WBTV is reporting that a Montgomery, Alabama church has been rocked to the core after their now former pastor confessed from the pulpit that not only does he have full-blown AIDS, but he’s slept with multiple female church members without revealing that he has the deadly disease.
On September 14, Juan Demetrius McFarland, the pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, told his church members that he contracted HIV in 2003 and has known since 2008 that he has AIDS. At first, the church was supportive, but as the Sundays progressed, he began to reveal even more information, and it began to register with the unsuspecting members that their pastor had crossed some serious boundaries.
He also admitted to drug use and mishandling of church funds.
From an unnamed church member:
“I know a young lady who is a member of the church who says she has slept with him and that she didn’t want this to go public, and she running out now trying to find out if there is anything wrong with her,” the member explained. “And my heart goes out to her because she’s been a wonderful church member, and then for something like this to happen. The fact that he didn’t tell them at all. That’s a crime in itself.”
The unnamed church member went on, “And I’m hoping by doing this interview that she will see that she can come and talk to someone and her name or whatever will not be revealed. And maybe she can have some peace by coming forward and not the shame that goes along with it.”
The church members are handling this in the best way they can. Decon Nathan Williams Jr. has been a member of the church for 70 years. He said this:
“Our moves are going to come directly from counsel. We want peace and we want to do things right, legally,” Williams said. “We are not looking to hurt him. We are looking to get the church back. That’s our theme: Get the church back. We want the church back. That’s it.”
Other members believe he should be put on trial (I agree).
“I believe that he should be put on trial,” another unnamed church member said. “Go to court and let the judge decide if he should go to jail or not. We tend to sweep things under the rug, especially if they’re the leader. It’s like oh, no, please let’s not get this out but I think after this that they will have more discussions on HIV and AIDS.”
According to the Montgomery Police Department, transmitting a sexually transmitted disease is a Class C Misdemeanor, but no charges have been filed against McFarland at this time.
But there is also this:
McFarland also holds the position of Moderator with the Alabama Middle District Baptist Association, which includes 34 churches across the state. Calls to association leaders indicate that at this time there are no discussions to remove McFarland from his position.
The question should be asked: was this behavior restricted to church members, or other members of the community and people involved with the Alabama Middle District Baptist Association?
Too much!
McFarland was removed as pastor on October 5.?The church has sought legal counsel. McFarland has confirmed all of this information in a phone interview with WSFA 12 news.
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Tiffany Willis is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
