Respect For The Ministry

[missourimary]

To me, there are two kinds of respect. There is the normal respect, being considerate of each other. Then there is "respect" as in honor. Not everyone who says they're called of God should be honored. That kind of "respect" is what must be earned.

Honor comes after duty is served. It can't be demanded or expected. It should never be coerced. And it can be done to the point of becoming people-worship, and that's sin.

Some things I've seen Apostolics do that were questionable displays of honor:
Putting a pastor in a sort of litter and carrying him around the church while he or someone else tells everyone how wonderful the man is.
Carrying the pastor around on a few men's shoulders and doing the same thing.
Refusing to question anything that a pastor said or did because of his "office".
Refusing to stop possibly illegal and definitely immoral behavior because "he's the pastor. If he's wrong, God will fix it."
Holding the pastor's words above God's.

1 Tim 5:17 is telling Timothy, the pastor, to hold church leaders and those who work for God in double honor. It was not telling members to doubly honor their pastor. Honor here in Strongs means value, worth, price, or deference, reverence.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

In our room at church where we have staff meetings our pastor has put a large picture of Jesus washing the feet of Peter. Anyone that wants to be part of leadership gets a lesson on this picture. It is expected that you will serve not be served in any position you may have in the church.

Pastor Morales models this perfectly. Never does he have to remind anyone of the respect he is due. I cannot imagine ever attending a church again where a pastor seeks to feed his ego by demanding respect.

There's a picture of Jesus on the wall? Not the pastor's portrait? And in the picture Jesus is doing a menial task? Heresy, surely!


Sounds like an absolutely wonderful church!

[Cindy]

I have been so fortunate in my life to have been led by wonderful pastor's. My first pastor was humble and loving, yet unafraid to hold himself or us accountable. He expected great things from his "kids". I would rather someone yell at me, than face his gentle rebuke.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by missourimary

I agree completely, except sometimes someone needs to speak up. If the man has molested children, speak. If the man is embezzling funds, speak. If the man is threatening or slandering people, speak. If the man is engaging in illegal activity of any sort-and you have the evidence to prove it, please speak up. Otherwise you become an accomplice.
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If something like that is going on, the people should demand he be held accountable!

They have to remember that they are "men of God"- not - "gods of men" . Hahaha

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