More On Beards

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by n david

He doesn't preach against beards. There are a few men there who have facial hair - goatee, beard. Again, not a heaven/hell issue, just a preference for leadership position.


You may view it this way, I do not. Most churches, even non-holiness churches, have requirements for ministry.

Again, I have no issue with his request. I have followed leadership requirements in the past, and have submitted to dress codes for employers all my working life. If I'm willing to do that for secular employers, I should be even more willing to do it in ministry.

love this attitude! Obedience is better than sacrifice!

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

A man once told me that I should consider shaving my beard to be used in his church. I told him I'm a vet, and that I feel I earned the right to wear a beard. Besides, I told him, I think clean shaven men look gay. Lol. He just smiled and stared at me, with his clean shaven face.

You do know there are gay men with beards, right? In fact, studies have shown gay men love bearded partners. Are you a closeted bear?

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So he admits he has an unbiblical requirement for ministry.

Not a requirement...a preference.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by n david

He doesn't preach against beards. There are a few men there who have facial hair - goatee, beard. Again, not a heaven/hell issue, just a preference for leadership position.


You may view it this way, I do not. Most churches, even non-holiness churches, have requirements for ministry.

Again, I have no issue with his request. I have followed leadership requirements in the past, and have submitted to dress codes for employers all my working life. If I'm willing to do that for secular employers, I should be even more willing to do it in ministry.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

He doesn't preach against beards. There are a few men there who have facial hair - goatee, beard. Again, not a heaven/hell issue, just a preference for leadership position.


You may view it this way, I do not. Most churches, even non-holiness churches, have requirements for ministry.

Again, I have no issue with his request. I have followed leadership requirements in the past, and have submitted to dress codes for employers all my working life. If I'm willing to do that for secular employers, I should be even more willing to do it in ministry.

Doesn't the Bible give us the requirements of ministry?

1 Timothy 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Qualifications for Overseers
3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

And....

Titus 1:5-9

Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[d] and his children are believers[e] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer,[f] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[g] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Why add a facial hair requirement? Isn't that adding to the Word a tradition of man?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

You do know there are gay men with beards, right? In fact, studies have shown gay men love bearded partners. Are you a closeted bear?

I wasn't serious.

I know good men without beards.

When Jesus comes back, He'll be wearing a beard.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Barb

Not a requirement...a preference.

I know men who might prefer a man be clean shaven, but they will still welcome a bearded man into leadership. If a pastor states a man must be shaved to be in leadership, is it not a requirement?

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I know men who might prefer a man be clean shaven, but they will still welcome a bearded man into leadership. If a pastor states a man must be shaved to be in leadership, is it not a requirement?

Doesn't the pastor have this authority, to request his leadership/platform be clean shaven? Are not some things left up to the local shepherd? Don't most people who want to argue about every little detail, really just have a problem with authority and submission?

just questions, only questions....

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

Doesn't the pastor have this authority, to request his leadership/platform be clean shaven? Are not some things left up to the local shepherd? Don't most people who want to argue about every little detail, really just have a problem with authority and submission?

just questions, only questions....

Yes, a pastor has that authority. And yes, he will answer for how he uses it. With much power comes much responsibility. He can require tinfoil hats if he wishes. But how might Jesus feel about such unbiblical requirements, especially one that would disqualify the Lord Himself?

Is it his leadership/platform? Or is it the Lord's?

Ah, so glad we house church and were delivered from those kinds of problems.

The pic below is the church I attend. That's me in the stripes on the right. Lol

[Amanah]

The clean shaven thing reminds me of corporate America, clean shaven, suit and tie.
I'm sure all the prophets and apostles and Jesus himself had a beard. I think it's time for OPs to cut loose and have beards.