dealing with a hypocrite in the Church

First I would obviously pray. Then I would sit her down to a fresh talk on the facts of life. I would show her verses how women should be quiet in church, then tell her to do so.

I would tell her if this keeps happening you will ask her to leave.

She has already cost you half your congregation. Take the falloutand with God's power rebuild!

 

If the church nor the deacons will not side with you on this matter, I advise you to walk away. That's my ititial thought. If a church will allow something like this to go on, it does not deserve a pastor.

I realize that the will of God is always the utmost issue. Maybe God is allowing you to go through this to make you more like Jesus. Or, maybe He is allowing this to take place to show you that your time could be better spent. I can't say.

I will pray for you...right now.

 

I agree with the above responses. This woman has no business speaking out in church and is tearing the church apart.

I'd begin to look for another church who is seeking a pastor. I believe I read the FBC in Jessup is searching for a pastor.

 

Have you had a talk with this woman? I assume that she is older than you are. Perhaps you could learn from her. Perhaps if she felt useful in the church she would not be so negative. Try talking to her with understanding. She has lost her husband and her identity. She probably is hurting. That, of course, does not excuse her actions, but perhaps you can be more sympathetic.

Further if the deacon's wife is giving you trouble, then I would suggest that you talk to the deacon.

As TCassidy said..God can deal with the problem. Let Him guide you. I am always amazed how God works out this type of problem.

 

Here's the problem with churches. They do not recognize the leadership of the Pastor. You are the leader with Christ as the head. I would sit her down and tell her that she is en route for church discipline if she continues her actions.
At the same time teach her the proper way to run church business.

Do not approach this as "Ladies must be quiet." That is both unBiblical and will cause her to shut the doors quickly.

I would also say, Do not quit the church. God calls you elsewhere and that's all. You don't quit because it's getting rough!

Be strong and of good courage! You're talking with folks here who have travelled that road and will encourage you whatever way possible. Handle things Biblically and God will honor your efforts. You still have 20+ that God has entrusted you to. "Preach the Word!"

 

Hi Godzthunder;
My pastor had the same kind of thing with a lady. She is a very wealthy lady and the biggest contributor to the offering plate. Most all of the members knew it and generally let her have her way. However she had disagreements with our pastor and was always judging him about something. Our preacher had a remedy and preached a sermon about hypocrites in the church and how a lot of people didn't want to come because of them. He held up three fingers and explained that each finger represented certain things the first was God of course the second was the hypocrite and the third was the guy who wouldn't come to church because of the hypocrites.

He then explain that as long as someone stayed away from church because of the hypocrites he was further away from God than the hypocrite was. (Myself I don't believe there is one church with out hypocrites.) Then he explained that if they would only come and ignore the hypocrites they would be much closer to God than the hypocrites because, they would be true over comers. They would with out a doubt overcome the hypocrites. The lady didn't leave but she got a good look at what she was doing. I don't think she even realized her own mistake. Her main charity was missions and when she thought about it I guess she got the message because after that she became a lot more tolerant of the Pastor and a few others in the church. I think she realized just how delicate a ministry can be.
I think the biggest challenge the pastor had with her was loving her in spite of her mistakes. Not so easy after some of the rotten things she did. He forgave her anyway even without an apology witnessing I believe true Christ likeness.
May Christ Shine Light On Us All;
Mike

 

I wish I had an answer for you.
Can all of us reading this say a prayer for you? Asking God to give you the wisdom to lead and the wisdom to deal with this problem His way?

 

Check out the following books

Well Intentioned Dragons by Marhall Shelley Word Books- Antagonists in the Church by Kenneth C.Haugk Augsburg publishing and The Peacemaker by Ken Sande Baker Books

 

Brother,
Why should you leave? Is this woman stronger than God? Can you assess that she is out of God's will according to the scriptures? If she is tell her she needs to get right or move on. If it is God's will for you to be there you will have the victory. If you leave the same problem will be dumped into the next preachers lap.

I would suggest that you confront this situation in faith that God's will be done. She will lose.

Hang in there and desperately pray for the ministry God has already given you. Just my opinion. I'll be praying.

Besides, if you give up to get away from this hypocrite, be careful of Walmart. It's full of em!

 

That is not the real problem at all.

There is one way to win those people. You need to love her and earnestly pray for her. Seek God on how you might win her. Praise her for the little things you notice which are good.

Some people will resent it when somebody tries to change what they saw as good. She probably liked things the way her husband did. Some people just find it hard to change.

Are you sure she is physically all right?

Do realize that you need people like her. She is an absolute necessity to keep you praying. I have seen cases where God miraculously changed a person's heart.

When you begin to pray for her with a pure heart you will begin to see a changed person in both oyurself and her. That lady will teach you to forgive and love people.

I believe what George Mueller sought is exactly where all of us should be.

George Mueller's Secret:

"There was a day when I died:

• Died to George Mueller: to his tastes, his opinions, his
preferences and his will.

• Died to the world—its approval or censure.

• Died to the approval or blame of even my brethren and friends.

Since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God."

 

I still think that the woman is grieving. She lost her husband and when she did she lost her identity in the church. She was a pastor's wife.

She needs sympathy and pray!

 

So what is going on brother? Did you leave? Did you stay?

 

Jonathan Edwards was fired. A man who is now in charge of evangelism for the SBC in one of the states was asked to leave a church that he had grown from 75 to almost 600 in six years.

From what I can tell things are not getting any better.

People want nickels and noses without any work. They like their architectural and country club evangelism.

Jesus got crucified and the Pharisees gave him a ot of trouble. So you are in good company.

 

Brother,
What is done is done. Sometimes we just can't beat the odds.(so to speak) I would suggest when you take your next ministry that you state upfront that you are the pastor and therefore the leader of the church. If you have a deacon board, disolve it. Deacons should not work in any leadership capacity. Have them busy with visitation and serving the needs of the flock. I would disolve any committies that think they are too big for their britches as well. You are God's man and will run your church as you and the Holy Spirit see fit. You answer only to Christ although accountable for financial and common sense behaviors.

Wish you the best!!