Am I wrong to feel this way?

[Praise him]

I attended a church for two years. This pastor was someone my father knew twenty years agp. I had a very difficult time three years ago and ended up in the hospital. I turned to this pastor because I thought he could help me. I believe he used my moment of weakness to try to manipulate me for money. He actually got nasty with me about it. I stood my ground. My father had warned me about how he is but I did not listen. He has lost like fifty members of his church for various reasons mostly because he is controlling. This same pastor runs a Bible college specifically designed to train one to be a pastor. While I was attending the church I pointed out to my wife the people this pastor would single out to lead into his school. All of them weak minded type people who allow this pastor to run their lives. A year later I have found out I was right. Is this a normal way for a pastor to operate? I feel as though he is a fraud and is using the profession to make money. He owns both the church and the school. I have also heard him make very unprofessional remarks and make remarks about pastors in my area being in it for the money. This pastor also gossiped to me about members in the church. I no longer felt comfortable there and got out once I found out he shared some of my personal info. I'm now afraid to trust the church as I have had three bad experiences in a row. It seems like I'm in some sort of warfare without many allies. I work in a blue collar environment and I'm a muscular guy but friendly. I do not gossip or say much about others. Seems like I have become a target lately and I do not understand why. I would appreciate any input or advice as I feel isolated outside my home.

[Flossie]

hmmmm....it's very unfortunate that you had these experiences. I have no real suggestions for you other than I'm praying for you, and you should pray yourself for the Lord to bring Godly people into your life and to guide you in finding a church you can trust.

Humans make mistakes...sometimes really bad ones. But God NEVER makes mistakes. If all else fails, the best Father you can hope for is there for you.

Just remember. You can feel sorry for this pastor, because whatever he has done, he has to face God, and he will have to pay even larger consequences than the rest of us, as he is a leader and has obviously led a lot of people astray.

Besides.....WE'RE your friends! :hug

[Paidfor]

No, It's not right and it's not the way the NT tells us that a church should be run. I'm not sure how one gets to own a church. I guess in my limited experience, the churches are run by a board of deacons and elders. Everyone has oversight and no one person has the last word.

I'm sorry this happened. I would say to keep on doing what you know to be right. Don't allow this to be an opportunity for Satan. People like this who damage the faith of others are doing the work of the devil. Most important is to pray and ask God to help you find His will in this situation.

I'm praying for you. :prayer

[Praise him]

No, It's not right and it's not the way the NT tells us that a church should be run. I'm not sure how one gets to own a church. I guess in my limited experience, the churches are run by a board of deacons and elders. Everyone has oversight and no one person has the last word.

I'm sorry this happened. I would say to keep on doing what you know to be right. Don't allow this to be an opportunity for Satan. People like this who damage the faith of others are doing the work of the devil. Most important is to pray and ask God to help you find His will in this situation.

I'm praying for you. :prayer

He started the church. He surrounded himself with people he can control. They never vote against him on anything. They sit up in front of the church and give the impression they are above everybody else. They remind me of the Pharisees. He recently wrote me and asked me why I left his church. He is smart and he knows exactly why.

[Paidfor]

Your in a tough spot. If you respond to his letter keep in mind that he will probably use it against you if he can. One thing you don't want to do is try to fight against him on his terms. Remember that what he wants to do is control you. If he gets you angry or causes you to act in an immoral way, he has won. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who use us. If you respond to him with love and forgiveness, then you will have won because he will have failed to control you. I'm saying that you should forgive him in your heart, but don't go back to that church.

Ask God for wisdom. He has promised us wisdom if we ask.

[Praise him]

Your in a tough spot. If you respond to his letter keep in mind that he will probably use it against you if he can. One thing you don't want to do is try to fight against him on his terms. Remember that what he wants to do is control you. If he gets you angry or causes you to act in an immoral way, he has won. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who use us. If you respond to him with love and forgiveness, then you will have won because he will have failed to control you. I'm saying that you should forgive him in your heart, but don't go back to that church.

