How close should a pastor get to the members?

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Prax,

I think Pastors put themselves in the position to be the all knowing and only counsel. I think many times they think more highly of themselves than is their calling. They are not the voice of God but merely fallible men who are called to teach, preach, and exhort. Many times there is too much enmeshment of the Pastor/leadership into the private affairs of the church people. It is comparable to spiritual incest.

JMHO,
Rhoni

P.S. I do agree with your post. Thank you.

"Spiritual Incest" is a legitimate and clearly defined term under Ecclesiastical Law.

Spiritual incest. (Eccl. Law)

(a) The crime of cohabitation committed between persons who have a spiritual alliance by means of baptism or confirmation.

(b) The act of a vicar, or other beneficiary, who holds two benefices, the one depending on the collation of the other.

Clearly the term "spiritual incest" does not apply to the example in the quoted post, and to use the term, which clearly has sexual overtones, in the context of a post criticizing pastors is repugnant.