Would You Ever Challenge Your Pastor?

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I would have to agree with Bro Robbins.

Relatively recent in my life, over the course of a few months and a few meetings with a former Pastor, I realized that my theological views on several key issues had changed and that in order to not be divisive or cause confusion, it was better for me to leave.

When I left, it wasn't a shock to my Pastor. He already knew what was going on.

It shows respect to the leadership and for yourself when you try to communicate to the leadership the fact that there could be or is definitely a difference in belief on serious matters.

what changed your beliefs? outside influence personal study? What was it that brought your belief to a diferent conclusion than what your pastor was preaching if you dont mind me to ask. can even pm

[jonnie]

Most regrettably much of what we believe has been the result of what we have been taught, not what we have researched for ourselves and this concept of "pastoral" positioning has no foundational scriptural substance.
Meaning that nowhere in the NT or the OT is there any reference indicating that "pastor" is a position, title or CEO of an assembly.
Please prove me wrong.
Quite frankly "pastors" where mentioned do not get a good rap at all, but we have blindly accepted the hand me down role of the "pastor" positioning himself from the pulpit as an office of distinction to that of the other members of the assembly.

[Amanah]

Pastors are not infalliable, but, a good pastor can pray and study and bring the Word of God to the congregation in a way that blesses, encourages, and restores your spirit.

This is not to say that others can not also do this, but a Pastor carries out the burden to preach, teach, and edify the body of Christ.

I have not met a man yet who does not have some preconceived notions about how to pastor that have been either handed down from his mentors, or learned from associations with other church leaders.

I dare say that there is not a one who can say they have complete and perfect understanding.

In answer to the question. I would, and have, kindly and gently express my beliefs on a subject understanding that people may or may not come to see things my way.

[supertone]

Originally Posted by jonnie

Most regrettably much of what we believe has been the result of what we have been taught, not what we have researched for ourselves and this concept of "pastoral" positioning has no foundational scriptural substance.
Meaning that nowhere in the NT or the OT is there any reference indicating that "pastor" is a position, title or CEO of an assembly.
Please prove me wrong.
Quite frankly "pastors" where mentioned do not get a good rap at all, but we have blindly accepted the hand me down role of the "pastor" positioning himself from the pulpit as an office of distinction to that of the other members of the assembly.

I'm in agreement of this notion in principle. I think home church groups that share responsibility for the teaching, preaching of the group is a lot closer to what happened with the first followers of Christ. The only thing is that it might not be as approachable for new comers as say a church building.

I am of the firm belief that if someone decides to serve the Lord as a Pastor, that they are subject to their church and should be held in a position of subservience to the congregation... the complete opposite of what seems to happen now. If a pastoral role is taken with humility and meekness, I believe that the heavenly rewards will positively reflect the sacrifice and commitment that is warranted of such a post.

As a father and a husband, it is my responsibility to look after my family as a subject of Christ, it is not a pastors role.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I know many people who did just that. Nobody knew why they left...so they made up their own reasons.

they always do !

[Praxeas]

Is it necessary to leave because you don't agree with the Pastor on EVERY issue?

[endtimer]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Is it necessary to leave because you don't agree with the Pastor on EVERY issue?

This is a good question. My answer is no or I would never stay any where. Further more, I really don't think its necessary to challenge my pastor on all the issues I disagree with him on. I have my walk with God and he has his.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Dante

Assume you are listening to your pastor preach, and then suddenly he makes a statement that you believe is contrary to the actual meaning of scripture (though he uses scripture to justify his position and you have scripture to justify the position you have, which is completely opposite of his/hers). You may be just as well informed of a position in which your pastor is taking a completely opposite stand on, but you feel he is in error.

1. Do you politely schedule a meeting with the pastor and discuss the disagreement over the teaching and try to come to a mutual understanding without trying to convert one another to each others' position?

2. Do you ignore it, and let it go, and pray that God would correct him/her assuming you yourself are not the one truly in error?

3. Do you leave the church without any explanation, because you can't believe that someone would be so ignorant as to make non-biblical remarks from the pulpit?

4. Or option #4 (fill in the blank how you would hand it if the aforementioned options are not feasible to you)

I believe number one is the right one. If he is respectful and open for discussion, and doesn't become defensive, we should be able to continue forward. If not, then we have to make a decision. Our current pastor is always open for discussion, and he doesn't have a know it all attitude, believes that any believer can have a word from the Lord. Then he believes that the elders can judge if the word is helpful, if so, it is then presented to the body. We are a community of flawed humans, trying to follow Jesus, and be in a loving relationship with all members of the local body.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Rudy

For me the one-man-show opens the door for extreme beliefs and behavior. It has been said, "Absolute power corrupts." ....

I think the phrase is: Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"


"Absolute power corrupts absolutely" arose as part of a quotation by the expansively named and impressively hirsute John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Dante

Assume you are listening to your pastor preach, and then suddenly he makes a statement that you believe is contrary to the actual meaning of scripture (though he uses scripture to justify his position and you have scripture to justify the position you have, which is completely opposite of his/hers). You may be just as well informed of a position in which your pastor is taking a completely opposite stand on, but you feel he is in error.

1. Do you politely schedule a meeting with the pastor and discuss the disagreement over the teaching and try to come to a mutual understanding without trying to convert one another to each others' position?

2. Do you ignore it, and let it go, and pray that God would correct him/her assuming you yourself are not the one truly in error?

3. Do you leave the church without any explanation, because you can't believe that someone would be so ignorant as to make non-biblical remarks from the pulpit?

4. Or option #4 (fill in the blank how you would hand it if the aforementioned options are not feasible to you)

In 1978 (or maybe 1979) my wife and I (with our 5 children) stopped attending the ALJC church which we had been attending for 14 or 15 years.

One Sunday night in his sermon our pastor said, "The Bible says that a man is supposed to be clean shaven." I responded with words like, "I'd like to know where that is in the Bible." My wife grabbed my arm and gave me that look" (husbands and children know what "that look" is). Either the pastor did not hear me or he chose to ignore me because he went on with his sermon. When we left the church after that service we did not go back again.

The pastor died in January, 2003. Prior to his death he suffered heart problems and kidney failure and was on dialysis. When he was in the hospital after the kidney failure I visited him there and prayed for him. His wife was there with him when i came. They were both friendly and there was no mention of why I had not been around for the past 20 some years.