Man Disrupts Service

[Spunky]

In my opinion no the men should not have just stood there

they should have done as the women did and surround her

in order to make it clear they would not allow this man to

harass their sister in Christ.

I will be praying that this mother and child will be safe from

harm!

God Bless!

[Pizzaguy]

In my opinion no the men should not have just stood there

they should have done as the women did and surround her

in order to make it clear they would not allow this man to

harass their sister in Christ.

Exactly what I was thinking!

(WHO are the leaders in the church, anyway?)

Edited November 14, 2006 by Pizzaguy

[Guest Biblicist]

Pizzaguy,

I understand if the church has never encountered something of this magnitude before. How could they know that "Dick" was going to act that way or that it would have such an effect on "Jane". But now that they know. . . When you know better, you do better. Sad isn't it that a church has to have a "plan of attack" for problems like this.

God Bless you for doing what you could and seeking wise council so as to aviod this situation again. I will be praying that your "plan" will not be necessary, and that "Jane" will see a change in her "husband's" life, soon.

God bless you!

[st. Worm]

Some really good advice, but I would add this. From experience I can tell you than an individual in a law enforcement position like this man can be extra dangerous and abusive to an estranged spouse because he may think his job will protect him. In fact he may have friends on the force who will not arrest him as they would someone else unless they have absolutely no choice. I have seen a similiar situation get out of hand.

I would consider consulting an attorney for possibly obtaining a restraining order to keep him away from the church. This may or may not be possible but if it can be done at least if he shows back up he is in clear violation and can be dealt with easier.

Take nothing for granted in this situation. The man sounds arrogant and potentially dangerous.

sw

[Pizzaguy]

Pizzaguy,

I understand if the church has never encountered something of this magnitude before. How could they know that "Dick" was going to act that way or that it would have such an effect on "Jane".

We all know wha'ts going on. The vindictiveness, of "Dick" and his parents; the effect on "Hannah" (she's 9 and is reverting to a less-toilet-trained mindset), and we'v watched Jane go from praying that he'd come home to that he'd just go away....

Sad isn't it that a church has to have a "plan of attack" for problems like this.

God Bless you for doing what you could and seeking wise council so as to aviod this situation again. I will be praying that your "plan" will not be necessary, and that "Jane" will see a change in her "husband's" life, soon.

God bless you!

Thanks.

[Pizzaguy]

Some really good advice, but I would add this....

THANK YOU! I said much the same, and that "this isn't over, and Dick is dangerous".

I am very concerned for all of us.

[SueZQ]

We had a service disrupted in our Church on a Wednesday night, the situation that was more volatile. In a heartbeat, the elders of the Church and a few of his friends took him into another room, we call it the prayer room, right off the sanctuary. The Pastor asked the Church to pray after the man was out of the room, a few women went and sat next to the wife. After we prayed, the Pastor went right back to his message.

I have no clue what went on, but the two were members of the Church, and came together as a family that night. Later on the man was arrested for a non domestic crime and was sent to prison for 10 years, they divorced.

If our Church didn't have a policy prior to this, it was God that led them because it was as if were a planned and practiced situation. But this man in our Church disrupted things during the service, which alerted all the elders, so perhaps in your Church it wasn't known until after the service was over.

I feel very sad for the little girl though and will be praying for this precious one.

[Pizzaguy]

so perhaps in your Church it wasn't known until after the service was over.

Oh, it was known. Like I said, in the title, he "Disrupts service"....

NO ONE was unaware, they may not have known WHY she suddenly became upset right away, but I don't know of ANYONE who was unaware of his presence by the end of the service. We have attendance of around 125 on a Sunday, with 90 or so in the Sanctuary (which seats 140 I THINK). It's a small church.

[Leonard]

In most states churches can ban people with or without giving a reason for it. If he shows up again, the Pastor has to simply tell him he is banned and is to leave the property immediately. If he does not, the police should be called.

[JustinM]

Just be careful, this man is a police officer and is allowed to carry a handgun wherever he goes. Since he is displaying very aggressive behavior, talk to his superiors and ask them if they can give him a desk job until he cools off, maybe ask them to give him a mental evaluation and disarm him if they can. Churches are very vulnerable and domestic violence is very unpredictable. Maybe you can ask the local police to keep an eye on things and guard the church until he cools down. And lets all continue to pray that this man, woman and child find peace and that he will be called to confess and repent.