Submission to a pastor

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Originalist

This morning, our pastor preached on the topic "Submission to authority". As with any sermon, there was some truth that could be gleaned from it. One thing I disagreed with was his view that Romans 13 is speaking of church authority. It seems pretty clear that this chapter is a general reference to civil authority.

As I listened, I wondered what had prompted him to preach this message. In the little over three years I've been a member, this is the first time I've ever heard him preach on this. One striking comment went like this....


I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for instruction in righteousness. But alas, I received none. He kept me in suspense, as so many others have done who have preached on this subject, by never really explaining what biblical submission is, and what it is not. I still have no idea was his expectations are on the matter. Another striking comment was....



How far do we take that? My AoG elders admonished my not to attend the UPC. Was I in rebellion against my authority?

On the way home, my wife and I strained our brains to think of any way Biblically that we are not in "submission" or that we might have even unknowingly undermined our pastor's authority (not that he was preaching to us).

Thoughts? Comments?

Thoughts? Comments????? You know just about everyone here will cater to what you want to hear to help you justify what you are doing. And I'm not saying u are doing anything right or wrong because I don't know your situation and i am only hearing one side.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Wow...you finally got something right :-)

Seriously, that was good.

I view Pastors as facilitators

I view them as councilors who's advice you should take seriously, but they are NOT in any way shape or form, the head of the household who should be making family decisions.

[commonsense]

Good words.....sounds like "commonsense"!

[houston]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Thoughts? Comments????? You know just about everyone here will cater to what you want to hear to help you justify what you are doing. And I'm not saying u are doing anything right or wrong because I don't know your situation and i am only hearing one side.

oh please

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Thoughts? Comments????? You know just about everyone here will cater to what you want to hear to help you justify what you are doing. And I'm not saying u are doing anything right or wrong because I don't know your situation and i am only hearing one side.

And just what is it that I am "doing"? I have not "done" anything. Even if I do not agree I keep my opinions to myself.

[Nitehawk013]

I hear a lot abotu Pastoral authority. My Pastor is a BIG fan of the whole "man of God" schtick. The sp[ecial anointing of it. That God will speak to his chosen man, and that man will speak for God to the church so if YOU want to hear form God...it will be through your Pastor. Always uses the same old OT verses over and over to prop up an idea that is foreign to the NT church. So yeah...I hear a lot of it. My Pastor was raised to believe that stongly and he is reproducing what he is in most of our church. People who are good little obediant saints who never imagine questioning or disagreeing with the "man of God".

It scares the poo out of me to be that weak minded and surrendered to any man, but some people must love letting a man they REALLY don't know make most decisions for them.

Now to be clear, he is a great guy and a very good Pastor, but I am still uncomfortable with even good men overstepping their scriptural bounds.

[Amanah]

Paul said: "follow me, as I follow Christ."

My previous pastor told me: "don't follow men, follow God."

for me, I want to have a relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and the word to make sure the church leadership is following Christ; and then follow them as they follow Christ.

[Abiding Now]

Romans 13:1-8

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

[houston]

Nice try. That is speaking of civil government.

[Rudy]

He hasn't reached the Jim Jones level yet has he? If not, grin, bear it, and submit!!