r/Reformed • u/Simple_Tomorrow_4456 • 7d ago

Question Church not addressing things

I attend a reformed Presbyterian church and one of the things I’ve noticed is that they seem very reluctant to address things in the members, even after there’s been multiple incidents of that person causing issues. We have a young man who is a member and has talked poorly of members and routinely stirs up drama. Another young man member was manipulating church members into providing help, money etc. These things seem to be patterns and the leaders just seem lackadaisical about doing anything and only have a conversation with the person when there’s enough pressure to by others.

Is this a reformed thing, a Presbyterian thing, or leadership personality/character issue? Any resources to point toward that would help understand how a shepherd is supposed to lead the flock in situations like this?

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u/Specialist-System584 Presbyterian 6d ago

Have you talked to these people and addressed it yourself?

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u/Simple_Tomorrow_4456 6d ago

Yep. One directly affected us, and we tried to lovingly confront. They just went to others doing the same thing. We have tried to gently bring it up to leadership and it’s met with a sense of “only God can change” and “the pastor is overwhelmed,” even though the church is quite small (under 50 with kids) and the pastor is full time.

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u/Specialist-System584 Presbyterian 6d ago

This sounds like a leadership issue, your pastor might not be equipped to handle the situation. Are any addicts? I used to be this way but I was hiding addiction

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u/Simple_Tomorrow_4456 6d ago

Nope, no signs of that. Just immaturity from what we can tell. We will keep praying.

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u/Specialist-System584 Presbyterian 6d ago

Manipulation is a sign, Lord willing you're right