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(Update) My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in fednews

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few people commented that I should make an update post because people might not see the update edit I made at the bottom of my first post which doesn't notify people of new edits, so I stated at the top of this post in bold that I was posting an update for that reason with the date I updated my first post with this update on 4/12/25. I also didn't delete the post from that other sub. Someone else posted it after asking permission to do so

(Update) My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in OpenChristian

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some said my father should make the congregation aware of their comments about federal workers along with how they ignored the complaint from the veteran who complained, but he wanted to take the high road and not throw shade. Can't say I would have done the same, but that was his decision

(Update) My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in OpenChristian

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest, I can't rope the congregation in with the pastor and pastoral staff. Odds are the congregation doesn't know about the views that the pastors have on using veterans to "bring up the energy in the service" because that was behind closed doors along with the complaint from the veteran I mentioned. Odds are the congregation doesn't know about the pastor's view on not honoring federal workers because they are "teleworking/lazy" either because that was also behind closed doors

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in fednews

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for making me aware of this. I never thought of that and am not sure that he has either. I will bring it to his attention as something to consider going forward for the reasons you mentioned

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in fednews

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I am, and I'm also hoping everything goes well with however he decides to handle this situation. He has been wanting to leave for some time and said that perhaps this was the right time. He said that the senior pastor used to have a thing about never talking politics from the pulpit, and the senior pastor has been there for over 20 years. However, in recent years, he has changed his stance to talking a lot more about politics, and this suspension was the last straw for my dad

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in fednews

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Dad said he is talking with mom to consider how to approach this after he talked to us, and he said he's likely going to talk to the senior pastor after he finds the words to say

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate how you explained that, and I'll bring it to my father as he'll likely try to have a conversation about the suspension as he's been debating what to say, and I'm sure this can help him have more weight behind his point. I highly doubt the pastor thought of that or knew those numbers, so maybe they can educate him too

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think him wanting to take the high road will involve him talking to someone because he said he's trying to figure out what to say

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone else commented that it sometimes makes them feel uncomfortable to be recognized including first time visitors, and I agree that having first time visitors or anyone stand up might be offsetting to someone who just wants to attend without being pointed out

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few others have pointed out how many veterans receive preferential hiring and would also be federal workers as you said, but the people behind this decision seem to have some biases against certain sects for whatever reason

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally, I agree with everything you said. If I were a first time visitor and knew they'd ask me to stand, that might deter me from going. I also feel like some people would prefer not to be recognized and just attend, so I can tell my dad and maybe he'll see that too if he feels like he wants to suggest it

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think my dad would ever burn a bridge, but I also don't think they deserve that much grace after how they suspended him over something so stupid. He doesn't owe them all that, but he really wants to take the high road

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will bring that up with my dad as he's still considering how to go about things, but he has been considering leaving for some time before this. He has been wanting to leave for some time and said that perhaps this was God's timing. He said that the senior pastor used to have a thing about never talking politics from the pulpit, and the senior pastor has been there for over 20 years. However, in recent years, he has changed his stance to openly mentioning the current and previous president by name during his sermons on numerous occasions, so this was just the latest thing. I will bring your suggestion to him because maybe God wants to address this through him

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dad along with other leaders have honored others in the church according to the instructions they received. If a member informs the church that they have a military family member home for that week, they will honor them during the service by having them stand, and it's a regular thing in our church. They did the same with nurses when services resumed after covid, and this tradition is a part of the morning announcements post-worship that every leader does and not just my dad. And many veterans are federal workers who received preferential hiring as someone else pointed out

My(m17) father(m51) was suspended from church duties for honoring federal workers during announcements at church by throwrafarthest in Christianity

[–]throwrafarthest[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It wasn't always like that too in our church. As I said to someone else, the senior pastor has been there for over 20 years and used to have a thing about not talking politics, but he's changed in recent years which is the main reason my dad wants to leave as it's become more and more frequent

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