Comments on: Cut Thornton some slack

By: Shari Ann

Shari Ann — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:57:51 +0000

This is coming rather late, given that the original post was made about two months ago. Nevertheless, I feel it important to add my two cents.

I’m one of the folks now blessed to have Pastor Thorton as our minister here in Southern California. Contrary to unpopular opinion, the vast majority of families to whom he now ministers are like mine, solidly middle class, struggling like most of our country to cope with the difficult economic times we all face. My family consists of myself and my husband, married 25 years, and our four mostly-grown children. I’m a stay at home mom to our youngest child, necessitating a great deal of coupon cutting and heavy budgeting. We’re not celebrities, far from it. What we are is representative of the congregation Pastor Thornton now leads.

What we also are is a congregation badly in need of Pastor Thorton’s special gifts. We’re a congregation in need of healing leadership, in need of someone who will boldly preach the gospel yet lovingly lead us to understand what God wants of each of us. Pastor Thornton has truly been a gift to us, come after a long year in the wilderness, I personally am grateful beyond measure for him. I have seen the same thankfulness and gratitude being expressed by the rest of our congregation.

I realize that it must have been very hard for his former church to let him go, and triply hard for Pastor Thornton and his family to take the steps in faith to come to Southern California. I’m frankly amazed that they did this; I know it hasn’t been easy adjusting to the different culture here, not to mention the different wardrobe…as he noted in a recent sermon, we don’t do church in dresses, suits and ties! Acclimating to a whole new environment in a distant state while shepherding a church that has undergone a traumatic pastoral loss and subsequent sharp decline in membership is no celebrity hobnobbing picnic.

While I’m very saddened to read that anyone is bitter toward Pastor Thornton for his departure from West Virginia, he speaks so fondly of his former church and various people within it who have impacted him over the years that I’m baffled by the bitterness toward him. I can only think that such people poorly understand the man. Additionally, they have no understanding nor compassion for those of us who now enjoy his teaching. We might be Southern Californians, but we’re first and foremost your brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not believe Pastor Thornton was brought to us out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather that he’s living out Philippians 2:1-11 (which oddly enough he’s been preaching upon for the past three weeks).

In that spirit, I wish peace upon those who have posted in anger, and pray that you come to see Pastor Thorton’s departure from West Virginia in a different, more Christlike perspective.

By: Warren

Warren — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:12:59 +0000

just a couple quick factual corrections to dear Janice’s comments:

1) from where Thornton will be living, it’s a LONG ways from Malibu (and not just in distance but in culture, community, local values, etc) … it’s sort of like saying that Huntington is just outside of Charleston

2) the beach is 20+ miles drive from his house, not blocks

and how does Janice know his pay package? and has Janice priced what her house/ apt would cost in the region?

I don’t know if it’s hurt or old woundings that have motivated Janice’s comments, but I pray that the Lord would be her center and Saviour

By: Haz

Haz — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:07:05 +0000

How come a prominent minister is never called to pastor a small church instead of God always calling him/her to a bigger better church. Whoever wrote the lead article is very nieve about clergy. It is said that man is driven by money, sex and power. This is the nature of mankind. In his charge the minister deals basically with sinful man and is tempted sometimes beyond belief. There is a high rate of infidelity among pastors. They live lonely lives because they do not have people to talk with. People like to talk so they cannot take their parishiners in confidence. They can’t talk to other ministers because they may want his job. He/she is basically in a catch 22 situation. There are several books on the subject. Thornton already has a few strikes against him. Usually Californians do not like people from the NE and after a church has been without a pastor for a few years it shows that all is not well with that church. He is tall and impressive and that is in his favor.

