Jude 2

Okay: this story is so bizarre I could hardly sleep last night, but it is true.

One of my members (adult female) and her mother (my age) signed up for a class at a nearby CMA church. The church has a good reputation, as does the class they signed up for... it is a nationally promoted, big name, money management course developed by a guy who is on radio and TV. (Is that indirect to avoid legal issues?)

The teacher/facilitator of the class is -- as far as we can determine from the church website -- NOT a regular member of the church staff, and appears to have been sent in from the south (based upon his accent) to lead the class.

My female parishioner was sitting on the last row, having arrived late with her mother. There were 100+ people in the church while the big name guy DVD was playing. The instructor, a male my age or older, came up behind the back row, leaned in close and said, "You weren't here last week, were you?" The lady responded "No, I was unable to be here. Mom was traveling and I had to stay home."

"Did you do the homework?" he asked.
"No, sir, I did not." she answered.

At that point, he leaned closer and clamped his teeth into her. He BIT her. Seriously. He bit through her long-sleeved shirt/blouse, sinking his teeth into the skin on the FRONT part of her shoulder just to the right of her bra strap. And then he walked away.

She probably should have screamed, or slugged him, but she was in total shock and disbelief. She asked her mom to step outside, informed her what happened and signed her daughter out of child-care and left, crying and in hysterics. This is not a wimpy girlie-girl... this is a strong women who works a key job in the construction industry.

She lives almost next door to one of my female ministers, and she called her when she got home. The pastor went over to see what was wrong and -- some two hours later -- the bite mark was still visible enough to be seen and photographed. She texted me a photo, and I advised them to drive immediately to the Police Station and file an assault report.

As of 10:30 this morning I have been unable to reach the Pastor at the church/crime scene. Stay tuned. I have never, ever dealt with anything this bizarre, and they don't teach this in Overseeing School.

Zowie.

I'm speechless.

To be clear, the big name minister was on the DVD and not the one who enacted the biting. Correct? The biter was an instructor brought in from another area. Correct?

It sounds as if the church didn't thoroughly screen their guest.

pa

Pastor, tell her that a dog gets one free bite. Humans -- none. Stick 'im.

Pastor Gary wrote:
At that point, he leaned closer and clamped his teeth into her. He BIT her. Seriously. He bit through her long-sleeved shirt/blouse, sinking his teeth into the skin on the FRONT part of her shoulder just to the right of her bra strap. And then he walked away.

Were there witnesses to this occurrence at the meeting? It seems that her mother didn't see this happen? The bite itself is great evidence, but an eye witness would be added support.

pa

He must have said the first week., "if you don't do your homework, I will bite you".....what could he have been thinking .....

Oh, I know, he has been watching "Bloodline"....that's it ....he is a vampire but just doesn't have his fangs yet.

Sorry PG, it is a nasty situation....and no they don't teach that (or anything else for that matter) in Overseer school.....lol

Yeesh! Beware of werewolves in sheep's clothing! Someone needs to take the silver bullets to this freak.

"So?"

"What?"

"Come on. How was your financial class at church tonight?"

"Oh, the class. The class."

"Ya how was it"?

"Interesting."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah."

"Why? What happened?"

"Let's see .... how shall I put this?"

"Just put it!"

"He bit me."

"He what?"

"He (blowing on her glasses) bit me."

"He who?"

"The teacher. Bit."

"The teacher. Bit? Ouch?"

"Yessiree Bob."

"He couldn't."

"He did."

"Well you were involved in some sort of ... fight?"

"Noooo."

"You mean he just...."

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Oh quite. A bite."

"There was no mistaking it?"

Disbelieving glance.

"So you were talking....."

"...mmm-hmm..."

"you're having pleasant conversation"

She shrugs

"then all of sudden..."

"Yup."

"Bit."

"Bit."

"Ouch."

"Ouch."

"Well I, I can't believe this. This is a CHURCH! How could this be?

"Oh it be."


(Courtesy: Jerry Seinfeld.)

PG,

I certainly hope you get to personally speak to the
Pastor. What I'm questioning - if the class was a
continuation from the week before - do we really
think this is not a local guy? I wouldn't think someone
would be flown in for anything more than a seminar
of a few days (not multiple weeks).

If you visit the website (or at least the one I think
it is) - this is most likely a 13 week video course
where you select your own group coordinator.

I do hope someone else witnessed the event.

I hate to hear something like this - but I know
from being in a singing group - a good shepherd
will always check out anyone he allows in his
pulpit (or church) - and events like this give
you all the more reason to personally know
anyone you have at your church.

Singing in many denominations - we've had churches
that not only wanted references - but also wanted the
names and phone numbers of our pastors (and
called them) & I have always had the utmost respect
for pastors who take the time to do this. I wouldn't want
anybody off the street coming in addressing my
congregation either - regardless of whether it was
a class or a sermon.

PG, how's this lady doing? I hope the emotional pain goes away quickly!

Linda wrote:PG, how's this lady doing? I hope the emotional pain goes away quickly!

Removing a lot of personal info, to protect identities, here's an excerpt from an email she sent me this morning:
"I just wanted to give you a follow up on things.

The (financial ministry) responded to my email by a phone call. Actually their VP called me. She said they were concerned and wanted to know what they could do for me. I told her that I wasn't informing them for any other reason except to make them aware.

She said they were going to refund the cost of my participant kit for my Mom and I. They are going to send me a complete set of videos, so we can complete the course at home. They are going to also send me a instructor's kit, so I can help facilitate a _____ class. I'm going to hold a family class for us, but when I'm ready...how about holding a class for our church? They're also going to send me the materials for the complete new teenager's program they've developed (for my son) and send me a few books for (her baby). I was blown away.

Needless to say I was completely overwhelmed with the gift of generosity and kindness that was shown to me. I asked the VP to tell (the finance guru) that I promised that I would do something positive for Hawaii with the gift that he's given to me. I told her that I must've been on the right path that the enemy would want to stop me. The thought that came to mind that God was turning around something that was meant for evil into something good... Good things are about to happen. "

Pastor Gary wrote: I was blown away.

Needless to say I was completely overwhelmed with the gift of generosity and kindness that was shown to me.

Not desiring to take away from her blessing, but those in question do realize the gravity of the situation and are no doubt very thankful she didn't hold them more accountable.

pa

pastorables wrote:

Pastor Gary wrote: I was blown away.

Needless to say I was completely overwhelmed with the gift of generosity and kindness that was shown to me.

Not desiring to take away from her blessing, but those in question do realize the gravity of the situation and are no doubt very thankful she didn't hold them more accountable.

A police report was filed. I don't teach my folks to settle matters by suing.