Psalm 56:9b – – 11

This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can man do to me?

An Interim Saga…

I have been an Intentional Interim Pastor since my call into ministry almost thirty years ago. Most have been exceptionally great experiences, some not so great. Yet, I know that all have been what the Lord has called me to do and be. And that has been all I have asked of myself – to follow where Jesus would lead me.

One such Intentional Interim was unforgettable.

The elders terminated my one year contract after eight months. Why? They said it was because I wasn’t fulfilling my duties as outlined on it – but they never told me what I wasn’t doing.

Actually, I know it was a deed done by the pastoral assistant and one of the elders. Apparently I wasn’t doing what these two people wanted me to do. Both are what is known as charismatic.

The church had about thirty very vocal charismatics in a congregation of over five hundred members. Ah, yes! Charismatics can do such damage to the congregation, leaders and pastors. I have been gone from this congregation for quite some time.

I was informed of my termination by two Board elders, on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. The “news” was to be given to the congregation on Palm Sunday. The Board also requested that I preach my last sermon on Easter Sunday, as it was too late to find someone to preach that Sunday.

I was terminated (they don’t fire pastors, they are terminated) during the two Sunday morning services, telling me they wanted to inform the congregation before I gave the Benediction. The elders “announced” they had an announcement to give to the members. All twelve elders of the Board, came and stood in the front of the church as one elder read their statement that they were terminating my contract. The gasp that came from the congregation was telling. At least twenty people left the sanctuary after the first service. Fifteen after the second service.

After the benediction, I was unprepared for the emotion of the members. They were crying and angry. The elders were cornered and asked many questions, among them, why they would choose to do THIS deed on Palm Sunday. The elders said little in response to their statement with the members.

I believe they were totally unprepared for the congregational response to my termination. After all, I had only been there for nine months. AND, the former pastor had been there twenty six years. His style of pastoring was to let everyone do what they wanted to do. Especially his ten member staff. He offered little instruction to his staff and, that, I believe is were I failed – I asked the staff to do what their contracts and job descriptions outlined for them.

Instant animosity.

I believe early on, a ‘trigger’ to the termination, was the affection the members showed toward me. It was especially so, for the two staff who had over twenty years of their lives invested in their ‘ministries’ in the church. Jealously is terrible and does such damage.

One member of the staff was on the committee that called me to the church. This is typically how certain staff came to have such power and were able to control the church. The other was an elder on the Board. The elder is a psychiatrist and one of the most confused people I have ever known. The father had sexually abused this elder. Most of this elder’s time is spent on the floor in prayer anytime and everywhere. This elder comes to the church at 2 AM and spends the night laying flat on the floor, in a prayer room, placing the cross outside the room. This elder consistently requests that the cross be removed from the sanctuary – actually get rid of them all. After all, if an LDS person came in, it would be offensive to them. This I think is where I got into trouble – I told the elder I didn’t ever want to hear about doing such a deed. Among other things this elder wanted was to change the name of the church – the place-name was one of the gods of myth. And – excommunicate all the Masons in the church, especially those on the Board, because they are worshiping satan. These issues have been driving this elder for over three years and is adamant about them. Manipulation is the name of this elder’s game. Power and control is number one with this elder, witness what was accomplished in getting me terminated.

The elder, together with the staff person, were able to accomplish this. I’ve never known anyone being more vindictive. This elder has now filed charges against me, insisting that I need counseling so that I do not ever do this damage to another church.

One major detail for me personally. I was VERY glad to get away from one of the members – (spouse of the pastoral assistant! ) – who was making advances toward me….I do follow my gut feelings when these occurrences happen.

For many reasons, I was exceedingly glad to leave this church. During my time there, I was in a support group of pastors which was chaired by an excellent counselor from a Counseling Center. They all helped, encouraged and prayed for me.

I came out of retirement to be an Intentional Interim in this church and am now back into retirement. And I am enjoying every moment of it!

Yes, this is still a fresh event in my mind. And I pray for this congregation and elders – often.

But, I KNOW that I was called to that particular church and did exactly what the Lord sent me there to do.

And in His grace I stand.