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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 284 of 284QUESTIONS:
Are their deacon/deacons at Bellevue Baprist Church who have sent letters to a Mr.James Sunquist calling him a slanderer without giving him proof of such a judgement?
Is Mr. James Sunquist a radio host and author in the United States?
Is it possible that the news of an unproven claim might be broadcasted around the world if a deacon/deacons of Bellevue communicated this to Mr. James Sunquist?
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that Bellevue Baptist Church had been following the Purpose Driven Church plan for awhile?
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that they were required to take personality tests?
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that he should be complaining about Dr. Adrian Rogers instead of Dr. Steve Gaines if he had a problems with Rick Warren`s teachings at Bellevue?
Do any deacon/deacons point back to Dr. Adrian Rogers, to prove Dr. Steve Gaines is either right or better than Bellevue Baptist Church`s deceased pastor?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
Stevesservant said:
"who was first to make the FALSE accusation and got their "facts" WAY OFF about the $400 Ruth's Chris charge and many financial deals?? where that first "report" come from?"
The first reports of "financial deals" did not come from Mark Sharpe, if that is your implication.
The reports came from staff members in the business office who went to Mark (repeatedly). Like a good deacon should, Mark tried to investigate (quietly) and was met with a stonewall. When the leadership refused to answer his questions, what was he supposed to think? It is obvious the leaders gave the impression there was a problem, even if there wasn't one.
They should resign or be removed for putting us through this.
This was and still is about power. Nothing more, nothing less.
I said:
"They should resign or be removed for putting us through this."
They = Dr. Gaines, Harry Smith, Chuck Taylor.
And possibly John Caldwell, John Crockett, and Wayne Vandersteeg.
None of these individuals or there wives, children, or employees should serve on the new pastor search committee
my point was the "intel" was WRONG no matter where it came from.
HisServant said...
mom4: what financial issues still remain?
For one, I have repeated asked if the deacons were shown the actual invoices for ALL of the credit cards or just a power point presentation, and I have asked if there were other charges that were billed as separate invoices -(not on a credit card), and I have asked if the credit card statements for VISA, MC and AMEX were all presented.
No one has bothered to answer me yet?
Can you?
i love my church: PLEASE change your name.
we had a WONDERFUL search committee and they did a GREAT job.
now you through out other names, to slander them also? you have NO grounds.
the tone of your posts tell me and others all we need to know. why such angry posts?
i love my church said:
"They should resign or be removed for putting us through this."
They = Dr. Gaines, Harry Smith, Chuck Taylor.
And possibly John Caldwell, John Crockett, and Wayne Vandersteeg.
None of these individuals or there wives, children, or employees should serve on the new pastor search committee
12:54 PM, November 16, 2006
Reply,
Maybe we can add itoldyoui'mnotsteve'sservant to the list, if he's a deacon or administrator. his lack of disearnment and refusal to open his eyes alone qualify.
Also, AMEN about the search committee. Are we going to need a search committee for the search committee? It's going to be a labor filling those seats correctly.
A.
QUESTION:
Did rhe pastor ever state that blogging was wrong?
Did rhe pastor ever state that bloggers were doing the work of the devil or anything like that?
Did rhe pastor ever state that those who oppose him in anyway are of the devil or anything like that?
Did rhe pastor ever state that he has nothing to do with blogs?
Have any deacon/deacons or staff from Bellevue Baptist Church been assigned or asked to follow the posts on thsi blog and report or give information back to the staff?
Have any deacon/ deacons ever blogged on this blog.
If so, have they discussed church business?
Did rhe pastor or his staff or any deacon/ deacons ever ask anyone not to blog or read the blog or the saving Bellevue site?
Are there any deacon/ deacons or Bellevue staff that just read the blog or saving Bellevue site?
Does the pastor read the blog or blog himself?
Does he read the saving Bellevue site?
Did a deacon/ deacons ever sent a leeter to any member of Bellevue or non-member asking them not to write messages on this blog?
Did any member of Bellevue or non-member ever honor that request?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
Steveservant, I suspect I am hitting a little too close to home for you. It is hard seeing your name bandied about isn't it?
I am only throwing out the names of the folks who run the church. It is time for new leadership. I am sure there are others who should step aside too. However, that would be a good start.
I've been here a very long time and I do love my church! I am not angry. I go where the facts lead me. There is nothing difficult about any of this. It is only difficult because we have to see through the fog created by our leaders. The issues themselves are simple. Get all the truth on the table and let the members decide. So far that has not happened.
uturn posted:
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that they were required to take personality tests?
