Friday, May 5, 2017

My Pastor Is Nuts; he turns heaven into hell for the church

Narcissists can make good first impressions, but they're selfish

By Dennis Diehl
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- I have felt for years that a minister, pastor or priest who in fact has mental and emotional problems can hide in the ministry for years because his quirkiness and his obedience and demands for obedience to whatever he defines as "God's laws" seem so sincere.
Many mental-illness quirks are mistaken for piety and spiritual insights. Leadership styles and public-speaking approaches that Christians would never tolerate in the workplace are encouraged in the pulpit.
A minister who is mentally imbalanced rather than spiritually inspired can wreak havoc on a congregation, and I am amazed at how often few, if any, members of the congregation will confront the problem until it has all but destroyed the church.
Therefore I'd like to politely ask pastors, priests and ministers -- you who have taken it upon yourselves to speak for God, Jesus, the apostles and the intent of Scripture -- to examine the quirkiness that drives your membership nuts and harms more than helps.

Take this test and like it

You -- who think you know the mind of God and can clearly see what the Bible wants humans everywhere to understand through you -- need to find a personality disorder test and take it.
Since you claim to know all of what God is, has done and is doing, along with the truth of every important question about things past, present and future, it's important that your church members understand the filter -- your mind -- that this information passes through before it arrives on their doorstep.
You say you know the mind of God. But do you know how your own mind works and why you inspire the reactions you do from the faithful? Do you even know how people feel about your way of being and doing? Is it just you and God against the world?
Are you mentally fit to lead and speak? Do you responsibly handle the moneys your congregants entrust to you, believing they are sending them to you to do "God's work"? Or do you teach them that, once they send it in, it is no longer their business what "God" does with it?
I recall a leading evangelist in the Worldwide Church of God telling church members that, once they sent their tithe in, Herbert W. Armstrong could throw it off a bridge if he wanted and it was not their concern.
Wrong.

What's the truth?
What about truth, justice and the American way? Do you tell the truth at all costs? Or do you improve on it now and then for your own glory rather than God's?
It's important you find out these things about yourself, because others who have gone before you have ripped the souls out of millions of would-be followers of the Eternal.
Those millions failed to take the time to ask their leaders to divulge a little bit about themselves before they got teary-eyed over the doctrines and other teachings they endeavored to superimpose over their spiritual hopes and dreams.
Mr. Minister, you're invited to see if you can see yourself in the following descriptions of mental disorders. If any of these disorders sound all too familiar to you, maybe now is the time to ask why.

Suspicious mind
o Paranoid-personality disorder: This ailment is characterized by a distrust of others and
a constant suspicion that people around you have sinister motives.
People with this disorder tend to place excessive trust in their own knowledge and abilities and usually avoid close relationships.
They search for hidden meanings in everything and read hostile intentions into the actions of others.
They are quick to challenge the loyalties of friends and loved ones and often appear cold and distant. They usually shift blame to other people and tend to carry long grudges.
Its symptoms also include an unwillingness to forgive perceived insults; distrust and excessive self-reliance; projection of blame onto others; a consuming anticipation of betrayal; combative and tenacious concern for personal rights; and relentless suspicion.
A minister with this disorder may believe the brethren are always talking about him behind his back and may blame all his problems on someone else.

Odd forms
o Schizotypal-personality disorder: Many believe that someone with the schizotypal personality has a mild case of schizophrenia. This disorder is characterized by odd forms of thinking and perceiving. Folks with this malady often seek isolation from others.
They sometimes believe they have extrasensory abilities or that unrelated events relate to each other and to them in some important way.
They engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods. Their speech is often overelaborate and difficult to follow.
Symptoms also include odd or eccentric mannerisms or appearance, superstitious or other preoccupation with paranormal phenomena, difficult-to-follow speech patterns, feelings of anxiety in social situations, suspicion, shyness, aloofness.
Some of these symptoms might explain the tie, collar, robes or crown you wear during sermons. It might also explain the quasi-Jewish paraphernalia in the form of phylacteries and tassels that have found a home in your wardrobe.
These symptoms might also help us understand why we can't understand what the heck you're getting at in your sermons or how you wrested a particular idea out of Scripture.

Lacking social graces
o Antisocial-personality disorder: A common misconception is that "antisocial personality" refers to people who lack the social graces.
The opposite is often the case. Indeed, antisocial-personality disorder is characterized by a lack of conscience. People with symptoms are prone to criminal behavior, believing their victims weak and deserving of being taken advantage of.
Antisocials tend to lie and steal. Often they are careless with money and take action without thinking about consequences. They are sometimes aggressive and are much more concerned with their own needs than the needs of others.
Symptoms include disregard for the feelings of others; impulsive and irresponsible decision-making; a lack of remorse for harm done to others; lying; stealing; other criminal behavior; and disregard for the safety of self and others.
If you have an antisocial personality, that might explain your cruelty to church members or anyone who questions you, or it may be a clue as to why most of the members of your congregation are reduced to tears when they question your stewardship of their money.
It might also explain why you think you need a ministerial bus, or even a small jet aircraft, for your travels around the country.
It could even explain why you made fun of the guy who wasn't able to come to church and then died at home without your taking time to visit and encourage him.

