Restoration?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Surely if David was Prophet, Priest and King, and was restored from adultery, then pastors can be restored.

Jonah was also restored. Some have claimed David was a prophet but was not KNOWN as a prophet in his day. Matters not what he was KNOWN by. It is what God thinks of the situation.

Why? First of all David never went through a process where he ceased being prophet, priest or king. WHere does the bible say he was removed from any position and later restored? The fact is he was never removed so he was never restored.

Pastors are not Kings or Lords over God's heritage. The Kingship was a carnal position that God did not want to institute. He wanted a theocracy

The restoration process is about healing a person spiritually. As far as healing a Person TO a ministry that involves more IMO. That person needs to regain and restore his trustworthyness

[Praxeas]

Why is "restoration" always about restoring someone to his lofty position of authority and power and not the same "restoration" any saint might go through also?

[Aquila]

In my opinion... restoration is something that the body has to allow. Local presbyters cannot just re-install a fallen minister over a church body. They cannot take that kind of shock. It could cause too much confusion, anger, and distrust. If the fallen minister serves the body until they begin voicing that they want him in the pulpit again... then they are restoring him. Surely an acting pastor can lead the congregation into this ministry through influence. But ultimately it's up to the church body in question... not denominational or district leadership.

Personally... I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request. I think men underestimate the spiritual damage sin brings. To put them up there too soon is not only dangerous for the church body... but dangerous to the minister needing restoration. He'd quickly become a lightening rod for criticism and lies... if he isn't healed emotionally and is still sore from sin... it can be devestating.

If the man wishes to be restored in any way... let him serve.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Why?

Not sure what you are asking why about.

First of all David never went through a process where he ceased being prophet, priest or king. WHere does the bible say he was removed from any position and later restored? The fact is he was never removed so he was never restored.

All the more reason that people removed should be restored.

Pastors are not Kings or Lords over God's heritage. The Kingship was a carnal position that God did not want to institute. He wanted a theocracy

Kings were anointed by God whether or not it was God's initial will. And the anointed ministry of a king is on par with anointed ministries of pastors or bishops just because all are anointed.

The restoration process is about healing a person spiritually. As far as healing a Person TO a ministry that involves more IMO. That person needs to regain and restore his trustworthyness

Trustworthiness is indeed required. It's just that some believe such a ministry cannot be restored.

[seguidordejesus]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Personally... I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request. I think men underestimate the spiritual damage sin brings. To put them up there too soon is not only dangerous for the church body... but dangerous to the minister needing restoration. He'd quickly become a lightening rod for criticism and lies... if he isn't healed emotionally and is still sore from sin... it can be devestating.

If the man wishes to be restored in any way... let him serve.

Agree 100%

[seguidordejesus]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

There aren't any buts about this topic according to the scriptures already provided in this thread.

Still, give me an example of a theoretical situation where a Bishop can find himself in where he simply can't be restored.

Why insist on putting him back in a position he obviously couldn't handle well in the first place? To whom much is given, much is required.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

In my opinion... restoration is something that the body has to allow. Local presbyters cannot just re-install a fallen minister over a church body. They cannot take that kind of shock. It could cause too much confusion, anger, and distrust. If the fallen minister serves the body until they begin voicing that they want him in the pulpit again... then they are restoring him. Surely an acting pastor can lead the congregation into this ministry through influence. But ultimately it's up to the church body in question... not denominational or district leadership.

Personally... I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request. I think men underestimate the spiritual damage sin brings. To put them up there too soon is not only dangerous for the church body... but dangerous to the minister needing restoration. He'd quickly become a lightening rod for criticism and lies... if he isn't healed emotionally and is still sore from sin... it can be devestating.

If the man wishes to be restored in any way... let him serve.

I tend to agree.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

There aren't any buts about this topic according to the scriptures already provided in this thread.

Still, give me an example of a theoretical situation where a Bishop can find himself in where he simply can't be restored.

No scripture so far speaks of restoring someone to a position. They were all about restoring a saint spiritually

[seguidordejesus]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

No scripture so far speaks of restoring someone to a position. They were all about restoring a saint spiritually

[Praxeas]

Restoration to a position of trust and authority, when you betrayed that trust and authority, is another issue than spiritual restoration