Pastor Thornton, Part II, more hate and venom August 22, 2008
I would suggest you read the commentary yesterday, before this one for some background, but I’ll launch right into my thoughts.
My thoughts… hmmm… My thoughts.
First, it’s certainly not my job to defend Pastor Thornton. But, I know him well enough to guess that he will not defend himself over this move to CA. After all, he will simply say that God worked on his heart and he felt compelled to move on.
What’s unfortunate is the small and bitter and jealous and dictionary-definition-of-what’s-wrong-with-West-Virginia-people that we are left with here.
Yesterday, I highlighted the jealous and bitter “Janice” and her hateful commentary toward Pastor Thornton taking a position as Senior Pastor in a California ccongregation.
Move over Janice, more insanity is gracing the pages of the Charleston Daily Mail commentaries.
Of course, these folks hide behind the veil of anonymity to spew their hate and anger toward Pastor Thornton. Some call themselves congregants of Bible Center Church, which may or may not be true. I don’t know I guess if I felt as strongly as these people supposedly do, I’d sign my name to the comment, but none has, so its impossible to surmise if some of these people are at Bible Center. Sadly, it isn’t surprising that some may be.
While I hate to give their comments any credence, I feel compelled to tear these to shreds and show the true idiocy in them and to again emphasis that it is this type of thinking, this type of mentality, this “attitude” that despises success that keeps West Virginia held back.
OK, first comment that needs dispelled.
This one was from “long time member of bcc”….
My emotions have been mixed too, Pastor Thornton but the longer this goes on and the more we find out, the more mad I get. Thornton came, ran Bible Center Church straight into the ground by not caring about the testimony this would have on the community (especially Huntington Banks), led the people into a huge building project along with a huge debt and is now running. And you better stop talking, Thornton because the more you say the more you contradict yourself. Oh what a might web you weave!
This isn’t a bad thing for BCC. This is the best thing that could have happened. Now we can get someone in who will teach us more than what his golf score was and who it was he had the privilege of playing with. I’m with Janice…”Run Forest Run!!”
Now, this one made me laugh out loud.
So, Thornton “ran Bible Center into the ground.”
Yes, going from 700 members to 2200 members is a sure sign of a failing church. And, I’m sure that every sermon of Thornton’s was laced with his golf scores. I’m sure that is what kept the people coming and the congregation growing.
Isn’t it unfortunate that a small mind such as this alleged BCC member would equate “growth” with “failure.” OH MY, a building project, oh no!
Ridiculous and sad commentary. But, unfortunately typical. Goodness forbid someone should choose to leave our state. Goodness forbid someone should have a vision to build a new building that attracts new people to the congregation.
OK, next commenter. Stacey. She’s a doozy.
Would Shawn Thornton be running away from anything? I heard the new church was poorly planned with not enough room. I heard the school was supposed to go through middle school this year but can’t because he (1) had to move the teens to the old church because there isn’t any space at the new church and (2) he paid so much attention to his 20,000,000.00 new church that he dropped the ball on getting the school up and going.It would help explain why he would be leaving a place he repeatedly claimed to love so much and planned never to leave. Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if the money played a role in that as well.
This Stacey “hears” a great deal. She “heard” this. She “heard” that. Maybe Stacey ought to try a new profession instead of the gossip mastering she is currently practicing. This commenter floors me.
And, my guess is that this person has lived here all her life. Why? Because she simply can’t understand why ANYONE would EVER move out of West Virginia. It’s like she just saw an alien sighting. And, of course, it’s impossible for her to believe that MAYBE, MAYBE Pastor Thornton might have felt called.
But, the kicker, Stacey says that the new church was poorly planned with not enough room.
You know, she might be right, NINETY-SIX acres is a little small. And, teens had to move because this church was too small.
Holy smokes.
The BCC main floor seats TWENTY-FOUR HUNDRED PEOPLE. Yep, definitely too small. Good job, Stacey.
Next commenter, “Bible Center Member Too”
I made a comment under the other article about feeling betrayed and, the more I think about it, the more betrayed I feel.It’s no wonder he only gave a week’s notice that he was leaving when he’s known for a long time that he was leaving (word is out that he was looking at houses in Malibu at least 3 weeks ago). He knew that once the facts were known, people would see this for what it tuly is. A pastor abandoning his church in the middle of a huge loan to repay, all so he can make a quarter of a million a year, play golf year round and frolic on the Malibu beach. I also hear that his children are telling their friends that they will be going to school with the children of celebrities and NFL players.And this comes from a man who told his congreation countless times that he absolutely loved it in the Kanawha Vally, loved Bible Center Church and planned to retire here. Pastor Thornton, I used to support you, but no longer. Please just leave now.
