I live in Florida, too!  (I posted on the thread about the "spooky" pastor, but I didn't want to say where I lived for fear of having someone that knows about our church to run into my post!)  We live in a small world!

Thanks to all for replying.  I wanted so much to share my concerns with other Christians.  That's why I joined your forum group.  I got the courage to talk to an elder's wife who I love very much and whose walk I admire.  She said she too was worried about what seems to be going on and told me that if our fears are correct there is a way that the presbytery of our area can take back the church.  I'm not aware of how that goes.  It's all a matter of time to see what happens.

Thanks for your advice and most of all, prayers for spiritual protection and discernment.  What I wanted was validation that this is not Biblical doctrine that this pastor appears to be following.  And so far, from your replies and the opinions of several others at our school, we're all arriving at the same conclusion.

God bless you!! 

 

Thanks for replying, Pastor Roger.

Our church is a very small one, and there are about five elders.  Almost all of them are quite elderly and I know that he caters to them for the time being.  He told me he didn't want to have a praise band for a while until the older members get used to him.  For now he hires professional musicians who play classical music during the service.

The church was bankrupt financially and the presbytery allowed this new pastor (non-denominational) to take over.  He raised money on his own and basically salvaged the church.  The pastor has had informational meetings with the congregation, but what spooks me is that he'll make very broad announcements about his plans while telling a few people here and there about his true intentions.   Also, I forgot to mention that the new pastor is a former actor (who is still part of an acting troupe, they have begun to attend the church, of course) who became ordained not too long ago.  Just that alone makes me wonder.

Thanks for your advice.  I actually don't want to confide my concerns to the elders for fear of recrimination from the pastor.  I'm the music teacher at the school and I'm grateful to be able to teach the children true Christian music and the love of Christ.  The former organist/pianist of the church was fired by him only two months ago because she disagreed with him.   It's a shame.   The new pastor also got some of his "investors" (as he calls them) to donate $300 for my program as well.  I want to at least finish this school year. 

 I was very happy because I thought he really wanted to build a bridge between the school and church and we can do this through school musical programs and having the children sing occasionally on Sundays.  Now, as I wrote on the first post, I'm afraid of becoming a part of this secular cultural arts center that will masquerade as a church.  I'm going to keep praying about this and I thank you for your prayers as well.  I pray that the Lord will put a shield around us and make any darkness come to the surface.  I think I have answered my own questions.....  What comes from darkness will eventually come out into the open.

Thanks, Pastor Roger for helping me out

I need the discernment of my Sisters-in-Christ!

Our church (which is of the Presbyterian denomination) was recently given over to be led by a minister who is making drastic changes to the entire church, including the teaching of the children.  I am a teacher at the church's school (grades PreK-junior high) as well.   When our new pastor arrived, I was very excited about all the plans that he had in store for the church.  I told him that hardly any of the parents of our school are members of the church and how good it would be to have the school children become more involved with the church on Sundays as well, not just on chapel days on Wednesdays.   Anyway, he assured me that he would work on getting a children's ministry program and children's church program as well.   What I found a bit disconcerting at the beginning was the way he would use me to get information about the school, what the other teachers were thinking about him, etc.   Since I am one of the few teachers that attend church, I was happy that he seemed interested in our school, that he wanted to revive our "dwindling congregation."

To make a long story short, I have now learned that he does not want our school children nor the children at his newly-formed children's Sunday school program to learn the Ten Commandment or Bible stories.  His rationale is that children aren't ready for the "core" of Biblical learning.    I am flabbergasted and angry all at the same time.  He says he wants to "do away with religion" because it has ruined us.  At first I believed that he meant that he wants to lead to worship the Lord in truth and not just go through "religious rites,"  etc.  But, now, I'm begiinning to wonder if this fellow is a wolf in sheep's clothing.  He has hired only outsiders to work with him at his new church.  He has given the church a secular name:  City Church.   He plans to redo the entire church into a center to "appreciate the arts."   Where is Jesus in all of this?    I honestly feel a bit frightened now whenever I see him.  He is not honest or open about his true plans for the congregation.  He gives bits and pieces of information here and there and is secretive.  He actually told me not to tell anyone that he plans to have wine tasting parties and art exhibits in our church chapel.  That chapel was our town's first church back in the early 1900's and now it will be turned into a drinking hall?   

There's more, but I would use up too much space.   I am in a state of shock and disillusionment.  Several of the other teachers have told me that they have had their suspicions all along and that I had him up on a pedestal because he calls himself a minister.   I am a very open person and oftentimes too trusting and naive.   What can I do?  I definitely do not want to help form a bridge between my students and this "new church" if the children are not being led through Christ in the proper way.   

Advice please

My dear Sister-in-the-Lord,

I, too, have endometriosis, and I suffered three miscarriages in between the two children that I was able to have.  God can do miracles, we all know that.  You only need one ovary to get pregnant, so we need to pray for protection over the healthy one. I pray that you get the proper medical attention that you need.  If it weren't for modern medicine (and faith, of course) my little Jacob would not be with us. 

A lot of people don't believe in alternative medicine, but I know that Dong Quai root (taken as a capsule or tea) is very good at regulating the menstrual cycle and used for overall female health.  I tried it for a while and it did help with the back pain and all other endo symptoms.  You can get this at any health food store or a major supermarket.  Yams are good, too.

You are in my prayers,