Restoration?

Praxeas · #1 10-06-2011, 12:11 AM

What does this mean? Usually when it comes up it's not in the context of restoring a saint to "sainthood", but rather it's about restoring a man to a position of authority and leadership.

Im not sure the bible ever addresses that topic though. Rather it gives clear guides for who shall be an elder..one of which is being blameless.

Is there biblical precedent for restoring fallen Pastors?

And please, no names in this thread

answers · #2 10-06-2011, 12:37 AM

Restoration after what?

Dagwood · #3 10-06-2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

What does this mean? Usually when it comes up it's not in the context of restoring a saint to "sainthood", but rather it's about restoring a man to a position of authority and leadership.

Im not sure the bible ever addresses that topic though. Rather it gives clear guides for who shall be an elder..one of which is being blameless.

Is there biblical precedent for restoring fallen Pastors?

And please, no names in this thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by answers

Restoration after what?

Fallen pastors is mentioned above. I suppose that's what the original post is asking...

Sweet Pea · #4 10-06-2011, 05:59 AM

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (KJV)

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." (NLT)

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (NIV)

One of the most memorable messages I ever heard was over 30 years ago at a District Conference. "So You Say You Love the Word" - This scripture was the text and that message dealt directly with restoration. It was a powerful message - I've never forgotten it! I've thought of it on many occasions. The man who preached this message pretty much told all the ministers there - you don't really love the Word of God, if you will cast out one of our own after he has fallen. This scripture is just as much the Word of God as any other in the Bible.

I sat under Bishop Haney until he became Gen. Supt. - He was the most kind-hearted man when it came to restoration. MANY fallen ministers (and wives) have been given an opportunity to be a part of his congregation and be restored. Some were even restored to what many thought was a lost pulpit ministry. Some were restored spiritually and became solid lay ministers. (BTW, Bishop Haney is not the minister that preached the message I mentioned above. )

OneAccord · #5 10-06-2011, 10:17 AM

Good point, Sweet Pea. I think the key to that verse is this: "YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL". The unspiritual are the Pharisees of our day who show no interest in restoring the fallen. Their only interest is in the "casting of the stones". I think of the "Holy Wars" of the late 1980s when a certain preacher of a certain Pentecostal denomination was faced with ouster from his denomination and, ultimately, criminal charges and imprisonment for some financial wrong doing. A well known and respected minister of the same group, led the pack of ravenous wolves to see to it that the wrongdoer got his just desserts. No interest to restore the wrongdoer in the spirit of meekness was apparent. From his front door, JS tossed stone after stone at the fallen brother. All the while, a wolf of another color slipped thru his own back door and his ministry was all but torn to shreds. Because JS had sitted himself in the seat of judgement against a fallen brother, he, himself, found himself being judged.

Those that sit in seat of judgement rather than at the mercyseat of restoration show just how "unspiritual" they really are.

mfblume · #6 10-06-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

What does this mean? Usually when it comes up it's not in the context of restoring a saint to "sainthood", but rather it's about restoring a man to a position of authority and leadership.

Im not sure the bible ever addresses that topic though. Rather it gives clear guides for who shall be an elder..one of which is being blameless.

Is there biblical precedent for restoring fallen Pastors?

And please, no names in this thread

Surely if David was Prophet, Priest and King, and was restored from adultery, then pastors can be restored.

Jonah was also restored. Some have claimed David was a prophet but was not KNOWN as a prophet in his day. Matters not what he was KNOWN by. It is what God thinks of the situation.

seguidordejesus · #7 10-06-2011, 10:38 AM

Theoretically, yes, we should seek to restore. However, when a man no longer meets the qualifications of a bishop after having fallen, it makes it difficult for him to be restored to the same position. This may not always be the case, though - but there are always natural consequences that no one can change.

NotforSale · #8 10-06-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

What does this mean? Usually when it comes up it's not in the context of restoring a saint to "sainthood", but rather it's about restoring a man to a position of authority and leadership.

Im not sure the bible ever addresses that topic though. Rather it gives clear guides for who shall be an elder..one of which is being blameless.

Is there biblical precedent for restoring fallen Pastors?

And please, no names in this thread

Excellent words from the other posters on this Thread.

I was telling my wife last night, God is no closer to me today than when I was a child. I remember calling out to the Lord during the crisis years of my family abuse, when I was 13 years old. I was not going to Church, our home was pure chaos, and I was doing some things that I'm sure did not please the Lord. Yet, God felt so close to me during this time.

People need to understand, God is not in this to only be by our sides when we are doing "Good". I believe God is like a true Father; His love and compassion is constantly reaching for us, whether we are on top of the mountain, or are in the deepest valley.

One of the dreadful by-products of Scripture is the galvanization of people. We use the Bible to force men and women underground with their faults because of chasing the dream of being "Blameless". Pastor, Saint, Sinner, it doesn't matter who you are, we are ALL people.

Being in the Ministry myself, this is my experience with those who serve in high places; I have the most difficult time getting other pastors to open up. Fear keeps them from confessing, as "Blameless" hangs over their head like an omen of doom. This is the perfect recipe for turning a man into a Pharisee or a Religious, political machine.

I think we need to let the words of Paul, ring loud and clear; "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?". How many times have you heard these words come from your Pastor's mouth, talking about himself?

We need to learn from History; Samson, David, Solomon, Peter, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, and the many others who wrote or were talked about in Scripture (we don't know the whole story of others like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.), they ALL failed, big time! And, we are no different than they were.

There is no such thing as a "Blameless" man. When we understand this, we will be able to restore those who are going through a difficult time in their life.

Jermyn Davidson · #9 10-06-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Theoretically, yes, we should seek to restore. However, when a man no longer meets the qualifications of a bishop after having fallen, it makes it difficult for him to be restored to the same position. This may not always be the case, though - but there are always natural consequences that no one can change.

There aren't any buts about this topic according to the scriptures already provided in this thread.

Still, give me an example of a theoretical situation where a Bishop can find himself in where he simply can't be restored.

Praxeas · #10 10-06-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (KJV)

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." (NLT)

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (NIV)

One of the most memorable messages I ever heard was over 30 years ago at a District Conference. "So You Say You Love the Word" - This scripture was the text and that message dealt directly with restoration. It was a powerful message - I've never forgotten it! I've thought of it on many occasions. The man who preached this message pretty much told all the ministers there - you don't really love the Word of God, if you will cast out one of our own after he has fallen. This scripture is just as much the Word of God as any other in the Bible.

I sat under Bishop Haney until he became Gen. Supt. - He was the most kind-hearted man when it came to restoration. MANY fallen ministers (and wives) have been given an opportunity to be a part of his congregation and be restored. Some were even restored to what many thought was a lost pulpit ministry. Some were restored spiritually and became solid lay ministers. (BTW, Bishop Haney is not the minister that preached the message I mentioned above. )

This verse is not speaking to ministers being restored to the Ministry but is speaking of spiritual restoration