REPLY: i am not sure if anything has been told to the guy you mentioned, but it is NOT true!
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that he should be complaining about Dr. Adrian Rogers instead of Dr. Steve Gaines if he had a problems with Rick Warren`s teachings at Bellevue?
REPLY: not sure if anyone told the guy you mentioned anything, but we did go through the book, small groups, and other stuff under Dr. Rogers and NOT Brother Steve.
About my name, I was using this name a month ago and I was posting first. I rather like my name.
I will, however, sacrifice it immediately for the greater good if you will change yours to "stevesservant." After all, stevesservant is a much more apt description.
Please let me know if we have a deal.
Other possible names for hisservant:
gainesguy or stepforddeacon
QUESTIONS:
Did any search committee member ever have relatives who were later placed in position at the churhc by the pastor?
Did the search committee hear Dr. Steve Gaines say that he would make no changes for at least a year?
Did Dr. Steve Gaines tell the search committee that he did not want to take the position at Bellevue as pastior?
Did the search committee take Dr. Steve Gaines at his word?
Did the seach committe try to change Dr.Steve Gaines` decision by asking again?
How many times did the search committee ask Dr. Steve Gaines to be Bellevue`s new pastor?
Did Dr. Steve Gaines state to his flock at Gardendale that he would be their pastor until he stopped pastoring?
Are there members of Gardendale who feel betrayed by Dr. Steve Gaines?
Did anyone at Bellevue Baptist Church ever call Dr. Steve Gaines and try to convince him to be Bellevue`s pastor?
Is Jamie Parker related in anyway to any search committee member?
Have any members of the search committee been placed in a position of answering concerning questions that related to Dr. Steve Gaines or his ministrys?
Are any members of the search committee concerned about the issues now having to be faced at Bellevue?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
wonder where the leader of the blog is??
i love my church: many get emotional and say things they do not mean etc. your posts are full of anger and disrespect among other things. you and housewife seem to enjoy taking things to the personal level and dispecting others.
there is NOTHING that could make me stoop to the level you and many others are on.
more disrespect and venom. i am done addressing you. show your true colors all you want.
Hisservant,
I'm not angry at you. I feel very hurt with all that is happening at our church. You equate anger with asking questions you don't want asked. Now who's libeling who?
This won't dissuade us. We will get to the truth. Light, brothers, light. Not darkness!!
A.
BTW, does this mean you'll stop picking on me? I'm just a woman.
mom4 posted: For one, I have repeated asked if the deacons were shown the actual invoices for ALL of the credit cards or just a power point presentation, and I have asked if there were other charges that were billed as separate invoices -(not on a credit card), and I have asked if the credit card statements for VISA, MC and AMEX were all presented.
No one has bothered to answer me yet?
Can you?
REPLY: so you asked the Committee and they did not answer you?? they have ALL the info. Visa? does not exist. Brother Steve goes above and beyond in the area of finances. if you really wanted the ANSWERS you would have them by now.
you could have fooled me. if you are not angry etc, then why make things personal and be so disrespectful?? and don't ask me to list things, you know exactly what you have said. your posts and others are full of the stuff.
so, you think you are the only one "hurting"???
please do not be used and deceived by all that is going on!!
I have submitted my request via the proper forms to the Communications Committee and I have not heard a "peep" from anyone. I sent it in as soon as the forms were made available which was close to being within the first weeks of the Committee's formation.
And the church does have a VISA because I have seen one not too long ago, or they did at one point. Has it been cancelled and the account closed? If so, when.
MKW,
I did indeed ask Derrick Calcote and did not find a reply in this blog. If you do find it, please tell me when and where it is and I will apologize.
Thanks for your input.
uturn: you throwing out questions that are in know way warranted is very very bad and harmful.
HisServant answers this question:
Did a deacon/deacons tell Mr. James Sunquist that they were required to take personality tests?
REPLY: i am not sure if anything has been told to the guy you mentioned, but it is NOT true!
Here is the evidence that does not agree with hisservant`s answer.
Date: 10-20-2006
To: Mr. James Sunquist
From; Mr. Derrick Calcote who is a deacon of Bellevue Baprist Chruch
___________________
I quote Mr. Derrick Calcote in part:
"Furthermore for your information, you may or may not be interested to know that our former pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers took our church through "The Purpose Driven Life." Dr. Rogers also took the staff through "The Purpose Driven Church." Dr. Gaines has not even read either of these books.