By: Brad

Brad — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:20:28 +0000

The Thorntons aren’t necessarily going to a better situation. W.Va. was their “comfort zone.” He was beloved and well-taken care of here. He admits he is anxious about the move. Reportedly, the relatively small house they are buying costs nearly a million dollars. Folks, that’s a ten thousand dollar monthly payment, not to mention taxes and insurance. Their children’s tuition is as expensive as a high-priced college. Lots of financial pressures he didn’t have in W.Va. They will need to learn Spanish and a very different culture to survive in Mexifornia. There’s no assurance he’ll succeed at a church that’s been torn appart by the former pastor’s misbehavior. Moreover, for reasons too numerous to mention here, it may very well be God’s will that Shawn remove himself from Bible Center. The church will find someone good or better to replace him as senior pastor. Confidence and optimism is high among leadership. And those who were simply following Shawn may want to go elsewhere, because we’re supposed to be following Jesus Christ our Lord.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:10:00 +0000

I was googling Pastor Thornton because I am a member of the church he is going to in California and I wanted to find out more about him. First, I want to clarify that yes, this is a wealthy area, but we are not all wealthy, myself very much included. What comes with the wealth, the glamour, etc of the area is a lot of lost, misguided, deluded, hurting people. Our church had what we thought was a wonderful “ideal” pastor who preached one thing and lived another. Over a year ago he was “caught” in sexual sin that was not a one time “mistake” but apparently was a lifestyle that had been going on for a very long time. His wife and the congregation felt betrayed to the core. The congregation has been struggling to recuperate for over a year. We have not had a Senior Pastor for all that time. From what I’ve read about Pastor Thornton, he is a man of integrity and a man who can help us heal. WE NEED HIM. I don’t think anyone would come out here for the money or golf or beach! He will have a huge challenge on his hands. Unless led by God, no one would gladly take on this situation. I hope the congregation at Bible Center Church will understand we need him. Faith in Christ has received a black eye in this area. We need a Godly leader to help us reach the lost in Southern California.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:08:50 +0000

You said a mouthful in this piece. Insightful.

By: Mikey

Mikey — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:36:22 +0000

Can you blame a talented person from Moving from a hick, redneck bottom of the barrel, socialist welfare State where he had to scratch for donation money for his church (competing with lottery tickets, one arm bandits, snuff, cigarette and beer purchases)

He has saved the poor heathens from the wilderness State and now moves into the wealthy, morally corrupt Sodom-Gomorrah State to save the rich heathens.

By: Thomp

Thomp — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:08:47 +0000

Maybe T.D. Jakes should’nt have left West Virginia either…lol. I wish the best for Pastor Thornton. Lets hope he will do as wonderful as the bishop has.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:49:40 +0000

Well put, Vic. Very well put.

This is an imprecise example, but the lesson remains true: I’m reminded of David’s defense of Saul as, “The Lord’s anointed.” Though he was an enemy of Saul, David yet revered the Lord’s call on Saul’s life and viciously defended it, even among David’s most loyal men.

Likewise, though we are saddened and, indeed, in some cases angered by Shawn’s departure, to wage against the clear calling of God on the Thornton family’s life is neither right, nor safe.

Godspeed, Shawn Thornton!

As to the WVU example, all I will say is that if CA doesn’t do right by Shawn Thornton, we’re sending Tom Flaherty out to collect a buy out provision.

By: aaron

aaron — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:42:13 +0000

It is easy in a bigger church for people to sit back and enjoy the fruits of a good pastor while not laboring.

If God told the Pastor to leave, God knows best! Maybe he wants to see som pew sitters to help carry the church now, especially if the new pastor doesnt’ carry the same uniting status the church has known.

That’s the problem in America too. Too many pew sitters, just accepting what the Repbulican and Democrats do. We need more Americans to get up off the pews, think for themsleves and be involved much more than just showing up to vote. Its time to correct Americas polititcal system form destroying what little we have left of the constitution.

There are more than just the two parties. This year, Obama or McCAin are both loser choices. To argue agaisnt that is pure ignorance. Since both are losers then we must make a stand and refuse to vote for either. Send a mesage and vote for Chuch Baldwin.

baldwin08.com
http:www.baldwin08.com

No more pew sitters.