I guess church is a thing of the past for me.
By WebMann
@WebMann (4731)
Canada
January 28, 2009 6:49am CST
I tried going to church for 5 years but how does one expect to make a go of it when the darn preacher can't even keep his pants on. Man what a mess.
What would you do if your preacher had an affair and then cried in front of everyone, then it was like it never happened? Grrrrrr
10 people like this
30 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Isn't there something in your bible about not judging lest ye be judged? Preachers are human too. You are just using this as an excuse to sleep in on The Sabbath. Either get over it and forgive the man or find another church or sleep in.
Shalom~Adoniah
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Oh man! Your preacher had an affair. That is just crazy and that is the hypocrisy that turns people away from God. Just to remind you because he was a public face for God he will judged more harshly. We should really pray for him that he gets things right. We all sin it just seems worse when it is done by a public figure, but why do we think that they should be perfect. Temptation is everywhere.
3 people like this
@lrglara (1334)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
focus on God not men. It's obvious that men sinned and keeps sinning although they have admitted that God is in control of their life. It is understandable to be frustrated, upset and disappointed to your preacher because everyone considers them to be our guide to deepen and strengthen our faith. But faith matures with your relationship with God.
The thing happened so forgive your preacher. if this bothers you, then maybe you can look for another church. another sign of maturity is for you to hang on to the church. if you get pass the affair of your preacher, you will definitely feel the sense of maturity. im not saying to forget it. it's already done. there are more things in the church than your preacher. think about the other members. :) Just my opinion! peace!
2 people like this
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
Humans are failure and we need to realized this. We should forgive and this I will encourage you to forgive him and continue with your relationship with God. I stop going to church because of the imperfection of the members of the church but in doing this I stray from God. My friend read 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13. Pray for your pastors and help to unite your church from this deception in doing this the others who are losing faith will see God love through you and your church will be vibrant again. Show the devil that he cannot take the children of God away from him.
God bless and keep you.
Kerry
2 people like this
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
Angus I don't believe that this message was for me. It is for the writer of this post. Sometimes one need to read before answering another response. I encourage him to help build back is church. I don't understand your response but I hope he/she does.
1 person likes this
@angusthethird (515)
• United States
28 Jan 09
This man has no Hell to put you in.
Please, hear my heart. Don't let this strayed Servant of God lead you away from the House of God. The Bible tells me I must "forsake not the assembly of myself" together with other Saints. That tells me that I must be a part of a vital, growing body of fellow saints, and under the protection of a Set Gift, or Man of God, who is looking out for my soul.
I am sorry that your Set Gift has failed you. But remember he is still the Man of God. Saul failed, but he was still the king, as far as David was concerned. When a Set Gift does not set a good example, believe me it is difficult to follow his leadership.
When you get to the place where you can't follow the pastor's leadership, then by all means find a new pastor. But pray--seek the Face of God about your decision.
The hurt you are experiencing now is not worth your relationship with God. Or your soul.
You see, on Judgement Day you are NOT going to be able to use your Set Gift as an excuse. Your pastor's name will not come up in that final conversation you will have with Jesus Christ, Who will judge everyone. That conversation will be all about how you handled the situation.
And the thing to remember is: All preachers are NOT like your failed preacher. Don't let the Devil trick you out of your place in God's Kingdom.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I would find another church to attend that had a leader I could respect. Remember that the preacher is just the religious leader...he is not the church and he is not representative of all churches. I'm actually a Catholic but I always felt disconnected while attending Mass so I rarely went. Then my stepdaughter asked me to accompany their family to the local Methodist church and I felt immediately at home there. There are a couple of other churches in my tiny town so there is always someplace to go...here and everywhere...if you want to worship.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
Hi spalladino, hopping from church to church is not the answer. 1 Corinthians 10 told us exactly what to do when imperfections comes. We need to forgive and love while displaying these attributes the love and strength of God will be in the church and the devil will not succeed.
