The following is an update to the issue I posted about a while back regarding my pastors and I having a disagreement over certain scripture pertaining to women. You can get up to date by reading the following posts, if your so inclined:
Several months back the senior pastor, L decided to step down from the pastorate of the church, citing some health issues that are interfering with job (he works outside of being a pastor) and with his being able to tend to the church. As a result the associate pastor, B, was up to take the reigns and lead the church as head pastor, however, before that could happen there was to be some kind of meeting and observation done by the Church of God heads, since the church is still, officially, part of that denomination.
Now I haven’t been attending the church however, much to my chagrin, my wife has continued (despite my protests). She informed me that the CoG heads showed up and did some observation of the church as well as interviewed both L and B. In addition B had to take some kind of certification tests before he could officially take over.
Now, I am by no means a prophet, nor did I have a ‘vision from the Lord’ (I don’t think I did, anyway), but I knew months ago that B was going to lose the church and, indeed, he did. I don’t know the results of his certification testing and all that jazz, but the CoG heads decided he would not be pastoring the church, and have moved to take it from him and place another pastor in his stead.
Pastor L and pastor B had the opportunity to do what was right and follow the words of the bible, but instead chose to follow the words of modern society and culture. I’m split on how I feel about the whole issue, personally. Pastor B is a friend and its a bummer to see him losing something he loved so much, but at the same time I don’t see how he could continue to be a pastor if he and L disregard scripture so easily. Again I say, if you can discount even one verse of scripture because of culture then you can discount EVERY verse because of culture. Why? Because the bible was written at another time and in another culture, but if you believe the bible are the words of God then you must understand that they are written for all time and all cultures. Cultures should be shaped around the words of God, not the other way around.
This is the same choice we are faced with every day as Christians. The bible isn’t filled with words that will make us feel warm and fuzzy all the time. Indeed there are words of encouragement within, and we should be encouraged by the fact that we are loved by the creator of the universe, so much so that even when we hated Him He loved us enough to make a way for us to avoid eternal death! It is wise to remember, however, that the bible also contains words of condemnation and an ultimatum: If you are not saved you will suffer in eternal death and separation from God. How does one get saved? By repenting of your sinful life and accepting Jesus as your lord and savior! Its just that easy!
I don’t know what the future holds for L, B and the church, but I know I will not be a part of it. The church part, at least. Though I will not attend I will certainly be more than happy to participate in their helping clothe and feed the poor of our town, if that continues. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to continue my search for another church to attend.
I think this is the end of this tale, but only time will tell.
Snapper's Domain 
God does take care of things, in His time. it’s good to remember these things.
in the late 80’s my first husband’s grandparents were in a progressive senior home, and they were terribly mis-treated. my young husband wanted so much to bring justice, but he was not in a position to do so. years later the ‘sins’ were made public and this person in charge was brought to justice. i remember that often when i want to ‘make justice.’
Can’t say I’m surprised.
But it also makes me feel compassion for people who obviously have good intentions but are deceived. Perhaps this is the first step toward their journey toward repentance. That would be great.
I certainly hope so. I wont bring it up to B, but if he ever asks me I will be more than happy to point it out in, hopefully, a way that’s conducive to the conversation, but most people cant take critical truth like that without getting offended, particularly Christians. That is a very sad thing.
it’s hard to change something that seems to work and make sense. it’s not until we face a crisis that we usually re-think what we’ve been taught and what we believe. hopefully this will be his crisis that causes him to reevaluate all he’s thought and believed … and then come to a biblical position.