Question

Hard to say given the little information you have told us here. It is possible ot "preach the absolute truth" in a way that does not build people up. Too many preachers are "beating the sheep" rather than feeding them. You might take time to examine your own style of ministry. There is a place for "hard messages," but the task of the pastor is to build people up in their faith, not tear them down. On the other hand, some people are too sensitive to their feelings and not sensitive enough to the Spirit through the word.

Whether or not you should resign is entirely up to you. In the end, it will make no difference. If it has gotten to this point, the church is sufficiently disturbed that a resignation before a pending vote will not calm things.

 

I do not know if that is a question that any of us can answer....you have to seek the Lord and do as He calls. If He says to resign, then do so. If He says to stay then stay.

Sometimes in my life I have found myself asking everyone their opinion on my situation and I end up neglecting the One who really counts, the Lord. I am not saying you are doing that, but just make sure you are seeking the Lord in this matter and are willing to do as He calls even if it does not make sense.

 

If you are preaching the absolute truth out of love for God and man, then keep preaching it and make them fire you and don't apologize. But make sure you are, indeed, preaching the absolute truth and that you are preaching it out of love for God and man.

Mark Osgatharp

 

What is the primary point they are making against your presentation of the gospel?

 

Listen to God not man. It is my opinion that they are seeking the "feel good" messages that have become so "popular". I say stick with the truth and stand firm to the end. Jesus would have been voted out of every synagougue He would have ever been in but He would have spoken the truth (and He did) to the death. I know I don't agree with everything you believe but I will not deny that you believe you get it from God. That being the case, again I say fight on to the vote.

 

At this point--I'd make 'um fire me!! But at the same time-I'd have all the grieviences in writing---with the deacon's signing the grieviences---then I would go into the realm of "interviewing" for another church--bringing those grieviences with me on paper---to show them(at their request, of course) the reasons I was fired---then I would sit down with each church that interviews me and interview them---probably using those grieviences as a guideline of sorts---I would for sure find out if the interviewing church "meant business" for the Lord Jesus Christ-----IOW---I, too, am tired of playing "Patty Cake" and changing diapers and wipeing noses and etc.----we're too close to the coming rapture/resurrection of the church---to be playin' church!!!!

Blackbird

 

sounds like the devil got a fim hold of this man and perhaps others if these statements of race are in a deed. you sound like you will be better off to be rid of this lot. but I still say fight to the vote. I know if it were me I would retain my membership and continue to battle against these false teachings that exist there even after they vote me out as pastor. but you may not feel led to go that far.

 

I would do everything that Blackbird said, plus one additional thing (mainly because I still have a mean streak in me) I would get those three issues in writing (minutes of the business meeting should work just fine) and the day after the meeting I would fax the following to each local newspaper:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LOCAL CHURCH FIRES PASTOR OVER RACIAL AND FAMILY ISSUES.

Evil deeds need to be brought into the light, and that would throw a big ol' spotlight their way.

 

I'll say one other thing - If somehow you win the vote, and the bilaws or deed or whatever state that blacks are not allowed in the church, item number one on your agenda should be to rewrite the bilaws to be inclusive to anyone that Jesus died for.

 

I'm no preacher but I did notice one of the first things you said was;"I no in my heart" I have struggled hear in school with things that I "feel" but I believe if we did everything based on feelings as chistians we would be in big trouble spiritually.Do not run on your feelings as specially when your feelings are off the chart.
Go with what God tells you to do, and change nothing until then. Just what on the Lord. there may be a very important purpose for all this ,I,m sure there is.
keep your chin up and thank the Lord .
I'LL be praying.

 

funny thing about those "sheep" they will follow another "sheep" no matter how lost that "sheep" might be. Must be why Jesus got the shepards to watch over the flock.

 

So basically - you are being fired because the church is broke, not because you are not a good minister, and the church is not living up to its financial obligations to its Pastor.

I agree with Dr. Cassidy. Make them fire you.

I don't know how things like unemployment work with ministers, but in the general population - you don't get it if you quit. If you are fired - you get unemployment unless they can show just cause for firing you (didn't show up for work, stole from the office, totally incompetent).

You'll have to ask the ministers if that applies to them. I don't quite know how the law works in regards to you Pastors.

 

I don't understand. Why resign now? Are you sure that is the what Jesus said? Did not sound like the vote is still going to take place. Am I reading that right? Seems now you should stay more than ever.

 

The pastors pay is actually the only "bill" that a church "pays" that can be backedup by scripture. But I have seen other churches do the same. When there is not enough money take it out on the preaachers pay. How big is this church?

 

Its never ever a good thing when ONE man things he can keep the church open, or close it based on how much HE gives in the offering. Pastor, I hope you do stay there, and let God show those people that the church is not kept alive by one man's tithe, but it is kept alive by God, and His provision.

Im sure you know this, I wouldn't presume to tell a preaching anything as if he didn't know. I just wanted to try to encourage you. Our church went through an actual split several years ago in which several families left. The families that left were the faithful givers, they were so confident that we could not stay open without them that they went to their bus routes and told all the kids that next week there'd be no bus coming because the church was closing down! Sir, let me tell you, God kept our church open and those buses ran the next week.....we didn't miss a beat! God can do it for us, He can do it for you, too.

Our preacher did have to get a secular job for about a year, but now we look back on that time as a testament to his love for us and his committment to stay where God had put him.

I'll be praying for you whatever you decide, sir....and your family, too.