Seems like they are all departing from Scripture, since with their bylaws and structure it ultimately relies on Secular authorities to settle disputes.
1 Corinthians 6:1-7
When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believer“
From the article:
“Sarah Merkle, who is an attorney specializing in governance and is a professional parliamentarian and a senior editorial adviser for “Church Law & Tax,” a publication for church leaders, said churches are required to follow their bylaws when making decisions.
Once adopted, she said, those bylaws can’t, in most cases, be suspended or ignored. If churches do ignore them, especially on major decisions, they can wind up in court. “
Ultimate appeal is secular courts which goes against the above Scripture.
Also from article:
“During the meeting, Dodge said, Elliott shared a document listing two options: He could move from being the senior pastor to being a teaching pastor and let the elders manage the day-to-day operations for a year while he looked for a job. Or, according to a copy of the document obtained by Religion News Service, the church could pay him a year’s salary and he’d leave after signing a non-compete and non-disparagement agreement.
The elders chose the latter.”
Non- Compete and non-disparagement ? These are commercial / business terms presumably enforced by secular courts with liability penalties.
Is this a Church or a commercial enterprise? These dudes need to sort out what they are.
A Pastor shouldn’t be engaging in this stupidity and salary contracts, competition clauses, and non-disparagement clauses. He is supposed to be a shepherd, not the hired hand.
I very seriously doubt this dude gives a snap about the flock ultimately.
“Dodge added that elders at churches like Beach Church want to follow the Bible’s teachings, which he believes outline how a church is run. But they can’t compete with a popular pastor.”
We have established they aren’t running the church scripturally because they keep reverting to contracts and arrangements that are ultimately settled by secular authorities.
And being Shepherd is not a popularity contest, people keep placing their faith in men, the rock star. They will all let you down.
Careerists are not Shepherds.
Just my humble opinion, however.
