Pastoral Internet Regulation & Control

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Does Southern Cali count?

NO!!!!!

[Minister_WD]

Originally Posted by Kings Kid

How is this pastor going to regulate internet use on cell phones. Because what a lot of people may do is stop using their home computers and start using their cell /pda phones for access.

Good Point. I understand that this Pastor is in the process of implementing a system to monitor Internet usage and text messages on cell phones as well.

[Blubayou]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

For the same reason I wouldn't be on staff at a church that required me to keep surveillance cameras in my home, in order to supervise my activities.

Like I said, VOLUNTARY accountability is a very good thing...but mandatory? The pastor is being over-zealous at best. There may be some circumstances that are prompting him to take this action, but in the end, it won't bring about the results he's after anyway.

Mandatory morality is just tossing away the NT in exchange for the Old. If a person doesn't pursue purity and morality from a point of his own love for and consecration to God, then it's a moot point. Remember the scripture about a man looking on a woman...with lust...has already committed adultery? You can make all kinds of rules, but if the heart isn't right, the rules accomplish nothing.

To be blunt, a man who can't look at porn because his pastor is looking over his shoulder can still THINK about porn if the heart problem isn't fixed.

I have not read the complete thread yet- but once again Ms. Brat has said it well- This is a wonderful example of a church getting it wrong! We need to teach principles but not rules!!! Yes, we need to be accountable to GOD. And that accountiblity should flow from a heart that is fixed on God and His Grace.

[Kings Kid]

Originally Posted by Minister_WD

Good Point. I understand that this Pastor is in the process of implementing a system to monitor Internet usage and text messages on cell phones as well.

How would he be able to moniter text messages that would be impossible.

[Threads]

[QUOTE=MissBrattified;510525]Mark, there are limits. Would you allow someone to supervise your every move, just to make sure you were making moral and righteous choices?

It also has the potential to undermine authority within the home. Our children, (1 of whom will soon be a teenager) for instance--they are OUR responsibility to supervise, instruct, discipline and protect. They "report" to us--their parents. Not to their pastor.

In my opinion, it's good for husbands and wives to be accountable to one another in regards to sexual purity. So how does the pastor figure into that equation? Will men report to their pastors, but hide their internet usage from their wives? Or vice versa?

I am for pastoral authority, but I am not for dictatorships or tyrants. Again, specific to this thread--I'm not calling the pastor in question a tyrant, necessarily. We don't have all the facts. But mandates will not result in a change of heart--only a change in behavior, and not necessarily in a positive way.


I like what you have said here. Let me add that internet usage on the job is monitored and can cost you your job. There has been many cases out there where people have been fired for internet usage. That, I am ok with because we are dealing with job related stuff, security, stealing, and so on. But, when you start giving up my rights, in a church. This is just to wacked to say the least. Can you say cultic? I can see legal issues with this down the road.

[Sister Alvear]

Something is not right about this situation...

[Sister Alvear]

If I as a missionary have to try to control everthing my people do then the message of Jesus is in vain...
If Jesus cannot do it I sure cannot...

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

If I as a missionary have to try to control everthing my people do then the message of Jesus is in vain...
If Jesus cannot do it I sure cannot...

Sister Alvear...you are sooo right on this ! Such wisdom you have! I totally agree. I for sure dont' want to police anyone. When they get filled with the Holyghost, they have are filled with as much as I got! Now, whether they listen or not, that is up to them!

Preachers preach the Word of God and then let God do the work.... Then it is up to the individual to decide how they will live. If someone isn't going to live right with the Holyghost, me policing them isnt' going to save them, that's for sure! besides, I'd rather not know what people do in their homes... Then when God lays an individual on my heart for me to pray, it will be by inspiration and not observation.....

[Sister Alvear]

It is our job as leaders to give advice, preach the gospel, the the flock but NO one is called to be an undercover police...

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

It is our job as leaders to give advice, preach the gospel, the the flock but NO one is called to be an undercover police...

Amen!

It should be a personal relationship with Jesus!

I