Interesting subject to say the least. (Black Pimp Preachers)
First, I'm not black, I'm Hispanic. Yet I don't attend a church that is Hispanic, but actually a mix, or let's just say, very diversified.
Have 2 black pastors, and 4 white ones. The congregation is a mix of, white, black, Hispanic, Indian (India), Oriental, and mixed cultures that could be identified as one or another of the ones already mentioned.
What the subject reminded me of, was attending a breakfast at what would be considered a Black Church, non-denominal. The invitation was by a female member of the church who I worked with along with two other Black Co-Workers. The invite was to a Saturday breakfast of which I was the only non-black person in attendance. Unintentionally, it appeared our sitting arrangement had us around/buffer with our female co-worker. Observing the pastor one could help but feel his immediate dislike of us. I felt the Spirit move in me that there was something wrong with this man. He seemed agitated that not only me, but the other two male co-workers were there with the female who we later came to find out he was interested in, even though he was married! This was confirmed later, when he welcomed other people who were new, but made zero effort to welcome me and the other two co-workers!
It didn't bother me at all, because I was there for the cooking!!!!! I know selfish of me!
Anyway, when she got up to help the other ladies with serving the food, I observed the Pastor's eyes following her around. This just confirmed the Spirit's movement within me. I also talked later with the two other gentlemen on their impressions, and they had the same observations that I did. We all warned our female co-worker to take care and be careful around that man. Also, not to be alone with him. I couldn't even call him pastor to be honest. Wolf would have been a more appropriate description for how he came off to us.
Faith, trust, church, can make us feel safe in what one would consider a safe haven, because it's supposed to be of God, or His House! So, we, and mostly women get blinded to the danger that is present in this world no matter where you happen to find yourself!!! To make a long story shorter. This married Pastor, gradually started to make a move on her. I guess, what helped her was that before an accident happened at work, along with having Lupus, she was a Correctional Officer, and so had training in ways to protect herself. Anyway, she rebuffed his advances, and being crooked in one way, also guaranteed he be that way in other ways as well.
You would think with both his father, and brother being pastors, and well thought of ones, that he'd have followed or sought their guidance, at the very least, but apparently not. His downfall started to happen when he was the pastor for the State University Basketball team, and he basically neglected his duties to them, so as to make time for his other activities! Eventually, it tore apart his marriage, and eventually lost the pastoring of his church as well. How the mighty have fallen.
What I did notice from conversations with my female co-worker was that the other females in the church became aware of the Pastor's advances, but instead of blaming the supposed man of God, they blamed her!!! Women at times can be worse than men when it comes to dealing with the same gender.
It's like you say Brother, lust is everywhere. It's getting worse, and worse, and as the churches become more like the world, they can't help but bring it into what is supposed to be the House of God too. We need to keep the pastoral teams, families, and each other in constant prayer! Most when reminded will give it a couple of prayers, and then move on. I'm not immune to be negligent in this area either. If I am being aware of the difficulties out there do little in this area of prayer, how much less do others!!! It's a shame I feel and I'm sure others do as well, and hopefully changes, because we all need to be doing it!
So, I'm starting to ramble, and need to go get some food for my sons and me! Love you all, and the discussion, that few even realize exist that are not from churches that have one predominate culture attending. Dangerous times we live in.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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