First Modern Community Church

10 Contemporary Way

Any Town, USA 00000

Dear Pastor Jesus Ben Joseph;

It is with deep regret, and prayerful soul searching, and discussion with other church leaders, that the Elders of the First Modern Community Church ask for your resignation.  Our determination is based on your path of ministry and our path of ministry, and we have determined that just do not meet.  While this should not reflect upon you personally, your style of ministry and your teachings may fit well into another church setting.  We have determined the following were issues for many of the church that could not be overlooked.

• Your repeated use of wine; some even have called you a drunkard and a glutton.  We feel that such actions reflect poorly on the church and the wholesome family image we desire to share with our community.

• Your repeated desire to hangout with those of ill repute in the community.  Many people have seen you with others who do not fit the standards of our faith; the homeless, the uneducated and the unemployed.  There has even been talk that you have invited these people into the church.  We felt that this was unacceptable due to the nature of our people and ministry.  While we do agree that they need to know God, we believe there are ministries out in the community that fit their needs better then we can.

• Your repeated refusal to stop meeting in private with members of the opposite gender.  Given the political climate and the abuse of past clergy we have repeatedly warned you that this action was unacceptable; due to insurance issues.  While we are not suggesting that anything inappropriate has occurred, we do concern ourselves with what others may think.

• We have also questioned your selection of staff and others in the ministry.  You have continually selected men with no education and no religious training.  You have also selected these men without the approval of the Elders Board.

• Your constant refusal to be concerned with finances.  While we trust God for all things, we know that God requires us to be concerned with how money is spent.  So, while we trust God we also know that God has given us investments, banks and accountants to help us control God’s money.

• Your refusal to stop, what many see as personal, attacks on the Elders and other large supports of this ministry.    Due to your constant calling for people to “do faith” (the Elders have not determined what you mean by this) our church has lost 45% of our weekly offerings and 37% of average attendance. 

We have prayed over this decision and felt that our church needed to travel in a new direction.  We are certain, that with time and mentoring you will make a fine supporter of the faith.  You are young, uneducated and dreamer.  While in youth these may be good qualities, we believe time will season you to the realities of ministry.

Blessings

The Elders of First Modern Community Church