This one nearly caused my head to explode. Sorry!
Unfortunately, Bible Center Member Too, is so sadly typical of some West Virginia’s attitudes. As long as you are here, you are wonderful. When you decide to leave, you are a villian.
But, let’s dissect her comments too. First, not only is she uninformed, but she is lazy. If she simply would have read Pastor Thornton’s speech and FAQs on the website, much of this is answered.
First, the “one week notice.” Listen, BCMT, HE didn’t give one week notice, the Elders of the church decided it was best that he didn’t stick around too long. Why? EXACTLY BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU and your new found hatred of Pastor Thornton.
I MIGHT guess that this person isn’t a Bible Center member. Why?
Because no one who actually knew Shawn Thornton would ever envision him “frolicing on the beach.” That may be one of the funniest visions that has ever come into my mind. Here’s a wild guess… Pastor Thornton won’t be “frolicing’ on any beaches.
Another hysterically stupid comment. “word has it that he was looking for houses in Malibu three weeks ago.”
GASP! Oh, no! The dude is moving to CA, has told the pastors at the church he was moving, visited CA weeks ago, is moving out there in mid-Sept and GASP! he was looking for houses. Crazy Shawn, looking for houses when you decide you may be moving. Who does that? Don’t we all wait until AFTER we move someplace to actually find somewhere to live.
And, I’m guessing that BCMT is not too up-to-date on football, the last NFL franchise in Los Angeles are now the - Oakland Raiders. Who knows maybe the Thornton kids have been working with the Governator to bring an NFL franchise to Los Angeles. Was BCMT drunk when she wrote this?
Yesterday, I thought Janice was bad. But, unfortunately, the “Janice-mentality” is alive in well in many of us, including some of the Bible Center members it sounds like.
You know, the more I read, the more dismayed I am. I’m dismayed we here in West Virginia are stuck with the Janices and Bible Center Member Too’s of the world. The negativity. The jealousy. The gossip. The anger and hate and venom.
Simply because a Pastor decided that God had called him to go elsewhere. My guess is if Thornton thought God called him to Wichita, KS, he’d be there. Or Tanzania for that matter.
The part that irritates me is that this is exactly how we treat those who decide to leave us. Instead of congratulations and good wishes, we leave them with a bad taste in their mouth about West Virginia. Here is a guy who has given the last 10 years of his life to his congregation. Weddings. Funerals. Family troubles. Sickness. Through all of that he has given of himself and given and given.
What does he get in return?
Bible Center Member Too and a good swift kick in the behind on the way out.
I’m sorry, I just don’t understand the mentality. We act like “how dare HE” decide to leave US? We have this fatalistic view of ourselves that if someone good leaves, we must try to destroy them because we’ve decided to stay. It’s baffling.
Who knows. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Shawn will be laying on the beach each day, banging with the heavyweights at Muscle Beach, frolicing like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music, sipping cognacs with Leslie in their matching robes hot tub side in their mansion, with their kids playing flag football with Arnold’s kids and the mystical, new NFL franchise that just recently moved to Los Angeles.
Pastor Thornton’s Day?
8am - Golf with Jack Nicholson
11am - Muscle Beach with the Governator
1pm- Beach Frolicing in Malibu
2:30:01 to 2:30:03 - pray
2:30:04 - Back to Beach Frolicing (possibly move the frolicing to Ventura Beach)
5pm - Hot tub time with Leslie
6pm - Save a soul
7pm - Los Angeles Laker game with Spike Lee
11pm - Bedtime
Yep, I was wrong, Pastor Thornton didn’t really feel called by God to uproot his family and move to the strange planet of California. It was all about the frolicing.
Goodness gracious, God help us who remain in the midst of BCMT and Janice.
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17 Responses to “Pastor Thornton, Part II, more hate and venom”
I was not surprised by the comments at all…I mean after 80 yrs of voting for the Democrats because they are “for the working man” this is what you get.
Dale is spot-on.
This defines why I am so sorry I ruined my life by returning to WV. I was beguiled by the cries for the talented to come home or stay.
I have been unemployed and my PhD made fun of.
The one timg that keeps coming to my mind as I read these hateful things is that the folks saying them are not showing a Christ-like nature and attitude. Though I do not attend Bible Center I support any preacher who can give up a stable life and heed God’s calling to the unknown. That is what God would want us to do pray and lift up our pastor that is leaving and ask him to guide the church to find the one he has already ordained to take his place. There is zero room for hatefulness in a Christian heart.
So, “Christians” behave this way and then wonder why so few people attend church?
