tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post931024880871937518..comments2023-10-23T11:59:13.466-04:00Comments on let's stop pastor darrell gilyard together: sins of a pastorTiffany Thigpen Crofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-76365581536328987762009-04-20T19:04:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:04:00.000-04:00I'm not familiar with your website, and only came ...I'm not familiar with your website, and only came across it while trying to look up a former classmate. I know God had a reason for me to, and pray you will do what the mainstream press has refused to, regarding not just violations of what the Bible teaches, but also violations of criminal law, by those who ply their trade at Dallas Seminary. I personally witnessed this very type of rebellion against God, only in reverse order, as David Cotton, Bill Bryan, John Martin and Donald Campbell all decided to have some extremely wretched fun at mine and my family's expense. It started out as a single allega- tion concerning inappropriate comments I was supposed to have made to one girl. When I requested this situation to be handled in a scriptural manner alla Matt. 18:15-17, they conveniently manufactured more, in direct proportion to the degree of effort my mother and I put forth to get to the bottom of what we knew they were doing. In an obvious effort to cover their tracks, they had me physically assalted and taken hostage, all under the guise of justifiable arrest and incarceration. what followed was a 1 1/2 year legal ordeal, which ended with an out-of-court arrangement. It's been exac-tly 20 years since this occured, and even though I thank our Lord for choosing to bless us with 1st hand knowledge of what this particular religious institution is really all about, I'm trusting you to understand me when I say that only those who have walked in these particular shoes can relate personally to the extreme frustra- tion we have when we see indivi- duals such as these enjoying the ultimate free pass for their off- enses simply because of the posi- tion they hold in religious Amer- ica, and in Jesus' name to boot. Would you please do some factual research into the nearly 40 year-long legacy of antinomian license which accurately defines Dallas Seminary, from R.B. Theeme Jr. on? It will absolutely floor you what you find out.Jim Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-55780765749354157672008-12-16T22:01:00.000-05:002008-12-16T22:01:00.000-05:00Also he has the custody of their two children. See...Also he has the custody of their two children. See you all know nothing. They have lived here with him and his wife for some years.<BR/><BR/>By the way Tiffany Croft, you are by far the worst there is. You sit at your computer and write all these things about a man you don't know. Everything on here is hear-sey. When was the last time you, Tiffany picked up your bible and prayed for forgiveness. You are the one that needs help. You too Christa Brown. <BR/><BR/>GET A LIFE. YOU ARE A SINNER AS WELL. JUST HOPE YOU ARE ONLY A SAVED SINNER JUST LIKE DARRELL GILYARD. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU ALL. YOU DEFINATELY NEED IT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-73089265222848974322008-12-16T21:55:00.000-05:002008-12-16T21:55:00.000-05:00Personally I think you ( the person who started th...Personally I think you ( the person who started this blog) should be ashamed of yourself. Who are you to cast judgement on any man. I am a member of Shiloh and I can tell you first hand that Pastor Gilyard is blessed by the hands of God. I do believe the BIBLE,which you all have seem to forgoten, says we all for short of the glory of God. It also says: " Ye without sin cast the first stone." You have no idea and no way to prove that these little girls are even telling the truth. Do not condemn him. The Lord is the only one who decides what our judgements are. Honestly, your blog and the others who responded shoud be flagged and closed. I dare you think that a man should not be allowed near the church because of his past. When their are predators living next door to you and picking up their kids from the same school your kids go too. Sickening, all of you. Pray for him to get better and that God continues to use him. Have you ever listended to his sermons? We all do wrong. believe me you are NO BETTER THAN QNYONE ELSE. Again, I ask, Who do you think you are?