I couldn’t sleep so I decided to check my feeds. First up was this story on Ragamuffinsoul.
I read a story of a pastor that in the span of a week has left his church his wife and his kids… for a married woman. And I felt angry.
I read a Blog about this story from the former Worship leader of that church. And felt angry and sad… but more sad now.
My heart started to do that fluttery thing like when you have a deep chill or are all hopped up on adrenaline after a car accident. And although it’s cold out the flutter isn’t from that. It’s because by heart is broken for those families and that church. I am less angry now.
I have never been too the church, and as far as I know I don’t know anyone that has been there. Yet I feel for them. I have read the pastors blog before and thought he had some great insights and pearls of wisdom. That is my only real connection to this situation. But I feel so involved and so connected.
Perhaps it hits home as I am in ministry and had an argument with my wife tonight over something stupid. A baby gate for those interested. Now I don’t think that my ministry and his are anywhere even close to the same level (he was pastor of a multi-camps church) or that my wife and I are going to split over a baby gate. But it is sobering. And calls things into perspective.
It makes me appreciate my wife and all the incredible things she does. from working full time, volunteering at the church, cleaning the house, raising 2 girls (and 1 husband), balancing the difficult schedules and keeping everyone happy. She is a wonder women and I probably don’t tell her that enough…
Then I read a blog from my friend Jeff. How true are the words of Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. They came at a great time for me. and Jeff I too am emotional as I write them. God is here (with me), God is there (with the family and friends of the pastor), and God is with you. He comforts those who mourn.
Peace,
Billy
Hey Billy,
I go to Revolution and it means a great deal to me that even though you don’t know us personally, you are hurting with us. This whole thing has made me feel the same way about my wife. I truly don’t appreciate her enough. Thanks for the prayers.
By: Eric Lapointe on March 11, 2008
at 3:54 pm
Hi Billy,
I too go to Revolution. Thanks for you prayers. Even now, a couple weeks later, I am still spinning. I found your blog post because David Trotter found your blog post and he inadvertantly pointed me to you. He found you by googling himself which he does several times a day.
I’m glad you are sobered and you take your responsibility as a husband seriously. I’d hate to see another family destroyed by a man’s desire to worship himself. Please keep your focus on God, not on yourself. Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Sadly, David trusted in himself and accomplished nothing, but lost his family in the process…
By: Michelle Lasch on March 30, 2008
at 2:02 am
While I can appreciate all the calls to prayer and support, at some point the church needs to get a sack and confront the predator.
We should not continue the failed church policies of the past and send em packin’ off to the next unsuspecting group, organization or church, but stop him in his tracks.
Mr. Trotters last employer of record has a responsibility to pray for him and also to track him like a dog for the next several years and make every legal attempt to prevent him from spreading his poison and leaving devastated families in his wake.
Our nations churches have been acting cowardly for years because we have not stopped these abuses of power.
IMHO
By: Ed on April 7, 2008
at 10:18 pm
Ed (or IMHO)
I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. I think a pretty important distinction needs to be made and I think it is something you missed while reading my post. David Trotter Had an affair with a married women. They were both adults and both capable of making the decisions they made. He DID NOT take advantage of children.
I think your call for his former employer to “track him like a dog for the next several years” is a bit of a stretch. Would you expect any other business to track a former employee that cheated on his wife? Just because this man is a christian doesn’t mean he is above the temptation we all face. it means that when he fails to live above it more people notice.
Billy
By: billydotcom on April 8, 2008
at 7:31 am
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By: Thank you Vince Antonucci « Billydotcom’s Weblog on May 20, 2008
at 10:00 am