Church problems

[Natt]

I have a major problem with the church I attend at the present. Most of the issues are towards our pastor and the church's handling of a particular situation which I cannot go into details here. All I can say is someone has now pleaded guilty in court and will be sentenced to prison. The court has brought some things to my attention that is not right in the church.

I originally went there because I agreed with most of their doctrine(I'm a bit picky here). The pastor has hinted he could disclose some of my confidences to him which maybe I will before he does because we're talking about stuff I've put in the past a long time ago. I don't think this is right. Other church members don't realise this.

My unsaved family have heard what has been going on and have suggested that first I need to go and say how disappointed I am with the church's support of a crisis situation and then leave to find another church.

However the pastor is retiring soon so I don't know whether I will come back soon after he is retired. I feel all over the place at the moment.

Please pray for me and my family.

[billie]

Natt, that sounds like a tough spot. I'll pray.

The Bible has a procedure for grievances in the church. I'm sure you know about it. I'm in no position to give any advice as I don't know the whole situation, but I can offer my prayers.

Lord, I lift my sister Natt up to You right now and I pray that you give her and her family wisdom in how to handle this situation in their church. Show them if they should stay or go. Show them if they should confront or not. Let them do whatever they do with love. I also lift this person who's committed a crime up and I pray that You convict them of whatever sin they've committed. I ask that You'd cause them to repent and turn to You. I pray that You set right whatever's wrong in this church. Correct and convict where it's needed. Strengthen and encourage where it's needed. I pray You'd cause this pastor to rise up and be the man of God You will him to be. Guide him and set him aright, so he can properly lead Your people. I also lift up the members of Natt's familt that aren't saved and I ask for their salvations. I pray that You'd give them ears to hear You and eyes to see You. I ask that You open the spiritual eyes of their understanding. Lord, I ask that You make Natt a bold testimony and witness of You to her family.

[Leonard]

If he's even talking about disclosing Ministerial Confidences, that is a MAJOR ethical lapse! Frankly, I'd rather have Ted Haggard as my Pastor than a fellow who would threaten such a thing........

[SueZQ]

I am so thankful for my Pastor of over 20 years. He lives what he preaches, and is a gentle and wonderful man. We need to always keep our Pastor's in prayer constantly, they are attacked and rarely get ministered to because they themselves minister. But still Pastor's are human, they make mistakes, but if trust cannot be restored if unity fails, then I would find a new place to worship.

This is my opinion only and the precious Holy Spirit needs to guide your footsteps, you never know if you were put there to bring restoration and to be used by God in such a time as this.

I will be praying for you because it is such a difficult situation. Our church, the people become our family.

Hugs in Jesus,

Sue

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

for your situation.

It is always frightening when someone threatens to disclose confidences you thought were safe. Feelings of betrayal are never fun. They are very difficult, so I will definitely be praying for you.

[shepherdsgrace]

Sounds like a very distressing situation. Only going into the presence of the LORD is going to give you relief. May you find that following the instructions in Phil. 4:4-8 will be life giving. God is not going to turn his back on you. He knows your need in this hour. May you receive from Him that peace that passes all understanding. And may his wisdom break through to you. Oh, it is so stressful when these situations come into our lives. May you be encouraged as you see God turning it to your good. It is for sure that you needed to see the truth about these people in this church. Now you are no longer deceived concerning them. God bless and encourage you and strengthen you.

[Natt]

Thank you for your prayers.

[salos]

Hi, Natt. I'm brand new here, but I'm not new to seeing really big problems in churches. I think you should let the pastor know you will not tolerate the revealing of your confidences. Here in the U.S. such a thing is against the law. I would not at all recommend that you tell anyone of your history in order to beat him to it. If you give the information out, then you would have no legal recourse. If he gives it out, then you do. If you are firm with him about it, he will probably back off. In this situation it would not be wrong to consult an attorney. You wouldn't have to tell the attorney what the confidences were. It would be enough for him or her to know you are being threatened. Your pastor's behavior is 100% unethical and very cruel.

[shepherdsgrace]

Such good advice from Salos. Hope all goes well for you as you do what is needed spiritually and physically. I truly believe that God will bless and help you as you do what is necessary. And certainly you do not need to accept the revealing of confidences. God bless and keep you.

[Mcgyver]

Hi Natt!

That is truly a heart-breaking situation, and as I don't know the details or the people involved I hesitate to give any advice...

That being said, I would like to submit a couple of things for your consideration:

1. Remember that it is God's church, and He will take care of it!!! (Remember the church at Corinth?)

2. Romans 8:28 tells us that: "And now we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (emphasis mine).

Take comfort in knowing that God has a handle on what is happening, and will use it to accomplish His divine plan!

Isn't it wonderful that we have a God that never says "oops, that was a surprise"?

3. Lastly, keep in mind that you are at that church by the will and leading of the Holy Spirit...Who knows, you may be the person that God works through during this time to cause revival in that fellowship...you never know!

Pray for your pastor, your church, and ask God for wisdom in this matter. He has promised that He will give you the wisdom you need (James 1:5), the Grace to carry on (Hebrews 4:16), and His peace to guard your heart (Philippians 4:16-17).