First off, no pastor every ought to have check writing and withdrawl priviliges at church. Strict accounting procedures needs to beused with church credit cards. This is the for the pastor’s protection.

Secondly, being a dynamic preach does not help if the rest of the person is a little iffy.

When I left my last church there were certainly people who would say I had integrity issues OK they DID say that.  Before leaving, hoever, I had tried to meet with everyone of them to reconcile any thing I had done or appeared to have done. 
When interviewing with my current church I was REALLY honest… Scary honest one of them said… When they checked with past ministries, all of the stories were the same.
HIding your past failures or less than great reccomendations only leads to a lack of integrity… Failure to answer the questions pours FUEL on the fire… and in today’s media frenzy, you are finished before you are found innocent or guilty.

I know that some people think that the pastor ought to know what people in his or her church give, but I have never had that desire. What people is a matter of their spiritual maturity and what they desire. I teach tithing but I do not mandate it. I also believe that in our current culture people treat personal finances with greater confidentiality than they sex lives. Yikes.

Once again we see how easy it is to fall.  Be on guard, it seems the attacks are on the rise and we must do as scripture teaches and be vigilant in our faith.  It is tragic how often you hear stories like these.

However I would ask that you consider the possibility that his educational statements on his resume may be in fact honest.  If my guess is right, he attened Convington Theological Seminary in Rossville, GA the same seminary I attended.  There are in fact un-accredited, not due to the lack of educational content, but due to a desire to remain true to their vision for the seminary.  The founder feels that accrediting will only drive up cost and bring pressure to change their focus. 

I realize that some do not accept their degrees, however I can tell you from experience their classes are just as difficult as most others seminary classes, I have taken classes from others.  Their requirements for graduation is very difficult and reviewed before earned. 

Convington might not show up on an educational screening, but this does not reduce their reality.  Just ask men like Johnny Hunt (FBC Woodstock), Jim Henry (FBC Orlando), Ron Philips (Central BC), Mike Anderson (FBC Mabelton), Bob Pitman (Kirby Woods Memphis), Dr. John Rogers (IN Bapt Convention), Dr. John Garrison (FBC Jasper, AL), and many others. 

Storm is coming, I must go. Just pointing out the possibility his resume might be OK, but apparently something is missing from his character.

Layne,

Personal opinion here, but I think that if you are trying to be a pastor of a church you should be honest.  You don’t necessarily need to tell all, but be honest when questions are asked.  If an interviewer were to ask if you’ve ever committed a crime and didn’t get caught, don’t lie about it.  Either excuse yourself from the interview process, or tell the truth.  I don’t believe most interviewers would ask this question though.  Of course, I say that, with the understanding that some questions one could call “no-brainers” we’re having to ask now.

For example, we’ve gotten into the habit of asking if “1. Are you a Christian?” and “2. Are you living with your boyfriend/girlfriend?” We’ve had so many people that have come in to interview that are clearly not Christians.  I think the saddest part is, they don’t even realize it.

Kent,

I agree, however the newspaper article and Todd’s assessment seem to imply his education as being subpar, doctored resume (see Heading).  I just want to point out that there are some great seminaries and colleges who prefer to remain true to their vision and not be influences by other forces, good or bad.
The guys who attends these institutions are not lying or decieving anyone.  Just because their degrees or diplomas are not found in some Accrediting Firms database does not negate their validity.

I wish Covington would ge accredited, I would consider returning for additional ed.  If this guys was like me I enrolled and attended on the premise they would seek accreditation before I graduated, it couldn’t be worked out.
I really didn’t repond to this guys failure as much as I did the implication of resume fraud although there seems to be some.  If everyone felt that non-accredited seminaries is fraud, then I am one and so are many other faithful servants of Christ.  I am responding to what I see as exclusivism in certain quarters against those who didn’t attend some more well known seminaries.  I can show you men who did not attend seminary (some who read this blog regularyly) at all who are being used by God, it’s not the seminaryin the man, it is the Spirit in that man of that makes the difference!

Thanks Todd for MMB, I love the info, just wanted to add my imput

Kelly, I also attended the church in Dalton when you were there(even though I’m not sure who you were).  Everything you said is correct.  I will speak and say that all you say about his mother and the Doctorate(which we were told at the time was honorary) is true.  I also agree that I believed that he had at least a Bachelor’s degree from an institution in which he lived in married housing.  I believed this because he made reference to it on more than one occassion in sermons.  From the newspaper article, all of that is now untrue.  There is no married housing at Covington, right?  So this man has told more lies than just on a resume.  I have always believed in him as a dynamic evangelist, but I continue to question his integrity.  If you are lying or ommitting on a resume then you probably lie and omit in other situations as well which is a BIG problem.

Thank you!! Everything you said is RIGHT ON! Keep it simple!  Basic laws of God for man!!