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-5668147216174651052008-02-07T21:41:00.000-05:002008-02-07T21:41:00.000-05:00Anon 4:44 I apologize for the "Totally Insane" com...Anon 4:44 I apologize for the "Totally Insane" comment and you are right some women did go to Darrell with ulterior motives.But there were way to many women and girls who went to this pervert honestly seeking help and he prayed on their vunerablities.Then when they complained to anyone it was their word against his,and guess who won. I was a member of Shiloh from 1993 until 1999 and I personally saw and heard much of the devastation perpetrated by this deviant.And when you personally experience or see the hurt caused by a wolf-in-sheep clothing it enrages one.My wife has remarked to me many times that I get really passionate over the issue of so-called men of God bring disrepute on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again to stunned Mom you and your daughter keep your heads up and trust the Lord and remember there are many,many of us who are with you and praying for you.Again anon 4:44(Feb.6 11:54pm) forgive me for my remark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-6496739320988779612008-02-07T19:37:00.000-05:002008-02-07T19:37:00.000-05:00I am the mom of one of the teens victimized by Gil...I am the mom of one of the teens victimized by Gilyard. Please share your expereinces with the State Attorney's office. You will not be scandalized as you may think. We must stop him from doing anything else to an adult or under age girl in the future. If everyone turn their back on what he has done, he will keep doing what he has always done. He's very controlling and manipulative. Please for the sake of God, Tell and stop thinking of yourselves and think of others to come if he isn't stopped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-61071805013889882252008-02-07T18:33:00.000-05:002008-02-07T18:33:00.000-05:00To Anon: 4:44pmYou're right. We women have a resp...To Anon: 4:44pm<BR/><BR/>You're right. We women have a responsibility also, and we do make choices. After all, God gave everyone a free will. I don't get from your post that you are defending Gilyard, I get that you are just pointing out that responsibility is a two way street. However, as a so called man of God, he TOTALLY abused his position, especially when he was suppose to be "counseling" some of these women, who may have been very vulnerable in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I believe there were some women who had affairs with him that knew exactly what they were doing! Let me just make one thing clear. I am NOT referring to children or teens in this case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-10740157109209694602008-02-06T23:54:00.000-05:002008-02-06T23:54:00.000-05:00That's right Rod....I forgot...Darrell Gilyard is ...That's right Rod....I forgot...Darrell Gilyard is the only one who should be held accountable for his actions...crazy me...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-65393547515239672302008-02-06T14:53:00.000-05:002008-02-06T14:53:00.000-05:00To ANON.FEB 5,2008 4:44PM; Two words come to mind ...To ANON.FEB 5,2008 4:44PM; Two words come to mind after reading your comments: TOTALLY INSANE!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-22664961406510185832008-02-05T16:44:00.000-05:002008-02-05T16:44:00.000-05:00It amazes me that none of these adult women are wi...It amazes me that none of these adult women are willing to take any responsibility for their own actions.....like going to meet a man at a HOTEL or going to a man's home expecting him to make you his wife....<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are women who said "No I will not come to your hotel." or "No I will not come to your house."<BR/><BR/>We all make choices and the adult women who chose to entertain his advances have no one to blame but themselves.<BR/><BR/>In no way do I condone his acitons. However, your actions were questionable as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-13062175701703976652008-02-01T17:36:00.000-05:002008-02-01T17:36:00.000-05:00To Darrell Gilyard and all others:I am the person ...To Darrell Gilyard and all others:<BR/><BR/>I am the person who wrote you and said that Darrell Gilyard invited me to his house when he lived in North Jacksonville. I said that he tried to get me to have sex with him. I want to clarify that when I went to his home, he made inappropriate physical advances toward me that made me feel that it would have lead to a sexual relationship if I would not have put an end to it. <BR/><BR/>I wanted to make this clarification because I don't want to misrepresent what happened between us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-42845122757602315892008-01-31T22:05:00.000-05:002008-01-31T22:05:00.000-05:00To all of you:Please do not be afraid to tell your...To all of you:<BR/>Please do not be afraid to tell your stories to the authorities! You will not become part of a "big scandalous trial". Your name will not be submitted to any media outlets, it will be only for the case. The two young victims names have not been released and will not be. <BR/>It may very well not even go to trial, they possibly will make a deal to admit to some things especially if there are many stories that he will not want told. <BR/>The more the State Attorney has against him, the more likely he will want to plea out. He does not want all of his dirty laundry aired. <BR/>If all of us stand together, we build a fortress, consider it the walls of Jericho. The Lord said to Joshua, "See I have delivered Jericho into your hands along with its king and its fighting men..." then he instructed them to systematically march around the city walls...