My specific point is why do we not hear more preachers,deacons and their wives standing up and telling about themselves....more of those in Leadership? I have observed that they remain silent about their pasts and only certain people " talk". I have also heard people say they felt led by "God" and I cannot dispute this could happen. However, what I have observed is that sometimes people feel guilty and the only way they feel "cleansed and redeemed" is by telling the congregation....not the preacher...but everybody in a "public testimony". Yes it is her choice and no one is making her...but I wonder why we seldom hear the testimonies from so many others....doesn't God talk to them...hasn't he set some of them free too...and there are some that are acting as if they have never ever sinned and they act like they do not need prayer...to testify or acknowledge anything. I do see a two tiered system in many cases. I have personally had pastors wives say that they would NEVER share about their past with anyone let alone the congregation. That they would talk to a family member, and sadly, on more than one occasion...the leadership themselves have had negative things to say about the people who made public confessions and held it over their heads to keep them in line, to decide if they were fit to marry a Good Man! or to sing in the choir or to associate with "cleaner members". They have "warned other members about them...even though the person was sincerely repentant and felt that they were supposed to do this...I know of what I speak, having been in leadership....I have seen the other side and I say "use caution"...It can and often will be held against you....people may be nice to your face and praise you in front of the congregation...but when they are having lunch and just being themselves by themselves away from the congregation ...they are not so "spiritual" about your transgressions...but if that is impossible to happen in this case then God bless you. I only shared this because I hate to see these kinds of things happen and I know personally that they do...quite often... one e.g. one girl had had a past and later on certain mothers in the church did not want their sons to be with this young lady because everybody knew she had a past, and considered her damaged goods. another eg. a man shared about his past serious drug use...and that was used against him...in the same manner...and their pasts followed them to three congregations....Sad but true. Bonjour
