The following article is the opinion of a single contributor to the Member’s Digest. We all may or may not agree with the information presented. As always, here’s the information for you to digest yourself.

THE STORY

There’s a clear difference between many ministers these days. And regardless of which other blog you’re reading, you’ll know what we’re talking about. There are those ministers who pro-actively support EVM on every front (FB, IG, etc), there are ministers who are silent and passive about the day-to-day, and then there are those who have the courage to step down from office to follow their heart.

THE OPINION

written by Hermano Rorschach

I’d like to focus this opinion piece on the ministers who have stepped down. Why? Well for starters, I’m a minister’s kid. Yes, I’m faithful. No, I’m not stupid. Unlike most of the remaining faithful, I actually believe that God gave us brains for a reason. How we make choices is quite arguably the one trait that differentiates us from the rest of the worlds species. How do you think the first church come to apostacy? Easy answer: everyone kept believing what they were told to till’ the true church was no longer the same. History repeating itself? Good call Nicodemus.

Today I want to share my opinions and rant about the ministry — particularly what happens after. Why?  Because with all these ministers following their hearts and taking the courage to lose everything they believe in, someone needs to help stand up for them. I’ll tell you why in a sec.But first, let me say that I’m so sick of the proud bullying that Arnel Tumanan, Rex Rosquites, Joel San Pedro, Andrey Silva, LJ Ricardo, and many others toot online. At the end of the day, they’re just thugs that are one with their mob boss EVM.

The ministers who have stepped down may not be right in their actions now, but their contribution to the church was unquestionable leading up to today. Bro. Rolando Dizon, once a TV host on The Message, a professor at BEM high school, a successful evangelical minister, a faithful husband, and a father  succeeded in everything he did without doubt and without question up until he had a change of heart. Did he have to be a host on the message? No. Did he have to teach in BEM high school? No. But he did. All for the glory of God. All in performance of his duty.

Before I continue my rant, ask yourself this: What does he have to gain from giving that all up? Why put in all that hard work and just call it quits? Think about it.

My opinion is that he heavily weighed all his options and realized that having nothing but peace with God is better than having everything to be at peace with EVM’s administration. That’s right, I think Dizon used his brain to decide on how to follow his heart.

Is it selfish? Absolutely. He can’t save anyone but himself now. He’s outside of the church. He’s no longer going to be saved according to the church’s beliefs. He’s done. But you have to admit, everything is perfectly clear for him now. He made his decision and is at peace with whatever God decide’s for him. No more politics. No more having to play puppet.

So why do I feel the need to stand up for him? Because he isn’t the first, and (I’m going to call it now) he’s definitely not the last. Not by a long shot. Many ministers will find themselves in his position very soon. Regardless if they leave on their own terms or when EVM abandons them.

Growing up in the ministry is the very reason why I didn’t want myself or my siblings to join the ministry. We had the privilege of seeing things perhaps not many should have seen behind the scenes. But what many ministers and families don’t think about in their lifetime is what happens AFTER the ministry? (BTW Dizon or any minister who has stepped down, if you’re reading this, please reach out to me if you’d like to contribute your story on TMD).

Most ministers are lucky or blessed to serve until their death. But what happens to the ministers who are forced to retire due to health reasons? We all know the church takes care of them right? Absolutely.Well, to some extent at least. See, ministers get a ‘tulong’ or stipend if you will. This stipend covers any and all expenses for their families, including offering, special offering, thanksgiving offering, AND any and all work-related expenses. The church DOES reimburse ministers for work-related expenses, but only if the minister does his duty to request that reimbursement (think toll, relocation costs, gas, etc). If a minister can’t afford something – like moving belongings to another state or country, they have to request for the help of the administration to pay for it. Most of the time it’s an automatic yes. But just like everyone else, they have to put the money upfront and request for reimbursement. Starting to see a pattern here? Ask and you shall receive. (And we ain’t talking about God here)

For starters, there is no Human Resources department for ministers. There’s no place they can go to to seek help for healthcare benefits, gym reimbursements, or insurance, or investing for retirement, etc.  They only have the resources around them: the administration, their family, and the brethren. And as long as these resources have money to help provide ministers and their families, all is good.

Here’s the problem: Ministers have to CONSTANTLY ASK for help. You know how sad that is? We once were in a church that boasted buying things cash. We are now a church that boasts the largest indoor arena in the world. What we can’t boast about? Being able to take care of our own ministers properly.

Why do ministers have to ask for help from the administration? From their families? ALL. THE. TIME.  What happens if the church cant afford to support retired/ill ministers anymore? What happens if these ministers out-live their relatives that help them? Those are all big What-IF questions, but it’s a reality that’s just around the corner. AND it will come sooner than judgement day. Especially if the church is now borrowing money versus earning it.

Everyone knows what happens to ministers who are on the EVM shit-list. They get sent to the deepest darkest corners of the Philippines. Where they are forgotten and less taken care of. Ministers are sent to places where taking a multiple hour hike is required to get to church.. or taking a boat on rocky waters for visitations. All of that is FINE. But remember, they don’t have HR to help them out there. God said he’d help them, sure, but he also said to be smart. There’s no survival skills training. There’s no extra insurance coverage. And the church certainly doesn’t give a damn about what happens to the children’s interrupted education. Unless, of course, you’re a Manalo. Who HASN’T met a Manalo that’s gone to the best schools? Or should I say, to the SAME school throughout their education?

At this point I don’t give a devil’s fuck about EVM owning a jet or not. But ministers  and their families should get the treatment they deserve. If EVM or his puppets deserve the best suits and the best travel accommodations, then ALL of God’s workers should have the same. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Haha… I laugh cuz’ we all know that ain’t ever happening. But until it does, the best I can do is to help stand up for any and all ministers. They deserve respect for the time they’ve spent and the time they continue to spend for the church. If they choose to leave, then so be it. Let them be.

Don’t lose your grip on love for them just because some of them have lost their grip on the church. It’s okay to have a heart that feels for these so-called fallen ministers. It’s okay to use your brain. IT’S OKAY TO BE SMARTER than the church administration. You’re not leaving the church. You’re not doing anything wrong by keeping your mouth shut and not participating in the bullying slander. It’s not like these ministers aren’t asking you to leave the church. They simply explained publicly why they left.

So to all of you big-mouthed ministers and members who have nothing better to do with your lives than to bully those who want out……. just, for the love of God, SHUT THE FUCK UP.

More to come on this rant later.

Your brother in the Lord (not to be read as EVM),

Hermano Rorschach