Also it was under our former pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers that we started taking personality tests and spiritual gifts tests. One wonders why you did not and do not choose to attack Dr. Rogers for these things, but see fit to attack our current pastor."
Sorry if you don't like it. I am not mad or full of venom. Far from it.
No, what you are witnessing is someone having fun at your expense. I am toying with you. There is a big difference between having fun and misusing the Bible and angrily shouting down the forum, which is what you do. You SHOUT and promise you know the TRUTH when you obviously do not.
Oh, I am in the church right now and others are standing around my desk and we are laughing at the nameless faceless you. We have made fun of you for two days solid. Each of us has written down our guess as to who you are. Those names I mentioned earlier who should step aside were the names we guessed. You would die if you knew who I am or who all is laughing at you.
We find it fun to toy with you like you men have been toying with this great church the last few months. The deacons are not united and the staff is not united. You helped cause this and your actions in the forum are not promoting unity.
ok. just what I already said. that does NOT say Deacons take those "tests". I think Derrick had some great points.
you here all this stuff about Rick Warren on here and they blame it on Brother Steve and never say word about Dr. Rogers. why???
because this is about people and their dislike of Brother Steve and NOT the "issues".
and again, people saying Bellevue is a seeker friendly, Rick Warren church is both funny and sad. NO facts as usual.
I love my church said:
Sorry if you don't like it. I am not mad or full of venom. Far from it.
I can't tell if you're being serious or not. I quoted your first statement, now why don't you go read the rest of your own post? It looks like your last post is dripping with hate to me...
thanks cary. i thought it was obvious as well
at my expense? that says it all. again, i am done addressing you
HisServant said..
.
uturn: you throwing out questions that are in know way warranted is very very bad and harmful.
UTURN KINDLY REPLIES:
Thank you for your thoughts.
AND REQUESTS that hisservant no longer participate in answering any further questions in order to avoid any guilt or sin from taking part in something you don`t agree with.
Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
"During the Ice Age, a lot of animals froze to death. The porcupines recognised their predicament and decided to form a group. Thus they would be able to keep one another warm and to protect themselves. However, by being so close together, they wounded each other with their quills, and so each went his own way.
"Again, porcupines froze to death. Thus, they had to make a choice, forever disappear from the earth, or accept each other's quills.
Very wisely, they decided again to search protection for one another.
"They learned to live together despite the wounds they got by their mutual nearness, because the warmth of the other was more important. The porcupines survived."
Can we?
How much longer must all of this go on?
ilovemychurch,
Can we try to guess who you are? :) If I bleat (baaaa) at you on Sunday, will you baaaa back?
uturn,
Very provacative questions - I notice no one has answered everything yet, but I'm getting the feeling that wasn't your point in posting them.
hisservant,
your loyalty oath tattoo is showing.
I am not mad whatsoever, just tired of seeing your proverbial broken-record posts. You repeatedly berate the fine Christians of this church you disagree with. Based on my windsock, you are beating up on half the church, maybe more. Some of the staff still care about ALL of our church.
You and those like you should be careful what you say. It is no wonder the sheep are scattered. Your damage control is pushing our church out the door. I don't remember any classes in seminary that taught your idea of maintaining church unity.
Maybe I succumbed to mob mentality and had fun at your expense.
Maybe I should lose the sarcasm.
Maybe you should drop the sanctimonious tone and work on actually reconciling the church instead of worrying about what is said on the internet.
Karen: so you love to attach personally as well?
for the record, there is no loyalty oath.
as with the mark sharp deal last night. i said I was sorry to him.
are you sorry??
the "oath" part is a lie. do you and others want to continue to spread a lie?
i have asked more than once what is so bad about what I have posted?? it is simple, I do not post what you want to hear. I do not help your "cause". i do not bring the juicy gossip and rumors.
and PLEASE do not blame your anger and attitude on me or anyone else. you are in control of your own attitude. like I have already stated, I am hurting to, but would never stoop to the personal attacks and level many on here have.
there are no excuses.
i have posted more than once with no reply. we are to be dead to delf and dead to our flesh. as Christians, we have no rights, no emotions, no thoughts etc that are ours. based on that, there is nothing you can say to justify your side of these issues and this blog
uturn said
Did Dr. Steve Gaines state to his flock at Gardendale that he would be their pastor until he stopped pastoring?
Are there members of Gardendale who feel betrayed by Dr. Steve Gaines?
Yes Dr. Gaines stated that he planned to grow stay at Gardendale and groew old there. This was when rumors started about him going to Bellvue.
Yes there are members at Gardendale who feel betrayed by Dr. Gaines leaving to another church.
i love my church said:
You and those like you should be careful what you say.
With all due respect, but look who's talking?
You previously said:
"...what you are witnessing is someone having fun at your expense. I am toying with you..."
"...we are laughing at the nameless faceless you. We have made fun of you for two days solid..."
"You would die if you knew who I am or who all is laughing at you."
"We find it fun to toy with you..."
I believe you need to watch what you say. Those statements hurt the testimony of everyone who professes to be a Christian. Do you think comments like that are pleasing to our Lord? Is that that the attitude that us who profess to be Christians should act? The answer to both of those questions are no.
I love my church said:
Maybe you should drop the sanctimonious tone and work on actually reconciling the church instead of worrying about what is said on the internet.
How about you do the same? Since you supposedely work at the church and are there now, how about you get off this site and get back to work? If you and others are always standing around your desk, there must be a lack of productively going on...surely there is something else you could be doing that is more productive, especially when you are on the clock...
left behind said:
Yes Dr. Gaines stated that he planned to grow stay at Gardendale and groew old there. This was when rumors started about him going to Bellvue.
Perhaps it was Dr. Gaines' plan to stay at Gardendale forever, but it wasn't God's plan...did you ever think about that?
QUESTION:
Are any Bellevue Baptist Church employees or staff in jeaporady of losing their position for expressing their concerns about the currently issues plagueing the church.
Are any Bellevue Baptist Church employees or staff currently being intimidated by any Bellevue staff or ministers?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
Please do not participate in answering these questions if you do not agree that these questions should be answered.
Copied from savingbellevue.com - is this or is this not what Chuck said or wrote to the deacons?
"Brothers,
At the conclusion of our Deacons meeting that followed the evening service, all who were present unanimously approved the following motion:
"The 2006 active Deacon Body of Bellevue Baptist Church met November 5th after the evening service and unanimously approved the following motion. We the active Deacon Body of Bellevue Baptist Church wish to convey to our Church family our affirmation of Dr. Steve Gaines as God’s appointed and God’s anointed Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church. We commit ourselves before God and our Church family to serve with loyalty under his leadership and to free him up to do the work to which God has called him to do. We publicly demonstrate our loyalty to Pastor Gaines by signing our name to this motion and standing before the Church congregation in each of the morning worship services on November 19, 2006.“
Over the next few days, each Vice Chairman will be calling the men in their group to go over the motion and answer any questions. The motion requires each Deacon to sign his name to the motion indicating his public approval of the motion, so please go to the Events Registration Center to sign it. If you have any reservations in signing this motion, please discuss it with your Vice Chairman. I want to reiterate that every Deacon that was present in the Deacons meeting following the service unanimously approved this motion, with the understanding they were to sign it and to stand before the congregation on November 19th. Our congregation needs to know where the Deacons stand during these challenging days.
Chuck
Does it or does it not say in the last sentence: "We publicly demonstrate our loyalty to Pastor Gaines by signing our name to this motion and standing before the Church congregation in each of the morning worship services on November 19, 2006.“
DEMONSTRATE OUR LOYALTY TO PASTOR GAINES - Sounds like a loyalty promise, oath, declaration, pledge, vow, assurance, statement, pronouncement, affirmation to me - you choose a word for it. It's all the same thing.
I apologize for the tattoo remark -like ilovemychurch, I'm getting caught up in mob mentality - oh wait, I'm the only one here!
Cary said:
Perhaps it was Dr. Gaines' plan to stay at Gardendale forever, but it wasn't God's plan...did you ever think about that?
Yes I said that very thing after the service. However , he stressed it several times in his sermon, not just a random comment. Did he lie to us? Some think so. I tend to believe his statement was just a bit of his ego causing him to speak without thinking it through. I knew him for all of his time at Gardendale. His had a tendency to react or act a bit too quick with thinking about the outcome of his actions, causing him to appear not truthfull on some occasions.
uturn,
go over to cafekudzu.com. Read his "article" called "Bellevue Crisis", there is a comment from someone calling themselves "Gardendale Alabama". It may interest you. Cafe Kudzu is a wise person and I trust any answer he may give you.
Karen
CARY AND LEFT BEHIND HAVE ANSWERED THE QUESTION:
Did Dr. Steve Gaines state to his flock at Gardendale that he would be their pastor until he stopped pastoring?
With a yes to both.
UTURN REPLIES:
Many thanks for your answers.
