[Worship] RE: Prayer Request

[CCoblentz@aol.com]

Charity wrote:
I'm so sick of "church bullies" and sicker still of being told that
we should put up with their nonsense just to "avoid an argument."  

In this philosophy, we allow this one person to negatively effect everyone 
they come in contact with. Who wants to be around this person?  Does the 
visitor?

Well Charity . . . what can I say?  Paul was pretty challenged by it to: Eph 
4: "No prolonged infancies among us, please!"

As you may recall, our church is currently controlled by these individuals 
who whine, and literally gather innocent people to promote their cause.  We 
are having a business meeting at church this Sunday to discuss these issues.  
Our church is literally a mess.  Now, I know this does not glorify God, but I 
can tell you, I really don't think He was even in our church last Sunday.  It 
was obvious.  Too mich strife and tension.  We simply were not gathering in 
His name, but the name of someone else.  

When His Spirit reigns, there is nothing like it.  When our spirits reign, 
there is nothing like it.  

If we don't confront these people's bad behavior, how will it ever be 
corrected?  This is quite an issue I believe.  I am not saying to respond in 
raised voices, looking for an argument, etc., but don't we owe it to the 
sheep to teach and protect them?  

This is an interesting topic my friends.  

The pastors of the churches my husband and I were previously in, would never 
have tolerated this obnoxious and repeated bad behavior (2500 members).  
Every time we went to church, God showed up.  Sometimes almost overwhelming - 
so heavy was His presence you could barely move.  

What are we doing as ministers my friends?  What is God calling us to?  Who 
are the leaders that God has planted in the churches?  Are we letting this 
self-indulged society infiltrate the church and rewrite the Book?

At my pastor's direction, I have recently read "Well-Intentioned Dragons; 
Dealing with Difficult People."  The book refers to people in the church who 
mean to do well, they just go about it in seemingly rude or ungodly ways.  
The book is well worth the reading.  I encourage all church leaders to read 
this.  

This is an important thread if anyone can respond to it.  

Grace and peace,
Catherine



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