(way more detail to the story,read Joshua 6) but the walls FELL down - with no efforts of battle. All they had to do was obey His directions. The Lord handed over the enemy! <BR/>We don't need to be afraid of Darrell or what people may say, we have to be afraid of not obeying God and following His directions - He will do the rest.<BR/>He doesn't need us, He could do it all on His own, but He will use us to carry out His plans. When He calls, we must answer. If you do not feel led, I would not want you to act, but if you are only holding back because of fear, the Lord is your strength!Tiffany Thigpen Crofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-42279408666735988752008-01-31T20:19:00.000-05:002008-01-31T20:19:00.000-05:00Anonymous posting the letter to Darrell:Thank you ...Anonymous posting the letter to Darrell:<BR/>Thank you for your bravery! It takes a lot of courage to tell your story. And to publicly address him as you did, great job!<BR/>What courage!<BR/>Maybe others will follow in your footsteps, you paved the way well!Tiffany Thigpen Crofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-77317828327912063272008-01-31T12:54:00.000-05:002008-01-31T12:54:00.000-05:00DARRELL GILYARD:THIS IS A NOTE FROM ME TO YOU.I HO...DARRELL GILYARD:<BR/><BR/>THIS IS A NOTE FROM ME TO YOU.<BR/><BR/>I HOPE YOU ARE READING THESE COMMENTS.<BR/><BR/>I AM THE WOMAN THAT YOU INVITED TO YOUR HOUSE ON THE NORTHSIDE AND YOU TRIED TO GET ME IN BED WITH YOU. YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER WHICH ONE I AM IF THIS IS WHAT YOU USUALLY DID TO YOUR VICTIMS. I HAD HEARD OF YOU HAVING RELATIONS WITH OTHER WOMEN IN SHILO. AS ADULTS WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU YES OR NO AND I TOLD YOU "NO" THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY RELATIONS WITH YOU IN YOUR BED, BUT THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT YOU ARE ACCUSED OF SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES TO. YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR. HOW COULD YOU HURT AN INNOCENT CHILD. YOU KNOW THE WORD OF GOD SO WELL. I AM SURPRISED THAT A PERSON THAT KNOWS GOD'S WORD AS YOU DO WOULD NOT BE CHANGED BY HIS WORD DURING YOUR STUDY TIME. MANY PEOPLE IN JACKSONVILLE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR PAST PROBLEMS WITH WOMEN IN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA. I SURELY DID NOT KNOW UNTIL RECENTLY. DIDN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU WERE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE. YOU COULD HAVE HAD A NEW START, A LIFE FREE FROM SCANDAL IN JACKSONVILLE. YOU LIVED IN A CONSERVATIVE HOUSE IN NORTH JACKSONVILLE WHEN YOU HAD INVITED ME TO YOUR HOUSE AND YOU NOW LIVE IN QUEENS HARBOR, ONE OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IN JACKSONVILLE. YOU HAVE A WIFE. DIDN'T YOU SEE THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR SECOND CHANCE FOR A NEW START AND A CLEAN GODLY LIFE. IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR GIFTS AND TALENT HAS ALLOWED YOU TO GET TO A PLACE IN LIFE WHERE YOUR CHARACTER COULD NOT KEEP YOU.<BR/><BR/>YOU NEED TO BE HONEST FIRST WITH GOD AND WITH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HURT. EVEN NOW, YOU CAN GET IT RIGHT WITH GOD. IF THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE TRUE, JUST TELL YOUR ATTORNEY AND THE JUDGE THE TRUTH. JUST KNOW THAT YOU MAY LIE TO MAN, BUT GOD KNOWS THE WHOLE TRUTH. YES, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES, BUT A REAL MAN OF GOD WOULD STAND UP, REPENT TO GOD, REPENT TO THE PEOPLE HE HURT, AND TRY TO GET SOME HELP. YES YOU ARE A GIFTED SPEAKER AND YOU KNOW THE WORD OF GOD, BUT YOUR CHARACTER IS FLAWED. YOU REALLY NEEDS GOD'S HELP AND YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING FOR YOUR DESIRE FOR UNGODLY SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS. YOU HAVE HELPED TO GROW SHILO FROM A FEW HUNDRED TO THOUSANDS, BUT YOU HAVE LEFT A TRAIL OF VICTIMS. SO MANY WOUNDED AND BROKEN PEOPLE INCLUDING YOURSELF. YOU WERE ONCE KNOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST GIFTED YOUNG PREACHERS IN THE COUNTRY, NOW YOU ARE KNOWN AS A SEXUAL PREDATOR. YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT AS THE DEVIL IS USING YOU TO ROB WOMEN OF THEIR SELF ESTEEM AND CHILDREN OF THEIR INNOCENCE, HE IS ALSO ROBBING YOU OF A PROMISING CAREER AS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST MINISTERS IN THE COUNTRY AND IF