LETTER TO TBC

Editor's note: TBC receives many calls and letters of persons (church staff and laity) that are faced with fundamentalism on a personal front. The following is an example. We have altered the letter to maintain anonymity of the writer and the church.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Please add our names to your mailing list. A relative gave me your September newsletter. Besides the $ 35.00 fee, I have enclosed a contribution for your general fund.

I am in a battle with our pastor of four years over his role at our church. As a long-term deacon and teacher, I have never encountered such a pastor. I believe we have called a fundamentalist without knowing what we were getting into.

I had the privilege of serving with our previous pastor for more than 15 years. My church has been both my sanctuary and place of refuge since we joined in the 70s. My wife is active in the ministry of our church and I continue to lead and teach. Your recent newsletter had many messages that provided encouragement in this time of struggles. I am sharing the newsletter with many other deacons here. Some very important points that have helped:

1) God's Lighting Rods by David Currie -- "The battle for freedom never ends. It must be won by each new generation because the nature of sin always produces a new generation of persons who seek to control and dominate." WOW!

2) Co-Chair thoughts from Jerold McBride "The fundamentalist personality has to destroy what it cannot control." I now better understand how to define "fundamentalist."

I am praying daily for the servant's heart. I am lifting my pastor up in the same prayers. I know I need to humble myself and serve others as Jesus did. It seems our church and others have turned the local church organization upside down.

The Scriptural Organization: Congregation> Deacons> Staff > Pastor

The Fundamentalist Organization: Pastor> Staff> Deacons> Congregation

The Scriptural Model assumes the servant heart in the pastor and staff.

I fully support your mission statement. My wife and I feel as if we are fighting the battle of our Christian lives to return our church to a proper relationship within the Kingdom.

In Christ's Service,

A New Member of TBC