eat red meat, but be very careful when and with who
Serious issues!!!!
I choose this option for very good reason. I am not a hypocrite and do not do things in secret. However neither am I one who would deliberately do things to offend. I think the scriptures are very clear about this.
My church could be classified as ultra con (from where I stand) and I do not follow the standards. It is NO SECRET. But, for example, I don't wear pants to church. Neither would I wear them to another saints house. Around town and at work I do often. When I see other members I do not hide or run the other way. I greet them like any other time. But then again - it's not in their home or territory so to speak.
I guess I don't see it any different as smoking. I don't smoke. I would not allow someone to smoke at my house... But in public settings - not my business....
Of course you did neglect to give us option #5: I wouldn't be sitting under a pastor that squirrely.
Any guy who would make such an inane unscriptural standard would already have some other ones in place.
I did however vote with the majority, which me voting with the majority here is a scary thing in itself.
And if the hypothetical pastor is so bold to as to make such a blatantly unscriptural proclamation, then I am bold enough to invite him to Ruth Chris to enlighten me to his reasoning while I tear up a New York Strip, medium. He can have chicken.
I choose this option for very good reason. I am not a hypocrite and do not do things in secret. However neither am I one who would deliberately do things to offend. I think the scriptures are very clear about this.
My church could be classified as ultra con (from where I stand) and I do not follow the standards. It is NO SECRET. But, for example, I don't wear pants to church. Neither would I wear them to another saints house. Around town and at work I do often. When I see other members I do not hide or run the other way. I greet them like any other time. But then again - it's not in their home or territory so to speak.
I guess I don't see it any different as smoking. I don't smoke. I would not allow someone to smoke at my house... But in public settings - not my business....
You make an excellent assesment of the situation. The real balancing act is truly NOT to offend, yet also NOT to hide. Those who are prone to being easily offended will of course react to ANY activity they are against IF they see it or know about it.
I remember the early days in the church when we would remove our TV whenever someone from church came over to visit. How I WISH I could go back in time and relive those days -doing certain things just a tiny bit different.
I can see your point & while I don't hold Pastors as God's there is a way to deal with issues in leadership.
I'd be interested to hear some of "those ways". Any preaching I ever heard was "If the pastor gets outa line, God will take care of it, not the saints!"
I do agree w/ what Edward said, One should be able to let him know in a kind way, when he's out of bounds.
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
You make an excellent assesment of the situation. The real balancing act is truly NOT to offend, yet also NOT to hide. Those who are prone to being easily offended will of course react to ANY activity they are against IF they see it or know about it.
I remember the early days in the church when we would remove our TV whenever someone from church came over to visit. How I WISH I could go back in time and relive those days -doing certain things just a tiny bit different.
I think one of the greatest disservices we do to our children is when we teach them HYPOCRISY! It's the greater sin, IMHO.
How can we ever win the world when we can't even be honest with ourselves. This is the single greatest thing that chaps my hide!!!!
I'd be interested to hear some of "those ways". Any preaching I ever heard was "If the pastor gets outa line, God will take care of it, not the saints!"
That is why a Pastor has a Presbyter or a DS.
If you are really in a knot about it & you have prayed about it then these Scriptures apply to a Pastor as well as a Saint.
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV