Question: .

I am presently a member of a Presbyterian church (USA). Our Senior Minister recently fired our Choir Director for breach of trust and/or contract. Many of us feel certain that the reason had more to do with his sexual preference.

The choir has suffered a great loss, in that this director was a superb teacher. Many members think that the decision was very harsh, and accused the pastor of being a dictator. Although I feel terrible about this, I know in my heart that the pastor could not condone this behavior in a staff member. What are your thoughts on this? I am considering the possibility of finding a new church home.

- Jeanne

Answer:

Dear Jeanne,

Plain Truth Ministries does not promote one church above another, for we recognize that all denominations that accept the doctrines of the historic Christian church will have fair, good, and excellent pastors and congregations, and in a few cases even poor pastors/congregations. Unhealthy churches, and folks who attend a church (or serve in some capacity in one) can and sometimes do make a bad name for God, but the Lord knew that when he decided his body would be composed of imperfect, flawed human beings. So these kinds of things happen.

I, of course, cannot address the situation to which you refer, for it is a complex one, filled with issues I certainly have no knowledge of, and probably a few you do not. I will say that I know a number of people in the Presbyterian USA, and have the highest respect for them. They include personalities who are well known, church administrators not so well known, local pastors, as well as members. I know that they are a denomination and people who are dedicated to God, to the Bible, and love our Lord and Savior.

Changing churches can be difficult and traumatic - depending on the connection to the church in question, it can be a little like a divorce or death of a spouse, and a second marriage. At times it can be less traumatic. Generally the pastor of the church you are choosing likes to be made aware that you are changing churches, and the majority of pastors do not simply welcome you indiscriminately to boost their own attendance, but wish to discuss why you left your former church, and often advise that the person goes back - sometimes merely for a brief time to achieve closure regarding this change, sometimes simply to go back and work things out, as the choice may have been ill advised, hasty, etc. Of course, there are unhealthy churches, and a Christ-centered pastor would not advise anyone to go back to such an environment.

These are some general considerations you may wish to think about.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht