Sounds to me like the pastor and church didn’t just sit on their hands doing nothing, they had a plan that the board short circuited. They have many outreach programs and could have had the finances raised in time for the end of the original contract.

If the board cancelled the contract because of the bond issue, that failed, why not just continue as status quo for the rest of the contract?

The church on the other hand surely should have been making a list and checking it twice, especially since they know the contract is short term and ending soon. To put up a fuss over a great gesture by any school district for a religious body does show some degree of arrogance, immaturity and ungratefulness.

Only to pray that we find ourselves in this type of relationship with the school board here in NY. The understanding has to be that this is temporary and thanks for the building upgrades, but we let you meet here for 104 weeks and now you must (see Phase 1) catch a vision to promote yourself out of school into the community.

It sure would be a divisive thing in my community. The church would be looked upon as being ungrateful, arrogant and immature.

I am confused why they kicked the church out of the building?  I think the most profitable thing for both of them would be to have the church buy the property.  The school obviously does not need it, so why tear it down?
As for the Pastor’s actions, I wonder if there is something more going on here.

Wise words, Cindi.

“I wonder if there is something more going on here.” Clearly, there is - and from both sides.  We certainly don’t have enough information to make too many valid judgments.  I don’t like the idea of the pastor leading efforts to form a “watchdog” committee for the school board, but I do like the idea of the church buying the property...if it fits their long-term needs.  (And if they can’t figure that out, then they probably don’t have enough of a plan.) BTW - any new church that’s two years into a three-year contract better be well into planning for year four, and it doesn’t sound like they are.

Maybe the school board was facing threats from staunch church-state separatists complaining that the $1-a-year lease violates the establishment of religion clause in the Constitution. 

BTW #2 - What is it about Rockford, IL?  Isn’t this the same town that had the billboards proclaiming “Church the Bible Way” and “We Don’t Do Entertainment”?!

Hi everyone,

I thought it would be only fair that you hear from me regarding the issue with the School Board. I have went on record appreciating the School Boards allowing us to use the old Church. Our Church has been blessed by being in Poplar Grove. The Church property was in disrepair with windows missing, dead animals, and was abandoned.

We asked the Board for 5 years so we could plan our building program.

The Board countered with a 3 year lease and we agreed. We spent hundreds of hours and several thousand dollars to make the building ready using 3 years as our goal..(The School Board was not able to repair the building due to funding) In addition we agreed to pay all utilities and insurance on the property which would release the Board from any further debt.

We are in the process of buying a property as I write. The School Board has never bothered to ask us what we are doing.

As for my anger I must confess that it steamed me when the School Board blamed us because the community voted against the 10 Million Bond and voted to kick us out.

I Voted no as a citizen because the math is bad and it will cause hardship to residents when the balance of 51 million comes due. Check past articles in the area any you will discover that The School Board has a history of being untruthful in this area and by the way they handled our church was a direct political move to silence my voice not as only a Pastor but as someone who cares about our community.

Here is a point to ponder…….The School Board promised to work with us and I have made repeated attempts to work with them via phone calls.

Here is yet another point to ponder..... Was I wrong to respond to being treated unfair?
Do you agree that the School Board should have sat down with me and my Church Board to discuss our moving out before suddenly voting to evict us at a Board meeting?

Was I upset? you bet I was. If the North School Board does not want to deal fairly with me then I can live with that but, what about those we serve?

Here is another point to ponder… The building will now sit empty with the hope that now that we are out of the way they will get the 10 Million Bond. I plan to continue speak out on bad government and If the School Board is right I will support them but If they are wrong I will continue to oppose those issues as a taxpayer. (I also never said I would retaliate but I would like to see a community group watch this Boards future actions).

Please don’t judge me by an Newspaper article.

God Bless,
Pastor Dave

Thanks, Dave.

I was waiting to comment on this, because I can tell you from personal experience that the media doesn’t always tell the whole story - sometimes the space in the paper or show is limited, and they can’t fit it all in so they cut it down - and oftentimes it can either show a bias or simply ignorance of the importance of inclusion of some details.

I’m grateful to see that you are responding as both a pastor and a citizen.  I pray that you will have opportunity to be, as one poster put it, “salt and light” to the school board and community at large.

Blessings!

Brian

It’s nice to hear more of the story from Dave, but even as I read before that I was surprised by the comments made here.  The article clearly stated that both sides had signed a 3 year lease and the building had no plans to be used.  It only seems fair to me that a school board honor their side of a “contract” regardless of how great the deal is for the other side.

If this had happened to any secular organization, people would expect them to speak out against the breaking of a contracted lease.  Yes, as Christians we are called to be different and think about our witness in the community, but I don’t think that means we should let people walk all over us.  If we just sit back and let people take advantage of organizations because they’re Christians, they will.

Pastor Dave,

You ask, “Was I wrong to respond to being treated unfair?” As one who has also experienced being “treated unfairly” I can honestly say that you are not wrong to feel the way you do.  That is only natural. But Scripture advises that we measure our response not from an earthly perspective, but from a Kingdome perspective.  A few verses come immediately to mind”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? (1 Cor. 6:7)

The point is, how we respond in any situation, especially in those where we were treated unfairly, will effect our witness for Christ.  I personally think the Board is “out to lunch” and you are perfectly within your rights to respond the way you did. But I wonder if it didn’t do more harm to the cause of Christ than you want to admit.

I have found Gene Edwards little book “A Tale of Three Kings” to be a great resource when dealing with the many “unfair” situations we face in this life.  I will be praying for you and your church, especially for the process of purchasing a new facility.

Just something to think about… Wasnt it Jesus who upset the establishment because he went against them.
Why is it in our day and age that when a man of God stands up for what is good and right and fair on behalf of Christ’s church people are so quick to jump on him as mean or angry or “not gentle”?
My understanding of a shepherd was that they protected the flock from the attacks of ravenous wolves… they used to staff that they carried to thump the wolf on the head in order to protect the flock.
Maybe we need more servants who will stand up to protect their Master’s belongings, who said that a man of God ever had to be a wimp?
Not even the article said that this pastor of courage was ever rude, ugly, nasty, disrespectful or mean… what it did say is that he stood up and stood out in order to protect his flock from what was apparently unfair treatment by those who actually did have an underhanded agenda.
No where did it ever say in the article that he was not gracious - did you ever stop to think that a man of God can actually be rightously indignant and still be gracious? Isnt it even written - “Be angry… yet do not sin...”
Maybe its time the church stood up for herself and stood up for what is right and quit letting society force us into cowering in a corner like a timid, whipped dog.
Isnt it written that the church was accused of “upsetting the whole world” because of the stance it took?
I for one thank this servant of God who took his call to stand up for and protect his flock, to stand up for the church against the forces (evil or otherwise) who would try to prevail against her… to repeat a qoute I read recently -
“would they have killed Jesus for the thing I am about to do?”

I just found this on line, and I have to say that I feel this situation has worked out for the best regardless of the tactics used by the School Board.  Yes we had some difficulty at first. but we now have a beautiful building that’s 3 or 4 times as big as the old one and much much nicer.  So I have to say that yes, the school board was wrong in forcing us out, but as far as our situation goes, I am very happy we are no longer under the thumb of the school board.

BTW:  if you didn’t guess I am a member of Solid Rock.