Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

I could tell you story after story after story of things this pastor has done in the name of "pastoral authority" that would make your head spin - this is really just a drop in the bucket.

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

How does someone get by with that? Why do people stay in those churches?

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

I have asked the same questions - it just amazes me - I have NO idea how people "follow" him - it is like they are brainwashed - he has lost a lot of people and he will lose a bunch more if he stays - this is the same pastor on another thread where the board members took him to court - it is really sad what is going on there.

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

Drama Q, is it expected that all churches cancel services for funerals and wakes? Not saying it was a wise choice on the part of this pastor - I would just imagine most sizable churches could not do this. If another day could not be chosen I guess one could go to the funeral home. (I would likely do that anyway)

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

Of course the church is not expected to cancel service - but the church is really not that "sizable" - my mom goes to a church of abot 1,000 people and I know they always cancel service for a death if they need to - just a matter of caring which that IS expected of a church - to be caring - but to NOT ALLOW another member of the church to go sit with her is NOT BEING a caring pastor and yes - it is expected of him to be caring - he is supposed to be a "shepherd." This lady was extremely hurt and really has not been in the church too long - this lady has not been raised in the truth and really has not been in pentecost that long - what a WELCOME TO PENTECOST!

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

That part... you are correct. Were I in that case I would simply go ahead and put God first and "do the right thing". :) Dr Laura gets in one's brain.

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

Thankfully there was a couple in the church that did do the right think - how rebellious of them :)

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

All in all, the "Apostolic Faith Movement" as a whole is generally considered "fringe" by the larger segments of Christendom. Among those with roots in this movement (AoG, UPC and etc.) it seems to me that the "authoritarian" pastors and supporters are in the minority.

Among those who call themselves "conservative" among OP (though most of them follow newer innovations and are not truly "conservative") the "authoritarian" pastor is pretty much de rigueur.

A lot of the changes that the "conservatives" have forced upon groups like the UPC have been brought on with deliberatrly deceptive tactics. The idea of banning jewelry, uncut hair on women as so on could not have been imposed without the strong and forceful character of the "authoritarian" pastor. Enforcing such things and silencing dissent qnd all questioning also requires a dominant and authoritarian voice.

Basically to succeed in such a role you have to be able to dominate any discussion and to impose your views through the shear force of your personality.

A lot of people call this "bullying," but if we said that here we'd be guilty of "touching" the Man of God©.

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

so true!!!

Re: Pastoral Authority....where did it come from?
 

I agree there is a difference in spiritual guidance and control.

When a minister starts down the road of I don't care what I say..

Then the polish and the spiritual authority goes out the door...

There needs to be a real ministerial shake up...

Stop preaching money and start preaching Christ and him crucified.