This is the inevitable result of an independent congregation. If it were affiliated with a denomination, then denominational officials and organs would have served as a “court of appeal,” but since it is an independent corporation, then the state AG or Secretary of State (in other jurisdictions) is forced to deal with the appeals. There is no such thing as a group (board or whatever) setting itself up as the final decider with no appeals. We live in a free country.

My question is: Why didn’t the Senior Pastor step down or take a lesser role in order to keep the church united? Obviously I don’t know they whole situation but there must be a point where the battle becomes irrelevant in the face of division.

Monte, I would disagree with your position that this was “inevitable” because of their independent status.

I pastor a church belonging to a denomination (Wesleyan), so I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I’ve seen plenty of independent, non-denominational churches flourish for the Kingdom and not have these issues crop up.

Leadership issues can come up in any church - including denominational ones.  My church went through this sort of thing without the government getting involved back in the early 90’s.  The issue was the pastor’s leadership style and theology.  It was messy and there are still scars from it almost 15 years after the pastor was removed…

Brian L.

Brad Powell, the pastor of Northridge Church says that “the church is the best place in the world when it’s operating like it should.” I agee, but with that comes the opposite ... the church is the worst place to be when it’s not working as it should. 

There is more hurt, more pain, and more sin, than in any other venue or organization when things like this happen.

I’m shocked at even a hint of not trusting the pastor here ... BTW according to Romans 13:1-3 ... God’s ordained and appointed pastor.

Read this again and again “Concerns over Beauchamp’s leadership style, not any allegation of wrongdoing, sparked the controversy.” That is NOT a reason to divide a church.  That is NOT a reason to go to authorities.  That is NOT a reason to resign.

What would they have said about Paul’s personality?  Peter’s personality?  Even Jesus’ personality?  Or are we forgetting “brood of vipers, hypocrites, white washed tombs, etc. etc.”

I have no dog in this fight but my initial inclination is to take the leader’s back here unless there were reasons, specific reasons, not to.

Jason, I’ve followed Phil’s comments here for a while, and I would like to assure you that he doesn’t believe anybody should have blind faith in their pastor. You are right when you say [You should definetly respect and honor your pastor, but that does not mean you turn a blind eye when wrongdoing occurs] and I bet Phil would agree…

But according to the article above [Concerns over Beauchamp’s leadership style, not any allegation of wrongdoing, sparked the controversy.] Wrong attitudes and behavior… perhaps all around…

Thanks Peter for your defense and you obviously have me pegged ... since when am I a “blindly follow the leader” type of guy?  lol Jason knows me NOT!

Now about Jason’s comment that “The people who left took a stand saying what you are doing is wrong.  No mistake, this was a painful decision for every person who left.... “

That is exactly what the article said DID NOT HAPPEN and WAS NOT the reason.  Jason, go back and read the article.

I already quoted why they left from the article (which is ALL the information I have.) “Concerns over Beauchamp’s leadership style, not any allegation of wrongdoing, sparked the controversy.”

I said it before and I’ll say it again.  When someone leaves over leadership style that is code word for “I didn’t get what I want therefore I’ll claim that this man is impossible to work with!”

Read Romans 13:1-3 again and again.  Where does personality “style” fit in here?

Phil, you seem unreasonably worked up over this… Just kidding .  Actually I agree with you.  People should never give pastors blind trust but so many people just hate authority.  We have been weened in this country to hate authority.  Cops, teachers, dad’s, parents, pastors are commonly portrayed as dumb, abusive, clueless and unreasonable. 

Far too many people who have never been a Senior Pastor, in ministry or for that matter even be faithful and serving in a church know exactly how a Senior Pastor should do everything.  What we see in our day is that criticism is another subtle form of refusing to live under authority.

LOL Leonard ... check my apology to you written before I saw this on the other blog!!!

This type of criticism is like out of shape fat old guys sittin around having bags of potato chips and hot dogs telling everyone what Kobe Bryant should be doing on the basketball court!!!  lol

I’m gettin so worked up I may have to go out to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch!!!  lol

I agree, it is important to listen to both sides.  I encourage that!  And listen to the facts of both sides.  Please don’t misunderstand....I have no personal animosity with this.  Hurt yes, but not anger.  Just sadness.  You can find the attorney general’s findings online.  It would give you some of the facts as to what happened.  Honestly, I wish this was all over.  I wish healing could begin.  And it will in time.  But, I digress.....Like I said, the attorney general’s letter will give you some info, without slanting one side or the other.

Leroy, I respectfully submit that even though it seems that some gross mismanagement is going on, launching a web site to tell the whole world what is wrong at your church is not the best answer. (especially now that the AG is involved.)

Sounds like this church has much to answer for… (although I’ve only heard one side...) but, since I am not in the community… not to me…

Leroy
‘Stalin was a seminary student too’???  All I know of the situation is from this post, but if you inteneded that as a humerous statement include at least a reference to a smiley face.  If you inteneded it seriously you need to dial it back.  That imo should not be said in public or even private setting.

I was there for more than 20 years.  To say the problems were more about style than anything illegal, is inaccurate.  This Sr. Pastor has systematically gotten rid of people (including staff, elders and parishoners) who disagreed with him.  He seldom did his own “dirty work” but relied on people he affirmed.  According to the AGs office, by laws were broken.  the concerned members tried diligently to seek some sort of compromise but were rebuffed by Trinity board Sec’y Greg Scaglione.  His comment to the Concerned Members was “we (Les and Co.) were in the driver seat before all this happened and we’ll be there when you all leave.” Les should have resigned and saved the church but his ego won’t allow it.  Plus his $120K salary would be hard to walk from.