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Title: Save new believers from bad church leaders? Post by: GearMaven on May 21, 2005, 10:25:35 PM What can one do about a pastor or exec director of a church community who continually abuses his responsibilities as church leader, resigns, creates another church, and starts it all over again?
David Moore was pastor of the Southwest Community Church in La Quinta, CA. His story is discussed here by former church members and staff http://www.christians4truth.com/ (http://www.christians4truth.com/). Suffice it to say, the former pastor of SWCC was exposed by a husband in a divorce case as having been in a hot tub with his wife and the other husband's wife with both women at least topless if not nude. Of course, upon further investigation, financial abuses were discovered as well; in fact, he took a donated Mercedes to his private place in Hawaii, bought a Harley with a church check but registered it in his name. And on and on it goes. Now he has started a new church http://www.newcommunitycv.com/ (http://www.newcommunitycv.com/) and the newspaper reports a suspicion land deal http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050520/NEWS01/505200333&SearchID=73208769252398 (http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050520/NEWS01/505200333&SearchID=73208769252398). Does anyone have any ideas on what people in the community can do? I cannot fathom why he has any followers at all, except to say that he is a very attractive, terrific speaker...lots of devoted ladies in his congregations. But this is frightening for the influence he can have on new believers, for the damage he can do to people financially and spiritually, and for the bad name he gives to other Christians. Any ideas? Title: Re:Save new believers from bad church leaders? Post by: JudgeNot on May 22, 2005, 01:04:12 AM GearMaven – welcome to ChristiansUnite!
You may be hard pressed to find many folks here willing to get involved in the internal politics of an individual congregation. I didn’t go to any of your links – your post is almost too much like ‘gossip’ which I avoid. (I’m not accusing you of gossip – I just don’t want to go down a road that may lead there…) However, even though I’ve not read through all the evidence you present, I can still offer this advice: Read and meditate on the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. I can guarantee you that one or more of the letters will address the situation at your congregation, then you will have Jesus' advice as to how to fix it. :) It actually brings up a whole new question: Should we attempt to “fix” a “broken” congregation or should we let a “broken” congregation dissolve so it may be absorbed into other congregations who may be more focused on the Lord? God bless – I’ll pray for God to give you the wisdom necessary to move on one way or the other. His will be done! JN Title: Re:Save new believers from bad church leaders? Post by: Tibby on May 22, 2005, 04:14:27 AM I don't think their is much one can do (barring things that might involve jail time, of course ;D ) Just pray, ask God is reveal truth.
Title: Re:Save new believers from bad church leaders? Post by: lexrexus on May 26, 2005, 12:08:23 AM Hi! W/out rereading, I think your concern was to keep this abuser from harming the Christian community further; and you were seeking a means to enforce accountability. Unfortunately, the 'Church' is so fragmented there is no cooperation on much of anything, let alone enforcing real righteousness in an independent 'Church,' that I know of.
And w/out personal hard evidence and/or sufficient witnesses for civil action you are left w/leaving it to God, He'll get him; however, you have an obligation under God to steer those you know away, if you KNOW the allegations to be factual. Sins we witness and don't oppose, we are guilty of. Being concerned is a good sign! |