I was a pastor in a legalistic semi-Baptist denomination for 20 years. Then I decided to go and get a master's to learn the Bible better. It took me over 5 years, but was a wonderful journey into the Scriptures. However, it also changed me. No longer could I be satisfied with the status quo. I believe that my district superintendant felt threatened, but may have had some other motive to get rid of me. He certainly lied to the denominational heads and got me out of the ministry.
Our friends could not understand why just "losing a job" ought to be so depressing to us. But this was not just a job, it was our friends, our lives, our mission for God. Our children saw all this and have been turned off of churches almost totally. My wife is still in pain and so am I.
After a move, we finally settled into a Pentecostal denomination and I began teaching at their Bible College. However, because I challenged students to think and to use their Bibles, rather than just swallow a party line because some man says so and because I had voiced the idea of founding an independent church, I was unceremoniously removed and accused of seeking to steal sheep.
I was eventually invited to preach at a CoC, which seemed to be just right for me. However, a 5 week vacation overseas was ruined upon our return, when we found out that an elder had taken over behind our backs during our absence. We promptly left the church, but a couple of months later, decided that the Christian thing to do was reconcile. Now I sit like a useless lump on a log while that elder invites every Tom, Dick and Harry to preach, but not me. I am in the penalty box and seem to have leprosy.
I would really love to go elsewhere, but cannot find a place and we need to go somewhere. I would really love to return to teaching the Scriptures, but for now that door is closed. I just wait upon God. Do any others have similar stories. I have heard that this is a common experience among pastors at least once in a lifetime.
Our friends could not understand why just "losing a job" ought to be so depressing to us. But this was not just a job, it was our friends, our lives, our mission for God. Our children saw all this and have been turned off of churches almost totally. My wife is still in pain and so am I.
After a move, we finally settled into a Pentecostal denomination and I began teaching at their Bible College. However, because I challenged students to think and to use their Bibles, rather than just swallow a party line because some man says so and because I had voiced the idea of founding an independent church, I was unceremoniously removed and accused of seeking to steal sheep.
I was eventually invited to preach at a CoC, which seemed to be just right for me. However, a 5 week vacation overseas was ruined upon our return, when we found out that an elder had taken over behind our backs during our absence. We promptly left the church, but a couple of months later, decided that the Christian thing to do was reconcile. Now I sit like a useless lump on a log while that elder invites every Tom, Dick and Harry to preach, but not me. I am in the penalty box and seem to have leprosy.
I would really love to go elsewhere, but cannot find a place and we need to go somewhere. I would really love to return to teaching the Scriptures, but for now that door is closed. I just wait upon God. Do any others have similar stories. I have heard that this is a common experience among pastors at least once in a lifetime.
