What do you think?
 

One Apostolic group in Brazil teaches their pastors this:

Do not mix with the people. Do not invite them to your home.

How do you feel about this doctrine? Yes, it is considered doctrine.

Sis Alvear, how can we distance ourselves from needy people?
I understand if someone is false to avoid them, but what if they are genuine in their desire?
I personally will eat with anyone. They are welcome in my home. I want to reach them. I could care less what they believe right now. What they believe AFTER they leave my home is what is most important.
We must reach them. I believe that this includes having them to our homes and mixing with them, at least where it is possible and will not put us in a compromising situation like being at a party where there is alcohol, drugs, etc.
NI

Our home is also open to all...I love people and I would never distance myself from them. Just wondering if we were so far off or is this ideal above off?

off to a wedding....

That's absurd. What is a pastor for then?

I know of pastors that don't have any "friends." I don't understand this...

I'm trying to remember the reasoning behind this.

What group is that?

I think this is very sad. I want the saints I pastor to feel welcome in our home anytime.

The relationship of preacher/saint is fragile when they become common. Every individual comes into the church with different raising, priorities for the home, greater significance for events or words or even kidding around.

When you finally have to discipline over something that to you may be important, (being late, not paying tithes, gossip) the friendship will cause them to feel that you have breeched the cherished friendship or they will hate you for the embarrasment.

Maintaining a "Professional like" relationship will keep the roles straight when they need you, and you need to breech the gap for their benifit.

Making it a doctrine is a little questionable to me, but teaching the wisdom in it is very important to new ministers.