April 2023 by Joel Rankin
Something happened today that - as a born again Christian and as a Baptist - embarrassed me beyond words. The pastor displayed shameful behavior; and it was behavior that is unbecoming of a Christian, let alone a pastor.The staff members from Martin Funeral Home were chosen to assist in the memorial and funeral for one of the church attendees. It was understood that the staff from the funeral home would show up between 8:30 AM - 9AM. They showed up approximately between 8:45 and 8:50. The pastor felt that he had been inconvenienced, and immediately started vocalizing his serious discontent. Apparently, he expected the team to be there at 8:30.The team tried to explain to the pastor that the person who was initially slated to conduct the service had a family emergency the night before. Their brother had had a stroke at 44 years old. So the funeral home had to accommodate an internal need that anybody can understand.Instead of showcasing a demeanor of understanding, the pastor continued to berate the funeral home staff in a rude and un-Christ-like manner. This behavior is completely unacceptable for someone that claims to be a Christian, let alone someone who holds the office of a Pastor.And because his verbal trouncing of the Martin funeral staff was public, I am making my disdain for his behavior public. As Paul withstood Peter to his face, I challenge this pastor to do the right thing. I think he needs to make an apology that is humble and sincere to the entire Martin funeral staff.For so many Biblical reasons, the pastor's behavior this morning was absolutely abhorrent. Maybe the pastor was having a bad day... Unfortunately, his office demands that he set a higher standard and that he be held to a higher standard. I expect this kind of behavior out of an unregenerate, Philistine dog - but it should never be named among Christians.I will make my case with scripture. If the pastor he feels he can justify his anger with scripture, I implore him to do so....James 1:19 - 20Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.Proverbs 12:16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.Proverbs 22:24 - 25Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.Ephesians 4:31 - 32Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.1 Timothy 3:2 - 3A bishop (a pastor) then must be BLAMELESS, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but PATIENT, not a brawler, not covetous;Titus 1:7For a bishop (a pastor) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, NOT SOON ANGRY, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate...Galatians 5:22 - 23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love for others), I am NOTHING....The cause of Christ has enough challenges without having a pastor very publicly losing his composure because he was inconvenienced by the grand total of 20 minutes. And again, I would admonish him as a brother in Christ to swallow his pride and apologize to the staff members that he berated.