I know this sounds unbiblical because we have heard unbiblical wisdom. What we want to believe and what is biblical could be two different opinions. Because we have heard so little biblical preaching that what we believe is not from the Bible.
When many fundamental preachers do not believe that they need to really study the Bible itself, but pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give them understanding apart from a substantial study of the Word, then you are going to get unsound teachings of what God foreordained.
Thus many of the actions of some pastors are based upon their belief that they can dismiss a staff member without Biblical accountability or even church accountability.
The issue today is: Getting fired, dismissed, asked to resigned by a church or pastor from the staff.
When I ask Charity "Why do you think (and I will mention a preacher) fired us?" And every time she has an answer. "He didn’t like what you vocalized, or what you said you believed, or he did not like your opinions. And she is always quick in her mind, just what she is talking about. It is true what she said.
A few examples of my behavior that Charity said I was dismissed:
- "Remember the jokes you made about the preacher, he did not like it."
- You wouldn’t let the preacher’s son go on that trip with the young adults."
- "I am a six- point Calvinist: I believe in soul winning.
- "Remember the pie in the face activity"
- "Those comments you made about me when you preached that sermon."
- "You wouldn’t go to the Sunday School Class"
- "You cashed that $50 check"
- "You get excited and get loud and press your ideas."
My question is? Was the reason for discharging me Biblical or personal? What are the Biblical grounds for discharging someone from the ministry?
The list for dismissal from a position on the staff generally are personal in nature rather than spiritual. I will give a small list of good reasons for removing someone and several reasons when dismissing one is wrong.
BUT THERE ARE GOOD REASONS TO FIRE SOMEONE: (I am thankful I have not been guilty of)
1A Today it would be, getting on the Internet and viewing pornographic material.
2A Sowing contention among the membership
3A Failing to be submissive to the programs of the church body.
4A Commit any sexual sins or adultery or "come out of the closet".
There are RIGHT reasons to terminate one’s employment. Legitimate ways:
Synonyms: accepted, accredited, acknowledged, admissible, appropriate, authorized, canonical, certain, cogent, consistent, correct, customary, fair, front door, genuine, innocent, just, justifiable, kosher, lawful, legit, licit, logical, natural, normal, official, orthodox, probable, proper, real, reasonable, received, recognized, regular, reliable, rightful, sanctioned, sensible, sound, statutory, sure, true, typical, usual, valid, verifiable, warranted, well-founded
But there are WRONG ways too
Antonyms: illegal, illegitimate, inadmissible, inapplicable, intolerable, irrelevant, unallowable, unfair, unjust, unsuitable, wrong, bogus, counterfeit, fake, phony, spurious, unauthorized.
I believe you get the point on both the synonyms and antonyms...... don’t you.?I have no argument if the reason for dismissing someone, in the secular world or church ministry was legitimate.
All the reasons why Charity believes the preacher wanted me to leave are not genuine reasons for dismissal.
Furthermore, the same reasons goes for leadership in the church to deny you leadership. It must be a genuine reason. Here are some wrong reasons. In my personal cases.
SOME OF THE REASONS ARE A LITTLE EMBARRASSING
- Jealousy.(the underline true reasons)
- In your view you believe he is a threat to your ministry or church.
- You do not like his personality (most likely most places)
- You FEEL, or presume he has done things wrong
- Parents are coming to you and complaining about the direction and way he is doing ministry
End of Part One.... Corrected by Charity Whisnant, Lived by both of us.