Please state your evidence so that your answer can be validated.
Karen
if you dont like things then follow Mark and Richard and others out the door
moveon:
Why is that the only thing you've said all day? Why should I leave? My family is deeply invested in Bellevue and will continue to fight to keep it. Why don't you leave?
Karen
As a Southern Baptist I firmly believe in the priesthood of the believer. I do not accept the pastor's characterization of blogs or bloggers. I do not accept your characterization either.
Many biblical arguments have been presented which support the blog. Others could be presented as well. Why bother? They would be ignored too.
The people of our church are doing more leading than the "leaders." You seek to stifle dissent instead of uncover the truth. Most just want the truth.
I am praying for you and the pastor. I am praying for all of Bellevue. We need to lift our burdens to the throne of grace. He is sovereign and in control.
Maybe He sent the pastor here to uncover the sin in our midst.
Maybe He sent the pastor here because He wants to break this church into 50 smaller pieces that will work for Him and accomplish His aims. We are well on our way toward that happening.
Wait a second, uturn... I never answered any question. I was responding to a comment that left behind had said.
Karen said:
go over to cafekudzu.com. Read his "article" called "Bellevue Crisis", there is a comment from someone calling themselves "Gardendale Alabama". It may interest you. Cafe Kudzu is a wise person and I trust any answer he may give you.
I read the comments. I have some strong opinions also, however I only answered the questions asked with first - hand information. Believe me, I have questioned our Deacons since following the Savingbellve web site and I am very enlightened by what I have been told. I do not think it my place or God's will that I tell how I feel or what I know. I will say you folks have gotten a dose in one year that we received over ten years. May be Dr. Gaines was sent to your church because we were too small and weak to carry out God's will. My advice is to deal in FACTS only, not hearsay or intent of words. Good Luck.
UTURN,
My evidence is my presence at the Sunday morning sermon when Dr. Gaines made his statement about staying at Gardendale. I was also there the Sunday night when he came back from accepting your position. He had to eat crow and explain as best he could. Tapes may be available at the church bookstore.
Left behind, are you saying you're a member of Gardendale?
karen
left behind,
Yup, I guess you are. :)
Uturn,
You can find the tape of Dr. Gaines last night at Gardendale on youtube.com. There also may still be a link to it on savingbellevue.com.
For the sake of NASS, this blog is not related to savingbellevue.com. I'm karen and I've approved this message!
QUESTION:
Are memBers pf Bellevue Baprist Church telling other members to leave the church because they have concerns over the integrity of the chruch?
Are memBers of Bellevue Baprist Church more interested in getting rid of other members who have concers, or the concerns their fellow member have?
Are memBers of Bellevue Baprist Church interested in placing all the concerns out in the open so they can be examined, validared, made right or cleared, forgiven, healed, repented of so the page can be rutned to a new chapter?
Is the pastor and his staff interested in placing all the concerns out in the open so they can be examined, validared, made right or cleared, forgiven, healed, repented of so the page can be rurned to a new chapter for Bellevue Baprist Chruch.
Is there a pride problem at Bellevue Baptist Church that is preventing all the above from happening?
Have their been past issues at Bellevue similar to this in anyway. where reconcilation came swiftly?
Are there many reconcilations that need to be made at this time between the pastor and.or his staff and members/staff/ex=staff or vice cersa?
If so, how long does Bellevue pastor fell it takes to reconcile if there are parties willing to be reconciled?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
Please do not participate in answering these questions if you do not agree that these questions should be answered.
I love my church said...
Sorry if you don't like it. I am not mad or full of venom. Far from it.
Full of mockery, then?
No, what you are witnessing is someone having fun at your expense. I am toying with you.
Which is always Christlike, right?
There is a big difference between having fun and misusing the Bible and angrily shouting down the forum, which is what you do. You SHOUT and promise you know the TRUTH when you obviously do not.
Are you typing out these opinions on break, at lunch... when, exactly?
Oh, I am in the church right now and others are standing around my desk and we are laughing at the nameless faceless you. We have made fun of you for two days solid. Each of us has written down our guess as to who you are. Those names I mentioned earlier who should step aside were the names we guessed. You would die if you knew who I am or who all is laughing at you.
Why don't you e-mail me your "secret identity," whoever you are? I'd love to meet with you and your group, and hear your rationale for engaging in such counterproductive behavior.
We find it fun to toy with you like you men have been toying with this great church the last few months. The deacons are not united and the staff is not united. You helped cause this and your actions in the forum are not promoting unity.
