The last six months have been horribly painful from a church perspective. It's pretty bad when you have a preacher who refuses to speak to over half the congregation (or more). So today was his last day. Not one word from him prior to today about the fact he was leaving, who was taking his place, or a nice introduction to a new minister.
Instead, he told the kids that it was his mission to make sure they knew Jesus. And, he told them that they should remember what HE told them about Jesus and not listen to any one else. Oh my goodness. If I were a parent of a young child, I would be scratching my head. I'm thinking as a parent, I first and foremost am responsible for my child's spiritual growth and development. Why would a preacher tell my kid they should listen to no one but him for learning to love Jesus. Scary.
So we have a tearful goodbye and then the Pastor -- from the pulpit -- puts his keys down and says these are my keys to the church. I've only experienced one pastor exchange as a Methodist, and it was nothing like the hate filled vitrol that I experienced today. The amazing thing is those who really know what is going on are saying nothing, not defending what is happening. Yet, a man who professes to be a disciple of Christ rips our church to shreds and has done everything he can to destroy our church.
Why? Because we told the church he was being divisive and hurtful. What did he do? Pile on more. Yet, he is a disciple of Christ. He dedicates his life to Jesus. He is wonderful, and we are all going to hell. That is the message we've gotten in the last six months.
Our last pastor, we love and continue to love. She brought me to our church. She taught us to love and simple messages of what God's gift is to all of us. What has this pastor left us with? Anger, pain, hate and vindictivness. How can you show Jesus love with that? I'm not sure.
But I do know our church will survive. We aren't getting a "hospice care minister" to playcate the entrenched evil members who don't want to make a difference. We are getting a minister who understands what LOVE is really all about. And when we all get settled down and over the divisive, hateful, un-Jesus like conduct of a man who professes to be a disciple of Christ, we are going to grow!
The "statistics" cited today in church are fabrications. There are many more. If you don't believe me, really think about it. I know there are going to be a good number of people at LCUMC next Sunday. They are looking for LOVE, and love is something that our previous pastor is totally incapable of sharing. At all.
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