An abuse of authority????

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Good. I would add to be aware of an individual that is humble and an individual that is proud.

If it seems as if they are just fighting and not receiving, just make your point and move on. Don't keep arguing with them

Absolutely.

[JamDat]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

A Pastor notices unholy activity happening on someones fb page. While the individual is NOT a memeber of their church, the person is WELL aquainted with many people that are connected to the Pastor and neighboring churches.

After a moment, the Pastor updates their status message and warns the saints NOT to behave in the manner they saw displayed on the individuals page. In turn, the individual goes off on a tangent, and says that the Pastor is abusing his authority and not being Christ like. They resort to cursing and even publically bashing the Pastor, His ministry, and those that support him so that everyone who is connected with the both of them can clearly see the post. The individual even uses the Pastors entire name and encourages everyone on their page to say whatever they would like about the "abuse" that took place.

Who's right? Did the Pastor abuse their authority? Scriptures would help.

At the face value of this post I think the Pastor was tending to the flock he's been given. The response from the unruly one should be noted by the Pastor's intended audience.

[houston]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

Paul rebuked Peter publicly because 1) this was a public controversy and 2) Peter was an elder. If an elder sins he will be rebuked publicly because of his influence.

Sadly, some pastors rebuke any and everyone from their "sacred " desk.

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

A Pastor notices unholy activity happening on someones fb page. While the individual is NOT a memeber of their church, the person is WELL aquainted with many people that are connected to the Pastor and neighboring churches.

After a moment, the Pastor updates their status message and warns the saints NOT to behave in the manner they saw displayed on the individuals page. In turn, the individual goes off on a tangent, and says that the Pastor is abusing his authority and not being Christ like. They resort to cursing and even publically bashing the Pastor, His ministry, and those that support him so that everyone who is connected with the both of them can clearly see the post. The individual even uses the Pastors entire name and encourages everyone on their page to say whatever they would like about the "abuse" that took place.

Who's right? Did the Pastor abuse their authority? Scriptures would help.

If the pastor mentioned the person's name in their posting, then the pastor was wrong. However, if all he did was warn against the activity itself, then there is nothing wrong with that. In reality, the pastor should have contacted that person privately, and asked them about the activity, and give godly council about what was going on, and show the love of God in warning the person to stay true to the Kingdom.

In truth, the whole situation should have been held in private. I think the pastor used very poor judgment.

[kingdomapostle]

UPDATES:

The Pastor has continued to write status messages that generally address sin issues in the church that keep the saints entangled. They have always used their fb page for edification and for fellowship purposes, so this is not mean spirited or to poke at anyone.

The Christian has publically and privately gone on an all out character assassination attempt to disrespect the Pastor by calling Him a false prophet, and those that follow him stupid (insert profanity).

The amount of disrespect this "Christian has shown is shocking" from someone who takes pride in being "saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled."

IMO--
I know BOTH individuals very well. The Pastor has been in ministry for years and is respected in his community and nationally. He does not go around "picking" on people. However, he is also the overseer of other ministries, so it’s not a "stick to your flock only" situation. Usually, this Pastor is right on target when dealing with issues concerning the church and not just churches in their fellowship- we are talking national influence.

The Christian, while growing up in holiness, now attends a larger "mega church" that is very liberal when it comes to what Christians can/can not do and "still be saved." Yet he is a popular figure in the community and is very well liked by many. Therefore, he knows that his influence carries a certain amount of weight even if he is not a preacher.

While the Pastor moved on, the Christian invited "whosoever will" to come and make comments that mocked the Pastor throughout the night. It was sad scene.

My thoughts are that the Pastor's comments were pointed somewhat at the behavior of the Christian, however, they were said with concern and love for their soul and those that would see that behavior thinking “well they do it, it must be ok.” Usually Christian leaders ARE called to speak up about issues in the church so I don’t see much difference in this. No names were called, so why did the Christian have to take it so directly and so personally anyway?

God does not call us to care for those who are just a part of “our church.” What about THE BODY OF CHRIST? Leaders are not just called to watch their flock although that is their priority. Leaders are examples in the EARTH of what Why should someone be a part of our church to care about their souls. If they came to the Pastor's page, saw the comment, and was convicted/offended by it then they should change their behavior, not blast the Pastor, ESPECIALLY if they are wrong.

