September 17, 2006

A Dog and Pony Show

The congregation meeting was held today at the church Husband and I used to attend. I say "used to" because we actually stopped going there a few weeks ago to protest the situation with the Pastor, and after today we'll never be going back.

Essentially, the Pastor put in his resignation, mainly (from what I can tell) because stuff with the higher-ups was plain bullshit. I can't say that I blame him, really, and if he wants to make a clean break, so be it. He's almost literally been put through hell.

Emotions were, and still are, running high because of all the members of the church who are leaving because they feel as if they can't trust the ruling elders. This caused a bit of an uproar on the part of those who are aligned with the elders (especially their wives).

Well, why shouldn't we feel distrust? This was all thrown at us, letters we wrote were never read by the higher-ups, no one was given a real chance to speak until today, and even then we weren't allowed to question motives.

Husband and I aren't members of the congregation, which meant we couldn't speak up or vote. I made a promise to a good friend that I wouldn't open my mouth; I'm afraid I did yell out "I don't think so!" at one point, but that was nothing compared to what another guy did. He's also not a member, but he got up and shouted how unfair this all is, and he was shouted down by the moderator and told to leave. Which he did, but after this I started bawling. I couldn't even talk, I was crying so hard. Ugly crying, too.

Why call it a dog and pony show? Because, despite the Pastor's resignation, the whole thing sown up. It was kind of sickening the way those "with" the elders looked at us who were "with" the Pastor.

And when the final vote was read, in favor of accepting the Pastor's resignation (because I think we all pretty much knew Pastor has had enough; his wife broke down in sobs), I could have sworn that one of the elders' wives looked over at us in triumph.

Fine. Have your victory, but it's a hollow one, don't you think? Members of the church are leaving, a church family is severed...a church family I was growing to love and care about.

I hate this.