Okay, so I just found out today about some of the "revisionist history" being spread by people from my old church concerning DH and me.
I found out because a former teenager from the church (who became embittered and left the church...she's 21 now and calls herself an atheist) wrote a scathing blog that I inadvertently stumbled onto (three cheers for the information age **eye roll**), mentioning DH and me, as well as our former YP and SP - very ugly accusations regarding our handling of a financial situation...long story. I know she got this info straight from my "favorite" CA, because it was almost verbatim what this woman has said to and about us.
To be totally honest, I had a mini-meltdown of sorts tonight, but after two episodes of Lost, Season 2 (gotta love t.v. shows on DVD, lol!) and some cuddling with my husband, I'm calmed down. Because I know that it's all lies, and we can stand before God with a clear conscience. And besides, what is a supposed "atheist" doing caring about church politics, anyway? My guess is that CA called her and tried to woo her back to the church now that they have a new SP, and, well...with people like that, it doesn't take much of a comment to get the talk flowing!
Now: back to the reason I posted this. In this blog, we are all mentioned by name - first and last! Yesterday, we were just formally introduced to the adults in our congregation. In this day and age, it is human nature to Google the new children's pastor to find out where else they've been...what kind of ministry they've done...who in the A/G that they know might know them , etc...
Should I "pre-empt" their possible findings by talking to my SP about this particular blog, just so that he is prepared if, by chance, someone does a Google search for my name connected to children's ministry (She also specifically mentioned that I was the children's pastor there!)? Or should I just let it go and assume that no one is going to care enough to investigate?
I have nothing to hide...but I don't know if I would seem more shady TO mention this ugly, scathing blog...or NOT to mention it to him and have him, on the off-chance, find out about it some other way.
And pray for me - next week I go BACK to the Twin Cities for the mid-states leg of the National Women In Ministry conference!!! Yikes!!!
I am not sure that responding directly to the girl in question is the way to go, as this may fuel her obvious need for attention. However, depending on the severity of what you are being accused of, you may want to call a meeting to head it off at the pass as it were. It just depends on your current climate there, and what she is saying about the 2 of you.
At my former church, one of the older youth who was to help head up a missions trip, got into legal problems as he had comprimised himself with a young lady at school who was younger. So that we parents and helpers would know what actually took place, to head off rumors, we all met with the youth, and the YP and his wife so he could tell what actually happened(the parents of the girl panicked when they saw them kissing and charged him sexual misconduct with a child....she was nearly 17, he had just turned 18.) so that we could make choices based on facts as opposed to conjecture. We found this really helpful.
My first church home in Baltimore is now where my ex-husband's family had recently been going. And they have been very busy wagging thier tounges about me and the "lies" I told about thier wonderful son who only smacked me a few times out of frustation because I made him so unhappy. On and on about how bad I am and how good he is. I have not done anything about it because, according to my Mom, nobody believes a word of it, but it still bothers me inside. So I do know how it feels.
When I left my husband, I was taken off of several websites, and blackballed from certain ministries because my ex trashed my reputation to whomever would listen. It's been really hard for me because I know I was meant for ministry, but people will always wonder about why you got divorced and still claim Christ....like because you are a Christian wife, it's ok to submit to battery.
Sorry, I'm done. Pray before you continue....this needs to be handled carefully for the sake of your ministry. God Bless, Lori
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...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
Well...I don't even live in the area anymore...and I certainly will not be meeting with this person!
I talked to my SP (we had a staff meeting today, so I snagged him afterwards!) and he was very kind and understanding about the situation - as far as he's concerned, it's over and done with, it was a lie and a misunderstanding, and he plans to tell that to anyone who would see this blog and talk to him about it!
Love my new church!! Absolutely love it!! I lost valuable sleep last night over nothing. Silly me...BUT, time to crash tonight!
My dh always says, "truth stands naked in the street." It really does. My advice is, let it go. You told your SP and that's really all that could be affected. It's going to fade out. You are many miles from there, it's over with...just LET IT GO. This is just the enemy trying to steal your joy from where you are now. You've come too far to let that happen.
Don't let anything ruin this wonderful gift of this new church you've been given.
I don't really care what either of the above mentioned people think of me - I already know! And in the ministry (as in any area of life!) there are going to be people who don't like me. Too bad for them, because I'm a pretty swell person .
My main concern was making sure my new SP had the lowdown - and he was thankful and impressed that I came to him right away with the info, so now he has information with which to back me.
So now I'm done! My deep, dark secret is out with my new pastor: the last church I ministered in was dysfunctional. End of story. Now all three of us from our staff are in amazing positions that suit each of us perfectly!
And I even just found one more thing to be thankful for....I have a ride home so I don't have to sit here and wait for my husband to get home!! Plus I can sleep...
I'm so glad the new sp was so understanding and they're right...it's in the past and none of it truthful anyway. When stuff like this comes up...I just remember they talked about Jesus and He's blameless!
Enjoy walking this new path that the Lord has you on.
My mother always told me that 95% of what we fret over, never evens happens. Hope you feel better now. Love, Lori
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...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
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