Respect For The Ministry - Page 3

Jermyn Davidson · #21 01-31-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

While I understand the use of "office," and use it myself, (1) we should steer clear of the idea that they are "elected" to this office by the Holy Spirit, and (2) exempt from accountability to the Body who can remove this person from serving in that capacity.

There is an (3) inflated view of pastoring ministers in Pentecostal circles. This isn't something new and unheard of. Most of this is why there are so many unbiblical practices and traditions. They rely on their "authority" to do these things.

(1) Why?

(2) Agreed that we should steer clear from any Pastor or any person who thinks they are exempt from accountability.

(3) In the very specific case of my Pastor, I am 100% confident that this man of God does not overstep, is not forceful, or abusive or anything like that. I have heard of abusive Pastors before, and my Pastor does not fit this bill at all.

He is a very good man.

Pastor Keith · #22 01-31-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

How do you feel about ministers? Are they special people called of God who deserve special treatment and respect or are they equals to brethren? I'm thinking of the time when there were kings. People had to bow and say your majesty or your eminence to the priests. How would you treat royalty? I'm also thinking of someone like Lee Stoneking. Does he deserve to be treated with respect because he is a minister? Do we have the right to criticize his beliefs if we don't agree?

Double Honor.
Honor is related to being able to receive from ministry, no honor, no receiving, this leads to unbelief and ties the ability of God to minister.

Thinker · #23 01-31-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach goes beyond the Scripture. This idea of everyone having a "man of God" in their life is a little skewed, and it's always built on the premise of a single-pastor system. "Your Moses"

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I agree! I think if we are gonna sit under a pastor we need to agree with what he's teaching and support him. The moment we can not we need to join another congregation. it's in the best interest of all parties involved. But upon leaving we should take the high road and not trash the man.

Yes, even if he trashs you (which happens to often)

However, The days of Moses is over, and I won't keep my family in a crazy situation for one minute.

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Socialite · #24 01-31-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

The Bible codifies the elevated view of the offices.

The offices are occupied by men.

Is it possible to respect the office your Pastor holds and still disrespect your Pastor as a person?

No one should be "disrespected." What do we call "disrespect?"

Socialite · #25 01-31-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinker

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I agree! I think if we are gonna sit under a pastor we need to agree with what he's teaching and support him. The moment we can not we need to join another congregation. it's in the best interest of all parties involved. But upon leaving we should take the high road and not trash the man.

Yes, even if he trashs you (which happens to often)

However, The days of Moses is over, and I won't keep my family in a crazy situation for one minute.

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And in some cases, going silently is not the Christian thing, it's the cowardly thing. If there's something unethical, ungodly and unChrist-like going on, a person should take it to other elders. If no other elders (which there should be), people deserve to know.

Socialite · #26 01-31-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

(1) Why?

(2) Agreed that we should steer clear from any Pastor or any person who thinks they are exempt from accountability.

(3) In the very specific case of my Pastor, I am 100% confident that this man of God does not overstep, is not forceful, or abusive or anything like that. I have heard of abusive Pastors before, and my Pastor does not fit this bill at all.

He is a very good man.

Stick around... and not sure how you've hung out in social settings, or even on AFF and have NEVER heard of an abusive pastor. "Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4?"

Glad you like your pastor and want to respect him. That's a good thing.

My pastor is also a servant, one who demands no titles or respect, who unselfishly serves and gives, one who holds himself accountable to ministering elders and one who doesn't seem himself as the "head cheese." Yet, we defer to him as the person with authority to lead in teaching and in vision casting.

missourimary · #27 01-31-2011, 05:38 PM

If the "man of God in my life" is doing something wrong, even demanding that I do something immoral, unethical, or unBiblical, I'd be better off without a "man of God", and will have no respect for him no matter what "office" he holds. Some men carry a card but they don't have God's stamp of approval... or mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinker

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...I think if we are gonna sit under a pastor we need to agree with what he's teaching and support him. The moment we can not we need to join another congregation. it's in the best interest of all parties involved. But upon leaving we should take the high road and not trash the man.

Yes, even if he trashs you (which happens to often)

However, The days of Moses is over, and I won't keep my family in a crazy situation for one minute.

I agree completely, except sometimes someone needs to speak up. If the man has molested children, speak. If the man is embezzling funds, speak. If the man is threatening or slandering people, speak. If the man is engaging in illegal activity of any sort-and you have the evidence to prove it, please speak up. Otherwise you become an accomplice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Stick around... and not sure how you've hung out in social settings, or even on AFF and have NEVER heard of an abusive pastor. "Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4?"

Ummm... he said he'd heard, not that he'd never heard, Soc.

Socialite · #28 01-31-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

Ummm... he said he'd heard, not that he'd never heard, Soc.

Pastor Keith · #29 02-01-2011, 07:47 AM

As a Pastor, my approach towards believers I pastor should be one of serving and loving.

As a Pastor I have been teaching that the attitude and mindset of those under authority should be one of great honor.

Honor is a often overlooked key to receiving from Heaven.

Baron1710 · #30 02-01-2011, 08:20 AM

In our room at church where we have staff meetings our pastor has put a large picture of Jesus washing the feet of Peter. Anyone that wants to be part of leadership gets a lesson on this picture. It is expected that you will serve not be served in any position you may have in the church.

Pastor Morales models this perfectly. Never does he have to remind anyone of the respect he is due. I cannot imagine ever attending a church again where a pastor seeks to feed his ego by demanding respect.