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Post by morganlbusse on Mar 19, 2011 9:08:30 GMT -5
Guys, I need a lot of prayer right now. My husband just came home with a letter stating that the church we are ministering at will not be renewing his contract. This came as a huge shock to us. We had absolutely no idea that the leaders of the church had a problem with my husband. He asked for them to clarify why (was there sin? no... certain issues? no...) so we have no idea why they just let him go.
I am in absolute shock and don't even have the words to pray. So please pray on our behalf. Thank you.
Morgan
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Post by Bainespal on Mar 19, 2011 9:45:06 GMT -5
There are few things more discouraging than politics and secrecy in Christian communities. Things like this have happened and continue to happen in the community surrounding my Christian school and my church, though it has never affected my family nearly so directly. I'm so sorry! I hope you can find people to trust; I hope there can still be peace and fellowship.
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Post by raregem on Mar 19, 2011 12:10:48 GMT -5
Sending up prayers, Morgan! Just remember, the Bible tells us that God knows the plans He has for us, to prosper us. So step out in faith, trusting that He has something amazing up His sleeve if you're hearts and minds are open to it.
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Post by beckyminor on Mar 19, 2011 18:01:09 GMT -5
So sorry to hear this, Morgan. I wonder if it wasn't just a "bottom line" decision, since so many church's have been faced with letting staff go with the way giving is down across the board. (If that were the case, though, you would think they'd say so.) Hmmmm.
Praying that your family will have peace as you hunt for the right new opportunity for your husband, and that you will be able to lean on his daily provision with confidence.
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Post by birdnerd on Mar 20, 2011 7:39:32 GMT -5
Wow. That's disappointing. God will take care of you. Sometimes his timing isn't the same as our timing, but he'll work things out.
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Post by Teskas on Mar 20, 2011 21:17:37 GMT -5
Praying for you, Morgan.
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Post by morganlbusse on Mar 21, 2011 15:31:15 GMT -5
I just want to thank all of you for praying for Dan and I as we go through unemployment again. Its as scary and dark as I remember it lol. But we have a lot of support this time around. And we need it. We're taking this week to just process and grieve, then next week we'll dive into prayer and searches for jobs.
Thanks again my friends,
Morgan
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Mar 25, 2011 8:28:11 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Morgan. It's not right that they won't even say why they're doing this. Maybe they're ashamed of their reasons.
Is it effective immediately? Is he out of work right now? Or is he having to continue working and preparing sermons and doing ministry for folks who don't want him? I think it would be very difficult to not become bitter.
I never want to sound like I'm giving a pat answer. But I can say from experience that things like this, for Christians who cling to Christ, always work out so that they find new and more effective ministry after the change, even when the change was unkind.
Jeff
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Post by metalikhan on Mar 25, 2011 11:59:26 GMT -5
Praying for you and your family, Morgan!
Empathy for you, too; been through that more than once.
Lean on the Father -- He truly does provide for His children.
**hugs**
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Post by morganlbusse on Mar 25, 2011 14:19:59 GMT -5
No, we are no longer at that church. The moment Dan was given the letter, he was effectively removed from the pastor position and we were told not to attend the church or any of its functions. The hardest part is we thought these men were our friends. We never heard anything from anyone that the church leaders were unhappy with Dan. Our elders were shocked (they were not informed of any of this) and of course our congregation is shocked as well.
I've never heard of something like this happening apart from sin on the pastor's part or a massive discontent on the part of the whole church.
God has been our ally in all of this. We have clearly heard God not to fight this, to let him take care of this and for us to forgive these men.
I think the most ironic thing is my husband was preaching a series about fear and worst case scenarios over the past month. Well, now we have a chance to show people with our lives what it means to trust God in everything lol.
On a personal note, continue to pray for us. Dan and I are considering all our options and asking God to show us where he wants us next. And pray for our congregation. We loved these people. Its hearbreaking to watch them grieve over this and wish we could comfort them more.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Mar 31, 2011 8:57:09 GMT -5
I wonder if you ought to consider moving to another state, Morgan. A move like this on the part of the church leadership and independent from the church people or elders is exactly the kind of thing that causes church splits. If the ousted-but-popular preacher is still in town, there will be people who will want to leave the meanies and stay with the pastor, which usually ends up in a situation that is not good. If you weren't around, that temptation would be gone. But then again, why should you move, right?
Question: if the elders and the people didn't remove your husband, who did? Is it a denominational move?
I wonder what awesome thing you guys are going to move to next. If there is truly no fault on your husband's part, then this is a small taste of the kind of suffering that Jesus endured, and He always comes to the defense of people who suffer as He did.
Jeff
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Post by newburydave on Apr 1, 2011 18:56:45 GMT -5
Praying for you Morwena; been there had something similar done to us a few times.
Lean hard on Him, for He is thy life and thy strength. Remember he rides on the wings of the storm; ... because that is where we live.
SGD
dave
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Post by morganlbusse on Apr 3, 2011 7:28:36 GMT -5
Thank you again for your prayers everyone  I blogged about my own journey through this and came across the five stages of grief and realized I was going through that. To identify why I was feeling the way I was and to allow myself to grieve before moving on has helped immensely in the healing process. I also hoped that by sharing my grief, I could help others with the darkness they are facing in their own lives (2 Cor 1:4 "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.") Now we're praying where and what to do next. Like you pointed out Jeff, this could split the church, something we do not want to do. Bad things happen. But nothing takes God by surprise Morgan |
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Post by pixydust on Apr 5, 2011 19:17:06 GMT -5
*Hugs* So, sorry, Morgan! I'm praying...
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