In and out of the mood
o Borderline-personality disorder: A borderline personality is characterized by mood instability and a poor self-image.
People with this disorder are prone to constant mood swings and bouts of anger. Often they take their anger out on themselves, inflicting injury on their own body.
Suicidal threats and actions are not uncommon.
Borderlines think in stark black and white terms and often form intense, conflict-ridden relationships. They are quick to anger when their expectations are not met.
Symptoms also include attempted suicide or other self-injury; strong feelings of anger, anxiety or depression that last for several hours; impulsive behavior; drug or alcohol abuse; feelings of low self-worth; and unstable relationships with friends, family and boyfriends or girlfriends.
Your borderline personality might help us understand why you yell all the time or are so darn negative in sermons about everyone and everything on this beautiful planet.
It might even help us to understand why you disappear on missionary trips or evangelistic journeys for weeks at a time or your visits with brethren we have never heard of in places we have to look up.

The next stage
o Histrionic-personality disorder: People with histrionic personalities are constant attention seekers. They need to be the center of attraction, often interrupting others so they can dominate the conversation.
They use grandiose language to describe everyday events and seek to garner constant praise.
They may dress provocatively or exaggerate illnesses to gain attention.
Histrionic types also tend to exaggerate friendships and relationships, believing that everyone loves them. They are often manipulative.
Symptoms include rapidly shifting and shallow emotions; exaggerated friendliness; and overly dramatic and occasionally theatrical speech. Histrionics are easily influenced and highly suggestible.
Whoa! If we realize you're a histrionic personality, we might then understand why nothing we say is good enough for you or correct and why you make such mountains out of our molehills. We might also understand why you think the whole world is just amazed at your wonderful self.

Good first impressions
Narcissistic-personality disorder: Narcissistic-personality disorder is characterized by self-centeredness.
Like histrionic disorder, people with this ailment seek attention and praise. They exaggerate the number and worth of their achievements, expecting others to honor them as superior.
They tend to be choosy about picking friends, since they believe that not just anyone is worthy of being their friend.
Narcissists can make good first impressions, yet they have difficulty maintaining long-lasting relationships. They are generally not interested in the feelings of others and may take advantage of them.
They crave praise and admiration, have a grandiose sense of self-importance, lack empathy, lie to themselves and others and may be obsessed with fantasies of fame, power or beauty.
How many narcissists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Just one. He holds the bulb and the whole world revolves around him.
If you're a narcissist, Mr. Minister, that may explain why we have to call you "Mr." and why the in-group you surround yourself with seems to quit working for you or gets thrown out every month or so.

Everything right
o Obsessive-compulsive–personality disorder (OCPD): While OCPD is similar in name to obsessive-compulsive–anxiety disorder, the two are not the same.
People with OCPD are overly focused on orderliness and perfection. Their need to do everything "right" often interferes with their productivity.
They tend to get caught up in the details and miss the bigger picture.
They set unreasonably high standards for themselves and others and tend to be critical of people when they do not live up to their high standards.
They avoid working in teams, believing others to be too careless or incompetent.
They avoid making decisions because they fear making mistakes and are rarely generous with their time or money. They often have difficulty expressing emotion.
Symptoms include a need for perfection and excessive discipline, a preoccupation with orderliness, inflexibility, a lack of generosity, a hyperfocus on details and rules, and excessive devotion to work.
If you're an OCPD person, maybe that's why no one is ever good enough in your church or tries hard enough to become perfect.
We might then understand why you rant in every sermon about "God's law" and Jesus' imminent return with a rod of iron. Heck, a hug would be better, don't you think?
We'd also come close to understanding why once you make up your mind it never changes and why you brag about all the work you do for the church. It could also explain both your and our ulcers.

Friendly advice
If you decide to consider a personality test, please print the results in your local church's bulletin. Even taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test would be helpful.
I recommended this to WCG administrators and got an instant no.
That told me a lot right there. However, taking the Myers-Briggs survey would be only fair, since lives, emotions, finances, faith, hope and love depend on whether you really do speak for God, Jesus and the apostles or would just like to be the boss of the world.
"Know thyself" was good advice in ancient times and is still valuable counsel today.

