Peace Out
I was recently featured in a magazine article for the Christian and Missionary Alliance. They talk about our work on the Vegas strip and the ministry of XXXchurch. I have met some great people in the Alliance church. We got plugged into a great Alliance church in Vegas as soon as we moved to Vegas. I even got ordained under the Alliance and hoped to partner with them with The Strip Church.
So, a few months ago, my pastor fell. He resigned as he was in no shape to lead the congregation. He started the church almost 9 years ago and has a family that is all connected at the church.
Churches don’t know how to respond in situations like this. We have seen a bunch just do crazy stuff when in crisis. I always think the truth is best and honesty is key. For some reason larger organizations and denominations don’t always see it like this.
The pastor was told that he could not even attend the church. My question is why? I understand you can’t lead. But isn’t the church for the sick not the healthy? Didn’t I bring Ron Jeremy to this church on Easter Sunday? So, Ron Jeremy is welcome but the pastor who fell has to go another church in town to be restored. Makes a lot of sense to me. Not really.
All that made me question, is this the type of organization that me and my ministry want to me associated with. I loved the people in the church but the denomination folks coming down like this scared me away. So, I wrote an email to the leaders of the district with the Alliance.
From: Craig Gross
Date: June 5, 2009 3:12:32 PM PDT
Subject: situation
Hey guys. *&^^% showed up to church on Sunday. I think it is a great thing. Where else should he go to church? The church is for the sick not healthy. He can’t lead as the pastor but shouldn’t the church be the place to restore him and support him. He was told by alliance people to never do that again. That is complete bull shit. He stepped down but anyone should be able to attend. If he can’t attend what message does that send to the church. Don’t let people in the alliance screw this up. I can’t be a part of a church or alliance that does this kind of thing. Please tell me this is not the policy any of you are aware of.________
They have agreed to disagree and think I am nuts. They had agreed to give us $20,000 for the work we are doing. I turned in my ordination certificate and can not work with a denomination that treats people like this. It is not worth the money.
I don’t write this to blast the organization all together. I have met some great people within the denomination and their are some great churches and wish them well. I write this to detach my name and ministry from a denomination that we had started to journey with and we have decide to end that journey.
