Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals

[BrotherTony]

1 hour ago, Pastor Matt said:

Right now, I'm 5 minutes into the first episode, and boy, they are painting with a very broad brush— lumping every IFB pastor into being like Hyles and Steve Anderson

That's been the problem with a LOT of these types of things. I know Jeri Massi, author and blogger ( Jeriwho.net ) who has documented many instances of abuse, also paints every IFB and SBC pastor as such. Her bias is clear. She is a graduate of BJU.

Edited December 12, 2023 by BrotherTony

[R Sauter]

1 hour ago, BrotherTony said:

That's been the problem with a LOT of these types of things. I know Jeri Massi, author and blogger ( Jeriwho.net ) who has documented many instances of abuse, also paints every IFB and SBC pastor as such. Her bias is clear. She is a graduate of BJU.

Jeri has been quite informative and instrumental in the exposure of abuse but her bias towards anything IFB, anything Fundamental, or Baptist has led to the downfall of her credibility.

[HappyChristian]

3 hours ago, Pastor Matt said:

 

BTW, I'm outraged by what these men in authority have done to these young girls 

Absolutely!

[BrotherTony]

7 hours ago, R Sauter said:

Jeri has been quite informative and instrumental in the exposure of abuse but her bias towards anything IFB, anything Fundamental, or Baptist has led to the downfall of her credibility.

I can fully agree with that. Many who were depending on her reports being objective and honest in her later works found themselves having to withdraw from her. It was sad to see. 

10 hours ago, Pastor Matt said:

 

BTW, I'm outraged by what these men in authority have done to these young girls 

Anyone who isn't outraged by these things isn't very responsible IMHO. And it's not just been restricted to the women. In some instances young boys/men have been assaulted. 

[Pastor Matt]

Pastor Wilkerson addressing a planned protest this Sunday at First Baptist

 

[BrotherTony]

41 minutes ago, Pastor Matt said:

Pastor Wilkerson addressing a planned protest this Sunday at First Baptist

 

He truly seems to be showing a great deal of honesty and wisdom in this statement. I know that people, including myself, have "piled on" this church and college because of the past transgressions by its past leaders and graduates, and have been slow to forgive and pray for this new leadership. I believe the Lord will continue to use this church and college in spite of those within and without, who try to take it in the wrong direction. 

[TheGloryLand]

35 minutes ago, Pastor Matt said:

Pastor Wilkerson addressing a planned protest this Sunday at First Baptist

 

He seemed open and professional to me. But it doesn't matter, the world's desire is to cut the preacher's head off. This is just a taste of what is to come. Christian churches will be attacked in similar fashion soon when they refuse to accept LGBTQX movement toward marriage and lifestyle. I would not have church service, that day the protest has come, let them protest in an empty building. Remember the people are the church, not the building. Members that are mad? Should just leave. Gods mission will continue.

[BrotherTony]

7 minutes ago, TheGloryLand said:

He seemed open and professional to me. But it doesn't matter, the world's desire is to cut the preacher's head off. This is just a taste of what is to come. Christian churches will be attacked in similar fashion soon when they refuse to accept LGBTQX movement toward marriage and lifestyle. I would not have church service, that day the protest has come, let them protest in an empty building. Remember the people are the church, not the building. Members that are mad? Should just leave. Gods mission will continue.

Cancelling church IS NOT the answer. It would be a cowards way of handling the situation. 

Edited December 14, 2023 by BrotherTony

[TheGloryLand]

6 minutes ago, BrotherTony said:

Cancelling church IS NOT the answer. It would be a cowards way of handling the situation. 

you might be right, how about having the church service somewhere else?

I have never done it, but I imagine it is pretty hard to worship and sing with a whole bunch of angry protesters outside.

[BrotherTony]

4 minutes ago, TheGloryLand said:

you might be right, how about having the church service somewhere else?

I have never done it, but I imagine it is pretty hard to worship and sing with a whole bunch of angry protesters outside.

Why would it be hard? Is God there and in control or not, Morales? Trying to hold services elsewhere would not be feasible for this congregation. You really should stop being intentionally obtuse.

[TheGloryLand]

6 minutes ago, BrotherTony said:

Why would it be hard? Is God there and in control or not, Morales? Trying to hold services elsewhere would not be feasible for this congregation. You really should stop being intentionally obtuse.

I don't know what you are talking about. But that you have your opinions and I have mine.

[Pastor Matt]

For the first time in a very long time, I find myself respecting First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. Pastor Wilkerson inherited this mess, and I believe he's handling it the best way he can.

In my personal interactions with Pastor Wilkerson, he has consistently been nothing but gracious and humble, a far cry from the previous pastors.

[BrotherTony]

33 minutes ago, TheGloryLand said:

you might be right, how about having the church service somewhere else?

I have never done it, but I imagine it is pretty hard to worship and sing with a whole bunch of angry protesters outside.

Who is to say they're ALL angry? This is an assumption on your part. I have protested several times and have only been "angry" one time that I can recall.  In most of these protests I was extremely disappointed in the behavior of the person or organization being protested against. 

[Pastor Matt]

I don't know all that First Baptist is doing to handle this past situation, nor do I need to know. I just hope they are doing everything they can to support the women who were hurt in the past by the previous staff members.

 

 

 

[R Sauter]

14 hours ago, TheGloryLand said:

He seemed open and professional to me. But it doesn't matter, the world's desire is to cut the preacher's head off. This is just a taste of what is to come. Christian churches will be attacked in similar fashion soon when they refuse to accept LGBTQX movement toward marriage and lifestyle. I would not have church service, that day the protest has come, let them protest in an empty building. Remember the people are the church, not the building. Members that are mad? Should just leave. Gods mission will continue.

Disrupting a worship service is illegal and will quickly land someone in jail. Independent Baptists waving around their King James Bible and preaching at Lakewood Church (yes this happened, its on YouTube) ought to be arrested in the same manner that those in the "Act Up" and Queer Nation" disrupted services a couple of decades ago. Hopefully this would not be the intention of the protesters and that cooler heads will prevail. According to Wilkerson's statement, law enforcement will be there ensuring order.

According to my understanding, the protest would be on public property surrounding the Church and I am all for this! Pastor Wilkerson has stated that there are many current members who plan to stand in solidarity with the protesters and I am encouraged by this. If I lived in the area, I would likely join them as well. There are some very legitimate a valid reasons for protesting and anyone who disagrees is part of the problem and may God help them! Perhaps someone ought to be there selling mill stones?

The actions of those who have preceded Wilkerson have given the enemies of God great occasion to blaspheme and those who hate God will use whatever they can dig up as fodder towards the Church that Christ has given himself for. I have often said that God would be glorified if a huge sinkhole developed and swallowed up FBCH in its entirety but God would also be glorified if current members of FBCH respond to these protesters in a Christ-honoring manner!