2 people like this
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
30 Jan 09
well efc, God said we should leave all judgment to him. Let us live the life he ordain for us. No one is perfect and remember that christianity is a relationship between God and the individual. The bible also says that the brethren should not forsake the assembly. Forgive and move on.
@nielbullock (54)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Are you going to let this "man" lead you from God? Prachers are just people like anyone else - not perfect. Just think how it looks for non-Christians.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Personally I often wonder how Pastors and such can do things like this, and in turn expect everyone to forgive them, and move on like nothing ever happened. I know someone I work with who attends a Church where a pastor was responsible for a lot of Adultry and divorces for some yrs. and now is claiming he is Good, but personally I could never attend there.
What I would do if I were you, is not give up on God, and quit attending church. I would go find one in the area that might be like this one, and check it out and see if this one would work for you as well. Personally there is a lot more Sin and such happening these days even in churches. But this does not mean everyone and every church is like this, so wish you the Best in finding your replacement church out there as well.
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
31 Jan 09
Hi KrauseHome
I have seen the church, not just the one I am not going to now, fall away from the bible. There was a time not too many years ago that people would have been shocked if you went out to eat after church.
It all little things that people tend to get over after a while and then forget that is bring the church down.
Well I don't want to get into today. It will spoil my Saturday.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Is this man still preaching. There are several ministers that have had to give up the pulpit because of such indiscretions. The church board should have ask him to leave the pulpit. Forgiven but not be allowed to lead the church any more. We had an Elder That had an affair and the husband killed the woman then himself. The Elder was ask to resign and he did. This man really hasn't show any real remorse, He just made excuses and blamed others for what he did. But at least he's not in a position of leadership anymore. I think that if the preacher didn't resign or was even ask to I would have to find another church.
1 person likes this
@nielbullock (54)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Amen! I could forgive, God says so. But, it does not mean the people don't have to pay for their sins. I would not want that preacher leading my church family.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Well I've not been a Christian or such in AGES but none the less I would be just as if not more so disgusted if that happened...I think that the men of the cloth just get away with far too much and its been goin on for decades...Whether its an affair or something really major like child molestation I think its all vile and twisted...
2 people like this
@Amberina (1541)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Well, it is sad when a Preacher does something like that and I'm sorry it had to happen but maybe you can find a online study group locally and get together for Bible study, or find a different church to attend. I don't go to church because I believe that God is in my heart all the time no matter what I'm doing and HE loves me for who I am. I also believe that God is not in the church God is going to read my heart and determine whether I get into Heaven or not it's not going to be determined how many times I go to church whether I get in or not. It's also how I treat others that HE looks at.
1 person likes this
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
29 Jan 09
I have a friend that doesn't go to church and is a strong christian. I think it's the fact that it was the minister. If a member had done the same thing I would have been upset wondering how but would have tried harder to forgive. But a leader, well in my eyes if they were the man of God they claim they would leave the church in shame.
@kingdomkid (47)
• United States
28 Jan 09
well first off I wouldn't blame God. Then secondly I would try to find a church whose preacher lived up to the bible. And lastly DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON GOD!! I have seen this happen to people time and time again. So that is my bit of wisdom for you today.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I Corinthians 5: 9-13, Galatians 6: 1, Ephesians 4: 1-3.
@misslovelyfiles (250)
• United States
29 Jan 09
WOW! He should have prayed to GOD for guidance before the affair even happened. He should have asked God to help him if he was feeling temptation and lust, because not only is his the face of God his suppose to have a really close relationship towards God and most preachers says GOD speaks through them am sure God didn't tell him to do that. I agree with the poster who says you should find another church that the person preaching tries as hard as they can to live up to the standards of the bible. However your faith in God should be strong an you should be concerned about your relationship to God because not everyone who appears to be Holy is not Holy.
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
29 Jan 09
I think so also. If I were having thoughts like that I would hope that I would seek help. It's been a while now but I don't see myself going back to church. Not here anyways.
My grandfather left the church as well, but never told me why. He remained strong and faithful until he passed away at 85. I hope I can do the same.
