Mr. Wendell has a freedom…
Posted on September 27th, 2006 by Reformed Pope into the Uncategorized categoryI think Wendell Smith's letter reads a little better when you can see his actions as he writes. Fortunately for us, I was able to find out exactly what Wendell was doing as this letter was being scripted.
This letter was originally dictated from Wendell Smith to his receptionist. She wrote things as they happened. It is my belief that MFI found the letter just in time and made the appropriate changes before it was sent out: Please do not hold MFI accountable for any of his actions.
Here is the original letter (with changes in bold)*:
Dear Rick, Dan, Stan and Dan,
I am writing to tell you as Elders of Christian Life Fellowship to
reconsider the action you have taken against Pastor Doug. (Rising from chair) I am confident you could not find even three MFI approved Pastors who would agree with what you have done in aligning yourself to remove your Pastor from his position based on your perspective. (Pounding fist on desk) Not only is your decision weak legally and constitutionally but you have uncovered your congregation spiritually and this presumptuous step will certainly split the church. (Whhhaaaaaa). I fear the very thing you wanted to avoid, you are going to produce (Jumping up and down, arms flailing).
So what if all the accusations you have raised are accurate, you have
foolishly exalted resolvable offenses to the level of pastoral
disqualifications (Falling to the ground). This violates both Damazio 18 and 2nd Iverson 5:19. If you proceed with this direction MFI will destroy both your church and reputation in the community (Rolling on the floor, kicking and screaming "I dare you to challenge me").
There are certainly alternatives- including greater accountability for
yourselves, and I am confident this choice of yours is going to
backfire if you continue down this road (Placing fingers in ears, humming loudly).
As leaders in a church, you must act in faith and not in fear. Only
faith pleases God. I cannot envision this decision pleasing Dick or Frank or anyone else that matters. There are other choices if you will humble
yourselves and admit it. (Yelling "My daddy is bigger than yours" at everyone walking by).
I know Pastor Iverson and myself (and I'm sure others) would love to
help ourselves and Pastor Doug and we were deeply disappointed that you did not consult us before making something like this public (I hate you, I hate you, I hate you). You must now reconsider your actions, take biblical and MFI like leadership and work toward reconciliation for the sake of your church and us.
Enclosed is a bill for my time spent in writing you. Please make the check out to Wendell Smith and send it directly to my home address.
Sincerely,
Pastor Wendell Smith
*All changes were made by City Business Church. Wendell Smith did not write this letter. Please do not send us your tithe.
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September 27th, 2006 at 8:33 am
Are you sure that wasn’t really:
SincerelyFOAD!September 27th, 2006 at 9:40 am
Hey Pope,
Out of morbid curiousity, what does Damazio 18 and 2nd Iverson 5:19 say?
BTW, that was a great post.
September 27th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Great question. It might take me a minute to find out.
September 27th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Ain’t one of those:
Ask NOT what you can do for your Church. Ask what you can do for your pastor.
The other one escapes me.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:10 am
To quote Elton John
‘I finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road’
September 27th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
To quote Arrested Development
“Mr. Wendell has a freedom, a freedom you and I think is dumb…”
September 27th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Here are the scriptures you requested. I had to dig around to find my Kevin Conner Version Bible, but praise be to tithe, I found it.
Damazio 18:15-17 (KCV)
A Brother Who Sins Against US
15″If your brother sins against MFI,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two other MFI approved pastors or spokepersons along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17If he refuses to listen to them, send him out quietly as a church plant and tell no one of his insubordination; and if he refuses to be forced out, treat him as you would a homosexual or a democrat.
2nd Iverson 5:19 (KCV)
19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three MFI approved witnesses.
September 27th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Doug Cotton is a bastard. He doesn’t even know who his real father is. What else don’t we know about Pastor Doug? Wendell Smith is a cool guy. His dad is a powerful executive, working for this man. The girls like him just fine. Young and old, it doesn’t matter… in the dark.
September 27th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Wow…that’s a little harsh.
September 27th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
You still crack me up, Pope…just like in HS…those verses are hilarious
September 27th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
It was just a bad dream, Dorothy, but at least you got the red shoes out of all those years!
September 27th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
I give it another week before they send in Darth Wagar with a division of storm troopers to deal with the rebel forces.
“Help us Lanny-Won! You’re our only hope!”
September 28th, 2006 at 6:57 am
Darth Wager…
He once gave the worst alter call I’ve ever heard. I’m not a fan.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Do share. Was he full of God’s forgiveness, love and grace as usual? Did he punctuate every sentence with an eardrum piercing blast of his trumpet?
October 20th, 2006 at 7:17 am
As a CLF member stuck in the middle of this blooming disaster I can say that power is a corrupting force on humans. Soon, we can not see our faults even when they are printed out in a 100 page stack of affidavits from those we have hurt. “Can’t be me.”, mused the Pastor. If not you, then why will all of your paid staff leave their jobs and all of your elders resign if you return after the members’ vote on the 29th? You certainly have no loyalty amongst those you have hand-chosen. Perhaps you have beaten them all to the point of having no respect for you? This, more than anything else, attesets to your faults. Those closest to you want nothing more to do with you.
‘nuf said
October 20th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
So MFI must have won, and they forced a vote, even though Doug officially resigned.
Be sure to let us know how the vote goes.
This has got to be a tense time for the church. No matter what happens, a significant portion of the congregation are going to be angry.
There is no way this will end well. I wonder why MFI is continuing to push for Cotton to keep his job?
October 20th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Must be a sad day in heaven with all these goings on….. power struggles….. denial…… meddling…… mental/psychological abuse…….. division/sides……… he said/she said……….
Did they forget what GOD SAID????????????
October 20th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Seems to me that this going to a meeting is a disaster, no matter what the outcome of the vote.
I don’t know how much of the “100 page stack of affidavits” will be read or handed out, but it seems that this “dirty laundry” on the pastor will have some sticking capacity, even if he gets help and gets over his behavior of treating people with such disdain.
Seems to me that the best interest of the pastor and everyone else are served if the pastor steps down willingly and goes for a little rest and help.
God can’t be too please to see someone with the trust and authority of a pastor holding on so tight that he is willing to split a church and let his former congregation pay a hefty price.
Is the focus on being a servant and doing what is best for God’s people and reputation, or is the focus on holding on to power?
If it is reputation he seeks, he will certainly get it from such a meeting and vote.
Only problem is, the reputation he gets will be that of a self-seeking power monger who is willing to destroy a church, his congregantss, and God’s reputation amongst seekers and observers.
Wow!
There doesn’t seem to be much CHRISTIAN, much LIFE, or much FELLOWSHIP in any of this.
If the pastor remains in power, which seems to be his focus, perhaps he should re-name the church to Church of Limited Foresight. That way, at least, they won’t have to change the initials (CLF) in the logo………
October 21st, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Catalyst said:
Sounds like it, Justin. I can only imagine the scenario, and wonder how the vote will be put to the congregation. Any way the vote goes, it is a vote of “no confidence” in the 14 (?) elders and 7 (?) remaining pastors.
Do they go with a simple majority? Or do the church bylaws specify a 2/3rds majority? Is the vote to affirm Doug as pastor, or remove him? Do the MFI goons show up at the service on the 29th and flank Doug for a keen photo-op and to send a message of authority (spiritual covering)?
The words of Jesus come to mind, concerning lawsuits, etc.: “why not instead be wronged” … by going to the cross on our behalf, Jesus exemplified that teaching. Imagine where we’d be, if Jesus would have ‘fought’ the wrong of the cross?
Sam