Following the exodus, Pastor Andrew Ray openly showed the rawness of his wounded heart while simultaneously trying to strengthen and encourage others. He strongly, yet lovingly, warned about the detriments of gossiping and backbiting, and encouraged the older men and women to each step up and teach the younger men and women. Upon contacting any families that left, we specifically stated that it was not necessary to share any details of what led to them leaving, and they did not share. They were broken and battered, and just trying to pick up the pieces in their families. What could have left such wide-spread destruction to the members of our little church? It was not until January 21, 2018 that we realized that the situations were likely not handled biblically when during the Sunday School lesson Douglas Stauffer, an arrogant and seemingly narcissistic man under the pastor, used the pulpit to attack the godly people that left. In addition to his detestable remarks, Stauffer continued to laugh, stating that we need to be gracious with the preacher because sometimes they say things they should not say, “no matter how truthful it is.” An excerpt of the live-streamed message is provided below with the words transcribed, as well as actual links to the YouTube video and Sermon Audio website.
To listen to the full sermon, click here (excerpt can be found at time 22:47-24:17)
To watch the full video, click here. (Church website has finally removed destructive statements & later made the video private.)
Transcript of Message: Douglas Stauffer, Joshua Crossing on Dry Ground
January 21, 2018, Antioch Baptist Church (Time 22:47-24:17)
“We’d like people to get involved. We’ve got a lot of stuff we’ve got going on. And the more people that get involved, and the more people that get tuned-in, the more people that get, you know, [that they] tune in-err-what do you call it? You get involved? Somebody give me a word. ‘Tuned-in’ is probably the best one I can think of. Plugged-in! Did your wife give that to you? My wife does that. She talks to me and I gotta say it out loud. ‘Plugged-in.’ That’s what I- I was turning the key but it was ‘plugged-in.’ Look, we’d love to see everyone get plugged-in. I think that if you become a member, you ought to get plugged-in. And the question ought to be, ‘How do you want to get plugged-in?’
“He said, he said uh, he drives the cart around and picks up people in the morning for the service because it’s a big church down in Florida. Santa Rosa county I think it is. And he says he goes, so they get in the cart, they’re visitors. He starts driving, and they look, and they say, ‘Man, you look a lot like Mike Huckabee.’ ‘No….’ ‘Oh, you’re Mike Huckabee, aren’t you?’ and he says, and finally he says, ‘Yes, I’m Mike Huckabee,’ and they say, ‘No, you’re not!’ [chuckle] Typical church members! Want to argue about everything! Not really. Not in this church. Not anymore. Chapter 4 verse 1 [laughing]. Sorry guys. I had to say it. It just came to mind. You gotta- you know- you gotta be gracious with the preacher. Every now and then we say things we shouldn’t say. No matter how truthful it is.
Chapter 4 verse 1, It came….”
In this series I share my thoughts and opinions concerning these ministers and the events which led to my departure. Click here to continue reading: “Blindsided: Circumcising the Critics- Sermon #2” or click on the link below.
For a list of the complete series, click here.
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