Would You Ever Challenge Your Pastor? - Page 9

Titus2woman · #81 07-02-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

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)

We have chosen number 3 not just once but twice. Both times were after much prayer and discussion between us. Both times we had strong bonds in our church home and many reasons that we did not want to leave... but both times we heard from the Lord that He was moving us on. When God desires one move everything dries up where you are like Cherith Brook.

The biggest deciding factor for us was when we were able to say with certainty that our pastor knew, or should have known, that what he was preaching was frequently not in line with scripture and that we believed he had willfully chosen to follow another path for reasons other than pleasing God.

I won't say that the knowledge made the choice easy because when one has committed to a church family it is beyond hard to walk away. Really we tried for years to still maintain those relationships but have found that with very few exceptions it was not possible. Fortunately the Lord has brought new people into our lives for fellowship and has strengthened our bond and that of our family to fill the gap.

Time has prorved that for us it was a right decision.

bbyrd009 · #82 07-02-2012, 07:07 AM

"However that doesnt mean people should double check what he has said."

Surely you mean, "...should not double check..."

Sister Alvear · #83 07-02-2012, 07:12 AM

I think the word challenge is really not the choice word..Maybe we could say, would you talk with your pastor if you felt he was wrong in a certain area...We should have enough common sense not to drink koolaid (Jim Jones)...We must have balance and wisdom in all things. You do not blindly follow any human flesh however I would imagine it is impossible to two people to see eye to eye on every subject. Lots of times I express ..I feel like the Bible teaches...(got that expression from my pastor)
Overbearing people and abusive people have mostly 2 kinds of followers...The deceived or those that have no back bone and willing for someone else to make their decisions...

We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling...It is not a hap hazard thing...It is something that requires our time and attention. I go to a lot of churches in the USA but would not like to be a member of very many of them.

I don't won't a pastor with a Hitler type rule...I want a shepherd.

bbyrd009 · #84 07-02-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

We have chosen number 3 not just once but twice. Both times were after much prayer and discussion between us. Both times we had strong bonds in our church home and many reasons that we did not want to leave... but both times we heard from the Lord that He was moving us on. When God desires one move everything dries up where you are like Cherith Brook.

The biggest deciding factor for us was when we were able to say with certainty that our pastor knew, or should have known, that what he was preaching was frequently not in line with scripture and that we believed he had willfully chosen to follow another path for reasons other than pleasing God.

I won't say that the knowledge made the choice easy because when one has committed to a church family it is beyond hard to walk away. Really we tried for years to still maintain those relationships but have found that with very few exceptions it was not possible. Fortunately the Lord has brought new people into our lives for fellowship and has strengthened our bond and that of our family to fill the gap.

Time has prorved that for us it was a right decision.

That has to be tough; this kind of church relationship is alien to me, but I note that you were granted some "few exceptions," which must be gold, or at least silver. Many rich people would surely envy this.

Sister Alvear · #85 07-02-2012, 07:15 AM

Dante I probably would chose number one option. I would want to talk about whatever...but whether I chose to leave or stay I would chose if possible to be a friend...

Sister Alvear · #86 07-02-2012, 07:17 AM

Some pastures would be to proud to change their mind even if they were wrong...however I have seen my pastor change his mind and say he was wrong...I like people who are humble enough to say I was wrong...

AreYouReady? · #87 07-02-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling...It is not a hap hazard thing...It is something that requires our time and attention. I go to a lot of churches in the USA but would not like to be a member of very many of them.

I don't won't a pastor with a Hitler type rule...I want a shepherd.

Thank you recognizing this.

Bro. Robbins · #88 07-02-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

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)

Taking the scenario purely on it's face value, I would go with option number 1. That seems the most Biblical way to handle it. My pastor is also my Bishop, and he sits in my meetings many times as well, so I would expect the same out of him if I shared something from the pulpit he didn't agree with.

Jason B · #89 07-02-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Taking the scenario purely on it's face value, I would go with option number 1. That seems the most Biblical way to handle it. My pastor is also my Bishop, and he sits in my meetings many times as well, so I would expect the same out of him if I shared something from the pulpit he didn't agree with.

I mention Acts 17:11 almost everytime I preach and ask (read-implore) everyone in the congregation to NOT take my word for it, but study to see if I've preached truth to them. In doing this I am also attempting to get some to do what they normally will not do, open their Bibles at home. I make myself available to anyone with questions, and there's been some good ones. Been some good discussion to, but in a cordial and friendly manner.

However it is generally true that even if folks have questions, they tend not to have the courage to voice them, and that is largely because the pastor/preacher is seen as such an authoratative figure.

Which IMO is the problem, and mostly been my experience, the pastors I've had simply didn't want to discuss the scripture, and woul attempt to play the authority card. Very approachable as long as you didn't really disagree with their teaching or actually make a scriptural case for another viewpoint, then you become public enemy #1.

Jermyn Davidson · #90 07-02-2012, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Taking the scenario purely on it's face value, I would go with option number 1. That seems the most Biblical way to handle it. My pastor is also my Bishop, and he sits in my meetings many times as well, so I would expect the same out of him if I shared something from the pulpit he didn't agree with.

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.