1saved1 said:
Oops!!! Obviously a Newbie!!! (LOL)
I offer only one piece of advice. LOOK TO THE WORD, NOT TO THE MAN!!!
Blessings
Well in looking at the Word I see that the Word commands me to do the following:
1Co 5:11 But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person.
1Co 5:12 What [business] of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside [the church] upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]?
1Co 5:13 God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you [expel him from your church].
The problem with abusive pastors is that you cannot expel them from their church (most of the time) because they have almost total control of everything including the minds of their church members so the only option is to go away.
The main reasons pastors become abusers i thing is:
1-the old pyramid structure which can encourage someone to become abusive. If only every church has many pastors that are on equal standing with each other and the rest of the believers - servants that care for others.
2-pastor the main preacher/teacher. When all eyes are always upon him believers will begin to exalt hin especially after some really good messages. Then pride will come cripping in and he will require more and more from the flock
3-success. If people are getting saved and his ministry grows he will require believers to serve him eventually
OK there are more reasons than the above.
What can be done to cure a church's pastor abusive behavior. Well nothing really. Maybe prayer. Especially if he reaches the point that he things he is the only one hearing God and if God "sometimes" speaks to others it must be in line with what he hears. You may confront him with the Word of God and prove him wrong he will just say 'well i'm right and you are wrong!' (i did this with a pastor) At that certain point he hears litterally noone no matter if they prove him wrong from the Word.
It is far easier to start something new without that old pyramid structure than getting the pyramid structure out of a pyramid structured church. Can you go to a pastor and convince him to cancel the pyramid structure out of his church? it is virtually impossible. First of all he will lose his full time job! then he will have to submit to the flock "1Pe 5:5 all of you be subject one to another"
I believe in a cross like structure were all believers, pastors, prophets are serving one another and each one has a deep relationship with God. Who leads? Jesus thru them all. "Act 4:32 And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. "
FF