THE AUTHORITIES FIND THAT THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE, THE DEVIL MAY HAVE ROBBED YOU OF YOUR DAILY FREEDOM. YOU MAY GO FROM A HUGE HOME IN QUEENS HARBOR TO A VERY SMALL JAIL CELL. BUT WHATEVER THE CASE YOU MUST TELL THE TRUTH TO YOUR LAWYER, THE JUDGE AND THE PEOPLE YOU HURT AND LET GOD SALVAGE WHAT HE CAN OUT OF THE MESS YOU HAVE MADE OF YOUR LIFE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-58053667331665461622008-01-31T12:19:00.000-05:002008-01-31T12:19:00.000-05:00Hi Tiffany:Thank you for doing this blog. Many pe...Hi Tiffany:<BR/><BR/>Thank you for doing this blog. Many people don't believe that Darrell would take advantage of women and girls because they see him as a dynamic speaker which knows the word of God so well. I wrote you and told you that I met Darrell when he was at Shilo, he was single at the time and he asked me to come to his house and he tried to get me to have sex with him when he lived on the Northside of Jacksonville. I did not do it, but I was so surprised that as a dynamic speaker and preacher, he was not living the life that he preached about. <BR/><BR/>I am so proud of you for standing up to him. When I stopped visiting the church, my friend started telling me of other women that he victimized at Shilo, so there are other people from that church who have been hurt by him. <BR/><BR/>I do believe that some of the ministers there were covering his tracks. I just don't believe that no one in that ministry knew about his problem. I believe his administrative assistant, some pf the ministers, and other people that were close to had to know something. Even if some did not know all the details, I believe they had to know something. <BR/><BR/>I know that other women are hesitant to come forward, because I am still hesitant to come forward because I don't want to get involved with a big scandalous trial of a pimping preacher. One of my friends that is still a member of Shilo told me that people are saying that he was set up and that the text messages may not have come from Darrell.<BR/><BR/>for all of you who are skeptical and don't think your smart and intelligent minister would do such a thing, I am an actual person that was invited to his home for something other than friendship or just to get to know me as I thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-15465735036828254292008-01-20T22:53:00.000-05:002008-01-20T22:53:00.000-05:00I am late checking the blog, I went out of town.Th...I am late checking the blog, I went out of town.<BR/>The above comment, well said. I wish everyone could see the difference between slander or vengeance and simply standing for what is right. I do not know how anyone thinks this problem will get better if everyone remains silent. That is why he is feeling so bold and invincible all these years later, look how many times he has been caught, exposed and then walks away to do it again, with more power and authority.<BR/>I hope this will be the last time.Tiffany Thigpen Crofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-8323590712353504862008-01-20T03:02:00.000-05:002008-01-20T03:02:00.000-05:00Am I the only on who thinks this man needs to be p...Am I the only on who thinks this man needs to be put on the sexual predators list and not be allowed to be within 50 feet of children? I have heard several sources that report that he has done this 4 other times in 4 other churches in Texas with grown women ( what about the children in those churches that we did not hear about that were told to keep it hush hush now that he is gone). Obviously the comments were so lude that there are none that can even be released on the news channels and you have other victims anonymously coming forward. This man does not need to get counseling until after he is in PRISON. He is a PREDATOR! <BR/><BR/>Tiffany <BR/>"No weapon formed against you shall prosper", please keep doing what you are doing. If more people would take the initiative to fight the injustices that are targeted at our children, there would be less suicides, abuse, murders, and drug use among young children and teenagers today. <BR/><BR/>Anonymous haters,<BR/>How can you defend him. Have you thought about the fact that he has a wife and kids. How do you know he has not done something to his own children? How would you feel if your daughter came to you and told you that he had been making sexual advances at her? This man DOES need to repent, this man does need to seek counseling, but what is going to happen if he walks free again ( feeling that he is untouchable) and takes is pedophilia to another level? Are you still going to defend him then?