What about Dennis?
I know, I know. What about you, Dennis?
That's a fair question. Here is the result of my own personality outlook, according to a well-known personality test: Paranoid: low. Schizoid: low. Antisocial: low. Borderline: low. Histrionic: low. Narcissistic: low. Avoidant: low. Dependent: low. Obsessive-compulsive: low.
I also turned out to be an ENFP according to Myers-Briggs. That's Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceptive.
That's the same as 2 percent of the population.
ENFP types like myself make good negotiators, counselors, pastors and massage therapists.
Alas, the first three didn't work all that well in my experience as a pastor in the Wild World Church of God. I'm presently doing okay in the fourth one.


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All Is Vanity



nounplural vanities.1. excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities,abilities, achievements, etc.; character or qualityof being vainconceit: Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.
2.  an instance or display of this quality or feeling. 
3.something about which one is vain or excessivelyproud:His good looks are his greatest vanity. 
4.lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness:the vanity of a selfish life. 
5.something worthless, trivial, or pointless.

There has been an interesting conversation on a Facebook page about how the church tried its utmost to wipe out gratitude and the ability to accept gratitude because it was labelled as vanity. This is ironic considering how vain most of the upper leadership of the church has always been and still is.  Just look at Bob Thiel, Gerald Flurry and Dave Pack, three of the vainest men the church has ever produced, but that is another ongoing story.

Many have told stories how difficult it is today, as adults to accept praise and gratitude from others. It was so ingrained in them that to accept praise was a vain attempt to puff up one's ego.  Praising other members for jobs well done was to make them big headed and seeking glory.

Just look at Herbert Armstrong's absurd waffling on woman and make-up.  Every single time it was all about vanity.  While he continually berated women for looking beautiful, he was out buying the best custom designed suits, shirts with his initials embroidered on them, silk ties and expensive cuff links.  Of course, there was no vanity there because the apostle needed to dress impeccably in order to meet world leaders and talk about a "strong hand from someplace."

God's most superfantabulous man has this to say about women and makeup, which translates into them being whores and prostitutes.

The Pull of Vanity

Psalm 39:5-6 states, “…verily [truly] every man at his best state is altogether VANITY…Surely every man walks in a VAIN SHOW [an image].” Vanity is a powerful force in all human beings, and it is far stronger than most understand. Each person must have a healthy respect for the pull of vanity at work within him. Be honest with yourself, and admit that this tendency is within you.
Pride and vanity are why the Encyclopaedia Britannica defines “cosmetics” as “…products nobody needs—but wanting them is human nature. Today, the desire to look better, smell better, and thus feel better causes consumers worldwide—mostly women—to spend an estimated $65 billion annually on personal enhancement—cosmetics” 
Everyone wants to look or be considered pretty—or even beautiful. The pull of vanity begins early in life. Modern society places enormous emphasis on beauty. As a result, recent studies demonstrate that even very little girls are unhappy with themselves to the point of depression, with many actually contemplating suicide as a result! They feel that they do not measure up to their peers or favorite movie stars. Today, the obsession with being beautiful has led nearly 10 million adolescent and teenage girls into eating disorders. 
Consider the meaning of the word mascara. If we just accept the word for what it is, then it becomes its own honest statement from the cosmetics industry. It comes from the word mask, and the word masquerade also derives from it. In essence, to wear mascara is to wear a mask—and to masquerade as something that one is not—for the purpose of vanity and perceived beauty 
Many women who used cosmetics in these cultures also took their lead from Semiramis and adopted the use of cosmetics for the purpose of harlotry. History shows how women applied makeup to change their appearance and seduce men. Harlots and “matrons” (the female leaders of prostitution rings) were specifically recognized by their silk, jewels and cosmetics. The Truth Hidden Behind Makeup
Dave has done nothing more that take Herbert Armstrong's turn of the century beliefs and re-word them for 2017 to continue belittling women, making them "less than" and subservient.

Here is Herbert Armstrong and his twisted reasoning on how makeup causes vanity and is, therefore, a sin.
Spirit, Not Letter of Law
   "But," some might exclaim, "I never thought of any connection between lipstick and the Ten Commandments! Surely the Ten Commandments do not say anything about painting the lips or the face."  
   Perhaps you have a surprise coming. Just read on, and you shall see that God's Law is all-inclusive. It covers the WHOLE DUTY of man. It covers, in principle, everything that can be sin!  
   So what we need to find out, in order to know whether the use of lipstick and makeup is wrong, is just as simple as that! The only question is whether it transgresses GOD'S LAW! Whoever continues in sin, willfully, after receiving the knowledge of the Truth is doomed to eternal DEATH! 
   It is not enough to say, as one woman wrote me: "I am willing to obey God in all things I THINK are His will." We must obey what GOD SAYS is His will, and cease doing what GOD SAYS is sin.  
Lipstick Not Mentioned by Name 
   The English word "lipstick" is not used anywhere in any English translation or version of the Bible. Nor do we find the modern words "makeup" or "cosmetics." Most people have believed that the right or wrong of using makeup is not directly or specifically mentioned in the Scriptures.  
   Actually, God's Word does reveal directly and specifically whether this alteration of the appearance of the face is sin! This will come as quite a surprise to nearly all who read this. 
   How is it possible that painting the lips, cheeks, or eyes could be either forbidden or approved by God's LAW? It's time we realize that the Spiritual Law covers every act of right or wrong.  
   God's Law is a great inexorable overall Law of SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES! It is not merely ten literal commands. It must be obeyed according to all the scope of its SPIRIT, as well as its literal letter.  The Truth About Makeup
Herbert Armstrong and the ministers of the various splinter groups use the word "vanity" as a means to control members.  No one deserves praise, other than the Dear Leader.  Just check out the Facebook pages for Living Church of God, Restored Church of God and the Philadelphia Church of God and witness the slobber fest church members heap upon church leaders and ministers.  It is actually stomach-turning to read at times.

