Saturday, March 17, 2012

Pastor Curtis Matthews arrested

Curtis_MathewsWhat is a church anyway? Is it the building, or is it the Christians who use with the building? When I hear something like, “Curtis Glendell Matthews, head of the historic Springfield Baptist Church in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, was arrested at his home on Wednesday on charges that he arranged sexual liaisons with a minor.” I Immediately ask myself, why is the that the age of he building or its role in history is important to the story? It is people who reflect the true nature of a church. Why must we always associate the church (building) with the corrupt practices of the its people? It is just a building. It means nothing. What about the Christians who use the building? What of them? How many are morally corrupt like their pastor?

Matthews has been the pastor at Springfield Baptist Church for the last 15 years. He’s also collecting unemployment…I’m not sure that’s ethical. Matthews faces two felonies. If convicted, he will go to prison for a few years.

A common theme in cases like this is that predators will migrate to places like churches, schools, and youth organizations where the pickings are easy. While I agree that there are pedophile pastors who fit this theme, this case does not. Instead, it fits another theme all together, and it is far less appealing. If the allegations are true, then Matthews is a hypocrite who does not believe or practice what he preaches. To people like Matthews, being a pastor is a paycheck and nothing more. And morality, it is subjective and loses when pitted against one’s baser urges. That’s why being a pastor appeals to amoral people; one can lead a church while defining the pedestal from which they preach.

In a case like this, where the pastor has led a group of Christians for over a decade, I often wonder how much of the pastor is in his flock? When people follow a morally corrupt pastor, does it rub off? Are his followers Christians in the true sense of the word, or, are they worshiping the cult of personality staged by their pastor? I think the answer is that they too are corrupt, although I doubt they will admit it.

Hat Tip to Afolabi Emmanueal.

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God Fearing Woman 's avatar

God Fearing Woman · 683 weeks ago

But for the grace of God..THERE GO I!! It is very important to remember that we are all faced with struggles so more than others but the truth of the matter remains, we are nothing without GOD and can do nothing without GOD! As you write in judgment how Christ-like is that? This man has a family that has to deal with this fallout as well so the best thing that you could have done is just sent up a prayer. So often we clump Pastors in the same realm as Jesus and that is not so! Pastors are imperferct people who serve a perfect God! They are normal and they deal with real problems even the things that they preach for their people to do they have to eat those words first and if you do not keep God with you at all times your imperfections will be revealed for all to see. This can be a teaching moment for him and testimony for someone else right now this man of God needs prayer and so does his family. God will do the judging for all of us and he doesn't need your help! Just take a moment and reflect on the things that you have done and just didn't get caught doing them maybe next time you will write with a little bit more compassion!
3 replies · active 667 weeks ago
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Mojoey's avatar - Go to profile

Mojoey 107p · 683 weeks ago

Save the church speak for... well, church. Matthews must be held accountable for his alleged crimes. We, that is the people of the United States, will sit in judgment. What happens in your fantasy world is immaterial.

It's not a "teachable moment". It's a horrible crime.
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smh's avatar

smh · 667 weeks ago

How dare you group All the people as corrupt, you are a jerk. How awful some of his congregation must feel. We go to this church to hear the word and its interpretations not to worship the pastor, you are on the outside looking in. If you could imagine the humiliation and anger that parents feel when they place their confidence in a person of authority only to realize that this person will be somewhat of a teacher of my childrens beliefs, we the parents feel awful and the children as well. Please think before you speak on a group of people, because you may be speaking out of turn.
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Mojoey's avatar - Go to profile

Mojoey 107p · 667 weeks ago

Perhaps you should re-read my post.
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think children's avatar

think children · 665 weeks ago

This pastor lead a flock, he taught Gods word, he did the job of a Pastor. The down fall is not that he is human and humans make mistakes. The downfall is that he made these horrific mistakes (supposedly) and did not follow the word by stepping down from his position on his own before this tragedy became a mockery of the flock that followed him. This church is a church of believers in the Lord and would never follow such atrociousness. The sins of the head cannot be blamed on the body. A human brain can have sickness and the human body not be consumed by it and the same applies to the church body. The comment of praying for this man of God during this travesty is admirable but the true pray needs to be for this church that has been shaken and the children that have been crushed and the families of the children involved in this scandalous situation. The prayer, focus and discussion should be on mending the hearts of the children and families involved.
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Real Truth's avatar

Real Truth · 645 weeks ago

Lets get one thing straight...a church is just a building. Its a steeple with walls, wood, and paint. It becomes a place of worship, a sanctuary when people of the similar beliefs that Jesus is our Lord and Savior or whatever you choose believe in come to congregate together. Matthews was the so called "Shepard" the "Leader" of this flock of sheep (worshipers) and I know a few of them personally. One boy raped and sodomized three small children while they were in the care of a relatives home. Pastor Matthews stuck by this monster and even "help guide this boy on the right path" . Pastor Matthews was messing with teenage girls when I was in high school so I when I ran into this "Pastor" at a family event and he was introduced as the family's pastor and they pretty much worshiped the ground he walked on I had to remove myself from all family social events because he was always there and I knew the truth. When he was arrested I simply told family members I told you so. And there are some who still wanted to defend him until court and all of the TRUTH came to light. Pastor Matthews the wonderful man of a historic black church....yeah right. The church has nothing to do with the monster....the demon that he is. Though I do believe some follow closely in his foot steps. Which that has been proven.

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