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Handling a Wayward Pastor
In the following e-mail exchange, the e-mailer's comments are in black and enclosed in "greater than" and "lesser than" signs. My comments are in red.
>How are leaders in a church supposed to handle a pastor who is questionable? It is easy if he is caught in some immoral or illegal act, but what if it's more subtle.
Several of us began to notice subtle deception, manipulation and control mingled in with lies. We began to sense an evil agenda to separate the flock from our district and move the church into a nondenominational group and get rid of the board. Most of this was done in a way the body did not detect. But when a handful of us challenged him it spilt the church and he left taking 3/4 of the body. We have been attacked for "not standing behind or pastor" and having a judgmental spirit. But there has to be a scriptural approach to such a dangerous man.
12/9/01<
What to do all depends on your church's structure. If it's a congregational church, then it would be up to the congregation to vote on what should be done. But it sounds like the congregation is backing the pastor.
If it's an elder-run church, then the board of elders needs to take action. And if the pastor is appointed by the denomination, then you need to take your grievances to the appropriate board.
Situations like this is why I like a church with as many "checks and balances" as possible. With my church, I could take a grievance to the congregation, to the elder board, and/ or to the denomination. Each would have authority to act.
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