No one that I have ever known of advocates blind loyalty, or blind following.
That would be patently unwise.
I tell our leadership that I never expect blind loyalty, as I have no use for someone who can't think; what I do expect is undivided loyalty.
As for following authority when a man is wrong, there are so many variables and scenarios that it is impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer.
Here are some general thoughts on the subject and principles I have followed in my own life:
I have known men I could not respect, but I try to never disrespect the office of the ministry.
I have found myself under pastoral leadership that was morally compromised; I extricated myself from the situation, but did so in a manner that did not implicate me for rebelling against an office that God set in the church.
I once was in a situation as an assistant pastor to have documentation placed in my hands that proved blatant, egregious wrongdoing on the part of the pastor I served under. This was brought to me by a board member, who asked me what we should do.
I told him to put it in a safe deposit box and tell no one about it, that we would pray and keep our spirits right and let God judge the matter.
God did, in His time, and it wasn't too long. The man hung himself. But I was not guilty of lifting my hand against God's anointed, and the way God worked it out, there were far fewer casualties than there would have been had I taken it into my own hands.
If you findyourself under leadership that you cannot submit to, quietly and humbly remove yourself, without trying to take any refugees with you.
God has a way of keeping thiose who want to be kept.
Do it in such a way that you will have no regrets later.
Man! That's good stuff there!!
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And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. [Zechariah 14:9]
Ignorance of the Identity of the One True God is not a valid reason to practice idolatry.
No one that I have ever known of advocates blind loyalty, or blind following.
That would be patently unwise.
I tell our leadership that I never expect blind loyalty, as I have no use for someone who can't think; what I do expect is undivided loyalty.
As for following authority when a man is wrong, there are so many variables and scenarios that it is impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer.
Here are some general thoughts on the subject and principles I have followed in my own life:
I have known men I could not respect, but I try to never disrespect the office of the ministry.
I have found myself under pastoral leadership that was morally compromised; I extricated myself from the situation, but did so in a manner that did not implicate me for rebelling against an office that God set in the church.
I once was in a situation as an assistant pastor to have documentation placed in my hands that proved blatant, egregious wrongdoing on the part of the pastor I served under. This was brought to me by a board member, who asked me what we should do.
I told him to put it in a safe deposit box and tell no one about it, that we would pray and keep our spirits right and let God judge the matter.
God did, in His time, and it wasn't too long. The man hung himself. But I was not guilty of lifting my hand against God's anointed, and the way God worked it out, there were far fewer casualties than there would have been had I taken it into my own hands.
If you findyourself under leadership that you cannot submit to, quietly and humbly remove yourself, without trying to take any refugees with you.
God has a way of keeping thiose who want to be kept.
Do it in such a way that you will have no regrets later.
There is always a right way to do what must be done, if you really want to act with integrity.
Very true. I thought your post was very instructive and relevant to the whole thread. We must follow a preacher and we must do what is right in every situation.
I remember someone wanting to leave the church because they were mad at the pastor. I told them, "What you need to do is pray. If you get up and leave it will cause confusion. More importantly, the youth are watching and we have to set an example of longevity in our Christian walk. We have teach them perseverance in everything."
We've been through church situations that our children were privy too. They would ask what we were going to do. We told them, "We are going to remain faithful and see it through." God has worked in our behalf in every situation and they have seen that.
God is truly faithful and good to those that wait. That's the making and breaking point for many people. When you have done all - stand!
Hybrid Mode
