Comments on: Resign this Sunday or else - First Baptist Church Deland http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/ Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:53:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Bene Diction http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108991 Bene Diction Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:54:33 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108991 Dolores: "but I say to you…have you prayed about this? I repeat…stop throwing stones. I am praying for everyone concerned, how about you?" You chose to come here, you are my guest, and I'm not blind to the pain of the facts. It is your church, your anguish. Yes, this medium offers the opportunity to pray, a priviledge I could never have imagined. You remain in my prayers. I don't expect any body of believers to be perfect, that is an unbiblical flawed way of thinking. What stones are being thrown? Dolores:

“but I say to you…have you prayed about this? I repeat…stop throwing stones. I am praying for everyone concerned, how about you?”

You chose to come here, you are my guest, and I’m not blind to the pain of the facts. It is your church, your anguish. Yes, this medium offers the opportunity to pray, a priviledge I could never have imagined.

You remain in my prayers.

I don’t expect any body of believers to be perfect, that is an unbiblical flawed way of thinking.

What stones are being thrown?

]]> By: Dolores http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108990 Dolores Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:08:08 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108990 To Bene D People ultimately believe what they choose to believe, as you are doing. As I stated, this church is not perfect, no church is because churches are only filled with imperfect people. This media exploited sad event only injurs the cause of Christ. You ask me questions, but I say to you...have you prayed about this? I repeat...stop throwing stones. I am praying for everyone concerned, how about you? To Bene D
People ultimately believe what they choose to believe, as you are doing. As I stated, this church is not perfect, no church is because churches are only filled with imperfect people. This media exploited sad event only injurs the cause of Christ. You ask me questions, but I say to you…have you prayed about this? I repeat…stop throwing stones. I am praying for everyone concerned, how about you?

]]> By: sesan http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108988 sesan Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:23:27 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108988 I believe the threat is not coming from the members of the church but it is likely it may be coming from there. I only hope he is safe and also members of his family. How i wish religion and christianity can be separated by people who participate in it. I was online and i visited your blog. you are doing a good job I believe the threat is not coming from the members of the church but it is likely it may be coming from there. I only hope he is safe and also members of his family. How i wish religion and christianity can be separated by people who participate in it.

I was online and i visited your blog. you are doing a good job

]]> By: Bene D http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108986 Bene D Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:57:55 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108986 You are saying there is one person, misguided, who doesn't exist in your midst, who just left an anonymous note(s) asking him to leave? Resign this Sunday or else... That's not a threat? Variations of that are not threats? Doesn't matter if it comes from one person inside or outside a congregation, something happened. And the other two notes you mention said... Of course people don't know the full story, people who were there can speak as you are. I understand your congregation voted not to put the flags back, some people who say they attend the church said the trouble was caused by a minority, not one misguided person. I understand Rev. Allen left. Do you believe these kinds of threats and harrassment to be nationalism or not? How was your minister misquoted? What part of this post is incorrect? That's very kind to give Rev. Allen a generous severance package that would be 'laughed at by any secular company', and it's decent of your church to help the poor, when 'most churches' don't 'have an outreach' in place. Of course people involved would have emotional response to what transpired, I don't see anything in this post or comments indicating otherwise. No doubt staff is very busy dealing with fallout. A congregation holds a public meeting, has staff speak to media, removes flags, admits there were notes; those events aren't blowing things out of proportion, those are fact. You just confirmed those facts as a witness and added a few more. What was the police investigation conclusion? You are saying there is one person, misguided, who doesn’t exist in your midst, who just left an anonymous note(s) asking him to leave?
Resign this Sunday or else…

That’s not a threat? Variations of that are not threats?

Doesn’t matter if it comes from one person inside or outside a congregation, something happened.
And the other two notes you mention said…

Of course people don’t know the full story, people who were there can speak as you are.

I understand your congregation voted not to put the flags back, some people who say they attend the church said the trouble was caused by a minority, not one misguided person.
I understand Rev. Allen left.

Do you believe these kinds of threats and harrassment to be nationalism or not?
How was your minister misquoted?
What part of this post is incorrect?

That’s very kind to give Rev. Allen a generous severance package that would be ‘laughed at by any secular company’, and it’s decent of your church to help the poor, when ‘most churches’ don’t ‘have an outreach’ in place.
Of course people involved would have emotional response to what transpired, I don’t see anything in this post or comments indicating otherwise. No doubt staff is very busy dealing with fallout.

