Pastor doesn't want members praying or reading bible together

pavilion103

pavilion103

A group of 4-5 of us in our church catch up regularly and do mini bible studies by reading the Word and talking about it, followed by a time of prayer.

Recently I told the pastor about this great time and they said they don't want people catching up in this way outside of church. This is incase false doctrine is discussed. I'm quite confused because I thought that catching up reading the Word and praying together would be exactly what the church would encourage!

What are people's thoughts. I believe in authority and submission. I also believe that this is ridiculous to be honest. Is here scripture or any thoughts on this issue? If a pastor discourages people from meeting like this, does his "command" apply in a Biblical way? Thoughts?
 
Thats weird.
What kind if church do you attend?
Bible tells us to NOT give up meeting together. In hebrews. So I dont know what this pastor is on about. Does he think church is only when hes there?
 
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Pentecostal church. Godly man. Congregation of 400 roughly. Sunday and mid week service.

It seems like he is so concerned about the risk of no false teaching that we can't even meet outside of church in small groups. If it's casual over dinner it's apparently ok talking about God (if it happens to come up) but studying in a group of a few close friends, reading the bible etc, isn't ok. He said we shouldnt be praying in small groups because it constitutes a prayer meeting.

Doesn't make much sense to me. Seems very silly. All we want to do is study the Bible and pray and talk about God together.

I don't want to be disobedient but I also don't want to stop studying the bible with people. Not sure why such close policing is being required. Surely all believers should be able to meet and study the bible, especially close friends.
 
Pavilion102 You can do all the catch up you guys want. That's what God wants' us to do. " Study" His word. You can do it any where any time. It makes God smile. It looks like your Pastor wants all the glory to him self which is selfish for him. He should be encouraging this in all areas!
Hehehe small groups make a lot of sense because it would be a prayer meeting :LOL::cool: how cool is that? I like smaller groups because it is more intimate with God and you can concentrate better in small groups unlike a 400 congregation , Strict rules like that will make me leave that congregation. Something smells fishy! Perhaps you might find another place to worship my friend.
2 or more people gathered in His name Jesus is there amongst you. So I say keep on having your home Bible study
May God Bless you abundantly.
 
pavilion103 said:
A group of 4-5 of us in our church catch up regularly and do mini bible studies by reading the Word and talking about it, followed by a time of prayer.

Recently I told the pastor about this great time and they said they don't want people catching up in this way outside of church. This is incase false doctrine is discussed. I'm quite confused because I thought that catching up reading the Word and praying together would be exactly what the church would encourage!

What are people's thoughts. I believe in authority and submission. I also believe that this is ridiculous to be honest. Is here scripture or any thoughts on this issue? If a pastor discourages people from meeting like this, does his "command" apply in a Biblical way? Thoughts?
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it is a valid concern, imo....

"Teaching" is an institution in the Church, as I understand the following scriptures...

note: by "institution" it means: practice, custom, tradition..... that is: being conservative: old school, old fashion : there is wisdom in being conservative: honest mistake in interpretation do happen...

Issues I see:
...... it seems Pastor is surprised, that is: outside his knowledge as Pastor of the church...that is, his care:..the Pastor cares
...... we have Freedom of course, but as matter of courtesy, tell him before, then tell him in case there will be questions, it will be refer to him....

below is the bible verse related:



James 3:1English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

1 Corinthians 12:28New International Version (NIV)
28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30King James Version (KJV)
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
 
We basically select a verse (rotate around the group each time), read a commentary, give our thoughts and then discuss the verse. We get everyone's thoughts. Then we talk about things that come to mind and pray together at the end.

No one is teaching. It's just our thoughts on the verse. We discuss how it might apply to our lives too.

We could all read it at home first (verse and commentary) and discuss but I don't know what the difference would be.

It's annoying because we love the Word and it's all we want to talk about. I don't see why there should be a restriction on close friends passionately discussing the Word.

If one person was hosting a private mini service with a sermon a group I would understand the validity of the concern. But it's moreso discussion than teaching. And among close friends.
 
pavilion103 said:
We basically select a verse (rotate around the group each time), read a commentary, give our thoughts and then discuss the verse. We get everyone's thoughts. Then we talk about things that come to mind and pray together at the end.

No one is teaching. It's just our thoughts on the verse. We discuss how it might apply to our lives too.

We could all read it at home first (verse and commentary) and discuss but I don't know what the difference would be.

It's annoying because we love the Word and it's all we want to talk about. I don't see why there should be a restriction on close friends passionately discussing the Word.

If one person was hosting a private mini service with a sermon a group I would understand the validity of the concern. But it's moreso discussion than teaching. And among close friends.
Click to expand...
That's how we do it here also where I live.
 
aha said:
it is a valid concern, imo....

"Teaching" is an institution in the Church, as I understand the following scriptures...

note: by "institution" it means: practice, custom, tradition..... that is: being conservative: old school, old fashion : there is wisdom in being conservative: honest mistake in interpretation do happen...

Issues I see:
...... it seems Pastor is surprised, that is: outside his knowledge as Pastor of the church...that is, his care:..the Pastor cares
...... we have Freedom of course, but as matter of courtesy, tell him before, then tell him in case there will be questions, it will be refer to him....

below is the bible verse related:



James 3:1English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

1 Corinthians 12:28New International Version (NIV)
28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30King James Version (KJV)
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Click to expand...

What do you think if we are simply discussing a verse? Giving our thoughts? If anyone has any further questions or seeks clarification they can research or speak to a pastor.

I feel that if more people spent time doing this rather than watching the football or TV it would be a great use of time.

