Regarding Pastors....

In Awe of Him

In Awe of Him

Ok.... so... NOT certain where to put this... but I'm sure if I am in the WRONG room ( haha )... someone will indeed notice and take action. :D

So as NOT to derail the thread about Pastors who have fallen into sexual sin... being able to RESUME their positions.... I will open up this discussion to a more general thread about Pastors and SIN.

I realize I have taken a STRICT stance on this issue... I will copy and paste PART of what I wrote in the other thread as a starting point for discussion.

I stand firmly behind my claim. A pastor that has had an affair SHOULD NEVER be allowed to pastor again... because ALTHOUGH he is indeed forgiven... He cannot be trusted to faithfully lead his flock... and he becomes a stumbling block for others. IF you cannot TRUST your pastor... there is no point in continuing.

I think there is a problem with how people perceive men of AUTHORITY... and I think there is a true lack of humility in many who take on this role.

BEING a pastor is a HEAVY LOAD... just as being a HUSBAND is for a man. Both these titles are deeply MIS-understood and DIS-RESPECTED by many.

I feel very strongly about this topic.... and I feel that there are several issues being mixed up and delivered as ONE.

Of course all our sins are forgiven. I have NO issue with a pastor being FORGIVEN for all types of sins... however.. that does not mean they should return to their titles.

Different sins have different consequences and forgiveness does NOT mean we are FREED from consequences of our bad choices.

My question is this........ ARE there any sins that a pastor could commit that would nil and void their ability to resume pastoring ( even after proper repentance/correction/"acceptable time to reflect" ??? It seems that people are stating at least a year of counselling before resuming duties.

I understand that Pastors are human beings and fall into temptation just like everyone else. There is no sin in being tempted... so I am NOT for one moment suggesting that a pastor cannot make any mistakes.... HOWEVER... I feel that there are certain sins that once committed cannot be reconciled with a RETURN of position. That is simply a consequence of sin. It is an issue of integrity and trust.

I guess for me... this is an issue of WISDOM.. and RESPECT for the title of PASTOR.
 
I'm bumping this because I think it might have gotten missed. HA.

I really would like to hear from the seasoned and mature men on this issue... with the focus being on WHAT would constitute a man "LOSING his right to be a PASTOR" . No one ever talks about this.

This is a learning moment for me so I don't have anything more to say. I am open to being corrected.. and I would like to learn.
 
In Awe of Him said:
Ok.... so... NOT certain where to put this... but I'm sure if I am in the WRONG room ( haha )... someone will indeed notice and take action. :D

So as NOT to derail the thread about Pastors who have fallen into sexual sin... being able to RESUME their positions.... I will open up this discussion to a more general thread about Pastors and SIN.

I realize I have taken a STRICT stance on this issue... I will copy and paste PART of what I wrote in the other thread as a starting point for discussion.

I stand firmly behind my claim. A pastor that has had an affair SHOULD NEVER be allowed to pastor again... because ALTHOUGH he is indeed forgiven... He cannot be trusted to faithfully lead his flock... and he becomes a stumbling block for others. IF you cannot TRUST your pastor... there is no point in continuing.

I think there is a problem with how people perceive men of AUTHORITY... and I think there is a true lack of humility in many who take on this role.

BEING a pastor is a HEAVY LOAD... just as being a HUSBAND is for a man. Both these titles are deeply MIS-understood and DIS-RESPECTED by many.

I feel very strongly about this topic.... and I feel that there are several issues being mixed up and delivered as ONE.

Of course all our sins are forgiven. I have NO issue with a pastor being FORGIVEN for all types of sins... however.. that does not mean they should return to their titles.

Different sins have different consequences and forgiveness does NOT mean we are FREED from consequences of our bad choices.

My question is this........ ARE there any sins that a pastor could commit that would nil and void their ability to resume pastoring ( even after proper repentance/correction/"acceptable time to reflect" ??? It seems that people are stating at least a year of counselling before resuming duties.

I understand that Pastors are human beings and fall into temptation just like everyone else. There is no sin in being tempted... so I am NOT for one moment suggesting that a pastor cannot make any mistakes.... HOWEVER... I feel that there are certain sins that once committed cannot be reconciled with a RETURN of position. That is simply a consequence of sin. It is an issue of integrity and trust.

I guess for me... this is an issue of WISDOM.. and RESPECT for the title of PASTOR.
Click to expand...
I see "pastors" and "prime ministers/ presidents" in the same vein, in that there is a LAW, God's law, which is slowly being eroded before our very eyes ... immorality is becoming an "archaic" concept, and "out dated" ... if we keep turning a blind eye, are we following God's Law?
 
