Journal part 2

Now, Harry has left the church, over the next several months, so did 140 others. This church averaged around 350, so it was noticed. The people leaving were solid folks, tithers, very involved. It was a blow.

During this time I had met with the pastors wife a few times trying to get to know her. At one lunch, she lied to me about how the AP was brought it. I've looked at this from many sides but I keep coming back to the point that you know who your husbands friends are, particulary a 15 year friendship. Now remember, I really do like AP.

Things that were upsetting besides the Harry issue were that many of the previous ministries were being stopped: the mission trips to a South American country (we were told we were wrong not to have been teaching them to be our denomination - you know, the great commission "go forth and make them *** denomination"), there were several they tried to stop but people rebelled; I can't name them all, but it was quite dramatic.

One of the things that was fundamental to the group of people that were leaving was that reconcilation must be done. Over time the YM went to Harry and acknowledged his error. He also was reaching out to the youth that had left the church, in essence, remaining a pastor to them even though he wasn't "responsible" for them. I found this so wonderful, shows he really has a pastors heart. Then I found out the same with the AP and the music minister. They were all reaching out to those that had left, not to get them back, but because they loved them and were concerned for them.

During this time I started getting close the the AP and his wife. I found that they have a heart for ministry. I also found out a lot about the pastor that I had hoped was not true. But they confirmed things that others had witnessed: outburst of anger, making fun of the people, spreading gossip, subversly trying to fire / or get people to resign when he got frustrated with them (one of these was my son, however he was doing such a good job they couldn't fire him - oh, he has gotten his dream job since - God was faithful to him).

It has all come out now, the pastor found out the youth pastor reconciled with Harry, he wanted him out of his job. Pastor went to AP and said, we must make him resign. AP went to the others and outed it. I need to clarify, in the previous months, the YM, MM, and AP all realized the wrong that had been done and have come to believe that pastor is walking in sin (this would be pride, arrogance, basically pride of life). He is much like King Saul. So, pastor found out about AP telling them, punished them by not allowing anyone but music guy to be in the service the next week (pastor can't sing) and not talking to them.

During this time many things were happening in the body. People have become aware of the chaos. They were getting direction from God about what to pray, most had the same scripture: Eziekiel was the main one. There was also Acts 5 and 9. One was the point that when Pharoh hardened his heart, he lost everything but didn't die until he chased the Hebrews in anger. The before mentioned confretation at the alter was during a time of prayer about all of this. Too much to record, but I found it exciting that so many had such a burden.

Chapter 3