<BR/>Don't get me wrong, only God can judge him and he will stand before God on judgement day, but if Tiffany and others who have been directly affected by this pedophiles actions do not speak out for the victims and help to get this pedophile off the streets who will? He will move to another city and effect someone elses child. Think about that before you post another negative and hateful comment "in the name of the Lord". It is fine to quote scripture, the Devil quoted it, but:<BR/> "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO"Curious former memberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02770545104782897719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-24336222654652955042008-01-20T02:54:00.000-05:002008-01-20T02:54:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Curious former memberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02770545104782897719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-7632957726940369342008-01-18T00:35:00.000-05:002008-01-18T00:35:00.000-05:00To anonymous at 8:29 pm. I am glad you and your Au...To anonymous at 8:29 pm. I am glad you and your Aunts were wise enough to leave the church after this. The stories of him approaching a daughter,mother and then aunt - it should astound me. But I have heard similar stories over and over again. He has no limits, and clearly no conscience. This is the crime, you were a minor. Once again, a crime!<BR/>To anonymous at 11:59, you are right on! Great points made.Tiffany Thigpen Crofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-12678785280075386022008-01-18T00:03:00.000-05:002008-01-18T00:03:00.000-05:00I am sorry but I want to make sure that my above c...I am sorry but I want to make sure that my above comments were clear when I said I have no problem with seminary school or training. It was errors in my typing. Real men and women of GOd should have training to sharpen what God has in them. IF it is not in you then there is a problem, and this is where money hungry preachers come in.<BR/><BR/>Question do you all know how many reports have been made in 2007 alone on clergy who have either, had affairs on their spouses (which led to divorce. Or Clergy (pastors) who have been imprissoned last year for touching minors?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-84836556189987805302008-01-17T23:59:00.000-05:002008-01-17T23:59:00.000-05:00Anonymus are yu serious. Poor man! Poor man! Ar...Anonymus are yu serious. Poor man! Poor man! Are you serious. The case speaks of a minor. Even if the minor started the whole thing. He is a grown man now. A married grown man. You say poor! Poor because he repented long time ago, or poor because he got caught! Its comments like yours that make real victims stay silent, causing men and women such as Gilyard, to use their poor and influence to continue a cycle of sin. Then we here you say, poor man.<BR/><BR/>How do you know if he repented! Dont be quick to assume he did. This is not the first. Do we really know what repent means.<BR/><BR/>This girl parent turn him in. She had a right. If poor anything, poor mother. HOw you like to find information about your daughter is sleeping with or having sexual conversation with the man they call Pastor. You will flip! By some of the comments, you may just wink at it, just like the person quoted above on January 15th, as it related to I Corinthians 5, we are winking our eyes at these things that are killing the church. The place where I am to go for healing and delivarnce, now has people in position where they must protect there chldren and spouses from so called leaders. Everyone who is preaching is not called. But oh I forgot this is the itchy ear generation, and men are going to seminary school (I have to problem with training)to learn how to preach. And we call it the anointing.<BR/><BR/>If my people who are called by my name will just turn.<BR/><BR/>I pray healing to every victim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-17757564986371733712008-01-17T20:46:00.000-05:002008-01-17T20:46:00.000-05:00I think you need help, you have been at this to lo...I think you need help, you have been at this to long. Isnt it time you get a life. 18 is an adult old enough to make your own decisions. It is sad you use your devil grounded hate to bash this poor man and use scripture to justify this web page you need to be ashamed of yourself. How do we know you didnt hit on him and he turned you down. Spare us, we are only interested in evidence and your name is NOT in it. the end. Prayers go out to YOU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-76583943785036951872008-01-17T20:29:00.000-05:002008-01-17T20:29:00.000-05:00I went to his church when I was in Junior High Sch...I went to his church when I was in Junior High School, I was in the Children's choir. Slowly but surely my aunts started joining. Well, one day my aunt Brenda got a phone call and it was him on the other line. I was never told what he said to her, but by the look on her face it was innappropriate. She told my other aunt who had been a member for a while. And a faithful follower of Gilyard, She didn't really believe her. Until one day she was there and she picked up the phone. And he seemed shocked to hear her on the other line. Immediately hanging up the phone. My aunts and I immediately left the church. This man is a predator, and one of the worst kind. He uses this word of God, to weaken his victims. He's no worst than the rapist that's on the street praying on innocence women or the pedophile that prays on innocent children. I have no pity for grown men, who will do something like this to women and children. Because, I was a victim myself. My hatered for anything dealing with sexual misconduct of an adult with an innocent child. Shameful. He needs to be punished to the fulliest extent of the law.