Yours, on the other hand, promote the same anti-Bellevue standards: hate, and confrontation. You would rather "toy" with people than be reconciled to them.
Of course, you do your "toying" from the shadows; I'll be checking my inbox for your e-mail, because I'd love to see if you and yours are still so fun-loving in a face-to-face meeting.
--Mike
Qustions:
Did saving Bellevue website oerson ever have false information up on their site?
Did saving Bellevue website person admit that they had false information on their website?
Did saving Bellevue website oerson take the false information down from their website?
Did saving Bellevue website
ever put a photo on their site that offended members of Bellevue Baptist Church?
Did saving Bellevue website
person take a photo down that offended some members?
Did the pastor apologize to Marke Sharpe for every offense he has personally made against Mark Sharpe?
Gas the pastor repented of his all offences against all current and ex-members of Bellevue Baptist Church?
Has Mark Sharpe been restored to his position as a deacon at the church?
Has the pastor abd his staff_apologized to Dr, James Whitmire for any and all offenses against Dr. James Whitmire?
Has the pastor abd his staff repented for any and all offenses against Dr. James Whitmire?
Has the pastor abd his staff apologized tu any pf the members or ex-members for offenses that may have occurred?
Has the pastor abd his staff repented FOR any pf the members or ex-members for offenses that may have occurred?
Has the pastor abd his staff
lead out to inact Mathhew 18 with every single person who has been offended by them?
Please do not answer these questions unless you have the evidence to back up your answer.
Please do not include any other subject matter in your answer on these questiona
Please do not participate in answering these questions if you do not agree that these questions should be answered.
Let's take a look at where we think things are going, shall we? That might be a title for a new thread.
It should be obvious to everyone that the leadership of the church is going to "circle the wagons" and fend off or try to answer the various questions being thrown at them as best they can. To be fair, many in leadership don't have the answers to a lot of the questions that are being asked of them.
If Dr. Whitmire and others have been treated with little or no respect, this should be dealt with swiftly, while there is still time to make amends.
If it was done to his family, was it done to other staff who moved on as well?
But even if there is no such gesture of genuine repentance from the administration, be sure that "God cannot be mocked, What a man sows, that shall he also reap."
The reason that Dr. Rogers was so loved by me and so many others was that he always treated others with respect and dignity. As a result, he was rewarded with respect in return.
Following such a man with those kinds of leadership traits, personal skills, and humble compassion for others cannot be an easy task. Not to mention that Dr. Rogers could really knock the ball over the fence from the pulpit, too!!!
My prediction is that Dr. Gaines will remain the Pastor at Bellevue for as long as he wishes. He has the support of those he really needs. (Making payroll or paying the light bill won't be much of a problem with millions of dollars in the bank, either.)
For those who seek another man to fill the pulpit at Bellevue, I think you will be increasingly disappointed as you continue to attend a church where you dislike the pastor.
Finally, in the south, where there are churches on every corner, when church-goers get upset enough, they find that God can be worshipped elsewhere. They even find that they enjoy it better where they admire and like the Pastor.
I would never tell anyone to leave a church, but I know for myself, if I could not look upon my Pastor with a great deal of respect, I would at least have to consider worshipping elsewhere.
May God bless each one of you as you follow His direction in this and all matters.
TODAY I CAME HERE AND I WIRNESSED
I love my church openly sinned against his sevant.
Mike Bratton has openly sinned against I love my church.
his servant openly sinnned against I love my church.
mkw openly sinned against I love my church
The bible stands against each of you for the different sins you have committed here today,
like
making fun of others, bullying others, mimicing others. threatning others, being hatefull, arguementative, being unruly, baiting others or being a stumbling block, being prideful, exhibiting vanity, causing division, overlooking sin the pulpit, back stabbing, biting, and not doing to others as you would have them do to you, and the list goes on.
Not one of you are helping Bellevue to heal today.
PLease consider your sin and repent.
Brother Bratton,
I made my thoughts known to the pastor and some of our deacons in a recent meeting. I feel no need to justify myself to you.
NASS,
Time to tie another knot?
I apologize for my tone here today. My tone reflected the mood of the group I was with. I was egged on to say things I shouldn't have said and in a manner that was wrong. However, I take responsibility for it. I am the one who posted it. I mistakenly used humor and sarcasm to take down someone I thought was bullying others.
