[Fraggle84]

I ve been going to my church now for ten years, its where I became a christian. I know I belong here and I know its where the Lord wants me to be. Something has gone terribly wrong though, our church is getting smaller and any new people that come into the church aren't staying and the leader ship which is our pastor and his dad seem to see things in a different light to everyone else. Weve had our pastor now for three years and he became our pastor after a prophesy. He has hurt and said harsh things to people in our church that have been really vunerable and as a result have left, but he sees it as they have left because they were in sin and that God is sorting out the chaff. I dont want to moan but its been going on for so long there so much more to say but I dont want to run down my pastor. As I think about it now it all seems so wrong and I really want Gods direction. All of us that arent in the leadership are so scared to talk because we are told not to talk about anything thats not speaking faith as then your gossiping so we always feel so condemed! Our worship leader has been told not to prepare anything and that worship should be lead by the spirit and if you prepare then thats not being lead by the spirit. She is now tied in knots questioning herself all the time. There is no spiritual food, the sermons are most of the time angry and the greek 'hidden meanings' are being found and I just dont follow it, alot of the time we are being told " forget what you've heard before that was wrong" and that the bible translation is wrong. Its all so confusing and when people have talked to our pastor they ve been shouted down and the point gets twisted and you come away thinking that you are the one in the wrong, but then reading the word of God you know that your not wrong? aaaaaaargh its all such a mess, pls help???

[Sean]

Who is your pastor accountable to?

[Demon_Hunter]

Does your church have deacons? Do they posess any real power in your church?
Are there any "Elders" who are considered to have authority in matters concerning your specific church?

Most churches in my area have a system of Deacons or Elders who are in effect, the authorities at the church, and can in an emergency have a leader removed (or stop signing their paychecks...). Im wondering if your church may have a similar set up.

If so, take your greivances before the deacons or elders.

[Skeeter]

Is your church a member of a denomination? Does said denomination have a governing body? If so, this is something that should be taken up with them as well as the Deacons and Elders in the church.

[Fraggle84]

Thats the problem, we used to but our paster upset them or they left without a reason why. I suppose I just wanted some thoughts on what others would do. He sees himself as accountable only to God and whenever he is challenged by anyone he sees it their heart is not right and they are in sin. His bible knowlege is so in depth that he runs rings round everybody, but he doesnt really use it to teach peaple the simple and amazing truths of God he just seems to want to reach the intellectual.