Have we lost respect for the ministry?

[TakingDominion]

Lost respect for the ministry? That’s not how I would word it. I would say we no longer fear God like we should. I’ve heard the argument that a minister can disqualify himself among men, before he disqualifies himself before God. N this case, I’d say he did both.

A pastor friend of mine says that cheating on your spouse is the most selfish act a person can do. I agree with a previous poster regarding the families destroyed. Kids that will now grow up in a broken home. All because of a very temporary pleasure. We have to believe in mercy and restoration, but like it’s already been said, mercy doesn’t absolve all consequences for our transgressions.

If a man is guilty, he should humble himself. Seek mercy for his soul and allow God and time to work on the restoration process.

Ultimately, God will be the judge.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I guess my question would be, why would he be disqualified for being a minister, or a Pastor?

He is currenrly married to the woman he left his wife for an adulterous affair. Don't you think that be an issue for ministry?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Adultery

It's more than adultery. He is currently married to the woman he left his wife over.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by esaias

a pastor runs off with someone else's wife? Or dumps his own wife to run off with his mistress? And gets "restored" to be pastor again? I just don't see that being an option. It's part of why religion is such a mess these days.



The church can not keep an eye on what's going in people's heads. There is no way to enforce such a thing in the church, any more than there was a way to enforce the 10th commandment back in the old days. Therefore such a situation would have to be handled by god himself.

There is also a clear difference between someone coveting another's wife as an individual act or moment on the one hand, and someone actually going through with it and wrecking at least one home and probably several, with damage results lasting basically the rest of those people's lives, not to mention the damage done to any kids who may be involved in the train wreck caused by such a person.

So, no. If a guy wrecks homes and runs off with his whore then no, he doesn't get to cry tears and get his job back. Sorry (but not sorry, too bad).

Is that harsh? Well, is it harsher than destroying families?

How does the pastor repent of adultery? Spin the little prayer wheel while having a little talk with jesus, then the adulterous relationship somehow becomes sanctified? Or by ending the adulterous relationship?

And that of course assumes that divorcing a wife and marrying another is in fact adultery (which is debatable from a whole scripture standpoint). But does the scripture allow for divorced and remarried men to serve as bishops and deacons? Is that a "husband of one wife"?

Just from a practical point of view, how does such a character not bring a reproach upon the church and upon the gospel, if there are no consequences for what they have done?

If a man robs a bunch of people, should he be able to ask forgiveness and then just not do the jail time? Or are there consequences for people's actions, even if they have been covered by the blood?

Modern churches will accept an adulterer or embezzler as a pastor, but god forbid they preach the wrong eschatology. Seems like priorities are a bit askew here, amen?

🫡

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

A pastor runs off with someone else's wife? Or dumps his own wife to run off with his mistress? And gets "restored" to be pastor again? I just don't see that being an option. It's part of why religion is such a mess these days.



The church can not keep an eye on what's going in people's heads. There is no way to enforce such a thing in the church, any more than there was a way to enforce the 10th commandment back in the old days. Therefore such a situation would have to be handled by God Himself.

There is also a clear difference between someone coveting another's wife as an individual act or moment on the one hand, and someone actually going through with it and wrecking at least one home and probably several, with damage results lasting basically the rest of those people's lives, not to mention the damage done to any kids who may be involved in the train wreck caused by such a person.

So, no. If a guy wrecks homes and runs off with his whore then no, he doesn't get to cry tears and get his job back. Sorry (but not sorry, too bad).

Is that harsh? Well, is it harsher than destroying families?

How does the pastor repent of adultery? Spin the little prayer wheel while having a little talk with Jesus, then the adulterous relationship somehow becomes sanctified? Or by ending the adulterous relationship?

And that of course assumes that divorcing a wife and marrying another is in fact adultery (which is debatable from a whole Scripture standpoint). But does the Scripture allow for divorced and remarried men to serve as bishops and deacons? Is that a "husband of one wife"?