Over the past few weeks I have watched posters like hisservant bludgeon members of our church. So what if they are beating up on leadership, does that make it right for you? Presumably he is a person in leadership or closely connected. His duty isn't to beat up on the flock for questioning the leaders. His duty is to answer the questions in a sober, civil, Christ-like manner. We shouldn't make them wait months to get answers and the answers should be complete and 100% true. His posts were not in that spirit.
Hisservant repeatedly refered to slander, even after he was shown definitively to be using it incorrectly. He knew it was angering other posters, yet he continued using the term (much the way Mike Bratton insists on using the term anti-Bellevue. He does it to incite. There is nothing loving about it.). His tone has been nothing but antagonistic and unloving.
I have listened to staff members joke about the members of Bellevue who have left and those they want to see leave. I have heard one distorted rant after another on the authority of the pastor. I have heard men on one side labeled "Godly" while the men on the opposite side are "rebellious."
Bellevue, this is not how a church is supposed to behave. That does not reflect the spirit our staff and leaders used to have and it should not reflect it now. I am afraid some will do almost anything to end this conflict, including withholding and distorting certain truths.
Lest I leave a false impression, there are many fine people on staff at Bellevue who are crushed over what is happening. They grieve for all of our members. They do not understand why this has been handled so poorly from its inception roughly one year ago.
Again, I apologize. I pray we can turn the corner and reclaim the Bellevue spirit so many of us love. It pains me to say it, I no longer think that will happen.
Sister MKW, you owe me no apologies. Blessings to you.
I love my church, mkw, mom4,
God Bless you guys. It is apparant that this group does indeed love one another. Despite what we may hear from those outside.
I can testify of how easily we can be led astray, by those that are supposed to be our leaders and they seem to gain great enjoyment from doing it. Go figure that out.
Anyway. You guys really touch my heart. I appreciate how civil we are, to one another any way.
baaa...baaaa
mkw
You signed the last post I read of yours, - In Christian Love
I wish you would go back and read some of things that you have said in the various threads contained within the new bbc and just pray about whether your words have been healing words for the body of Christ.
I am sorry to tell you that since reading many of your posts I do find you to be harsh.
I think some of the things you say are contributing to the problems at Bellevue and adding burdens to some in this group of people.
You have often ganged up with other brash and rude people, like Mike Bratton and hisservant to whip or beat the sheep.
When I see your name or Mike`s name come up, I have to put a mental seatbelt on before I go on to read whatever you have to say because you have been so harsh.
I think there is plenty of toom for you to tone down your own posts in the future so that no one has to feel attacked by your words.
Please just go back and read your words and see if you are a help or a hinderance to helping to mend the broken fences at Bellevue.
ILMC,
Thank you for honoring our Lord with your apology. May others follow your example.
Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
"Beloved let us love "ONE ANOTHER", for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God. And he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love" I John 4:7-8
karen posted: Does it or does it not say in the last sentence: "We publicly demonstrate our loyalty to Pastor Gaines by signing our name to this motion and standing before the Church congregation in each of the morning worship services on November 19, 2006.“
DEMONSTRATE OUR LOYALTY TO PASTOR GAINES - Sounds like a loyalty promise, oath, declaration, pledge, vow, assurance, statement, pronouncement, affirmation to me - you choose a word for it. It's all the same thing.
REPLY: yes, that is correct. it is reaffirming what Deacons have ALREADY done. if there is a Deacon that has an issue with it, then they should have had a problem with becoming a Deacon in the first place. you and others are twisting this big time and making it something it is not. like most of the other issues. you see what you want to see.
and it is not all the same thing. FAR from. loyalty and layalty oath or oath are two very very different things. Mike, Derrick, and myself have explained this several times in the last few days.
Derrick went into great detail in the past and actually posted what Deacons already agreed to etc.
HisServant,
I believe that you can find exactly where I stand on this issue.
It is amazing to me that this "purely political" "show of strength" is going to be used, and will do nothing but further divide our church. It is wrong. It is Biblically wrong. It is Spiritually wrong. It is Morally wrong. Politically correct perhaps, wrong in every other regard.
Healingbalm: I do not see the same things when reading posts from MKW etc. I do understand your point though. the fact is there are many on the board that do not want to hear anything from me, MKW or anyone else that is for Brother Steve. I have been disrespected, made fun of, threatened etc etc etc since coming to this board. most have a wall up and anything other than juicy gossip and new info against Brother Steve, they refuse to hear it. they have their minds made up. this is one reason I? do not even think their "business meeting" would work. it would go n for hours and hours and they would not be satisfied.
we answer the credit card issues and they still some how some way still find a way to have issues. they say they still have questions.
