About 4 to 5 years or so ago, a man teaching the young adults was using a book by a pretty famous TV evangelist. Everything was going good until two students thought that some of the information in the book did not sound right. So they went and told the pastor.
The pastor got a copy and read it. There were items in the book that were incorrect, but instead of jumping to conclusions, the pastor sent the book to a bunch of colleagues to get their feedback. They agreed with him.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
The pastor wanted to talk to the teacher about the book, but the teacher got offended and instead if talking to the pastor, he just left and vowed to bring down the pastor and the church. The teacher after the move started to heavily recruit others to move. Some did and some did not.
Now I ask you, is that Christian type behavior? The answer is not, this is not appropriate Christian behavior. The mature thing to do would be to just leave/move on.
If the pastor had done something wrong or was teaching wrong biblical doctrine, then it is the obligation of the congregation and/or LBA to talk to the pastor. If nothing gets resolved, then it is their job to talk to the district supervisor. However, this was not the case. In this case it was a matter of one person, the teacher, taking offense because he felt the pastor overreacted or did not trust him.
It is ok to leave, but if you do, then just leave. Do not try to cause strife within a church.
1 Corinthians 5:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
Ephesians 4:31-32 New International Version (NIV)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 6:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Romans 14:13-17 New International Version (NIV)
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
You may be wondering if all of this happened 4 to 5 years ago, then why write about it now. The issue is that this conflict is still there and is starting all over again. Our church is considering the sale of the property to move to another location and rumors about the sale are popping up everywhere. One of the more interesting reasons for the sale is that the pastor is selling the church for personal gain. Say what? This money goes into a fund that is heavily controlled, not the pastors bank account. Furthermore, all of those that left want to know why we are selling and where we are moving. My question is why? You left the church, why do you care? If you want to come back then fine, but otherwise just stay out of it since it does not impact you one little bit.
Lord I pray that the teacher and the pastor can get things resolved. If the pastor has truly tried everything and the teacher is just unwilling to talk/discuss, then help the teacher to realize that he was wrong and that is just time for him to move on. If the pastor has not tried everything, then provide the pastor with suggestions on to resolve this issue once and for all. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!