| Author | Message | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 91 Registered: 4-2005 |
The church I am currently attending sent out letter to its member, it seems the Youth Pastor had an affair and resigned, they wanted the church membership to know, held a meeting last night (Sunday) to discuss it and offered counseling to any parishinors who wished it. His letter of resignation was published. He expressed sorrow for his actions, and asked for forgiveness. His credentials were removed by the church and they are attending another church, but the spirit was one of praying for them, for all the pastors and their families and hope for restoration. None of this hush hush move them along quietly to another church or conference. The congregation appreciated the openess and it probably stopped a lot of gossip, but I was very touched by the way it was handled. They quoted Gal. 6:l about restoring gently. This was so different from what I was used to!! Peggy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3673 Registered: 12-2003  |
Peggy, I remember several years ago when our church "disciplined" a member who, after months (perhaps a year or so?) of the elders dealing with him directly and privately, refused to leave an adulterous relationship. It was a day I'll never forget because it was handled with so much love and sadness. The elders all stood up, and the head elder read the final decision of the board of elders to deny further fellowship to this man in the congregation unless he came to repentance (as per 1 Corinthians 5). (The man was not present.) They prayed for the man; there were tears all over the congregation, and the sadness was deep and profound. There was not a hint of that "delicious gossip": feeling. Further, as you said, Peggy, this action stopped gossip. I had never seen anything like it.I didn't know the man, but I found myself praying for him. It's quite amazing. Colleen |
