Hi all,

If you have time in your prayer life, could you pray for my church. Just got a letter today saying that ALL the church council are resigning (along with their wives!)

This is going to knock the church in a big way, because we are mainly older folk and no one is left to lead.

There's been fisty cuffs recently and it's all ended in tears.

Prayers would be gratefully appreciated.

Fundy

Wow! Did your church council say why they were resigning? Had you found a new pastor?

By "fisty cuffs", I take it you mean physical fights?

Wow, very bad news Fundy.

I will say a prayer now.

It took me some time tounderstand what's going on in your church Fundy.
I think I understand it now.
It means your church doesn't have a council anymore to lead your church?
Ohhhh sorry but sometimes I don't understand the things you talk about.
Yes ... silly.

It was verbal fisty cuffs. People accussing others of things they haven't done (from both sides).

Basically, the council recommended a person to be pastor, and wanted him to come back (a 3rd time) to preach 'with a view' but quite a number of the members didn't think he was right for the job, so asked if we could have a vote on whether we wanted him back to speak again. The council refused to have a vote and said it was their business. A representative of local independant churches in the area chaired the recent members meeting and decided (with the council in the end) that there SHOULD be a vote. 18 wanted the guy to preach again, 2 abstained and 21 didn't want him back. So the guy isn't coming back.

There were lots of other things going on (to many to mention!) but quite a few people were loosing confidence in the council and yesterday we got the letter saying they were all resigning and leaving the church. They accused one member of bringing evil into the church because she went into the vestry with a non member (How ridiculous is that!! considering the fact that the vestry door is always open and anyone can walk in - kids, cleaners, non members - whenever they like! )

It's amazing how quick things can go pear shaped!!!

Still, sometimes it brings a church closer together and things sometimes improve no end.

Prayers for.......
-Church members left with no leadership and few able men to lead.
-The ex-council for guidance to know where to go, and what churches to begin to attend.
-The area representative, for wisdom to know how to deal with the situation.
-The moderator (who walked out of the last council meeting because of how the council were doing things) and hopefully for his return as our moderator.

Thanks all.

Fundy

Hi Yvonne,

Yes the church council are the church leadership. Normally made up of Pastor, Elders and Deacons.

We were down to 1 moderator (who looks after the church whilst it looks for a pastor) 1 elder and 2 deacons.

The moderator walked out of the last council meeting and seemed to have decided (or been made to quit)
The elder and deacons have all quit.

Fundy

We had a major Church split back in '05 due to allegations of the pastor misusing funds and being dishonest on several occasions. We were devastated at first, but it became the greatest thing ever ! God can take our human sillyness and turn it around to His perfect will. We now have the most awesome pastor who really loves his congregation and organizes all kinds of charitable events, unlike the previous pastor.
So what I'm saying is, trust Jesus in this and through the heartache, He'll come through with even greater things

Oh my. Still praying for your church Fundy.

Things aren't all bad. We had a Christmas Carol service both morning and evening on Sunday and it went really well.

Click here to have a look http://www.wwech.co.uk

(Just click on the '17th December latest news' to have a look.)

Fundy

Fundy for the members meeting tonight is my hope that God shows your church the way.
Will you tell us how it went?

Praise the Lord, it went really well.

Numbers were obviously down, but the moderator (who is now staying on as our Moderator) led the meeting and a number of things were discussed including sharing out the jobs. People were very much together and the whole meeting felt really positive.

Thank you for your prayers everyone.

There's still a long way to go, but God's with us all the way.

Fundy

Looks like a nice, quaint church in a beautiful area. I'm surprised your council was only 3 people though. Even for a small church I'd think 5 min and 7 would be better.

May you all continue to seek God's direction through this healing and rebuilding process.