UPC, ALJC, PAW, etc.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Ehud

I ask in sincerity, is this a common problem? I have had only two pastors in my life, and I have never thought this of either of them with regards to a stand against sin.

Yes it is. They will preach against ungodliness in generic terms without naming sin so a lot of times saints think they preach hard against sin but in reality it’s not named. I know you can’t name everything but the best way to let a spirit get into the church is just simply stop preaching against it when it shows it’s ugly head. The problem with doing it privately is there is a good chance others are also struggling with it and it never gets dealt with since they never got “ caught “ in sin. Preaching is what will expose it and repentance is what will fix it. Yes God can convict them without it being preached but that’s the method God chose to save them that believe ( talking about saints not sinners).

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Yes it is. They will preach against ungodliness in generic terms without naming sin so a lot of times saints think they preach hard against sin but in reality it’s not named. I know you can’t name everything but the best way to let a spirit get into the church is just simply stop preaching against it when it shows it’s ugly head. The problem with doing it privately is there is a good chance others are also struggling with it and it never gets dealt with since they never got “ caught “ in sin. Preaching is what will expose it and repentance is what will fix it. Yes God can convict them without it being preached but that’s the method God chose to save them that believe ( talking about saints not sinners).

Could you elaborate on the bolded portion?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Yes it is. They will preach against ungodliness in generic terms without naming sin so a lot of times saints think they preach hard against sin but in reality it’s not named. I know you can’t name everything but the best way to let a spirit get into the church is just simply stop preaching against it when it shows it’s ugly head. The problem with doing it privately is there is a good chance others are also struggling with it and it never gets dealt with since they never got “ caught “ in sin. Preaching is what will expose it and repentance is what will fix it. Yes God can convict them without it being preached but that’s the method God chose to save them that believe ( talking about saints not sinners).

And suppose the pastor preaches, exposes, names it, etc... and the people still won't let go of it? Does the pastor disfellowship half the church? Resign and move on? What?