. The minister is under fire from a faction of the church that has organized in order to remove him from the pulpit. As you investigate the situation and sort through the bitter feelings and gossip, you realize that the person (a deacon in the church) who is at the center of the opposition group, has a personal grudge against the minister About six months prior the man was confronted by the minister and several other members in church leadership about a program he was leading during the week, which included Rekki (an Eastern religious practice, originating in Japan). Although the deacon was angry at the time, he agreed to discontinue the program, but it was obvious that he harbored angry feelings towards the pastor, As more people are interviewed, it becomes apparent that many people are being influenced by the deacon - one women even mentioned that minister used the Bible too much.

Just when it you are about to close the books and declare that the minister is being unduly attacked, it comes to light that the minister has been involved in activities as a representative of the church, without permission of the board or consideration of the congregation. The local paper recently reported that the minister was threatening the school board with church protest rallies if they adopted a school curriculum they were considering. He was also found to be pressuring a local clinic to stop supplying contraception to patients or he would organize a church rally and invite the media to the press conference in front of the clinic. Finally, it was rumored that he spread false information about the clinic regarding abortion procedures occurring onsite.

So, a liberal faction on the church has organised a group to oust the minister - a vote will be taken after the service on Sunday. The charge against the minister is using his position to bully members of the congregation. The ramifications of ousting the minister is a power grab by the liberal faction, who will use their influence to select a liberal minister. However, the minister's behavior in the community supports the liberal faction's charges of megalomania.

What do you do?

What's in bold are really the only things worth considering. There is immaturity on both sides of the aisle. The liberal faction for acting emotionally and unjustly in response to a righteous correction that I would expect from a minister, and the minister for the unbiblical use of his position to intimidate.

I'm also not sure how he was going to organize a rally without the congregation already behind him. More threatening or intentional misuse of the bible for justification?

If I was a new member, I would pray for the people involved while searching for a new church home because it's obvious that God is not at the head of these radical decisions. What I would do if I was a senior member is poll the congregation and church leadership to determine the number of members in favor of the minister stepping down. Then hold a church meeting with those in agreement expressing our desire to the pastor for him to step down.

The new minister would have to be agreed on by church leadership and the congregation.

 

[aspen]

It was a difficult situation because the minister had enough supporters to carry out the rallies. I think you provided some good insight in your post. I've always wonder if I would have changed anything about my decision now that I am an adult.