Notice how praise works:
Why do we need praise?
It's no secret that being praised often makes people feel good. Pride, pleasure and increased feelings of self-esteem are all common reactions to being paid a compliment or receiving positive feedback. This is because being praised triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centres of the brain. As well as making us feel good, dopamine can also contribute to innovative thinking and creative problem-solving at work.  The Power of Praise and Recognition
The church never praised its members and continually warned that praise was only worthy to God.  Church of God members have never been able to do anything right in the eyes of the leadership. The church members were always being blamed for something.

"Christ has had to delay his coming because YOU were not ready!"
"Loma Armstrong is dying because church members were "backed up" and hard hearted."
" The church is struggling financially because YOU have not sent in your FULL tithe or made extra offerings."
"The upcoming ministerial conference will not be able function properly unless YOU fast and repent. Brethren."
"Unless YOU send in MORE money, God's House cannot be built!"

It is no wonder that many adults today who have escaped the clutches of Armstrongism have difficulty in being praiseworthy. The church did its utmost at times to dehumanize the members and make them "less than."

If one is a Christian, that person knows that praise is a good thing to do.  But in order to praise God, one must also learn to praise each other, otherwise, the praise is empty.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, "He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting," then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
1 Peter 1:7
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 











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Thursday, May 4, 2017

Letter To Rod Meredith About Ordaining Bob Thiel



Dear Dr Meredith

It has come to my attention that there has been a grievous oversight in God's true church, and I know that you will be keen to correct it immediately once you have been made aware of the situation. Bob Thiel has still not been ordained!

As you know, Dr Meredith, Mr Thiel is actually DOCTOR Thiel. In fact he has TWO doctorates, one in Naturopathy. This is surely equivalent to a theological degree, as I recollect all those bylines in the 1960s Plain Truth by your uncle "Dr C. Paul Meredith" - and HE was just a vet!

Bob also has a legitimate PhD from an obscure but accredited university. This is a major accomplishment, especially for someone who demonstrates limited grammatical and proof reading skills. I mean, how many double doctors does God's Philadelphian Work have at its disposal? This man is a treasure!

Plus, Dr Thiel has labored as a church host for years, and gives learned sermonettes on subjects like Marcion. Again, Dr Meredith, I wonder how many of the leading evangelists in God's Work would even know who Marcion was? Yet here is Bob providing this high quality edification for the lucky brethren in southern San Luis Obispo County.

But wait, Dr Meredith, there is more! Dr Thiel has his own website which provided vital information to the world in the wake of the Wisconsin shootings. For example, Dr Thiel correctly pointed out that it was inappropriate for outsiders to put up crosses as a sign of respect for those slain because crosses are pagan. This brave, principled stand was widely commented on!

And now Bob Thiel has expanded his wonderful website to include historical information on the Church of God in New Testament times and the first centuries. Already the fine scholarship he demonstrates has left Papists like Jared Olar (who is also counted among the anti-COG demonaics at XCG) speechless (other than making relevant critiques and citing facts in rebuttal.) Just take a look at the superb article Bob provides on Polycarp: again - who else even knows who Polycarp was (apart from Jared Olar - and being a Catholic he clearly doesn't count!)

Dr Meredith, please bear with me just a little longer while I mention Dr Thiel's excellent articles which have appeared not only in the church members' magazine, but even in The Journal, where they witness against the Laodicean subscribers who would otherwise have only been exposed to Brian Knowles, Dave Havir and other highly questionable sources.

So it was with shock, SHOCK, that I read Bob's recent disclaimer on his website: "I have not been ordained as a deacon or an elder."

I would personally like to recommend Dr Thiel for ordination as he is so clearly qualified - overqualified even - to be a minister in your great End Time Work to restore Apostolic Christianity. His gift for tact and respect when commenting on other Churches of God especially qualifies him to develop fraternal ties with those separated brethren in the United Church of God. I know that you will act expeditiously to bring him into the highest levels of ministry in the LCG.

With deep sincerity
GR

From Gavin Rumney's blog