We now know a bit more about the church split.Last Christmas, there was a split in the church.A number of the Christians live in one particular distant village, and they kept their rice tithes in that village, as recommended by the pastor some years ago.Last Christmas, the pastor asked them to bring a small portion of it for the annual Christmas celebration feast.They instead decided to bring their own personal rice, wanting to save the rice tithe for poor people in their village.The pastor was angered that he was not obeyed.

Early the next morning, well before morning light, the pastor arrived by motorcycle in that village unannounced while everyone was still asleep.He woke all the Christians up and called them to an immediate meeting during the night.No one was told what the meeting was about until he began the meeting.He insisted that by that evening, they transport their entire rice store to the church's main rice store, which is on his property.He strongly suggested if they did otherwise, they were not real believers.The group held a couple meetings, and in the end decided not to take the rice to the church.Feeling unwelcome and resentful with the pastor's implications, nearly the entire group stopped attending the main church.The whole incident occurred before the church's main body even knew of the dispute.The incident has never been discussed in the church, and the pastor becomes furious if anyone raises it privately.

I have been asked by several people, including the assistant pastor, to intervene and help settle the dispute, which occurred 8 months ago.The pastor, Mr. Sok, however, has made no such request and I doubt he ever will. The pastor has been one of my closest Khmer friends, and the one I spoke of in a newsletter last year.The leader of the break-off group is named Paul. He also is a good friend and is one of my development staff, one of my most dedicated.He has led many people to the Lord in the course of his development work in the villages.

The situation is highly sensitive, and one I see no quick immediate good answer.Neither side is fully right, and there is plenty of "face" to save on all sides.The pastor, in my view, has become increasingly autocratic. Any minor disagreement with him is viewed by him as a challenge to God's direct authority invested in him.

I fear also the pastor also is seeing me as a threat now.Two of my Christian staff have resigned in the last 16 months, both of whom I strongly suspect were urged by the pastor to do so.Two other Christians on my staff, including Paul, are seen by the pastor as ringleaders of this "rebel" group.The pastor also clearly views efforts of our fellow missionary (who left 8 months ago because of personal health issues) as subversive and wrong.Two days ago, during a conversation, that missionary's name came up. The pastor became immediately quite irate and emotional.

Please pray for us, for the church, for Pastor Sok, for Paul, and lots of wisdom and patience for me that I will be led by the Lord in this conflict. I have not been drawn into it directly yet, but I am sure I will soon be.

This morning in my devotions and studies, I came across Prov 19:21 two different times, once in my assigned scripture reading and once again in a book that teaches principles of the Christian faith.

The verse is, "Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established."

Only a few hours later, Paul asked me if I would help his break-off group to establish their own new church in their village.I believe the Lord was clearly warning me that this is not His plan at this time, and at the same time was reassuring me to be patient and that He has His own plan.I don't know what it is yet, but trust He will make it known soon.I told Paul that I would not help him in this way at this time.I got out his bible and read to him Prov 19:21.I strongly urged him to make a bonafide effort to make peace with the pastor, and ask forgiveness for any wrongdoing on his own part.But he is loath to go to the pastor first.He feels he has been wronged, and the pastor owes him an apology.He is struggling with pride, too, it seems.

Meanwhile, I think the issues are all going to come to a head very soon.I ask for your prayers.I need the Lord's leading as much as I ever did.I feel in a very tight spot, and in over my head.I do not believe God is leading me to speak with the pastor now about the situation, but believe God may want me to do so soon.Please pray.Pray that I absolutely entrust this one to God, and take no liberties of my own.

Please also pray for Debbie.She started teaching both our boys in home school this week, and is feeling overwhelmed with the task.

By His Grace,

John Coats