A congregation holds a public meeting, has staff speak to media, removes flags, admits there were notes; those events aren’t blowing things out of proportion, those are fact.
You just confirmed those facts as a witness and added a few more.

What was the police investigation conclusion?

]]> By: dolores http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108983 dolores Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:07:01 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108983 I'm so sad to read the article above and the comments, from people who clearly do not know what happened here and what they are talking about. I have worked for FBC-DeLand for almost 6 years. This story, has been blown out of proportion, and exagerrated. Pastor Long has been mis-quoted by the media (wow, like that never happens, because you know we can all believe everything we read in the media, and see on T.V.!!) where you copied the story from, and Sean Allen was not asked to leave, he left because he chose to. Nothing we said or did could convince him to stay. He left the church in a state of brokeness hurt and shock, wondering what it (the church) did to make him leave. I can tell you...the church did nothing to make him leave...just the contrary...the church bent over backwards to ask him to stay. The church stood up for the pastor, and in a public church meeting, asked that if the person who had sent the notes to him were in our midst, that person should leave the church...not the pastor. FBC-DeLand is being judged because of the actions of one person...probably not even a member of the church...how truly tragic that people think they know what is going on, who really know nothing about it. SEAN NEVER RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT!!!! I repeat, never received a single death threat. The mis-guided person who left three notes, the last note was in his mailbox not the first like your article states, asked for his resignation, no mention of threating him or his family lives. The church has given Pastor Allen a separation package that would be laughed at by any secular company, because it is so extremely lavish for someone who chose to leave, and who only worked for the church for 7 months. The congregation voted and upheld Pastor Allen's decision to remove the flags from the sanctuary. As for the young man who says his parents attend the church and that one of the pastors stood up and said that it was great that giving was up again now that the pastor had left...young man, you must have dreamt that, because that, I assure you, never happened. Neither of our two pastors on staff here, took any joy over what has transpired, in fact they have been left behind to deal with on continual phone calls, commentary, and judgements of those outside of the church who think they know, when clearly they know nothing. This church is not perfect, but it is a Godly place. It has an outreach program that helps the poor, that most churches do not have in place, because of the love and generosity of its members. So, please, instead of judging what you know nothing about...why don't you pray, for Pastor Allen, for Pastor Long, for Pastor Collins, and the staff, and for FBC-Deland. Church of Jesus Christ, instead of throwing stones, demonstrate love towards one another. I’m so sad to read the article above and the comments, from people who clearly do not know what happened here and what they are talking about. I have worked for FBC-DeLand for almost 6 years. This story, has been blown out of proportion, and exagerrated. Pastor Long has been mis-quoted by the media (wow, like that never happens, because you know we can all believe everything we read in the media, and see on T.V.!!) where you copied the story from, and Sean Allen was not asked to leave, he left because he chose to. Nothing we said or did could convince him to stay. He left the church in a state of brokeness hurt and shock, wondering what it (the church) did to make him leave. I can tell you…the church did nothing to make him leave…just the contrary…the church bent over backwards to ask him to stay. The church stood up for the pastor, and in a public church meeting, asked that if the person who had sent the notes to him were in our midst, that person should leave the church…not the pastor. FBC-DeLand is being judged because of the actions of one person…probably not even a member of the church…how truly tragic that people think they know what is going on, who really know nothing about it. SEAN NEVER RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT!!!! I repeat, never received a single death threat. The mis-guided person who left three notes, the last note was in his mailbox not the first like your article states, asked for his resignation, no mention of threating him or his family lives. The church has given Pastor Allen a separation package that would be laughed at by any secular company, because it is so extremely lavish for someone who chose to leave, and who only worked for the church for 7 months. The congregation voted and upheld Pastor Allen’s decision to remove the flags from the sanctuary. As for the young man who says his parents attend the church and that one of the pastors stood up and said that it was great that giving was up again now that the pastor had left…young man, you must have dreamt that, because that, I assure you, never happened. Neither of our two pastors on staff here, took any joy over what has transpired, in fact they have been left behind to deal with on continual phone calls, commentary, and judgements of those outside of the church who think they know, when clearly they know nothing. This church is not perfect, but it is a Godly place. It has an outreach program that helps the poor, that most churches do not have in place, because of the love and generosity of its members. So, please, instead of judging what you know nothing about…why don’t you pray, for Pastor Allen, for Pastor Long, for Pastor Collins, and the staff, and for FBC-Deland. Church of Jesus Christ, instead of throwing stones, demonstrate love towards one another.

