Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
The Bible tells us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Meaning that God never takes one's gifts or calling away. What do we do when faced with a man/woman who has fallen, is repentant, and who is indeed gifted and called of God? Do we override God's calling... or do we set standards for full reconciliation?
I like the idea of having the fallen individual "sit down" from any position for a set time, for example a year. During that time he should focus on rededication, re-consecration, healing, and the healing of his/her family. Should the outcome of this process be a positive one, the man should be incrementally restored to ministry over a years time. Allow him to open a few meetings. Then allow him to share the Word in a few meetings. Guage the way the body receives him. If he's received eventually allow him restored to an official position such as an associate pastor. Then hold a vote. If the body restores him fully, the body has spoken. If not. Allow him to remain an associate pastor and appoint an official senior pastor. Should another church vote the associate pastor in as their official pastor... that is that body's choice. Their body has spoken.
I don't believe one's restoration should be an arbitrary process based on the personal "feelings" of any one man. I believe a system of restoration should be in place to allow the fallen one to be restored to "ministry". Allow the body itself at that point choose to appoint "office".
Thoughts?
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Here are my thoughts:
1) It would be a group decision with no one person making a proclimation that this man is now restored.
2) It would indeed take quite a while, year(s) in fact.
3) There should be red flags during the process if the man in questions seems overly anxious to get back to his former position. His willingness to be patient and allow others to regain their trust in him is ALL important and in fact is the ultimate final exam.
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