Is it ridiculous to suggest I record conversations so the pastor has access to it?! Seems extreme.
 
pavilion103 said:
What do you think if we are simply discussing a verse? Giving our thoughts? If anyone has any further questions or seeks clarification they can research or speak to a pastor.
.
Click to expand...
thanks for the reply….. seems you acknowledge how I see “Teaching” in bible verse…
i understand what you meant above, that is, just discussion and giving thanks to the Word....

Of course, there is verses, indeed, we need Divine Guidance when we study alone or in group….with or without a human teacher…

just offering another perspective on the situation…

pavilion103 said:
Is it ridiculous to suggest I record conversations so the pastor has access to it?! Seems extreme.
Click to expand...

yup, extreme : )
in fact, we only not stick to one Pastor teaching I think....

We not only stick to only to teaching of Paul, we listen to James as well, to Peter and John....
 
There are a lot of questions here about what a pastor's role is, and what the purpose of a weekly assembly is, and generally, what it means to be the church, as opposed to attend a church. It sounds like it's time for your church to start asking the hard questions and rethink its traditions and assumptions about these things. It's a hard discussion to have, but it's not healthy to avoid it either.
 
aha said:
thanks for the reply….. seems you acknowledge how I see “Teaching” in bible verse…
i understand what you meant above, that is, just discussion and giving thanks to the Word....

Of course, there is verses, indeed, we need Divine Guidance when we study alone or in group….with or without a human teacher…

just offering another perspective on the situation…



yup, extreme : )
in fact, we only not stick to one Pastor teaching I think....

We not only stick to only to teaching of Paul, we listen to James as well, to Peter and John....
Click to expand...

Appreciate your views.
And I agree that teaching is where I can understand it could get dangerous. But this is moreso reading the Word and offering thoughts and prayer. Definitely not a formal teaching where someone appoints themself leader and says "this is how it is". It's quite casual.

Ways good to get views from all angles. Thanks :)
 
I do agree on one hand that when studying the Bible, it really does need to be done responsibly. Many people do adjust these teachings -- these days, it seems often based more on feelings and facts.

But to suggest that Bible studies should just be cast aside is also wrong on the other end. People should be encouraged to study the Scriptures, and in groups too...but with responsibility and really seeking the objective truth, not merely how the passages make you feel.
 
pavilion103 said:
A group of 4-5 of us in our church catch up regularly and do mini bible studies by reading the Word and talking about it, followed by a time of prayer.

Recently I told the pastor about this great time and they said they don't want people catching up in this way outside of church. This is incase false doctrine is discussed. I'm quite confused because I thought that catching up reading the Word and praying together would be exactly what the church would encourage!

What are people's thoughts. I believe in authority and submission. I also believe that this is ridiculous to be honest. Is here scripture or any thoughts on this issue? If a pastor discourages people from meeting like this, does his "command" apply in a Biblical way? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Fire him, or at least have a long and direct discussion with him about how his attitude is in complete variance with one of the basic premises of Protestant Christianity.
That being that anyone can understand God's will by studying the scriptures.

False doctrine should be discussed, at length, about why it is false and how to counter such doctrine.
Sounds to me like your pastor may have control issues.
 
Roads said:
It's a hard discussion to have, but it's not healthy to avoid it either.
Click to expand...

I agree: “It's a hard discussion to have, but it's not healthy to avoid it either.”…..

And if disagreement continue to occur: are the "Strong in Faith" going to insist or let the "Weak in Faith" go on?

For those in Authority: Openness to correction and yet do we need Respect of man made protocols? or is it Divinely guided protocols...

Ii don’t know… it happens am not to judge history… it = the history of a brother persecuting another brother…
It is good to note that Grace Alone prevails after centuries….

Not more on the theology, rather more on God’s Grace is given emphasis…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_gratia#Recent_activity

Sola gratia
In November 1999, the Lutheran World Federation and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity issued the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" that said, "By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works."[2]

On July 18, 2006, delegates to the World Methodist Conference voted unanimously to adopt the declaration. The Methodists' resolution said the 1999 agreement "expresses a far-reaching consensus in regard to the theological controversy which was a major cause of the split in Western churches in the 16th century" over salvation by grace alone or by grace and good works.
 
salvation by grace alone or by grace and good works.
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It is a false dichotomy. Too many let their emotions prevail when reason is needed.
If you have faith, you will do the works.
If you have done no works it is because in truth you have no faith.

As Jesus said "if you love me, do what I say".
If people claim to have faith, but are not feeding the poor and clothing the homeless, visiting widows, etc.
then obviously their faith is empty, and whatever they claim to have faith in, it is NOT Christ.
 
Glomung said:
It is a false dichotomy. Too many let their emotions prevail when reason is needed.
If you have faith, you will do the works.
If you have done no works it is because in truth you have no faith.

As Jesus said "if you love me, do what I say".
If people claim to have faith, but are not feeding the poor and clothing the homeless, visiting widows, etc.
then obviously their faith is empty, and whatever they claim to have faith in, it is NOT Christ.
Click to expand...


To be honest, you can still do these things and they be in vain. 1) if you're only doing it to make yourself look good..

Or 2) if you treat people(members,family ECT) like crap behind closed doors.
 
pancakes said:
To be honest, you can still do these things and they be in vain. 1) if you're only doing it to make yourself look good..

Or 2) if you treat people(members,family ECT) like crap behind closed doors.
Click to expand...
True.
But you should remember that Jesus also said to do your good deeds in secret so you don't get the praise of men, then He would reward you openly.
 
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