]]> By: Brett http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108951 Brett Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:54:01 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108951 My parents attend this church and I visited a while back. Clint is correct, the flag was removed only from the sanctuary, not entirely from the property. It was removed because he felt that the sanctuary was a place to focus solely on the worship and honor of God alone. The saddest part is that the congregation showed that they were in charge and would get their way. They had no trust in their pastor as shepherd. What stood out to me as I visited was that one of the pastors got up and announced how great it was that giving was back up now that the Pastor had left. People actually stopped giving their tithes to God as an act of rebellion. That is very indicative of the mindset that is going on there. Very sad. Now they have a search committee to look for a new pastor. Anyone want THAT job? My parents attend this church and I visited a while back. Clint is correct, the flag was removed only from the sanctuary, not entirely from the property. It was removed because he felt that the sanctuary was a place to focus solely on the worship and honor of God alone.

The saddest part is that the congregation showed that they were in charge and would get their way. They had no trust in their pastor as shepherd. What stood out to me as I visited was that one of the pastors got up and announced how great it was that giving was back up now that the Pastor had left. People actually stopped giving their tithes to God as an act of rebellion. That is very indicative of the mindset that is going on there.

Very sad. Now they have a search committee to look for a new pastor. Anyone want THAT job?

]]> By: Wendell Franklin Wentz http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108928 Wendell Franklin Wentz Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:56:15 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108928 The Reverend Mr. Sean Allen is right on target. Historic Baptists believed in Separation of Church and State, and he was pastor of a flock of people who got their theology from the radio and television, but not Scripture, History, or the Consititution of the United States. There are always some goats in the flock, and they are those who cause damage to the name of Jesus Christ and his church. Men and women who value the teachings of Jesus and the love of this nation will clap their hands for such a stand as Allen took. Being in Baptist Land in Florida doing such a deed is exactly what Martin Luther did when he nailed his thesis on the chapel door. What a man of courage!!! -Wendell Franklin Wentz The Reverend Mr. Sean Allen is right on target. Historic Baptists believed in Separation of Church and State, and he was pastor of a flock of people who got their theology from the radio and television, but not Scripture, History, or the Consititution of the United States. There are always some goats in the flock, and they are those who cause damage to the name of Jesus Christ and his church. Men and women who value the teachings of Jesus and the love of this nation will clap their hands for such a stand as Allen took. Being in Baptist Land in Florida doing such a deed is exactly what Martin Luther did when he nailed his thesis on the chapel door. What a man of courage!!! -Wendell Franklin Wentz

]]> By: BD http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108755 BD Mon, 19 May 2008 18:45:25 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108755 Thanks Clint. Thanks Clint.

]]> By: Clint http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108753 Clint Mon, 19 May 2008 17:49:12 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108753 He only took the flags out of the sanctuary, not the church. The sanctuary is a place for God, not a place for patriotism. The US flag still stood within the church He only took the flags out of the sanctuary, not the church. The sanctuary is a place for God, not a place for patriotism. The US flag still stood within the church

]]> By: Brit http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2008/05/15/resign-this-sunday-or-else-first-baptist-church-deland/#comment-108742 Brit Sun, 18 May 2008 04:51:11 +0000 http://www.benedictionblogson.com/?p=3865#comment-108742 ok, I am sure Rev Allen had a specific reason he did what he did. I don't know if i would have done it. The main problem I believe has to be inside the congregation, notes left in a songbook. As Bene D commented we do not know the whole story. Pray for the pastor and his safety, but most importantly pray for those causing such a stir. My name is brit and i need your prayers as well. I started a blogsite just the other day, and I need your support www.owhatasavior.com GOD BLESS ok, I am sure Rev Allen had a specific reason he did what he did. I don’t know if i would have done it. The main problem I believe has to be inside the congregation, notes left in a songbook. As Bene D commented we do not know the whole story. Pray for the pastor and his safety, but most importantly pray for those causing such a stir.

My name is brit and i need your prayers as well.

I started a blogsite just the other day, and I need your support

http://www.owhatasavior.com

GOD BLESS

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