Monday, February 06, 2006

LCMS Pastor Arrested Mid-Sermon!

Strange but true, according to the Chicago Tribune:

The Associated Press
Published February 6, 2006, 7:31 AM CST

Some members of a Lutheran parish on Chicago's far South Side said they are outraged police arrested Rev. Jimmy McCants in the middle of his sermon.McCants, 54, has been the focus of a dispute between rival factions at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The church's board of directors told police the board fired McCants on Christmas Eve, and a woman affiliated with the church signed a complaint against him for trespassing on church property, said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

But a Lutheran Church official said the board fired McCants without going through the proper steps to resolve disputes.

``They have removed a pastor inappropriately,'' said Rev. William H. Ameiss, president of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. ``The real tragedy is the ministry gets put on hold for a power struggle.''

McCants was not handcuffed when police led him out of the church Sunday. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing and released in lieu of $1,000 bond.

``My church is the house of the Lord, and I had not committed a criminal act,'' McCants said. ``We're going to see what the lawyers say. I intend to go back next Sunday.''

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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:39 PM

    The Chicago Sun-Times has its version, but also notes what NID President Ameiss said about the action:

    "They have removed a pastor inappropriately," Ameiss said. "The real tragedy is the ministry gets put on hold for a power struggle."

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  2. Anonymous6:26 AM

    I like the way the article states that he was the "focus of a dispute between two rival factions..." Maybe some sort of charismatic movement? I wish I knew more about the congregation's situation there.

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  3. Preachrboy6:28 AM

    Nope,

    According to the Sun-Times article, it's a fight about money.

    Sad.

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  4. Anonymous8:39 AM

    Very sad, a congregation fighting about money. Maybe if they would prayerfully consider both sides, things would not have come to this.

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  5. Mr. & Mrs. Traylor4:25 AM

    Having read this link was helpful...
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-pulpit06.html
    Having read this link was more helpful...
    Matthew 5:25
    Romans 13:1
    James 5:16
    Romans 2:12 & 3:23
    I believe it's God's will that we offer up a word of prayer today for Jimmy and His congregation.
    It just proves that God keeps His promises, He continues to chastize His children who He loves.
    "Can we mend a broken heart ?"
    Pastor Chryst maybe you'll have an opportunity to comfort your brother in Christ remembering :
    Psalm 34:18
    Psalm 147:1
    Isaiah 61:1

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