Personally, I went to Crosspointe Baptist for several years ( in Millington,TN) where Steve pastored before he went to West Palm Beach.. From my experience he has issues with money and was to me very materialistic if not arrogant in his spending and attitude. HE NEEDS TO REPENT! But I love Steve and Vickie both(and the kids,of course!),they really need prayers. Also pray for Johnny Hunt and First Baptist,Woodstock,GA. When I was at Crosspointe I notice there were staff people being brought in that were mainly from Woodstock. That really bother me because it seem like there was some sort of “system” going on there about bringing in just Woodstock folks. Does that kind of system go on at other churches? I’m sure it does.I mean what are we building,hallow cathedrals of men or building the kingdom of God? It seems to be like a clique or something that is going on.  I do know that Steve considers Hunt as a father-figure and it seem to me that he was trying to “reproduce” a Millington version of Woodstock here. Look,people are going to hell everyday day and you have men who are worried about there portfolios and stocks and bonds and careers and such and the body of Christ just lays there and slumbers. Don’t we have enough problems already? Come on folks,lets get real!  We are ALL servants of the Living God !  We are ALL accountable to this Holy God! We have the gospel,the Great Commission,to obey our Lord and Saviour,Jesus Christ! We need a passion for others and stop this nonsense of being carnal and worldly! If we don’t stop the thing that befell Flockhart can(and will) happen to us,mark my words. May God have mercy on us! But the beautiful thing of it all is God’s grace! Its amazing! So lets pray for the Flockharts,the Hunts,our pastors,our laity,our ministries,our homes,our country,our lives,our integrity,our country,and for our souls! You have heard the joyful sound,Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves! Spread the the tidings all around,Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves! Its all about the Lamb Of God ,the Lord Jesus Christ! So lets dust ourselves off and get going as Paul exhorts us in his epistle to the Philipians in chapters 3 and 4 and also the whole epistle to the Ephesians. So lets REPENT and put on that armour of God and go to battle! God bless!

Currently, there has been no final evidence provided regarding the BCC “forensic audit”, in toto. There has been information shared and documents provided to show how things were handled poorly and sloppily at BCC by the recently dismissed Pastor. I’m not sure that whole story will ever be told… but in the case of this guy from FBWPB.... man.... are there some similarities.... but not just financially speaking. It simply comes down to a person being fit to Pastor a church. Having true moral authority and spiritual character. Sometimes it takes the painful knowledge and revelation that they are acutally con artists, manipulators and phonies. I still believe that to be true regarding BCC’s discovery of what kind of person they had at the top and it may seep into the next church both of these guys figure out to start up or get a job at.

It’s just very, very sad. And, at the end of the day.... it requires a much higher level of accountability and vigilance on everyone’s part.

I have heard it said that: Someone watching someone get robbed and doing nothing to stop it or help… makes them just as criminal. That may be true for some and not for others. I just know that it happens all the time. And, I’m not just talking money. You can be robbed of many things. BCC was robbed of a lot of stuff.

It seems people either become blind to a person/Pastor because they “speak” good or these counterfeit men are able to somehow convince people they are so very responsible for people being “saved” and so they are then above reproach or the rules of decency, not to mention the standard that the Word of God holds them to. It really is unbelievably naive to give anyone that much creedence. But, all of us are more prone to give people the benefit of the doubt and think the “best” of them, not the worst. Until it’s too late. Sometimes, an unhealthy and huge exodus of staff and congregation >>> too late and sometimes thousands and thousands of dollars >>> too late.

Hey, are you gonna be mad at me if I point out you spelled perdicament wrong in your story about this? That might put me in a difficult predicament! I’m not sure I could “talk or speak” or “swindle” my way out of that. I guess I could just go to the next blog and repeat my past history. No one would probably say or do anything about that. C’mon, give me a break. What if I told you I was a Pastor? Would that make it okay?

Well, I crafted a response and it got deleted so I will assume it should not have been sent.

Suffice it to say, I worked very hard to recieve the degree I have.  You might think it worthless, but I can assure you it was not easy.  It took over three years of classes, two nights a week, 6 hours each night.  I did this while raising two kids and serving in full-time ministry that was successful.

Lastly you might consider that if you church were looking for a pastor you would refuse to take a look at Perry Noble.  Perry pastors Newspring Church in Anderson SC.  It started 6 years ago on the campus of Anderson College.  On Sunday their attendance was over 6000.  Oh yeah, Perry doesn’t have a seminary education.  I guess he would fit your needs?

Also as to those men I mentioned in my other post, some earned and some honorary.  Why do we honor those degrees not earned by anyone?  Kinda like grace isn’t it, unearned and unmerited yet valuable non the less?  You might want to check on some of today’s church leaders, it would amaze you how many have honorary PhD’s and not earned, it doesn’t negate the honor these men have achieved.
Once again I only wanted to point out that putting your earned education on a resume is not dishonest.

Thanks

The resume is only part of the problem.  It seems that Mr. Flockhart cannot manage finances well and then seems to be less than honest.  I would not consider that man qualified for the pastorate.  I don’t care how “good” he preaches.  Titus 1:5 says that a pastor is to be “blameless” and verse 7 says that one is not to be a “lover of money.” 1Timothy 3:4 requires a pastor to manage his household well.  1 Timothy 3:7 says he must have a good reputation with those outside of the church....and banks are outside of the church.

The churches that called Mr. Flockhart did not follow good procedures for candidates.  I’m surprised that the smaller churches I candidated for did a far better job in checking into my background than the large churches....hmmm.  I also wonder about those who “sponsored” him and seemed to “cover” for him.  Are they excusing his mismanagment of finances?  Talk about a lack of accountability!

As far as degrees go...there is a lot of discrimination there.  I was a job developer for a few years.  In resume writing, one lists “accredited degrees” that have been earned.  If a person had an unaccredited degree, I would advise that person either to leave it off or put it under “other training.” I recognize that every accredited university and college began as unaccredited (Luther Rice, my school was initially unaccredited and is now regionally accredited).  Bob Jones University is unaccredited by choice and most people recognize it as a worthy, credible institute.  I have met lots of public school teachers who were trained there. 

Lying on a resume cost one man locally a chance at a ministry.  He listed a diploma from a school and the search committee did a routine check.  It seems that the man only completed two courses and was not close to graduating.  He showed promise elsewhere and the Senior Pastor called the man directly and very bluntly said, “If you had been honest about your education, we would have still considered calling you.  Your dishonesty on this item puts your entire character into question.”