I would like to explain my feelings on this issue in a kinder, gentler way. In a way that will reveal my heart, more than my mind.
This is what this says to a rather large group of us.
"Look here you wounded, hurting, bleeting sheep, we have staffs and we will use them, we have used them before, so get out of the fold."
hisservant,
May I share a passage with you?
2 Corinthians 12:9,10
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
MKW,
My suggestion:
Colossians 3:12-17
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
truthhound: can you please tell me what I said to I love my church that was a sin??
also, the long list you posted, would apply to you and everyone else on this board. everyone.
thank you for the verse SR!!
Proverbs 17:9 (King James Version)
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 16:28
28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends
Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 16:21
"The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."
nbbcof,
Think maybe it's time to start a new thread?...I've got cable and it's taking a while to load this puppy..LOL. Blessings.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."
ezekiel: all I can say is that the picture you just painted is way off base. i am saddened you have those views. you want to get to know some of those "business" men you are talking about. they are some of the most God fearing, humble men I have ever met.
mostlylurkin wrote:
"HisServant said...
housewife: no I do not work for Brother Steve. No, i am not a 'yes man' and no, I am not a blind follower of him or anyone else. never have been and never will be.
"REPLY: I am NOT CHUCK or Brother Steve etc etc etc etc etc."
Hisservice....how about, are you related (as in married) to anyone on staff or in leadership at Bellevue?"
Interesting thought, lurkin. He's never denied he's a deacon. And perhaps a deacon in high places if this is any indication:
hisservant wrote:
"we answer the credit card issues and they still some how some way still find a way to have issues. they say they still have questions.
NASS isn't a stupid sheep either.
Ezekiel,
"Psalms 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which do err from thy commandments."
Are you aware that the Psalmist is referring to the Almighty's judgement in this verse?
Are you cursing your brother? Think carefully before you answer, my friend.
"we" referred to those behind Brother Steve, not just Deacons. i am NOT married to anyone or related to anyone on staff etc etc
hisservant,
It's a simple question really. Are you or are you not a deacon? A simple "yes" or "no" will suffice.
Thanks.
I love my church said...
Brother Bratton,
I made my thoughts known to the pastor and some of our deacons in a recent meeting.
You made it known that you "toy" with others when you don't share their viewpoint?
You made it know that you laugh at people with whom you disagree, and encourage others to do the same?
I feel no need to justify myself to you.
I wouldn't dream of asking you to do so. I just wanted to see, live and in person, how you and your friends behave at church, clustered around a computer mocking someone you don't know.
TRUTHHOUND said...
TODAY I CAME HERE AND I WIRNESSED
I love my church openly sinned against his sevant.
Mike Bratton has openly sinned against I love my church.
his servant openly sinnned against I love my church.
mkw openly sinned against I love my church
The bible stands against each of you for the different sins you have committed here today,
like
making fun of others, bullying others, mimicing others. threatning others, being hatefull, arguementative, being unruly, baiting others or being a stumbling block, being prideful, exhibiting vanity, causing division, overlooking sin the pulpit, back stabbing, biting, and not doing to others as you would have them do to you, and the list goes on.
Not one of you are helping Bellevue to heal today.
PLease consider your sin and repent.
When warning people away from counterproductive behavior becomes sinful, whoever you are, you be sure and let me know.
Last I checked, those of us who are Christians are sinners, saved by the grace of God. As far as any specific sins flying around here are concerned, a general "the Bible stands against you" doesn't really "git 'er done," as the kids say.
--Mike
Hi Hisservant,
They say you always want what you can't have, and I've got to say that I, among others, have become very curious about who you might be.
In the interest of satisfying my curiosity, I'm going to ask super-nicely if you'd consider letting us in on the big secret.
There are plenty of folks out there on both sides who've allowed their names to come out.
I promise not to slam or belittle you, I'm just really curious.
Worst case, it would put you on the same level with the rest of us peons. Best case, it'd allow folks to see your posts through what's probably a much more accurate lens since they wouldn't be making as many assumptions.
Though I'm afraid this may meet with the ol' "Get used to disappointment" line, I merely ask because I'm just so very curious.
Cheers,
Josh Manning
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! AGAIN THE CURRENT THREAD HAS GOTTEN TOO LONG AND NEEDS TO HAVE A KNOT TIED IN IT NOW. PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE "YET ANOTHER NEW DEACON LOYALTY PLEDGE THREAD" TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.
Thank you.
NBBCOF
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