Misunderstanding at church

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
Today, one of the parishioners who will turn 96 next month, helped herself to 2 pens that the church keeps by the door. They are there for that purpose and free to anyone that wants them. In a few minutes the pastor came over to where we were waiting to have our pre-service Bible study and said something about her taking two pens.

As soon as the Bible study leader came in and sat down, she jumped up and ran over to him and told him the pastor had reprimanded her for taking two pens. Now I am sure the pastor was just pulling her leg about what she did, but she did not take it that way.

The pastor overheard her telling the study leader and came over and told her what he had said to her was not for her to share with the rest of the congregation and gave a short homily on gossip. The more he said, the more upset the old lady became. She said that all she did was take a couple of pens and there was no need to bring it up to her and that maybe she wouldn't be coming to church anymore. One of the other woman in the study jumped up and went over to the pastor told him that he needed a "time out". Now that didn't sit well with him. He told that woman, "You don't tell your own pastor he needs a time out!", and he stormed off.

The woman that had taken the pens just sat and sniffed, like she was holding back crying, through the rest of the study. It just made everyone uncomfortable and I didn't stay for the service because I felt embarrassed for everyone and that I couldn't look the parties involved in the eye.

Any opinions on that situation?
 

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This is one of the craziest things I've ever heard. A pen!

I remember when you told us you'd taken more than one snack or something and were also spoken to, Deb.

Put a basket in the church with a sign over it:

"THE PASTOR NEEDS PENS, PLEASE DONATE HERE"
 
The kinds of people who make my absence worthwhile. Alex Clarke wrote: Faith does not require religion. Faith is a personal relationship with God (whatever your God may be). Religion is an creation of man. The whole purpose of religion is to control what you think, say and do as well as separating you from your wealth. Each religion preaches that their way is the only way and that adherence to any other religion to be doomed. Religion is proof that there is no limit to human stupidity.

To each his own.
 
It's a shame, where ever humans are involved there is sure to be conflict.

People react, bounce off each other and have hurt feelings & egos.

I think that the pastor, as the leader/authority figure should take the initiative and share some Christian humility and compassion. Offering apologies, and forgiveness to the lady that took two pens...those actions would go along way to return the congregation to better mental outlook.
 
......maybe the pastor should take some of the "offering" money, buy some pens & put them in the lobby with a sign, "Help Yourself":holymoly:
 
2B, or not 2B: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous tellings off , Or to take pencils and pens from the home of the lord and feel the wrath of irritable pastors and parishioners ...that is the question :playful:


LOL...sorry couldn't resist, hope no-one takes offence at my misquote of Shakespeare :D
 
He is in the wrong business.

The lady is 95 years old and still coming to a bible study.
He should be more concerned with how she is coping with everyday living.

If this is a pattern and not just a one off, he needs counselling.
 
debodun said:
Today, one of the parishioners who will turn 96 next month, helped herself to 2 pens that the church keeps by the door. They are there for that purpose and free to anyone that wants them. In a few minutes the pastor came over to where we were waiting to have our pre-service Bible study and said something about her taking two pens.

As soon as the Bible study leader came in and sat down, she jumped up and ran over to him and told him the pastor had reprimanded her for taking two pens. Now I am sure the pastor was just pulling her leg about what she did, but she did not take it that way.

The pastor overheard her telling the study leader and came over and told her what he had said to her was not for her to share with the rest of the congregation and gave a short homily on gossip. The more he said, the more upset the old lady became. She said that all she did was take a couple of pens and there was no need to bring it up to her and that maybe she wouldn't be coming to church anymore. One of the other woman in the study jumped up and went over to the pastor told him that he needed a "time out". Now that didn't sit well with him. He told that woman, "You don't tell your own pastor he needs a time out!", and he stormed off.

The woman that had taken the pens just sat and sniffed, like she was holding back crying, through the rest of the study. It just made everyone uncomfortable and I didn't stay for the service because I felt embarrassed for everyone and that I couldn't look the parties involved in the eye.

Any opinions on that situation?
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The pastor shouldn't have reprimanded that woman for taking two pens that were there for the congregation free for the taking. Even if disguised as being said in jest, the pastor was compelled to say something to the lady, and I find that very odd for a church leader. The whole debate was silly in my opinion, either offer the pens for free and know that some people will take more than one at times, or don't offer pens at all.
 
debodun said:
Today, one of the parishioners who will turn 96 next month, helped herself to 2 pens that the church keeps by the door. They are there for that purpose and free to anyone that wants them. In a few minutes the pastor came over to where we were waiting to have our pre-service Bible study and said something about her taking two pens.

As soon as the Bible study leader came in and sat down, she jumped up and ran over to him and told him the pastor had reprimanded her for taking two pens. Now I am sure the pastor was just pulling her leg about what she did, but she did not take it that way.

The pastor overheard her telling the study leader and came over and told her what he had said to her was not for her to share with the rest of the congregation and gave a short homily on gossip. The more he said, the more upset the old lady became. She said that all she did was take a couple of pens and there was no need to bring it up to her and that maybe she wouldn't be coming to church anymore. One of the other woman in the study jumped up and went over to the pastor told him that he needed a "time out". Now that didn't sit well with him. He told that woman, "You don't tell your own pastor he needs a time out!", and he stormed off.

The woman that had taken the pens just sat and sniffed, like she was holding back crying, through the rest of the study. It just made everyone uncomfortable and I didn't stay for the service because I felt embarrassed for everyone and that I couldn't look the parties involved in the eye.

Any opinions on that situation?
Click to expand...
Yes. Everyone in that church should find another one. The Pastor was being uncouth. He needs a permanent time out.
 
Aunt Bea said:
It just confirms my feelings about going to church!
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Exactly. My church is my back yard. Well, when I had one. Now it's in my room. Near my altar. Which happens to hold my pc along with my crystals. I don't need some schmuck telling me what God thinks or says. He tells me Himself.
 
CindyLouWho said:
......maybe the pastor should take some of the "offering" money, buy some pens & put them in the lobby with a sign, "Help Yourself":holymoly:
Click to expand...

When a pastor/reverend/preacher drives limos, balks at free pens including TWO, wears Armani suits...you KNOW he is dipping in the tithing bowl. Why continue to support HIM? God does not need those things. His wannabe mouthpiece does need those things.

People are so gullible.

From a pagan christian such as myself, my advice is talk to the nearest raccoon or deer wandering by. They have His ear more than those who claim they do.
 
The pastor embarrassed her. When he heard her talking to the bible study leader he should have left it alone. Later he should have taken her aside and told her he was joking and he was sorry she didn't realize that. Then he should have told her how much he appreciated her attending the church. Then he should have told her that at 95 she could have as many pens as she wanted.
Unless she's an old biddy that steals all the pens.

Too bad such a trivial thing caused so much angst.
 
hollydolly said:
2B, or not 2B: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous tellings off , Or to take pencils and pens from the home of the lord and feel the wrath of irritable pastors and parishioners ...that is the question :playful:

LOL...sorry couldn't resist, hope no-one takes offence at my misquote of Shakespeare :D
Click to expand...


Our version was much worse:

TB or not TB, that is the congestion. Consumption be done about it? Of cough, of cough, but it will take a lung, lung time.
 
What I would like to know is...why do younger people (younger means anywhere from kids to 49 years old) think seniors are idiots and can be bullied? I must have an aura around me because this never happens to me. Ff a pastor or anyone else in a store, cafe, etc said such a thing to me, I'd be in his face real quick. And if I saw someone doing that to someone that age, I'd be in his/her face double quick.

This is the wrong old lady to pull that crap with.
 
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