Would that they were as concerned about saving souls as they are about cannibalizing their own.
This is just so sad.
B.k. I agree with you for once. Why would anyone go to church for “salavation” to only get in a political mess? This doesn’t present hope to people. Without the authority of Jesus why should anyone act right? Morals are lost in this world today because the TRUE authority of Jesus is not being taught. You can’t have morals without the authority of Jesus. Hence, prayer from schools, and bible teaching from education has produced a low moral america.
There is only one fix and that is the reinstate the authority of Jesus back into our young folks education.
Joan - I find it horrible and pathetic that you have been chastised for having a higher degree of education. Seems that education is not one of our state’s strongest suits, yet is the one that is sorely needed the most. Wish you luck in the job search - try praying! (Ok, that was totally a smart ass joke, but I could not let it go.)
Now I realize why I am so thankful I went to a small church who, in the 1980s, was thankful to get indoor toilets (hey, we even managed to get a telephone in the church a few years later!)…let alone a mega-million dollar facility. I personally think these megachurches lose sight as to what the purpose of christianity is…why spend money (plus go into debt) in order to get these monolithic structures, while there are people in need??? What about helping widows, orphans etc???
It breaks my heart to see people act like this, though it is not unexpected. Melinda and BK, you are whole-heartedly right. This is not the way Christians should be acting.
And Joan, I know you’re pain. I’ve been ostracized by many in my family because I got an education and “got above my raisin’.” It’s sad that what we ought to be doing is trying to make a situation where our children (or anyone else for that matter) can do better than us, but then shun them when they do.
It’s sad to read those comments, but the truth is, the mentality of this state is, by default, defeatist.
What happens if an out-of-state business buys a business here? The employees immediately feel they will be “shutdown”. Why? Because no one from the outside would want to actually DO business in WV, right?
So when someone with skill, talent, or some level of fame in our state actually leaves (for whatever reason, be it spiritual or otherwise), the people around him feel betrayed, they feel defeat. And it’s a reminder to them about the overall condition of the state.
I am IN NO WAY defending any of these comments, because they are childish and infantile. But the sad fact is that those of us who still believe in this state and pray and hope and wish day after day that things can be turned around are in the minority.
I mean, when a person is ridiculed for having a PhD . . . we have some serious problems.
Vic, you are right. I wish the Pastor nothing but the best and respect his heeding the call of God in his life. God bless him and his family. I hope he does as much out in California as he has done here in WV.
Take care.
The Dude left for greener pastures, more power to him.
I suspect the venom spitters and “victims” believe he is a Republican.
I generally do not participate in vent lines or internet blogs, but today I feel compelled to give my thoughts.
As a pastor’s kid growing up, I saw first hand what a pastor and his family go through behind the scenes, and this type of discussion is no exception just a different medium.
On Sunday, when Pastor Thornton announced his resignation, I felt sadness in my heart as I realized I would no longer sit under his teaching. At the same time, I stopped and said a very simple prayer thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him and thanking Him for the role that Pastor Thornton has played in my feeble attempt at being a servant. I also thanked God that he still has Men that are willing to listen to his voice and heed his calling, even if it means moving across the continent. As I recall, God has required another man to leave his homeland to go to a land promised by God. (Read Genesis 12). As I also recall, God did tell him all the obstacles along the way. He too had to “step out of the boat”.
As Pastor Thornton, gave the details of his hearing and heeding God’s call to Calvary Community Church, I connected instantly having going through the same process during my father’s ministry. Others have noted that Pastor Thornton is moving UP to bigger and better things. I personally believe that Pastor Thornton has no idea what is in store for him when he reaches Westlake Village, but I applaud his willingness to allow God to lead him. God does not ask for our ability, but our availability.
Some have said that he will make more money…Have you compared the cost of living?
Some have said that he is going to a bigger church… Did you know that the Calvary CC congregation is almost ½ what it was a little over a year ago? Did you also know that the Bible Center has tripled its size under God’s leadership through Pastor Thornton? Where is the comfort in leaving or getting out of the boat?
Some have said that he wants to play golf, mingle with celebrities, and hang out at the beach. I will give you that Pastor Thornton likes to play golf, but often times he uses it as a way to reach, teach, and counsel people, or learn insight from his congregation. If you check his scorecard, how many times did he actually win a game? As far as celebrities, and the beach, take a look, examine closely. Does Pastor Thornton really look like the type of individual that wants to hang with celebrities, and work on his tan? (No offense Pastor…LOL)
Some have said that Pastor Thornton is leaving a church that is $15M in debt. I would disagree. God used Pastor Thornton to expand HIS (God’s) ministry in the Kanawha Valley. It was God who brought BC Church to this point, and it will God who sustains the ministry of BC Church.
