Things I Think…
1. I have made the point before that the only reason abusive leaders can remain in the church is because the church pays them to do so.
As I watch Mike and Pam Rozell try to raise up their scandal plagued “ministry” from the ashes (without any accountability for past actions) I feel compelled to make the point again.
2. If you support alleged abusers financially you are calling people who stood up to that alleged abuse liars…
3. If you deny that you’re calling them liars, then you are saying that what they suffered doesn’t matter…they should suffer silently for Jesus. You will understand someday is that Jesus is not on the side of the abusive…then it will be understood to your shame…
4. If you support alleged abusers financially you are affirming that you believe spiritual and emotional abuse of the flock at the hands of leaders is acceptable to you and you don’t care what the human cost is as long as it’s not at the cost of one of your idols…
5. You are also affirming that you do not believe there are any biblical standards for leadership except the ability to get you to pay them to do what they do…
6. If you support alleged abusers you are saying that any “leader” is more valuable than the people they’ve broken and you’re putting your money where your mouth is…
7. If you support alleged abusers financially you are paying them to continue that alleged abuse and break even more souls…
8. If you support alleged abusers financially you are complicit in their sin. You had the evidence and chose to keep supporting them anyway. The “blood” they may shed is on your hands now…
9. If you support any allegedly abusive ministry financially, you will give an account to God as to why you used what God gave you to finance the beating of the sheep…
10. Ignoring the heart cries of the broken while supporting abusive ministries is a sign of a seared conscience and being biblically illiterate. Make your own application…
I want to agree and having multiple reports of abuse make the case solid but why do you use the Pharisees “alleged abusers” so repeatedly if you are confident of the abuse.
It almost sounds like the feminist assertion to assume accusers are telling the truth. Again, accusations in the mouth of multiple accusers makes the case much more convincingly. Your comment would be helpful.
BD,
I am a poor man who cannot afford lawyers.
Therefore, I have to say what I need to say without incurring legal liability unnecessarily.
I don’t give a hoot in hell if it sounds like whatever current social trend disturbs someone…I have to be able to stay afloat here and personally and this is how I can do that.
These ministries love to litigate to silence people…
Somehow my typing of “phrase” got autocorrected to Pharisees – that was unintended. I think the case is compelling and I understand your response.
Thank you, BD…
I have been unable to do some things for awhile. Long story. However, I am blessed beyond words that you have continued to fight on behalf of the abused, Michael. We are so very grateful. I hope to catch up on all your postings as soon as I am able. AGAIN–THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE!
Amen to all, Michael!!
Good points all – add another amen
FWIW, it is one thing to be dogmatic, stern even, when presenting the Gospel from the pulpit and something quite different when the shepherd abuses his charges for his own personal gain… Can one be stern AND loving in presenting Gods truth? I think so. Pray always for discernment – at the very least
“As long as it’s not at the cost of one of your idols”.
Exactly, so true and terribly saddening.
May I refer the Rozells to Luke 17:2? The “little ones” in this case are any one of those who suffered abuse at the hands of the leaders, the Rozells. They may not be small children, but they are “children” no matter their age, if they sit under the Rozells. God calls those in ministry to a higher accountability and the Rozells are not being responsible to God or those they hurt.
I guess
Don’t vote then.
Michael…very apt! At a local Dr.’s office this last week, I overheard a woman on the phone in the bathroom. She had a troubling diagnosis and was calling to change her beneficiary….from a well-known, well-paid Sr. pastor in this town to her ex-husband. I was stunned…how many others leave behind everything to this celebrity pastor, not to the church, but to the pastor personally? I had never heard this before.
Linnea,
A lot of the big names have estate planners on staff now…lots of the guys on radio use this…
because i contribute a small sum twice a year to an Indian School i receive a multitude of junk mail, Christian-so-called (some are good i am sure) and others asking for money (i don’t give them any). Most of them offer to “help” me with my estate planning saying they have professional estate planners and recommend that i set up an annuity “giving me income for life” and giving them my money…. ugggh!
2.3.21 – This came up as a memory from 2020. Sadly, these things you thought stand the test of time…
Yes…unfortunately they do.