Just from a practical point of view, how does such a character not bring a reproach upon the church and upon the Gospel, if there are no consequences for what they have done?

If a man robs a bunch of people, should he be able to ask forgiveness and then just not do the jail time? OR are there consequences for people's actions, even if they have been covered by the blood?

Modern churches will accept an adulterer or embezzler as a pastor, but God forbid they preach the wrong eschatology. Seems like priorities are a bit askew here, amen?

Well my brother, you done knocked this one straight out of the park!

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

It's more than adultery. He is currently married to the woman he left his wife over.

It’s continuous adultery.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by diakonos

It’s continuous adultery.

Even if it wasn't, it would still disqualify from ministry.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

He is currenrly married to the woman he left his wife for an adulterous affair. Don't you think that be an issue for ministry?

I think it would definitely be an issue for that man or women.

The question was have we lost respect for the ministry?

What is the reason for the ministry?

Should this man be banned form ever doing anything in the church as far as ministerial wise? I cannot say, absolutely! I believe the very foundation of our belief is forgiveness and restoration. We are too much, "off with his or her head".

What does it truly mean, not what we have been taught by a human mind of vengeance or carnality, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I think it would definitely be an issue for that man or women.

The question was have we lost respect for the ministry?

What is the reason for the ministry?

Should this man be banned form ever doing anything in the church as far as ministerial wise? I cannot say, absolutely! I believe the very foundation of our belief is forgiveness and restoration. We are too much, "off with his or her head".

What does it truly mean, not what we have been taught by a human mind of vengeance or carnality, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance?

Does that work the same for the pastor that went to prison for molesting his daughters? His calling to the ministry still intact?

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Esaias

A pastor runs off with someone else's wife? Or dumps his own wife to run off with his mistress? And gets "restored" to be pastor again? I just don't see that being an option. It's part of why religion is such a mess these days.

The church can not keep an eye on what's going in people's heads. There is no way to enforce such a thing in the church, any more than there was a way to enforce the 10th commandment back in the old days. Therefore such a situation would have to be handled by God Himself.

There is also a clear difference between someone coveting another's wife as an individual act or moment on the one hand, and someone actually going through with it and wrecking at least one home and probably several, with damage results lasting basically the rest of those people's lives, not to mention the damage done to any kids who may be involved in the train wreck caused by such a person.

So, no. If a guy wrecks homes and runs off with his whore then no, he doesn't get to cry tears and get his job back. Sorry (but not sorry, too bad).

Is that harsh? Well, is it harsher than destroying families?

How does the pastor repent of adultery? Spin the little prayer wheel while having a little talk with Jesus, then the adulterous relationship somehow becomes sanctified? Or by ending the adulterous relationship?

And that of course assumes that divorcing a wife and marrying another is in fact adultery (which is debatable from a whole Scripture standpoint). But does the Scripture allow for divorced and remarried men to serve as bishops and deacons? Is that a "husband of one wife"?

Just from a practical point of view, how does such a character not bring a reproach upon the church and upon the Gospel, if there are no consequences for what they have done?

If a man robs a bunch of people, should he be able to ask forgiveness and then just not do the jail time? OR are there consequences for people's actions, even if they have been covered by the blood?

Modern churches will accept an adulterer or embezzler as a pastor, but God forbid they preach the wrong eschatology. Seems like priorities are a bit askew here, amen?

If I'm wrong about the way I'm reading your post, please let me know. However, why is it so hard to believe that a man that does commit adultery cannot be, "restored" like you have written? If he doesn't ever become Pastor again, then fine, does that mean God stops using him in ministry? The very nature of God is forgiveness! And if it's not yours or mine, then we are not saved!

Paul said, "ye which are spiritual restore such a one with the spirit of meekness..."

What does restore mean?

If a secretary takes money from the church, is she to be kicked out? Maybe drag her or him to the front and rebuke them in front of the whole church. Tell them to get out of the church, and go be a baptist. What is the church for?

Can an adulterer, whore, embezzler, etc... can any of these be restored?