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-28788357216388152482008-01-16T14:56:00.000-05:002008-01-16T14:56:00.000-05:00I forgot to mention in my previous comment that if...I forgot to mention in my previous comment that if Oprah can rally and get support of an entire nation to "do" or "not do" something then so sould the church. Believers should take a stand and become transparent and declare that we will not tolerate perverts in our pulpits. Women and single mothers should stand for something and not fall for everything! Take back our homes, and schools then our communities. We will be our children's rolemodels and begin to instill in them good moral values in our. We must not forget that charity begins at home (not the church) and spreads abroad! We should agree that it is, INDEED, OK for the chruch to conduct background screenings/google searches on those we place over us and our families. We should ask questions and have annual reports documenting spending, new disciples, community projects etc. <BR/><BR/>We are the church ...not Mr. Gilyard!<BR/><BR/>We expect this from our jobs and the world's system we should also demand integrity and accountablity from faith-based organizations and leaders.<BR/><BR/>I'm all done now!<BR/><BR/>KanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-25366033161966068202008-01-16T14:36:00.000-05:002008-01-16T14:36:00.000-05:00Nothing of this nature should surprise believers, ...Nothing of this nature should surprise believers, for the Word declares..."Not to put your trust in man, for man will deceive you." <BR/><BR/>I have been a long follower of Pastor Gilyard, and watched his messages almost every Sunday morning while my husband and I dressed for church. As believers it is our job to pray for our leaders, and it's our leaders' job to be the first partaker of word. It seems that he has been struggling with this particular issue for sometime now, and just like everyday people we all have issues that we just don't want folk to know about, especially our church family (smoking, use of profanity, pornography, lying, stealing etc). We have to remember that sin cannot be measured and it's all equal in the eyes of God. So we should pray that Pastor Gilyard received deliverance from God, and recieve professional help. <BR/><BR/>I too have almost fallen victim to pastors preying on the weak and vulnerable. It was horrible, because as a child I experienced sexual abuse and to experience anything close to that as an adult sent me into a spiritual tail-spin. Ultimately, I only received from them when it was safe (not in a closed-door meeting), only from behind the pulpit! I thought to myself on several occasions that if I can't receive Godly council from the one I have allowed to encourage and empower me then, I must dig and research the word for myself, which is what I did for a very long time. God became first priority in my life...and not the pastor! <BR/><BR/>Now that this incident has come to light (once again), I strongly believe "that if we're not a part of the solution, then we must be a part of the problem." the only suggestion that I have is for ladies to receive support from other women that they entrust. I also recommend not entering into meetings with pastors unless the the First Lady is present. <BR/><BR/>That's the protocol at my church and I'm very comfortable with the approach. Everyone is there to get to the heart of the matter without ulterior motives. Let keep praying for the world and our leaders on every level!<BR/><BR/>-KanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3042418563763538872.post-70658372452090895242008-01-15T23:48:00.000-05:002008-01-15T23:48:00.000-05:00Thank you for your courage in speaking out. I am s...Thank you for your courage in speaking out. I am sorry this touched your family. You are not, by far, the only ones. I am thankful you and your wife found healing and forgiveness - what a testimony.You made many great points and backed it with scriptures. You are right on target. Bless you and your family. I applaud your courage.Tiffany Thigpen Crofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301724004209862102noreply@blogger.com