Shunned by the Richardson, TX church

Mr.Bob

Hello all--after telling my story to Mr. Shubert, he felt it was worthy of open discussion and recommended I post it in this forum. I am open to any and all comments or advice from anyone interested.

My trouble with the Richardson church began about two and one half years ago. After extensive volunteering for the church and the Richardson Adventist School, I was offered a position as a full time teachers' aide/ substitute teacher. I also became the school's Home and School association leader. Unfortunately at that time, we also had a small group of students who continually disrupted classes, intimidated younger students, destroyed both school and church property, and in short, showed no respect at all for the staff, faculty or the church itself.

Repeated attempts at disciplining these students were futile as at least two of them came from families that were influential in church politics. Finally one day, after another incident, I confronted two of these students and told them that I was going to go to the school board and request that their parents be called before the board to explain their behavior. I told them that they did not run the school; and that they had better change their ways or they would probably be asked to leave.

The next day, I was called in and told that I was being given the option of either resigning my position, or being terminated. I chose to resign because I did not want to risk having friends of mine who were also teachers at the school being forced to involve themselves in this matter. If they had chosen to side with me, which I know for a fact that several of them would have, they would eventually have been forced out also; as was another teacher who had refused to yield to the demands of one parent, who unfortunately had enough clout with board members to get her removed.

I thought the matter was closed until I received a visit at my home from both the senior and associate pastors, who proceeded to inform me that since I had resigned my paid school position, that I was also being "encouraged" to step down from my Home and School position. Now can anyone explain to me what one has to do with the other?

I think I was removed from my board position because at both school and church board meetings topics were discussed and voted on that affected the church and the school differently; and the church almost always got it's way. However, several of the votes were very close and we even manged to win a few. As a result, the church board took it upon itself to decide that the school board needed additional at large members. So guess who was "nominated" by the church to fill positions on the school board. That's right, they nominated two church members to the school board who they could be assured would vote the church's interests over those of the Adventist school. Now they win every vote and the school has stagnated to the point that it is in danger of failing in the near future. Then what do we tell our children?

I also made the mistake of daring to stand up to two very powerful women in the church by not giving in to demands they made with regard to VBS commandeering school resources.

Now, for the last two plus years I have felt that I am being systematically shunned by the church. I attend services occasionally, but when I do, it is clear to me that I am not welcome there. only a very few people who have supported me through this ordeal even bother to speak to me. One Sabbath morning, I passed both the senior and associate pastors in the hall on separate occasions and neither one of them even bothered to say Happy Sabbath to me!! I have told people repeatedly over the last several months that I simply don't feel like a member of that church family anymore. I am terribly hurt that after everything I have given to this church and school over the last several years that to be treated like this is not right.

I am sorry if this seems to go on so long, but I wanted everyone to have as many facts as possible. I am open to any and all advice or comment on this issue. Thank you in advance for your help and guidance.

Eugene Shubert · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject:

Dear Mr.Bob,

Your experience sounds similar to other incidents that I think that I have some intuition about. In the New York Times of August 1, 2007, for example, there is the story A Teacher Grows Disillusioned After a ‘Fail’ Becomes a ‘Pass’. Just one clear similarity between your experience and what is reported there is that the administrators of both schools are following a principle that does not distinguish between bright, respectful students that want to learn and potential hoodlums. It is a policy of mediocrity. Another striking parallel is that you and that other teacher expected justice and assistance from the school administration and were disappointed.

I strongly suspect that the reason for your termination is that you have failed to embrace the Adventist policy of mediocrity. Is it possible that you didn't follow the “standard procedure” of “encouraging the students’ efforts to achieve academic success”? You obviously didn't tell those young hoodlums how godly they were.

As I see it, your difference with the leaders of the Richardson Seventh-day Adventist church is primarily theological. They believe "God doth not condemn;" and that "all sins which are committed are innocent." And the rest of the church is willing to accept their false doctrine because they don't want to be excluded from the fellowship.

Have you ever read Ellen G. White's Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, pages 569-612?

Grace · child of God Joined: 14 Apr 2002 Posts: 3

Dear Bob,

I just want to encourage you with these words from Jesus:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12.

I can assure you that you are greatly blessed for doing good according to godly principles.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Even if the worldly church persecutes you, God will bring you much closer to Him.
Remember that the apostates also persecuted our Lord in His day. If God is on your side, then who is against you?

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28-39.

I strongly encourage you to dedicate some time each day (1/2 hour, 1 hour, etc) to come before God in faith with an attitude of submission and worship. During this time of beholding God in His glory, meditate on His goodness and marvelous deeds. Submit to Him as if waiting upon Him. Then you will find that God our faithful Creator will lift you up and give you new strength, wisdom and guidance.

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15.

In Christ,
Grace

hobie · is under review Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 31