Monday Morning Insights

Photo of Todd
    .

    Pastor Locked Out of Own Church, But Continues to Preach

    Bookmark and Share

    Why?

    Todd

    You have to watch this video. It's unbelieveable. But it leaves me with many questions:

    1. How could you spend $49,000 at a men's clothing store? What in the world is this guy wearing?

    2. You locked him out, but you still allow him to come to services... and preach? Seems you might need to re-think your plan. It's not working.

    3. I've heard this story before... but why do you give the pastor the ability to sell church property, even when you tell him not to? And how did he pocket the 600 odd thousand dollars for himself?

    4. Shouldn't enough been enough long before now? Is not the church leadership to blame for letting this happen?

    Comments

    if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.

    1. Peter Hamm on Thu, August 21, 2008

      I don’t think I’ve spent 49 HUNDRED dollars on clothes in my LIFE!


      What are they waiting for in terms of legal action? Time to act NOW, while some of that money might still be salvage-able.


      He must be one HECK of a preacher.

    2. Heath on Thu, August 21, 2008

      This church has some mega bucks coming in.  When you look at the building, property, and small number of members, you have to wonder how this little congregation can be talking about these kinds of numbers. 


      Where are the other board members of this 501c3.  I didn’t think this kinda stuff was even possible.


      Legal action?  Absolutely!

    3. Evan Blackerby on Thu, August 21, 2008

      this is very sad.  kind of humorous the way it was played…. locked out… but still preaching! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/grin.gif 


      you are very right.   what kind of power must the church leadership have if they can’t get him to really leave.  Apparently they didn’t set up the structure that they needed ahead of time. 


      THIS is one of the primary reasons why we need a leadership structure.  The pastor can lead… but can the church hold him accountable?

    4. Adam on Thu, August 21, 2008

      I thought it was interesting that the congregation was ready to begin looking for a new pastor even though Holloway is still preaching.  What’s going to happen?  Are they going to have dueling preachers?

    5. Eric on Thu, August 21, 2008

      This is a really strange story.  I liked the way they worded it - “Despite the church having changed the locks, Halloway continues to show up and preach to those that will still listen.”  Does this guy really feel like he’s still welcome there?

    6. Phil Anderson on Thu, August 21, 2008

      Are they still paying this guy? Or does he write and sign his own salary checks?

    7. Phil DiLernia on Mon, August 25, 2008

      And we wonder why the communities around us are suspicious of all churches.  How sad.


      If these accusations are true, and I make no judgment as to their validity since I’ve seen false accusations taken to great lengths, then this man must not believe in Christ because he will stand in front of Him someday and Jesus does not nuance such sin or excuse it.


      I feel sorry and saddened for the whole thing and I hope that the monies from the sale of this land get into the church’s accounts asap.

    8. Pat on Mon, August 25, 2008

      Very sad.  You say the church leadership is to blame, but I wonder what their leadership consists of?  Do they have bylaws that expressly state how decisions are to be made?  Do the elders or deacons have any kind of authority over the pastor?  If not, their hands may be tied.  But I bet they’ve learned a lot of lessons from this experience and the next pastor will have a hard way to go in terms of even “thinking” about doing anything without the congregation’s involvement.

    9. Dave on Mon, August 25, 2008

      The Bible forbids taking our professing brothers (or leaders) before secular authorities, but we are commanded to turn rebels over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. 


      What a shame!

    10. PT on Mon, August 25, 2008

      Actually, Dave, what the Bible says is that believers are to do everything possible to settle and judge matters themselves, rather than to be judged by unbelievers.  But, Matthew 18, the Bible also says that if a professing believer refuses to accept the correction and judgment of the Body, then they are to be separated and “treated as an unbeliever.”


      Therefore, in this situation I believe it is entirely biblical that if this body of believers has followed the ‘steps’ of Matthew 18 (which it appears they have) and the pastor continues to reject that authority (as he apparently has), then they are to treat him as an unbeliever - that is, necessarily settle the matter in the secular courts as a secular, legal matter.  Then, of course, there are the Scriptures (Romans 13 anyone) that command us to be obedient and submissive to the laws of the state that do not violate those of God.  Not knowing the wording of this church’s constitution and by-laws, this certainly looks like at least a reasonable question of embezzlement.  As such, is there not even an obligation for the church to take this seriously and report to the state as required?


      OK, I’ve opened the can of worms . . .

    11. David on Mon, August 25, 2008

      I respectfully dissagree…


      1 Corinthians 6:7 says… “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”


      If no other reason, we believers ought not take these problems into the public because it causes the name of Christ to be mocked by the unbelievers.

    12. PT on Mon, August 25, 2008

      Dave,


      I appreciate your reply and perspective.  I am aware of, and of course believe in the truth of 1 Corinthians 6:7, but the whole context of Scripture that addresses these matters must be considered not just a single verse without context.


      In regards to the mocking concern, I’m totally with you in this being a legitimate, serious and frustrating concern.  Yet, I would still propose the question of which is more deserving or likely for the world to mock the church and our Savior:   (1)  that a church is taking seriously the legitimate sin, offense and possibly illegal activity of it’s pastor - even at the risk of its own embarrassment; or (2) keeping all of these things ‘close to the vest’ and ‘hidden’ - even at the risk of allowing a pastor to grossly sin and violate his office without appropriate discipline?


      I think the public’s response to the recent scandals in the Catholic Church with most of the outrage targeting at the Church’s alleged cover-up, hiding and refusing to report answers this question.

    13. David on Mon, August 25, 2008

      Some of what you say sinks in for me, but I don’t see a complete parallel with the Catholic pedophiles.  The sexual perversion of the so-called clergy members is a crime against an innocent child, not just (not intending to marginalize the “lesser” evil) the abuse of one’s power and influence for personal financial gain.  Don’t forget, Jesus said if someone takes your cloak, offer them you coat also.  I think (based upon the very limited info that we have) that the congregation should ask him to leave (as I see they already have), if he doesn’t… they should leave and start another church with a worthy minister to serve them (not himself).  Let the crook have his loot… our God owns it all, he can supply what we need.  I just can’t imagine Christ approving such behaviors as sueing, accusing, publishing, etc. under these circumstances. 


      My personal perspective…

    14. ESpangler on Mon, August 25, 2008

      Dude!  $3,120 a WEEK?  That’s some salary!

    15. Pat on Mon, August 25, 2008

      He was raping that church…

    16. Page 1 of 1 pages

      Post a Comment

    17. (will not be published)

      Remember my personal information

      Notify me of follow-up comments?

    Sponsors