I agree with you that a Pastor should not be allowed to lead a church again for certain sins, such as adultery and embezzlement however, where do we draw the line? Sin is sin. What sin are you ok with a pastor committing? The other problem is the shortage of men willing to become a pastor.
While I am ok with teaching a Sunday school, I do not feel called to be the pastor. Finding a good Pastor that teaches straight from the Bible is not as easy it one would hope. I do not have the qualification to be a pastor, I have no doubt that if God called me to that position That He would more than equip me to perform it. The job of a pastor is far more than just preaching on Sunday morning, it is a full time dedication to feed God's sheep.
 
Dave F. said:
I agree with you that a Pastor should not be allowed to lead a church again for certain sins, such as adultery and embezzlement however, where do we draw the line? Sin is sin. What sin are you ok with a pastor committing? The other problem is the shortage of men willing to become a pastor.
While I am ok with teaching a Sunday school, I do not feel called to be the pastor. Finding a good Pastor that teaches straight from the Bible is not as easy it one would hope. I do not have the qualification to be a pastor, I have no doubt that if God called me to that position That He would more than equip me to perform it. The job of a pastor is far more than just preaching on Sunday morning, it is a full time dedication to feed God's sheep.
Click to expand...
The greatest Pastor and preacher and evangelist of all time though was a murderer, and yet the risen Lord called and commissioned Him to preach, as he also had called forth another murderer Moses to lead his people
 
Dave.... I 100% agree with EVERYTHING you have stated... and that is the 1 million dollar question..... WHERE do we draw the line?

We cannot expect anyone to be perfect... but it seems to me there are certain sins that weigh more regarding CONSEQUENCES and the people they HURT/FAMILIES they destroy etc.... and those seem to all fall in the realm of sexual sins.

Thank you for taking the time to answer this question/dilemma. EXCELLENT observations of which I deeply share.
 
In Awe of Him said:
Dave.... I 100% agree with EVERYTHING you have stated... and that is the 1 million dollar question..... WHERE do we draw the line?

We cannot expect anyone to be perfect... but it seems to me there are certain sins that weigh more regarding CONSEQUENCES and the people they HURT/FAMILIES they destroy etc.... and those seem to all fall in the realm of sexual sins.

Thank you for taking the time to answer this question/dilemma. EXCELLENT observations of which I deeply share.
Click to expand...
Think at the very least, the Pastor caught in such a transgression must step don from all official activities for an extended period of time, be involved in counseling, and must agree to being on a period of probation, with strict meeting with other pastors on an accountability basis before any come back allowed
 
YeshuaFan said:
The greatest Pastor and preacher and evangelist of all time though was a murderer, and yet the risen Lord called and commissioned Him to preach, as he also had called forth another murderer Moses to lead his people
Click to expand...
You are correct, however the "times" and the context demand a longer look.

Here is an ironic fact, It was God who planned the Damascus Road encounter before Paul imprisoned and murdered Christians.
His purpose, therefore, was to allow Paul to become the “chief of sinners” and then save him, and make him the apostle who would write thirteen books of the New Testament.

Some, maybe YOU will then ask WHY???..........I have NO idea.

However, if I think on it for awhile, I might come up with He did it to encourage those who think they are too sinful to have hope in that too can be saved.
 
Dave F. said:
I agree with you that a Pastor should not be allowed to lead a church again for certain sins, such as adultery and embezzlement however, where do we draw the line? Sin is sin. What sin are you ok with a pastor committing? The other problem is the shortage of men willing to become a pastor.
While I am ok with teaching a Sunday school, I do not feel called to be the pastor. Finding a good Pastor that teaches straight from the Bible is not as easy it one would hope. I do not have the qualification to be a pastor, I have no doubt that if God called me to that position That He would more than equip me to perform it. The job of a pastor is far more than just preaching on Sunday morning, it is a full time dedication to feed God's sheep.
Click to expand...
a one time event after extreme counseling and a stepping away from the pulpit for a designated time . if they have proven themselves worthy then let them return.. BUT its them that will carry the scar .. we dont just say all is forgiven and allow them to pastor... But once again the the Local church has the final say. i am ordained through the general baptist.. one thing i do like is headquarters has NO authority over the local church..