@misslovelyfiles (250)
• United States
30 Jan 09
I hope that you do keep your faith with God no matter what if your grandfather did it you can do but it's not is but it can be done.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
28 Jan 09
The bible tells you to put your faith in God and not in man....my problem with church's is the way they treat people coming in, they always act like they are closer to God then everyone else....like they are so much more devine lol looking down on others and once I got into an argument in one because this lady said that even if her husband is mean and cruel, she should stay with him and put up with it....because she married him and took vows to God. I said forget that, he is abusive and she needs to get out before she gets hurt or ruins her life....I found alot of hypocrits in church and alot of people with judgement that wasnt too godly...they are trying to be God and he dosent need anyone to do that.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
3 Feb 09
It sounds like That church is a thing of the past for you. Isn't there another church in your community you can try? I mean the same domination but another building?I hope you won't lose your connect to your G-d just because of this one preacher. If you want to go to church, there Has to be another church you can try. Good Luck.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
2 Feb 09
The bible says that you are to forgive your brother 7 times 70 times if he has committed a sin against you. How many times have you or I for that matter have done things that we know we should not have done, but yet instill we did them anyway. How many things did we not even tell anyone less because of the fact that we are Christians and we don't want anyone to know our skeletons of uncover our dirty coffins. I understand the he had an affair, but if he got right with God, and we know how much God desires that no one perishes, and that everyone should be given the opportunity to come into the marvelous light. There isn't any reason to condemn this preacher to Hell. He made a mistake and he is coming out in the open not to humiliate himself, but to be real with his congregation at least. No there isn't a excuse for what he has done. NO, I do agree with that!
But neither isn't an excuse for you or anyone else to condemn him to Hell, for that one mistake, that was made public.
@Crocket (315)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
I would say that that church was under cover a little too often.
You must be careful about the preacher wanting to personally visit you or say your wife.
I am sure that he feels that God will forgive him for this grave mistake and everything will be alright.
There are always people that will sympathize with this sort of situation.
Crocket.
@bekosfc (235)
• India
29 Jan 09
Hey Web, it's quite normal that we are easily affect by known and seeable sin. But say for example, someone could be committing adultery or fornication in their mind a number of times everyday which the Bible equally condemned as Sin. But we will not be affected by it nor will we comment on it. God sees both the internal and external sin but love us!
There could be two responses to such a problem as yours. One, it can pose on you a greater challenge to remain in that church and grow up in your love for that man and be an example to others. Two, you could be totally devastated or discouraged by his conduct perhaps because you look up to him as your model or expect a lot from him. Nobody grow up in a perfect church and even that imaginary perfect church become imperfect the moment I become a member of that church simply because I am imperfect. We are called to build the church and I think that implies that the church is incomplete or being build.
Jesus would have hate the sin but still love and accept the person just as he is. God hates sin but love sinners. If otherwise, we stand no chance before this holy and just God. We know that Jesus was straigth with the Pharisees (hypocrites) and Sadhusees during His time.
@sandymay48 (2030)
• Canada
28 Jan 09
THis one is a tricky question for me. I beleive we are all human and all do things we shouldnt. We all give in to some kinds of temptations that we shouldnt. To admit it in front of a congregation, would not be easy.
I also believe in this day and age that some religious vows need to be revisited, such as a priest not being able to have a wife. THings just arent the way they used to be, the world has changed and with it so do other things need to change as well.
But because the preacher is a religious icon, we dont expect this behaviour and makes us shudder.SOOOOOOOOO...I dont really know what to think, I would have to know the whole circumstnances and besides, its not up to me to pass judgement on others and wont unless I can walk in their shoes.
@WebMann (4731)
• Canada
29 Jan 09
My point is more because he is a leader. If I did that I would expect to be forgiven but I don't hold a position as the leader. So I just find it impossible to forgive a man that would do that and not step down from office.
As for admitting in front of the congregation, once you're found out it's kind of hard not to and still keep your position and a handsome salary to I might add.
