jimsmuse
05-09-2006, 01:39 PM
I read the "rules" thread and I realized I have been rude by not fully introducing myself to this forum. I apologize, and now allow me to do so.:o
In the thread "Abuse in Methodism" posted by Yeshua'smags I played the part of her sister in that drama and all that she shared there is true and there's more. I want to spare this forum more sad details so I will tell you this: for one brief, shining moment we made a difference!
Social and racial barriers were breached and God used us and let us see holy results even though the window was only open temporarily. If the "body" would only do what Jesus said we wouldn't need government programs, but that's another thread:mad:
I was the youth and children's ministry director for 11 years and then this new minister came and joined forces with what had been just a handful of hateful detractors. Then it became personal.
My husband was and is still the director of music. He and I and a small band of believers pulled off amazing things like creative worship experiences that tapped the talents of the underprivileged and the marginalized as the head wagging leadership gossiped and bullied.:confused: :(
The 4th,5th and 6th graders lead worship for last years Vacation Bible School. Over 100 children attended and it was the most succesful VBS in that place. I refer you again to "Abuse in Methodism" and read about the lice factor. I made the minister mad because a few of us wanted to make sure that a little 4 year old girl could still come to VBS despite the superstitions the ministers wife had about lice and their mythical ability to jump from one child to another even if the child had been treated. Well, from then on they set out to discredit me however they could.
A "friend" of ours, who also says he is friends with the minister, came to me and said my ministry there was over and I could come to work in his company in Human Resources. I could no longer watch my close friends (who were the Lay leader and Council chair at the time) go to bat for me and then be "lynched" time and again. I could no longer watch my sister and her husband be villified and drug through the mud, so I took the job. :(
Here I sit 8 mos. later and the crap is still there, my husband is still there (we can't afford for him to quit) my family is hurt, (my 17 year old son was in the middle of all of this)the music ministry my husband and I shared for 25 years is in limbo and when I remember the time, energy, finances, time lost as my children were growing up....the sacrifices.
Even though all those people I have mentioned have gone to another church, my poor husband is still up to his eyeballs in slander and undermining. He is really to be admired as the Lord uses him to uphold the people that are still there and afraid to leave for whatever reason. Even the District Superintendent doesn't want to "get involved". :confused:
I considered myself displaced on many levels, from my youth and children, my ministry with my husband, and the resentment and anger are overwhelming at times and my poor husband has to bear the brunt of it.
This past weekend, the Youth Worship Band played for a District Youth Retreat. My son is the lead singer/guitar player and there are a couple of other kids who play in the band whose families have left the church and the others are still there. It was very weird and awkward at first and then He came and allowed us to see before us the fruit of our labor and even though that was the last time they will all play together it was a graduation ceremony and not a funeral. I know on some level now that I have not been displaced, I have graduated......so, I suppose this will be a continuing saga that I would like to share with this forum.
Just like a good cliffhanger, stay tuned to see what God has up His sleeve;)
In the thread "Abuse in Methodism" posted by Yeshua'smags I played the part of her sister in that drama and all that she shared there is true and there's more. I want to spare this forum more sad details so I will tell you this: for one brief, shining moment we made a difference!
Social and racial barriers were breached and God used us and let us see holy results even though the window was only open temporarily. If the "body" would only do what Jesus said we wouldn't need government programs, but that's another thread:mad:
I was the youth and children's ministry director for 11 years and then this new minister came and joined forces with what had been just a handful of hateful detractors. Then it became personal.
My husband was and is still the director of music. He and I and a small band of believers pulled off amazing things like creative worship experiences that tapped the talents of the underprivileged and the marginalized as the head wagging leadership gossiped and bullied.:confused: :(
The 4th,5th and 6th graders lead worship for last years Vacation Bible School. Over 100 children attended and it was the most succesful VBS in that place. I refer you again to "Abuse in Methodism" and read about the lice factor. I made the minister mad because a few of us wanted to make sure that a little 4 year old girl could still come to VBS despite the superstitions the ministers wife had about lice and their mythical ability to jump from one child to another even if the child had been treated. Well, from then on they set out to discredit me however they could.
A "friend" of ours, who also says he is friends with the minister, came to me and said my ministry there was over and I could come to work in his company in Human Resources. I could no longer watch my close friends (who were the Lay leader and Council chair at the time) go to bat for me and then be "lynched" time and again. I could no longer watch my sister and her husband be villified and drug through the mud, so I took the job. :(
Here I sit 8 mos. later and the crap is still there, my husband is still there (we can't afford for him to quit) my family is hurt, (my 17 year old son was in the middle of all of this)the music ministry my husband and I shared for 25 years is in limbo and when I remember the time, energy, finances, time lost as my children were growing up....the sacrifices.
Even though all those people I have mentioned have gone to another church, my poor husband is still up to his eyeballs in slander and undermining. He is really to be admired as the Lord uses him to uphold the people that are still there and afraid to leave for whatever reason. Even the District Superintendent doesn't want to "get involved". :confused:
I considered myself displaced on many levels, from my youth and children, my ministry with my husband, and the resentment and anger are overwhelming at times and my poor husband has to bear the brunt of it.
This past weekend, the Youth Worship Band played for a District Youth Retreat. My son is the lead singer/guitar player and there are a couple of other kids who play in the band whose families have left the church and the others are still there. It was very weird and awkward at first and then He came and allowed us to see before us the fruit of our labor and even though that was the last time they will all play together it was a graduation ceremony and not a funeral. I know on some level now that I have not been displaced, I have graduated......so, I suppose this will be a continuing saga that I would like to share with this forum.
Just like a good cliffhanger, stay tuned to see what God has up His sleeve;)