From a Pastor Who Himself Was Abused

[mary]

Here's what I got this morning from a pastor who, after being terribly spiritually abused himself, went to the seminary for the express purpose of becoming ordained and starting a ministry to people who'd suffered the same type of abuse. That's what he's doing now. (Yesterday I was "banned forever" from my particular denomination's message board and I wrote him about it.) I just wanted everyone who frequents this board to have a look at this; you may find something in it to comfort you - at least that's my prayer for you:

"...(my counsel) for you is one that I have grown to realise, and it hurts deeply.

"In the conflict of the kingdoms, light is against dark. There is a subtle counterattack being waged by the enemy of God's elect people. What amazes me is the sheer perfection of his lies and deception. Satan is the perfect antichrist: he is dark where Jesus is light; he is lies where Jesus is truth; he has ministers of unrighteousness and people who worship at his feet (2 Cor. 11:12-15).

"Now here is the painful bit. Those who move in discernment and the gifts of the Spirit (which is all those who are His) recognise this false church, though we struggle to fully comprehend the depth of it. So we must stand by and watch and minister the spirit of truth and grace as we are led. (Matthew 13:24-30.)

(He advised me to do no more, send no more letters, e-mails, etc.) "Sorry you have been so hurt. It is not fair and it is not just at all, and yet when I go through bouts of injustice, I recall what they did to my Lord. If we are following Him, then be glad He has counted you worthy, and found you not wanting, for from this barren wilderness you will find the oasis of His shalom. From there, you will bring others to drink..."

So there is one decent pastor - at least! - in the mostly God-forsaken, devil-ruled European country in which he is a pastor. I thank the Lord for ministers like him...

Shalom shalom (perfect peace!) to all,

mary

[Jerry]

Dear Mary,,,
Going right along with what this man wrote to you....In "English" we define Anti as meaning or implying against.In the "Greek" text in which Paul wrote however;"Anti" means "Instead of" or "Disguised as".At least you have found a decent Pastor to corrispond with it would appear that this guy "Gets It" ;) I think I could like him :D
Love Jerry

[molehills]

That is really helpful. It's nice to know that there is at least one.

[hornblower]

Believe me when I tell you abuse to ministers of the gospel is frequent and I have been 'led' often to minister to them, if you can imagine that Mary? The first time I was really aware of that particular thing happening to me I was driving by my Mothers church and I felt God prompting me to go in and visit the pastor there.

I thought I must be having a mental breakdown. lol. After many times of this happening I finally called this man not knowing him at all. I had talked to my Mother about seeing him and she then shared a little of what I found out had been happening. The entire church was after this poor man.

I had been praying a little prayer for My Mothers church for years, not really thinking it would ever do any good. haha. It was a Baptist church, a southern baptist church, and my mother had gone to that same church for years and years.

I am very ashamed to say that I felt like I was 'beyond' some other churches at this time. I was in a very spiritual charismatic church at the time (that really kicked my casorkas later) (another abuse situation) I dont think it will ever really stop only get worse if we keep going on with God and stick our neck out. Ive got a very long neck...........

Now I know better. Theres never a beyond anything! My horrific spiritual pride! yukeedoosky! Anyway finally I went to see this man. He was trying to get people to come down to the front for prayer after the service. That was exactly what I had been praying for. The entire congregation, with the exception of my sweet heart Mother was persecuting him for doing this. He was in tears, this poor man. They were harassing his wife and his children if you can imagine. They succeeded in throwing him out in the end.

I prayed with him as he wanted us to do and he felt so relieved just to know that God had sent me to him. In my ignorance I believed he was going to help me and he did because I am here to tell you.......anyone who is going on with God will get persecuted in some way. Your pastor friend is so right on. In any case we are really here to help each other right?

Since that time this same thing has happened to me three other times. Many pastors have been abused by their own ranks and their own congregations. Its all a power struggle.
Darkness and Light most definitely. What a blessing for you Mary that this dear man reached out to you and Im sure that helps him too. Its as it should be. We are only following in Gods footsteps after all. If it happened to Jesus and they called Him beelzebulb what do you think they will call us?

[SpinningHead]

because I am here to tell you.......anyone who is going on with God will get persecuted in some way.

This statement validates so much of what hubby & I went through w/ our church...I said something similar to my pastor several times as we were going through it..."When you're really doing exactly what God wants you to, things get weird from the most unexpected places and people". He would just look at me blankly or mumble something that sounded affirming but I never felt that it was.

[mary]

Okay, everyone, if you're interested in this pastor's website, here's a link to it:

http://www.gardenofrenown.blogspot.com.

Uh, I don't know if this'll come out as a link or just an address - I'm still getting used to using this website... Anyway, I've been blessed by it - and by my e-mails from him, certainly! He is such a godly man who really understands what we've all been through. He has a genuine heart for people who've been abused in churches. Too bad there doesn't seem to be such a church presence and/or particular ministry on this side of The Pond... :( Maybe someday, there will be!

mary

[Carmen]

I think that pastor is right. A gospel that doesn't include that bit, that Christians may suffer as Christ did, isn't the gospel. Isn't it interesting how many of us suffered even before we were Christians too?

[mary]

Isn't it interesting how many of us suffered even before we were Christians too?

AMEN, Carmen... The Lord was getting us ready then; He was preparing to reel us in. What boundless love He has for us, that He would let us see that now! :)

mary

[hornblower]

Jesus saw us in our situations (of abuse and so forth)and knew we needed Him. Ive been sort of meditating on this thought this morning..........people who dont want to come to the light have something to hide. Thats what the word says. Lol. I think of my little puppy I have now. He pooped in the living room yesterday and I was upset with him for it of course. He hides under furniture or where ever he can go.....he knows what he did.

[mary]

Yes, Hornblower. I've been thinking how sad it must be to be my former "pastor:" with a heart hardened against all who might bless him or whom he might bless; hating the Lord Jesus Christ; having to get up twice every Sunday and preach meaningless drivel that only demeans Jesus and never exalts Him; taking old ladies out to lunch and "charming" them so that they'll write him checks so he can buy more "toys," like expensive SUVs... Heaping up ultimate destruction for himself with everything he does. This is a sinful, Christless existence that's only a shadow of the horrible eternity he faces, unless the Lord turns him from it.

At least, the Lord took each of us away from our respective abusive churches, and while He may not yet have put us in a real church yet - there are so few out there - we're not subject to abusers anymore...

He gets the praise and heartfelt thanks for that, doesn't He? :)

mary