Today, I received a telephone call about my original comments from Greg Powell, the new preacher at Victory Baptist. He asked me to delete my March, 2011 comments.
I mentioned the factors that led me to my conclusions and the unchristian manner in which Victory Baptist treated me and asked him some questions to determine if there had been a change in spirit at Victory Baptist.
I reminded Rev. Powell that years ago I had sought to meet with Victory Baptist. I wrote: ""The purpose of this letter is to seek to meet with you gentlemen about any fault, error, or offense you may have against me pursuant to Christ's commands in Matthew 5:23, 24. Since your letter [of censure against me] gave no specifics, I do not know how to right any alleged wrong...I am willing to submit my self to any group of honest, ethical, just brethren motivated by a thirst for truth and impartial, godly judgment...""
I never received a response to my letter from the people at Victory Baptist. If you run afoul of the people at Victory Baptist, based upon their past performance, you may find yourself excommunicated or blackballed without any warning, explanation, or remedy!
I've attended many Independent Fundamental Baptist churches over the past 45 years. Unfortunately, I have attended many sick IFB churches.
The few healthy IFB churches I attended all shared several common qualities: Healthy churches have structures of accountability for their leaders. Healthy churches - and leaders of healthy churches - don't avoid questions or suppress criticism. Healthy churches are open, transparent, honest, and just in their dealings with others. Healthy churches are responsive to those who question their actions and take responsibility for their own wrongdoing. Healthy churches go to those they have wronged and seek forgiveness. Healthy churches are led by 'servant leaders' who are intellectually and spiritually honest, and who love God and who love people and treat others as they would be treated.
Pray for the people at Victory Baptist.
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