Even if the Pastor was out of line or crossed the lines of his authority in speaking so directly about the issue, WHY would a Christian go to those extremes to "right the wrong." You can't "right a wrong" with more wrong anyway. More damage was done on the part of the Christian for opening up the Pastor to that kind of scrutiny and judgment among those who are NOT saved or those that were commenting without really knowing who the comments were pointed at. The Christian bordered on harassment even, when he publically cursed out other Pastors/congregation that saw his comments and asked the purpose for them (X rated stuff)!

I don’t see abuse of the Pastor’s authority at all, although the status could have been handled more discretely. There is a way to address issues that do not blast others, but knowing the heart of the leader, I don’t think that was His motive at all.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

UPDATES:


IMO--

While the Pastor moved on, the Christian invited "whosoever will" to come and make comments that mocked the Pastor throughout the night. It was sad scene.

My thoughts are that the Pastor's comments were pointed somewhat at the behavior of the Christian, however, they were said with concern and love for their soul and those that would see that behavior thinking “well they do it, it must be ok.” Usually Christian leaders ARE called to speak up about issues in the church so I don’t see much difference in this. No names were called, so why did the Christian have to take it so directly and so personally anyway?

God does not call us to care for those who are just a part of “our church.” What about THE BODY OF CHRIST? Leaders are not just called to watch their flock although that is their priority. Leaders are examples in the EARTH of what Why should someone be a part of our church to care about their souls. If they came to the Pastor's page, saw the comment, and was convicted/offended by it then they should change their behavior, not blast the Pastor, ESPECIALLY if they are wrong.

Even if the Pastor was out of line or crossed the lines of his authority in speaking so directly about the issue, WHY would a Christian go to those extremes to "right the wrong." You can't "right a wrong" with more wrong anyway. More damage was done on the part of the Christian for opening up the Pastor to that kind of scrutiny and judgment among those who are NOT saved or those that were commenting without really knowing who the comments were pointed at. The Christian bordered on harassment even, when he publically cursed out other Pastors/congregation that saw his comments and asked the purpose for them (X rated stuff)!

I don’t see abuse of the Pastor’s authority at all, although the status could have been handled more discretely. There is a way to address issues that do not blast others, but knowing the heart of the leader, I don’t think that was His motive at all.

Easy to say "the pastor moved on" inferring that the person he attacked should not be concerned he was condemmed to hell now that the pastor has "moved on".

I don't care how well respected this pastor is this situation shows an extreme lack of judgement in my opinion. As my mama often said "two wrongs don't make a right". If this pastor is so intelligent and well respected surely he could have addressed the issues he wanted to without so obviously referencing this person. I tend to think he had to do it intentionally. Being obvious enough everybody would know who he was talking about but still being able to claim he did not name names.

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by CC1

Easy to say "the pastor moved on" inferring that the person he attacked should not be concerned he was condemmed to hell now that the pastor has "moved on".

I don't care how well respected this pastor is this situation shows an extreme lack of judgement in my opinion. As my mama often said "two wrongs don't make a right". If this pastor is so intelligent and well respected surely he could have addressed the issues he wanted to without so obviously referencing this person. I tend to think he had to do it intentionally. Being obvious enough everybody would know who he was talking about but still being able to claim he did not name names.

WHOOA! WHOAAA! WHOOAA! When was it said that he condemned the individual to Hell? I missed that one.

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

WHOOA! WHOAAA! WHOOAA! When was it said that he condemned the individual to Hell? I missed that one.

It was NEVER said...nothing missed. Let the head banging continue (yours is better than mine...was trying to find a smiley to fit but...I like yours better)

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by CC1

Easy to say "the pastor moved on" inferring that the person he attacked should not be concerned he was condemmed to hell now that the pastor has "moved on".I don't care how well respected this pastor is this situation shows an extreme lack of judgement in my opinion. As my mama often said "two wrongs don't make a right". If this pastor is so intelligent and well respected surely he could have addressed the issues he wanted to without so obviously referencing this person. I tend to think he had to do it intentionally. Being obvious enough everybody would know who he was talking about but still being able to claim he did not name names.

WHOOOOOOOOAH, was that your imagination, assumption, or just you misreading or did not read at all what was said throughout this entire thread? The Pastor did NOT condemn anyone to hell. Sigh.
The Pastor moved on AFTER GOING TO THE CHRISTIAN, TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF THE WHOLE THING...etc. HE NEVER PRETENDED NOT TO KNOW anything, that's dishonest.

Fine. Believe what you wish, its your right, but please don't add to this for dramatic effect.

[kingdomapostle]

thanks EVERYONE for your comments!!!!