I got a problem with my local baptist church.

[fred96002001]

if you got enough money you can buy the whole church. It is sad that some body with money can do what ever they want in a church even use others as a punching bag. The pastor will take this person's side because he has more money. so he can do where ever he wants right or wrong. we have a church in havelock nc like this. This is how i feel the man said he was sorry to me but i still feel hurt emotionally. The pastor said i was making a mounting out of a mole hill. because the dude was just playing. I will admit i was a little sore that night. There is not damaged that i know of to my right side after the punch. I feel every body is taking this dude's side because of his money. I can not afford to buy my way in this church like this dude is. so i can not even return to this church because i don't feel safe. I need some advice. the pastor is sending signed affidavit from everybody to the police. I hate the call the man that hit me a bully when he might be playing around. no body should be playing around like that.

 

[JoshuaDaryl]

Well Fred, that there is a tough one. But all you need is to remember this, you belong to God. Jesus walked in our shoes. Love your enemy. Turn the other cheek. Forgive 70 times 7 .

You do not have to be bullied, find a new place to worship. Thus you keep your Christ like Testimony intact, and be the blessed peacemaker. You forgive, love, and let it go. A child of God should not have to feel intimidated, scared, and stressed in the house of God with other professing believer.

God Bless

 

[Bluelion]

if you got enough money you can buy the whole church. It is sad that some body with money can do what ever they want in a church even use others as a punching bag. The pastor will take this person's side because he has more money. so he can do where ever he wants right or wrong. we have a church in havelock nc like this. This is how i feel the man said he was sorry to me but i still feel hurt emotionally. The pastor said i was making a mounting out of a mole hill. because the dude was just playing. I will admit i was a little sore that night. There is not damaged that i know of to my right side after the punch. I feel every body is taking this dude's side because of his money. I can not afford to buy my way in this church like this dude is. so i can not even return to this church because i don't feel safe. I need some advice. the pastor is sending signed affidavit from everybody to the police. I hate the call the man that hit me a bully when he might be playing around. no body should be playing around like that.

when you hurt others it is never play or a game. Jesus said what you do to the least of my brothers you do to me. So Jesus took it with you, let that be a comfort your not alone. Forgive and do your best not to involve the Law. If you don't feel safe there do as Jesus did flee to the next town, meaning Go to another church, it doesn't sound like that one is right for you.

If you love Jesus in your heart remember he goes through everything you do with you, and people will answer for it, but for you forgive. Those who thirst for justice will have there fill.

huggss

Peace and Love
blu

 

[branchofthevine]

if they love money that much then they are just false Christians, and not from God. You should just tell them that and never go back. it's obvious that they love money and hate God. Don't get revenge on them, just tell them they're deceived and leave.

 

[FreeinChrist]

I would change churches probably, and NOT go back there.

Or, you could be the bigger person an forgive him and show that Christian love that should be there. If that behavior continues though with others, I would leave.

 

[USCGrad90]

It sounds like you are saying someone in the church hit you physically and the police are involved. Did you request the police to get involved or was it for some other reason?
Did the incident get reported and documented?

Also - did you have a doctor look at your injury to determine whether it was serious or not? Sometimes damage can be done that is not seen until later and develops into something worse. Your pastor, the guy who hit you and you are likely not qualified to make that decision. Even if the guy was playing around - he may have hit you harder than he thinks he did. He should be responsible for any injury he may have caused.

If this is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you need to try to work it out with him and the pastor or leave the church - otherwise you will resent being there. If he said he was sorry and it was done quickly without much thought - maybe he does not understand the emotional or physical pain you suffered. You should pray about exactly what you are feeling and then approach him one on one to try to resolve it. Sometimes simply talking it through with somebody over a cup of coffee can go a long way in clearing the air of the bad feelings you might have.

 

[fred96002001]

It sounds like you are saying someone in the church hit you physically and the police are involved. Did you request the police to get involved or was it for some other reason?
Did the incident get reported and documented?

Also - did you have a doctor look at your injury to determine whether it was serious or not? Sometimes damage can be done that is not seen until later and develops into something worse. Your pastor, the guy who hit you and you are likely not qualified to make that decision. Even if the guy was playing around - he may have hit you harder than he thinks he did. He should be responsible for any injury he may have caused.

If this is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you need to try to work it out with him and the pastor or leave the church - otherwise you will resent being there. If he said he was sorry and it was done quickly without much thought - maybe he does not understand the emotional or physical pain you suffered. You should pray about exactly what you are feeling and then approach him one on one to try to resolve it. Sometimes simply talking it through with somebody over a cup of coffee can go a long way in clearing the air of the bad feelings you might have.

well the pastor has a complaint with the local police department now after the way i was treated. I wanted to work it out with the church i had not choice but to file my complaint with the police. the pastor is rude and unprofessional telling me it is my fault i am getting beat up. so now let him deal with the police. I have also called the head deacon and told him of this problem and his pastor and church has a complaint with the police station. the deacon did not like this one bit. He told me this kind of behavior is not allowed in his church. if i happens again i am go call him at his house. so the head deacon invited me back.

