how much info is too much?

[C.S. Murphy]

If a pastor or staff member is asked to resign how much information should be made available. While privacy is an issue, the need to inform the congregation is also important. What are your thoughts?
Murph

 

[Eric Rolen]

Doesnt the church have to vote on whether to ask for the resignation? The church body would have to know the circumstances on which a motion would be brought before them to ask for a resignation.

If a staff member resigns without being asked I think if he states personal/family reasons that is his business and leave it at that. I would continue to pray for him and his family for God's blessing on the decision.

 

[TaterTot]

Some churches have things like this written in their bylaws.

 

[blackbird]

Many churches operate their "silliness" by stealth---thinking that "if we can keep this in the closet---if we can keep this a secret---if we can meet behind closed doors--if we can keep this away from the public---if we can keep our own church members from finding out---we can protect ourselves"

Jesus said---whats done in secret will be shouted from the housetops

Murph---you can't keep anything a secret---the best church member at your church is carnal enough to spill the beans over the slightest thing. The Bible teaches us that is is better to tell the truth and roast in the fire for telling it--than to withhold the same said truth and eat with the kings and dignataries!!

 

[SteveD]

Let me give you a situation. A deacon has committed a sin and goes to you addmitting it and has repented of it. Matt 18 is applied. We are not at the point of telling it to the church but I have to ask this deacon to resign. I think he should resign without having to tell the details to the church. What do you think

 

[blackbird]

Originally posted by C.S. Murphy:
If a pastor or staff member is asked to resign how much information should be made available. While privacy is an issue, the need to inform the congregation is also important. What are your thoughts?
Murph

Personally---my plan would be to keep it as private as possible---BUT---you know as well as I do---there's no such thing as "private" when it comes to the issues----the congregation WILL get curious about the "sudden" resignation of the deacon

Then when they find out---carnality will rear its ugly sinful head---you can just go ahead and mark that down---carnality---you will see who in your church is carnal and who is spiritual.

I would try to keep it as private as I could---but I would be careful---and be honest with the deacon in question---and both of us would have a spiritual "game plan" available so that when the people ASK---we would both be able to truthfully give an answer without shame or embarrassment.

 

[C.S. Murphy]

Originally posted by blackbird:

The Bible teaches us that is is better to tell the truth and roast in the fire for telling it--than to withhold the same said truth and eat with the kings and dignataries!!

So when a pastor moves on, whether asked to or not does the church send along a completely honest assesment of his work? I believe that most times good or bad the past stays in the past and everybody gets a new start. Good bad or ugly I believe that is the way it usually happens. The truth must be told to the membership but I would make every attempt to give out that truth on a need to know basis and also on a "for their eyes only" basis. I would likely handle it in the context of a called business meeting and then ask the congregation not to spread the dirty laundry and if they had further questions I would ask that they address them to the church leadership. I know some people would tell the news but I still feel this is the best way to handle it.
Murph

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I agree Murph. There is no reason to have any more dust flying than necessary.

Even if a member of our church is asked to leave, after Biblical steps have been taken, the details are kept private.

'Spreading the news' whether it is true or not, in my opinion, is still gossiping.

It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but only one second for someone to tear it down...

 

[eyeball]

How is it gossip if it's true?

If one besmirches their own reputation, it is nobody else's fault if they are spoken of poorly.

 

[Brother Ian]

I would keep it private as it is a private matter. Praise the Lord he has repented. All that needs to be said is that he is stepping down for reasons that don't need to be made public.

The church "should" be satisfied with that, but alas, there will be some who will do all they can to get the dirt.

 

[SteveD]

Thanks for your imput concerning this deacon. I think that according to Matt 18 this issue is resolved and my brother has been restored. As far as an announcemet to the church of his resignation it can be as brief as "due to personal reasons it is best that I resign as a deacon" Why does the church need to know the detials. There are consequences to sin but there is love that covers as well. There should be trust that the leadership made the right choice in asking for the resignation. Thanks for all your imput.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

How is it gossip if it's true?

If it is no one's business, it is gossip.

I have known people that will share private details under the pretense of asking for prayer for someone.

The details may be true, but it is still gossip.

And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:13

 

[Ed Edwards]

Amen, Sister I Am Blessed 16 - you are RIGHT ON!

 

[MikeinGhana]

How about this cliche, is it true? "Public sin, public rebuke, private sin, private rebuke."

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by SteveD:
Let me give you a situation. A deacon has committed a sin and goes to you addmitting it and has repented of it. Matt 18 is applied. We are not at the point of telling it to the church but I have to ask this deacon to resign. I think he should resign without having to tell the details to the church. What do you think

Mt. 18:15-17, "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

The point about Mt. 18 is not condemnation but about restoration. I would rather know someone who is a repentent tax collector than a proud Pharisee.

Luke 18:10-14, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: `God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. `I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I would rather know someone who is a repentent tax collector than a proud Pharisee.

Amen!

I believe if I'm not part of the problem or solution, then it is none of my business.

If I'm not part of the solution and I stick my nose in, then I become part of the problem.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Originally posted by C.S. Murphy:
If a pastor or staff member is asked to resign how much information should be made available. While privacy is an issue, the need to inform the congregation is also important. What are your thoughts?
Murph

What does the Bible say about disciplining a pastor or a minister of God? Whatever it says, do that.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
I agree Murph. There is no reason to have any more dust flying than necessary.

Even if a member of our church is asked to leave, after Biblical steps have been taken, the details are kept private.

The only problem I can see with this is that if Biblical steps are taken, it will lead to a public airing of the offense.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[Ed Edwards]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> I would rather know someone who is a repentent tax collector than a proud Pharisee.

Amen!

I believe if I'm not part of the problem or solution, then it is none of my business.

If I'm not part of the solution and I stick my nose in, then I become part of the problem. </font>[/QUOTE]Amen, Sister I Am Blessed 16 -- you are RIGHT ON!