Just to fill everyone in back in the spring dh and I thought we where being blessed by having a retired pastor and his wife move into our area that said they wanted to help. They moved in across the street from the parsonage. You can imagine that head ache. We have caught this man going through our dumpster and looking in our cars. Once they started attending church it became quite apparent that their intention was not to help, but to take over. Not wanting to think this dh and I just prayed about it. Some of the congregation began coming up to us concerned that we were going to leave, we let them know that the only way we were leaving was if God moved us. The retired pastor(rp) came up to dh on a number of occassions telling dh how he, rp, would do things and that dh just did not know what he was doing. My dh is lead by God, not man.
Anyway, they eventually left our church, but have been around town asking questions about dh and my past, before salvation. DH has had 1 person a day call him to tell him about what is being said. For instance there is a man, who told us he would be attending our Mid week services because his church did not have a midweek. We noticed he never came back, well he called the other day and told dh that the rp told him that dh and I did not want the gentleman to attend our church, because of the way he dressed. LIE LIE LIE! DH is handling all of this really well, but I am the one that is having a problem. We are the first to admit that we are young in the pastorate, but are willing to learn. I know the Devil is just working overtime right now, because the Lord is changing lives in our church.
This couple has teamed up with some others that left our church and some who attended 1 time, and stated to others that they were going to see that dh & I are out ASAP. I'm concerned that these people are going to come to a service and try to cause problems. They have came to the church immediately after a service recently, but I pray they stay away. One of the families commented as they left the church that the church would fold up with out their money. Well, praise God, we are still here and financially better off than when they attended.
I just don't understand why people, so called ministers, try to tear down what God is building up. This is way so many people don't attend church and it makes me sick to see grown adults act like Jr. high kids.I know we will always have those against us, but sometimes I just want to scream, LEAVE US ALONE!
Thanks for listening. PRAISE THE LORD for everything that his is doing! Sorry for such a lengthy post.
This could be a whole post of it's own, but dh and I have found (not only through personal experience but from hearing our friends experiences) that often the people who cause the biggest problem in your church are credential holders (liscensed ministers) who are currently out of work. They do use the "well, I used to do it this way" or "if I were in charge I would..."
I have never had a person such as this be a great blessing to the church who gives you absolutely no problems and that's why we usually don't use people in this case. We allow them to attend, and be "refreshed and restored" by attending our services but we do not give them any ministry. Keeping it this way usually keeps things at bay. I mean, dh doesn't ever call on them to pray, teach SS, or do ANYTHING. They attend - period.
And you also can't be tentative - you have to LEAD STRONGLY. Do not be intimidated. If people sense a weakness in leadership, they will step in. You can't afford to be behind the scenes or in the background. If these type of people sense it, they will jump at the chance to attack.
We recently had such a person come to our church and our entire staff was a little concerned about it being that they have ties to some people in our congregation. Larry and I just told the staff, "be large and in charge, work the room, be confident..." Especially when those people are around, we are working the room, in our church member's faces, we always lead strongly from the pulpit so that's not the issue...but we wouldn't give them opportunity to do anything. Example - if they were bold enough to come forward to pray for people, etc. they would not have the opportunity because one of our staff or ministry leaders would have already jumped down to the altar and gotten with the person, and taken control. If needed, we would tell the person, "we already have official altar workers, etc. and won't be needing your assistance..."
If they say, "well, I'm a trained minister of the gospel...I'm ordained through such and such..." just say, "well, you are not one of the recognized ministers of OUR local church..."
Don't be intimidated by these people coming to church. After one or two times of you and your dh remaining "large and in charge" walking in and taking charge of the service boldly and working the room, they will not want to come back. Don't fear - just WALK TALL.
Read that book by John Bevere - "Breaking Intimidation". It will help you tremendously. What you are feeling is intimidation of what these people might do. I will be praying that the spirit of might would come upon you and you would walk forth boldly unafraid.
