The elders of our church, Hope Church, have made a devastating decision to release our pastor. We are all grieving in the wake of this news. Pastor David Ball has been in our experience a genuine, godly, convicted, humble & on-fire for the Lord man. We have seen nothing in his character to believe any differently.
"You will know them by their fruit. Do men pick grapes from thorns? Do men pick figs from thistles? It is true, every good tree has good fruit. Every bad tree has bad fruit. A good tree cannot have bad fruit. A bad tree cannot have good fruit." Matthew 7:16-18
We have had a lot of fruit born this year at our church. We've had more people receive salvation than the last 3 years combined. Our alters are full every Sunday with repentant hearts. We have been blessed.
The elders have been very clear that it was not a sin issue, but rather insubordination (Pastor Ball's not coming under their governing body). To be certain, I do NOT accuse our elders of any misconduct. I do not know all the issues & I will respect their ordained leadership. However, I believe it our duty to question our leaders.
It appears it was a power struggle & ineffective communication.
I believe that when God calls a pastor to a pulpit...that he is God's anointed one & that you must tread very carefully about closing God's prophet/mouthpiece.
There are many hurt, grieving and angry people. I pray that the enemy does not gain more foothold in the way that we deal with the days to come. We must speak peace & love one another even more than before. The devil would like nothing better than for us to be distracted from worshiping our Lord in such a precious season.
I pray a hedge of protection around Pastor David & his family. I also pray that for our elders & their families.
Please lift up our church - that God would swiftly bring repentance, unity, restoration & peace to us all. May God's perfect will be done.
"Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing." 1 Timothy 2:8
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