Yesterday M told me he wants me to continue to preach until the beginning of May. I told him I would.
Wierdness.
Do I just preach like everything is the same as last week?
I guess I just preach the next passage in Mark. And then the next.
I will be shocked if E (whom I have nicknamed, “The Pope”) allows that to happen. Should be interesting.
Today was a really long day.
I began by sitting down with the pastoral staff at church and telling them I was resigning. Then a meeting with M, the chairman of the elders.
M was truly saddened by the whole situation. He sees the bullying. He knows E is not qualified. Now we see if he does anything about it.
Then I sent out the email to all of the elders with the letter in my previous post. That was 4:00. 5 hours later, still no response from any of the elders. Not a single phone call. Not an email. nothing.
But from this blog, I have received a cascade of emails, texts and phone calls (’cause some of you know me!). You guys are so kind. Thank you.
You are emmanuel to me–you are a true reflection of Jesus who is Emmanuel.
Dear Elders,
It is with great sadness I write this letter. Six months ago I came to ____our church_____—called by God to be her pastor. I came in good faith, at significant cost to my family and intending to spend many years of fruitful ministry. Sadly, that fruitful ministry will not be realized.
___our church______ has a problem in leadership I cannot abide. E is a bully. He bullies church members, staff, and elders. I am not sure why he has been allowed to continue for so long, but he has. I am not willing to submit my life to his power. He is out of control.
The elders have yielded their will to him and allowed him to filter, interpret and twist much of the input they have to make decisions. I believe E’s loud and consistent cry for everyone to submit to his word without question is dangerous and unbiblical. I cannot submit to and give voice for ungodly leadership. I will not lie on his (or your) behalf nor will I participate in his (your?) manipulation of the church and her mission.
I realize this will be perceived as being a reaction to S’s forced sabbatical. It is not. S’s sabbatical is merely an excellent example of E’s control of information and meddling control. E has used tragedy in S’s family as a foothold to isolate and manipulate S’s entire family. He does it all in the name of Christ and to His shame.
E has tried to control whom I befriend, how I lead, whom I pastor, things and people I can and cannot address, etc. He has tried to enlist my help (and sadly, I was initially drawn in) to undermine respect for and relationships with staff members, elders and people in the church. He has told me he speaks for all of you. I hope not.
E lacks basic qualifications for church eldership—he is not gentle, he is pugnacious, and lacks any humility. I am weary of E’s belligerent texts, emails and phone calls and will no longer accept them.
I am now giving you my resignation as lead minister of _____our church____. The resignation is effective May 1, 2011.
Please advise how you would like me to serve the church during the transition.
Sincerely,
The Wandering Shepherd
I am guessing the end of all these rants is coming soon. Then, I suppose the flavor of this blog will shift to the searchings of a disillusioned, unemployed pastor.
I just got off the phone with E. He is livid. He knows I talked with M (the chairman of the elders) about the whole sabbatical thing and how it is being handled. He can’t believe I am still bothered by it. Everything has been decided. It is done. It is over.
But it is still wrong. Not mistake wrong. Evil wrong.
He blathered on for over an hour about submission, when one elder speaks, they all speak, etc. etc. etc.
I am forbidden to speak my dissent to any of the other elders. So says E. I told him I will not abide by that rule. He was flabbergasted.
I am uncoachable.
He demands that S submit every little piece of his life to E’s coaching. E knows what S needs. E, is, after all omniscient. Apparently he thinks he is also omnipotent. He wants to control everything. Oh wait! He told me he doesn’t like the word, “control.” Maybe he would prefer dictate.
I am unsubmissive.
He wants to know every conversation I have with S. “What did you say?” “Did you ask this?” “Did he say that?” I told him I would not discuss it because I would not be painted into a corner (I am probably way too late on that one.) He forbid me to talk to S about any of the circumstances surrounding his sabbatical.
Apparently I don’t understand anything. He thinks it is about the sabbatical. It is not.
This is one guy controlling the church and bullying people–all in the name of Christ. That is what it is about.
He is certainly burning up the telephone wires and email lines. I hear the orchestra. I think the final curtain is about to fall.
Then it will be time to take a bow.
I, along with all of the world, have been watching the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. How tragic.
Ultimately, it puts into perspective the issues in my own life. I pray for the ones effected.
The news this morning reports that a meltdown may be in motion for the nuclear power plants. How sad.
God, please bring healing to Japan.
Last night a local coffee shop hosted a group of worship leaders to “perform.” It was really, really good.
If I count right, there were four churches represented. Each one of them from a different background, all singing and leading together. They passed the lead around effortlessly and brought the place alive.
It is strange when you feel more “at home” worshipping at a coffee shop than in the place designed, built and programmed for it.
I am not drinking any Kool-ade no matter what they offer me, and just in case the lunacy is in the water…