 

[JoshuaDaryl]

There ya go, God will take care of it.

 

[DeaconDean]

if you got enough money you can buy the whole church. It is sad that some body with money can do what ever they want in a church even use others as a punching bag. The pastor will take this person's side because he has more money. so he can do where ever he wants right or wrong. we have a church in havelock nc like this. This is how i feel the man said he was sorry to me but i still feel hurt emotionally. The pastor said i was making a mounting out of a mole hill. because the dude was just playing. I will admit i was a little sore that night. There is not damaged that i know of to my right side after the punch. I feel every body is taking this dude's side because of his money. I can not afford to buy my way in this church like this dude is. so i can not even return to this church because i don't feel safe. I need some advice. the pastor is sending signed affidavit from everybody to the police. I hate the call the man that hit me a bully when he might be playing around. no body should be playing around like that.

Some years ago, I was invited to go to a mans conference at a local non-denominational church.

The first night was great.

The second night, well...

The guest speaker was talking on God's house.

He boasted of having donated the land, and having the church built on his land, and how he even paid to have it built.

Then he made the statement that it was his church, the members could not vote him out because it was his church, he paid to have it built.

Right then and there, I closed my bible, and I could not remember what the rest of the service was about.

Last time I checked, the Pastor was the undershepherd. Not to "lord-over".

If I were you, I'd seek another church.

Favoritism has always been in the church. Not much we can do about that except to live as we are supposed to, and let our example show others.

Seriously, I'd look for another church.

But that is just my .02 worth.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[98cwitr]

Need some context here...the guy is hitting you? How old his he? Why is he hitting you? Oh and the saying is "making a mountain out of a mole hill."

 

[HantsUK]

Then he made the statement that it was his church, the members could not vote him out because it was his church, he paid to have it built.

Right then and there, I closed my bible, and I could not remember what the rest of the service was about.

Don't blame you!

Not quite the attitude that Jesus taught that we should have when giving.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6:2-4 (NIV)

Although in the UK (and I expect most Western countries will be similar), complete secrecy is difficult. But the number of other people within the church who need to know should be very few. Certainly the minister and most of the elders and deacons should not know who gives what.

Donations of goods or things can also be problematic. Sometimes it could be a means of control. The pew Bibles are old and badly worn. A member very kindly buys a new set of Bibles - but the church was thinking about changing to a different version. Or the donor got a new version when the church didn't want to change. Or, with the best of intentions, got a small print version, that half the people will find too small to read - they just hadn't thought of that. A lot of technical equipment, which might be fine for home use, is often not suitable within a church. "I noticed that one of the microphones is broken, and I saw this really good mic in a shop, so I bought it for the church." PA operator is thinking - it's different from all the others, so will sound different, has the wrong connector, needs a battery, and even has an on/off switch - how can I reject this kind offer without upsetting the person?

 

[USCGrad90]

Don't blame you!

Not quite the attitude that Jesus taught that we should have when giving.
Although in the UK (and I expect most Western countries will be similar), complete secrecy is difficult. But the number of other people within the church who need to know should be very few. Certainly the minister and most of the elders and deacons should not know who gives what.

Donations of goods or things can also be problematic. Sometimes it could be a means of control. The pew Bibles are old and badly worn. A member very kindly buys a new set of Bibles - but the church was thinking about changing to a different version. Or the donor got a new version when the church didn't want to change. Or, with the best of intentions, got a small print version, that half the people will find too small to read - they just hadn't thought of that. A lot of technical equipment, which might be fine for home use, is often not suitable within a church. "I noticed that one of the microphones is broken, and I saw this really good mic in a shop, so I bought it for the church." PA operator is thinking - it's different from all the others, so will sound different, has the wrong connector, needs a battery, and even has an on/off switch - how can I reject this kind offer without upsetting the person?

We recently discussed this in a rewrite of our Constitution and Bylaws. We added the following statement:
"All donations accepted by the church will be allocated to the general budget unless directed to an established designated fund."
This limits designated monetary gifts to those projects that have already been discussed and avoids having members "dictate" how funds should be used. Anything with a designation is taken under advisement, but we are not bound to use it that way if it is not in line with the interests and direction of the church.
In terms of material things or property - it can cause some issues. I think the best way to handle it is to simply be honest.
In the case of Bibles - I would advise the member that the Pastor, Pulpit Committee, and/or other leaders in the church need to review the version and print type prior to being able to place it in the church. Same thing for the microphone - make it clear that the responsible people need to insure it meets all of the requirements of the church.

It should be made clear that the gift is appreciated but early honesty could perhaps allow the person to return the item and get an exchange or refund. Too many times I have seen people too scared to be honest and cause more harm than good in the long run.