Restoration?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

So much for grace...

It's grace that restores that fallen man spiritually. It's grace that causes a congregation to open their arms and receive him into fellowship again. But grace doesn't mean that one can be restored to a "position" in a church or ministry. Many think they are ENTITLED to get their position back. Not so. Honestly, many need to let go and humbly realize that maybe they aren't the best man for that job. Perhaps God will use them in a parachurch ministry, in charity work, etc. I know of a man who was a pastor (not Apostolic) for many years. He fell into sin and resigned from his position. After being restored spiritually a few talked to him about taking his position back. He declined saying that he wasn't the "right man" for the job. A few years later he was invited to speak at an apologetics conference on a university campus. As it would turn out... doors opened for him to be a major player in campus apologetics and evangelism.

[OneAccord]

It does seem strange that the NT is virtually silent on the subject of ministerial restoration. That may be due to the fact that there is no "One Size Fits ALL" method to restore a fallen minister. Every situation is unique and every situation calls for a unique approach at restoration. And, in many cases, as pointed out by Aquilla, there may be no restoration to a particular ministry. But, the individual can use his or her talents in some other area of ministry.

The area of concern is not in restoring a fallen brother to the ministry, but rather restoring him to a right relationship with the Lord. His call to the ministry was given by the Lord and, in the unfortunate event of a fall, it is really up to the Lord to restore the fallen brother to his previous ministry. Or to move him into some other area of ministry.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

So much for grace...

You know, that's what I thought.

It's funny how we can pick and choose what scriptures mean to fit our fancy.


There's nothing in scripture that states that restoration to a position is not included.

WHY ADD TO THE BIBLE?


Was King David "removed" from office? No.
He was corrected while in office.
If the Old Testament is for our learning, maybe we should learn how to deal with ministers who fall from the ultimate example of leadership failure in the Old Testament.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

A truly repentant minister would most likely not feel worthy of being restored to a position of authority. I'd imagine the church would have to nearly push him back into leadership... and of course God might bring to pass providential circumstances.

No fallen minister is entitled to restoration with regards to position.

I am glad Jonah and David never heard that in their day, and they were under a lesser covenant than we have. Unless you mean he can come back to his position so long as there is full reconciliation in regards to his spirituality. Then I agree.

You sad, "I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request."

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

It does seem strange that the NT is virtually silent on the subject of ministerial restoration. That may be due to the fact that there is no "One Size Fits ALL" method to restore a fallen minister. Every situation is unique and every situation calls for a unique approach at restoration. And, in many cases, as pointed out by Aquilla, there may be no restoration to a particular ministry. But, the individual can use his or her talents in some other area of ministry.

The area of concern is not in restoring a fallen brother to the ministry, but rather restoring him to a right relationship with the Lord. His call to the ministry was given by the Lord and, in the unfortunate event of a fall, it is really up to the Lord to restore the fallen brother to his previous ministry. Or to move him into some other area of ministry.

Unfortunately too many people don't want to give the Lord their permission for this to happen.

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I am glad Jonah and David never heard that in their day, and they were under a lesser covenant than we have. Unless you mean he can come back to his position so long as there is full reconciliation in regards to his spirituality. Then I agree.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

You know, that's what I thought.

It's funny how we can pick and choose what scriptures mean to fit our fancy.


There's nothing in scripture that states that restoration to a position is not included.

WHY ADD TO THE BIBLE?


Was King David "removed" from office? No.
He was corrected while in office.
If the Old Testament is for our learning, maybe we should learn how to deal with ministers who fall from the ultimate example of leadership failure in the Old Testament.

LOL

There is nothing in scripture that states that restoration to a position of ministry is included.

We can't add to the Bible.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I am glad Jonah and David never heard that in their day, and they were under a lesser covenant than we have. Unless you mean he can come back to his position so long as there is full reconciliation in regards to his spirituality. Then I agree.

You sad, "I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request."

A minister is a servant to the body of Christ, not a leader to be restored. If a minister's sin was so serious the body feels uncomfortable, he cannot be restored... even if he is fully restored spiritually. I imagine that if another body desires to have that minister serve them, that's their right to request he do so.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

A truly repentant minister would most likely not feel worthy of being restored to a position of authority. I'd imagine the church would have to nearly push him back into leadership... and of course God might bring to pass providential circumstances.

No fallen minister is entitled to restoration with regards to position.

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

So much for grace...

Where is Grace ever about getting someone's job back? Where is Grace ever about someone getting their position of authority back?

Grace is about God's relationship to man salvifically

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I am glad Jonah and David never heard that in their day, and they were under a lesser covenant than we have. Unless you mean he can come back to his position so long as there is full reconciliation in regards to his spirituality. Then I agree.

You sad, "I think a fallen minister should use his gifts in a more low key ministry like hospital chaplancy, prison ministry, home fellowship groups, house church, neighborhood evangelism and witnessing, etc until the body elevates him on request."

When and where does the bible say Jonah lost his paid position of Pastor let alone his unpaid position of prophet?

When and where did David stop being king over Israel for his transgressions.

The bible does not provide such answers. Restoration in terms of what the bible has to say is always a restoration spiritually between God and the man, not a man to his position of authority.

The reason is there are trust issues particularly when someone is in a position of betrayal...ie he cheated on his wife...He cheated on his wife with a church member...he cheated on his wife with the wife of a church member...he stole church funds. That is not a man to God issue. That is a man to church issue

Im not convinced every man that is a Pastor was called or should be a pastor. How they got that position often depends more on the organization of men than the calling of God.