i have seen a pastor elected by majority number of votes. after he said the pulpit was rightfully his.. the former pastor stepped down he being assoc pastor stepped up. he also said he would not allow anyone else to preach.. the end results the church split it was a battle over the sr members vs the youth members who had the most votes..


my point is something of this nature to some degree is just as bad might i add after several years the church went into decline.. he stepped down the would be powers already had the one picked before the vote . that pastro didn't last long another guy who thought he was called to preach took over.. when covid hit they closed down... to this day the church has a scar ..

ask me how i know? i reopened the Church we are a w.i.p its rough road to try and rebuild.. we are a open church you come you attend if your saved your part of us. no membership just be the Church .. but yes one time only allowed restoration but the Local church has the final say..


this is where spiritual leadership comes in. agree disagree makes me no matter sad to say but our gospel music has adultery in it
 
Dave F. said:
I agree with you that a Pastor should not be allowed to lead a church again for certain sins, such as adultery and embezzlement however, where do we draw the line? Sin is sin. What sin are you ok with a pastor committing? The other problem is the shortage of men willing to become a pastor.
While I am ok with teaching a Sunday school, I do not feel called to be the pastor. Finding a good Pastor that teaches straight from the Bible is not as easy it one would hope. I do not have the qualification to be a pastor, I have no doubt that if God called me to that position That He would more than equip me to perform it. The job of a pastor is far more than just preaching on Sunday morning, it is a full time dedication to feed God's sheep.
Click to expand...
Pastors should be role models for our Children and for Everyone ... just as Prime Ministers and Presidents should be role models ... Oh! how this World has changed!
 
Last edited:
Major said:
You are correct, however the "times" and the context demand a longer look.

Here is an ironic fact, It was God who planned the Damascus Road encounter before Paul imprisoned and murdered Christians.
His purpose, therefore, was to allow Paul to become the “chief of sinners” and then save him, and make him the apostle who would write thirteen books of the New Testament.

Some, maybe YOU will then ask WHY???..........I have NO idea.

However, if I think on it for awhile, I might come up with He did it to encourage those who think they are too sinful to have hope in that too can be saved.
Click to expand...
maybe King David can also be an example to us, as while God did n ot strip him of being the King, nor have the capital punishment enacted, he ended up losing his 2 sons and no doubt was haunted by what he did all rest of his days
 
forgiven61 said:
a one time event after extreme counseling and a stepping away from the pulpit for a designated time . if they have proven themselves worthy then let them return.. BUT its them that will carry the scar .. we dont just say all is forgiven and allow them to pastor... But once again the the Local church has the final say. i am ordained through the general baptist.. one thing i do like is headquarters has NO authority over the local church..

i have seen a pastor elected by majority number of votes. after he said the pulpit was rightfully his.. the former pastor stepped down he being assoc pastor stepped up. he also said he would not allow anyone else to preach.. the end results the church split it was a battle over the sr members vs the youth members who had the most votes..


my point is something of this nature to some degree is just as bad might i add after several years the church went into decline.. he stepped down the would be powers already had the one picked before the vote . that pastro didn't last long another guy who thought he was called to preach took over.. when covid hit they closed down... to this day the church has a scar ..

ask me how i know? i reopened the Church we are a w.i.p its rough road to try and rebuild.. we are a open church you come you attend if your saved your part of us. no membership just be the Church .. but yes one time only allowed restoration but the Local church has the final say..


this is where spiritual leadership comes in. agree disagree makes me no matter sad to say but our gospel music has adultery in it
Click to expand...
This is why it is very important that the local church has a strong Elder board, and not family members and others who would just be "yes men" to whatever the Pastor did
 
Ok... so...... Where are we at as far as figuring out WHAT sins of a pastor would REVOKE their position????

I am reading that IF a pastor receives proper counselling AFTER having an affair... ( intensive counselling )... it is permissible for him to return to pastoring.

Is there ANY sin that would cause a pastor to LOSE his position??

Obviously sexual abuse of a child is one... but I am thinking beyond this... as that one is indeed a no BRAINER.
 
In Awe of Him said:
Ok... so...... Where are we at as far as figuring out WHAT sins of a pastor would REVOKE their position????

I am reading that IF a pastor receives proper counselling AFTER having an affair... ( intensive counselling )... it is permissible for him to return to pastoring.

Is there ANY sin that would cause a pastor to LOSE his position??

Obviously sexual abuse of a child is one... but I am thinking beyond this... as that one is indeed a no BRAINER.
Click to expand...
Also was denying essentials of the Faith, such as teaching Jesus not God, did not physically resurrect etc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top