Ask God for wisdom. He has promised us wisdom if we ask.

Thank you.

[4everHis]

I would not answer his letter. Sounds as if you made an intelligent and correct choice by leaving that church.

Good for you, you've moved on. Put the past in the past.

[Diane 1611]

One guy controlling everything sounds more like a cult to me than a church. You made a good decision leaving that so-called church. Praying that you will find a church that will meet your spiritual needs!

[humbleone]

One guy controlling everything sounds more like a cult to me than a church.

I agree!!

Also, I have heard it said that control like that is also a form of witchcraft. I am not saying your pastor is a witch, just saying that the spirit operating behind him in this area of being controlling, is NOT the Holy Spirit. It also sounds like he is bearing a lot of bad fruit... as Christians, we are to be lights on a hill, the salt of the earth and be bearing good fruit (John 15:5).

I would suggest praying and asking GOd for wisdom and also praying for this pastor. I am sorry you are having to go through this but God can work it all out for good too.... Romans 8:28

As to why you feel attacked, that could be because the enemy knows you are the real deal and thus perceives you as a threat. Of course he wants you to get frustrated and just give up. But it is a compliment in a weird sort of way, when we come under great attack. I dont think the enemy would spend his time on someone who wasnt or isnt going to be a threat to his kingdom of darkness.

God bless you,

humbleone

[Chronus]

Also, I have heard it said that control like that is also a form of witchcraft. I am not saying your pastor is a witch, just saying that the spirit operating behind him in this area of being controlling, is NOT the Holy Spirit.

Could you kindly elaborate on this? I have recently concluded that someone I know "has a controlling spirit". After this, I met someone who, after spending a couple of weeks with the "controlling" person, shared with me this same conclusion, even though I had not (and still have not) mentioned this concern to anyone. This new person also stated that this "controlling" person is dealing with a spirit of witchcraft.

Although I have always believed in demonic forces, spiritual warfare and such, I don't recall having to deal with these kinds of things in this fashion (perhaps a similar experience, but different). I'm also not comfortable with trusting my own feelings or hunches in this regard. How do we know that there is some connection between a "controlling spirit" and "witchcraft"? I don't see a direct comparison in Scripture, but I can't rule it out either because I simply don't know. Why do I conclude that this person has "a controlling spirit"? I don't have any direct proof, just a feeling that has developed over the years as I have had experiences with this person. As you have read, these recent "confirmations" keep popping up in my life (your post makes it #3).

[Flossie]

There are many people in this world who are what we call "control freaks". I know a couple of them myself. They are not witches, nor cult leaders....just people who are terribly insecure if they don't have a handle on everything in their lives. They need to know what's going on, how it's going, and what's coming. They want to know what you think and why you think it. If they don't know this information, they get very antsy.

I actually know someone who is instigating a lawsuit against someone because they didn't get the opportunity to tell that person off face to face. That obviously isn't what the lawsuit states, but I know that that's all it's about. All of it would have been avoided if the other person had just stood there and apologized and taken a verbal beating on the spot. The the "controller" would have been satisfied. Quite sad, really.

I believe the only time any of this can be called "evil" or "satan-controlled" is when this control is allowed to get "out-of-control". When the control freak tries to force one to think their way, or to do things their way or else the threats begin, is when you have to back off and say "whoa!"

:thumb

[humbleone]

Chronus,

You know what, I posted what I did and purposely didnt elaborate about the witchcraft because I myself, do not know! I have heard this before and now I feel I must find out how control and witchcraft are linked, since I did mention it in my post.

Let me get back to you, ok? I am going to ask someone who might know... because even as I posted it, I myself wondered the connection....

God bless,

humbleone

[architectlink]

a controlling pastor who is unbiblical will have to answer to God
a gossip is not a pastor trait

Run fast to a new church and steer clear of this dude...

praying for you