THE TRUTH CAN BE STRANGER THAN FICTION

At TBC we have heard of fundamentalist  pastors setting the rules for the congregation and asking long standing Sunday School teachers for their immediate resignations (mainly women who were teaching when men happen to be in attendance), but we seldom have seen "the pastor as ruler" attempted in such a blatant manner as the following.  We will not give the name of the pastor or the church as it is not our desire to bring embarrassment to either.

The following is an excerpt from a letter to Sunday School workers.  Due to space limitations we include portions from the introduction and the fifth "element" without scriptural references.

"Please be informed that inherent to serving in any leadership position in the Lord's church are several basic expectations which will be required of you both to possess and maintain.  Serving in a place of leadership requires the following elements:"

"5.  Faithful support of and submission to the pastoral leadership of the church (the Pastor and pastoral staff).  All church members are commanded by God's Word to support and submit to the pastoral oversight, which involves praying for them... and defending rather than prejudicing or damaging their good name.  Submitting to God's servants includes receiving their teaching with all readiness of mind and teachableness of spirit, yet with ultimate allegiance to the Word of God; humbly heeding their scriptural rebukes and warnings... and cheerfully embracing and abiding by their decisions regarding corporate policy in God's house, which is His church without complaining and murmuring even when differing with their judgment.

YES    NO

I will cheerfully comply with these expectations and continue in the following Sunday School position:    
  Signed ____________________________

October 1999