I have never walked the golf greens with Pastor Thornton, so I can not attest to his golf game. I have never stepped foot inside his home in WV or CA, therefore I can not compare the two. Although I am a contributor to BCC, I am not what others would consider a HUGE DONOR; therefore he has no financial benefit from associating with me.
What I can say, is that God through Pastor Thornton’s ministry has strengthened, and blessed me and my family. He has given countless wisdom and instruction. He baptized some of my children. As I traveled to Alabama to be with my father as his deathbed, it was Pastor Thornton who gave me his cell number and asked me to call him if/and when I had any news, or if I just needed it talk. As AT&T connected us, it was Pastor Thornton who prayed on the phone with me, rejoiced with me that God called one of chosen Home, and he grieved with me at the physical loss of my life’s spiritual example. I have been the recipient of his prayers, and love as he has of mine.
I too believe that Pastor Thornton is moving UP to BIGGER and BETTER things, but it is not in California. The BIGGER and BETTER things, will come when he moves UP to his eternal home, and the BIGGER and BETTR things will be a product of his obedience.
Pastor, if you read this, I want to THANK YOU for living a life of servant hood to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. THANK YOU for the example and the leadership. I want to encourage in your willingness and courage to follow HIM. Eleven years ago, you followed that same voice, and heeded that same calling, and God has blessed you and your ministry tremendously. I KNOW that he will do the same as you continue to hear and heed his call now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Signed: C. Thomas
Yes, I am the Stepping Out that made comments on the Daily Mail site. I also made comments under different names.
I was out of place with my comments and criticism of Shawn Thornton. Any doubts or questions I have should have been addressed directly to Mr. Thornton.
Even though Bible Center put out a press release that resulted in the Daily Mail article, any comments I made there could have been said in a different manner.
I have asked for forgiveness for my actions from God and I ask the same from the readers.
What I know of Pastor Thornton is that he’d rather spend time with the Lord than playing golf. His sermons could not have come from anywhere else. I wonder how much criticism he’d be getting if he had said he was going to move his family to a tent in Ethiopia?
Maybe what was the kicker was the infatuation of many of the members of BCC with the glitz and glamour of the new church. I wonder how many times the idea of having a bus ministry to the West Side fell flat on the ears of the members?
I wish Pastor Thornton and his family the very best. I feel that the challenges they will be facing will try their mettle.
The members of BCC may have to look within themselves to find the Spirit and let go of their egos. They may have to learn that it’s far more difficult (and yet far more rewarding) to build a relationship with God on their own than to try to appropriate one from their Pastor.
Godspeed, Pastor Thornton.
Bible Center’s youth pastor resigned as well.
I hope nothing is going on out there, but something must be.
Just a note from So. Cal. The school next door to Calvary Church, does have students (children) from the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Will Smith and Joe Montana to name a few. To check this, please refer to Oaks Christian School Football scores.
Sorry to inform the writer of this article, but what some people “heard” about the kids going to school with stars and/or NFL athletes children…that is true!!
Kristen, yes, Oaks Christian is next door to Calvary Community Church (though the school and church are independent from one another), and yes, OCHS has some celebrity offspring. And the point is??? 99% of the students at OCHS are kids like my own son, ordinary kids who have one thing in common: The desire to attend a Christ-centered rigorously academic college preparatory school. About half of OCHS’s students (my own son included) attend on scholarship–the school gives out over $4 million in scholarships every year. The school does not cater to affluence nor celebrity just because it happens to attract a little of both.
I don’t understand the point of looking down on a school because it happens to have “famous” last names on the student roster. I also don’t get the negative, extreme bias against Southern California, but I expect a great part of it is jealousy. Californians are used to that. I’m originally from the Midwest myself, and I remember back when I lived there believing that everyone in Southern California knew celebrities, had blonde hair, hung out at the beach all day and surfed. Right, sure. And everyone in West Virginia is married to their cousin.
Maybe if some of the posters here got out of their own little regionalcentric bubble once in awhile, they’d learn that people are pretty much the same all over the United States. And if you base your concept of Southern California on what you see on TV, well, you’re as wrong as someone who bases their concept of the South on the movie Deliverance.
Pastor Thorton will never be rejected by Californians because he’s from West Virginia. We are far more inclusive and far more diverse a people than that. From reading some of the comments made by West Virginians, I daresay a California native would not fare so kindly transplanted to your state. I do hope that isn’t the case, and the bitter voices raised herein are not a representation of your state.