Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 8/1/2011

Question
There are some many things wrong I really don't know were to begin. I attend a small church that was pastored by a man that is a dictators not a pastor. He has been the pastor for 18 years. We only have one meeting a year where he does all of the talking and if anyone makes a suggestion he usually replies that he'll pray about it. So, by next year's meeting you will forget. The officer of the church have been requesting more meetings for several years and he refuses. This year the men came together and really pushed the issue of meeting. This resulted in worship service being disrupted on two occasion because the pastor refuse to meet. The deacons called a meeting without the pastor in which 29 members out of maybe 90-100 members attended. The member were upset because he ignored the problems and did not respond to the officers. We felt that his response was not that of a leader or one who would want to keep peace in the house of God.The vote was all 29 members wanted to remove the Pastor. Since he was voted out he started another church less than a mile away from the church. And he continues to fight to return the church and said we were wrong in voting him out. I have battled with this for over ten years now. I have watched my friends and family leave the church because they were unhappy. I felt the same way but stayed because my husband was not ready to leave. I had spoken with the pastor personally to express my feelings and he said in some many words that I could leave also. I know in my heart that this man is not a man of God simply by the fruit he bears. how can I get this man out of my life without leaving the church. Should the church have another meeting to close this controvesy or keep moving on? We are much happier now that he is gone 2 month free!! Thanks, unhappy with Pastor

Answer
It sounds like Matt 18 was applied to try and reconcile the situation. If 29 of 100 members is enough to be counted a quorum by your church bylaws then it was most likely a legitimate meeting. What did the other 70 or so say about the vote?  Did they leave or accept the vote?  What does the church constitution and bylaws say about church membership or how to process church discipline or what it takes to remove a pastor?  

If they have voted him out according to the Constitution he has no case. If he will not leave you in peace, then I would take a copy of the church paperwork to a lawyer and have him review the paperwork and the minutes of the meeting.  If he sees nothing amiss then draft a letter on church letterhead with the lawyer's assistance tantamount to a cease and desist order.  Have the lawyer notarize it and send it to the ex-pastor by registered mail.  That should hopefully calm his jets.

He would not be the first man to not go easily or to start a church down the street a mile.  It is a shame for all this does is bring a blight on the church's testimony in the community and give the enemies of God reason to blaspheme. Sadly, there are far too many dictators and not enough pastors, but on the other side of the coin there are churches where the deacons are the dictators and Christ is not the head of those churches either.