New pastor doesn't want us to teach the children Bible stories!

[frogsfriend]

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

[Soldier4Christ]

Hi frogsfriend,

Welcome to Christians Unite. I am definitely not one of the sisters here but I felt led to say something here anyway.

First of all I wish to ask where the Deacon(s) are and are they aware of the ministers plans? If not they should be made aware of it. There is a means we are taught in the Bible in which we are to handle such things. You seem to have already taken the first step of talking to the minister about this. The next is to discuss this with the deacon(s)/elders of the church. The next step would be to bring it to the attention of the congregation, preferrably at a church meeting.

[frogsfriend]

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

[airIam2worship]

Hello again frogsfriend I already welcomed you in another thread,  . Sister after everything you have described, I wouldn't stay at that church. If God's purpose is for you to finish school He will provide for you the school and the resources. After everything you have said about the new minister or pastor, I wouldn't stay there at all. Please pray about it sister, and I too will be praying for you and those in your congregation that want to partl You are right to me he sounds like a sheep in wolves clothing.
Love in Christ,
Maria

[Soldier4Christ]

Non-denominational? ....  sounds more like universalist. I fully understand your hesitation on presenting this and your concerns for the children. I am sure you already know what the Lord says on refusing to let the little ones come to Him. In my opinion that is what is happening here.

[airIam2worship]

Not just taking the right for children to learn about God's Word, but what a poor excuse saying they are too young to learn..... uh uh....God's Word says to teach them when they are young.

And taking Praise music away?? ...... Replacing it with classical music?? Oh NO NO NO NO !!!   

What will he do next tell you not to pray and to leave you Bibles at home 

[nChrist]

Hello FrogsFriend,

I haven't had a chance to welcome you, so WELCOME!

I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite. I'm looking forward to reading your posts and having fellowship with you.

Bluntly, I must say that your pastor is wrong, and it appears that he is more interested in the things of the world than the things of the LORD.

It's a well-known fact that children understand much more than what we think they do. If they can't read or talk yet, why not learn with the beautiful truth from the LORD? This is the tried and trusted way for Christian parents for centuries. I also remember the little Christian coloring books, the flannel graph lessons, and many other things that are used to teach children about JESUS. By the way, Christians Unite has an excellent area for children called "ChristiansUnite KIDS". You will see a menu item for this on the left side of your page. Please take a look when you get a chance.

I hope you don't mind me being blunt in trying to answer your question. If he has these feelings about what should or should not be done with children, there will probably also be WORLD thinking for the rest of the church. The things of the LORD come first!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Matthew 25:35-40  NASB  'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

[danielleenbody]

Yikes, I hate to be blunt....but sounds like the anti-christ.....just in church setting instead of government.

[frogsfriend]

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!! 

 

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen.

Yes there is a way. I will continue to pray for you all.

[beautifulworshiper]

Beware of someone who does not want to teach The Word of God from the Bible. That is not right and I will pray for boldness and for your eyes to be open to the truth of this church and the motives and intentions of there hearts...Blessings...

[Brother Jerry]

Frogsfriend,

I had not had a chance to welcome you, so let me do so now.  Welcome to the forums.

I can only echo that which has already been said here.  There is a way to get the church back.  If not only from the Presbytery but from the congregation. 

I will join in with the others in prayer for you as well.

[HisDaughter]

Leave that church and don't look back.

[MissInnocent]

I couldn't agree more!

Get outta there and find a real church!