Harmony or Conflict?

[st831]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

I would guess it depends on the situation. I would probably meet with the pastor and an elder (witness) and discuss. It is possible that the words he said were just comprehended different from what he was trying to relay. Whatever is done, it should be done in love. If they react out of pride or anger, that would be my first red flag. I try to would handle it privately first. If it is heresy and leading people astray, I believe one should call it out as Paul did in 2 tim 3

 

[PaulCyp1]

What you are really asking is "If your church teaches something that YOU PERSONALLY THINK conflicts with what Jesus taught, should you stand up and speak out?" The answer according to Protestantism is obviously YES, which is exactly what Protestants, starting with Martin Luther, have been doing for 500 years! Which is why there are now over 6,000 registered Protestant denominations, each teaching something different, and over 20,000 so-called "non-denominational" Protestant churches. Every one of these thousands of churches came into existence when some members thought their church's teaching conflicted with what Jesus taught, and left! The result - Thousands of churches that cannot possibly be teaching what Jesus taught, because Jesus cannot contradict Himself, yet the teaching of each of these churches contradicts the teaching of the others.

No wonder Jesus founded ONE Church, said it was to remain ONE, even as He and His heavenly
Father are ONE, and promised that ONE Church, "The Holy Spirit will guide you into ALL truth", and "WHATSOEVER you bind upon Earth is bound in Heaven", and "He who hears you hears Me". Which is why that ONE Church remains ONE in belief, ONE in teaching, ONE in worship, ONE in biblical understanding after 2,000 years, with NO conflicting denominations! You just can't beat God's plan.

 

[dreadnought]

Yes, that is a risk. It is at those times, that the verse about "kicking the dust off" comes to mind, brother.

Amen.

 

[dreadnought]

Well that is a major issue then. The bible is clear on the subject and unrepentant homosexuals have no place in the body.

But what really bothers me isn't the homosexuals. They are merely yielding to temptation. What really bothers me are church leaders who know homosexuality is a sin but give their blessing, motivated apparently by self-aggrandizement.

 

[dreadnought]

Women's 'issues' have stepped aside numerous times so that homosexual issues can be dealt with but 'they' prefer to not separate them. Why is that?

I don't completely understand your question, but in our church conference, the homosexual issue hasn't been dealt with, other than for the majority of the leaders to give their blessing to the sin of homosexuality.

 

[dreadnought]

Who do you follow, God or the church/organisation? Its got to be God.
I am not saying it lightly because I have come across this too. If you keep quiet to maintain harmony you are then condoning the false teaching. It is really hard but if they refuse to listen then I agree with Brinny and say "wipe the dust off your feet".
God bless you and guide you

Thank you. One person really can't fight the whole church conference. What he can do, and what really matters, I think, is wage a battle in his own local church.

 

[dreadnought]

Dreadnought I have a good friend that is Methodist and really enjoys his worship service and the
Whole nine yards and he was one of The Representing members in the VA area I’m in you all beat that back pretty good a few years ago didn’t you the last conference

There is a General Conference (of the entire country) every four years. I don't have any news about what has gone on there. I just know what has gone on in the California-Nevada Conference.

 

[dreadnought]

This depends

Are any of them in the church your family or friends? If so I would tell them about the error after church and ask them to fix it.

If it is the preacher and you don't really know him talk to him about it after church in his office or away from others as you don't want to embarrass him or her.

When you do it be nice,, respectful and make sure you have full scripture to prove your point.

The majority of the pastors in our conference, last I knew, simply have their own agenda, one that differs from the Lord's.

 

[dreadnought]

I'm a Methodist, too. Does this mean LGBT clergy and allowing marriage in church? Accepting LGBT members has always been done at my church, but not the latter. I think there is still a majority against it although they are legally entitled to be married.

I believe homosexuals should be welcome in church. I'm uneasy about homosexual and lesbian pastors and uneasy about homosexual and lesbian bishops. We have a lesbian bishop.

 

[BNR32FAN]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

I think if it is something that would cause them to lose their salvation then we should correct them because quoting the scriptures. If it is not something that will result in loss of salvation then it is probably ok to just leave it alone for the sake of unity. Just my opinion.

 

[GUANO]

I'm not so sure we disagree, my friend.

I was referring to what you just posted above, as well.

I didn't think we disagreed either

I have thought on this matter for many years myself because I "see it" (sin/error) everywhere... But then again, what do I see? I'm not worthy to make a determination on any of these matters, only those related to my own self. God's Word, and his judgement (determination of things), cuts through bone and marrow. Many Christians seem to revel in the thought that the blind are going to be judged (condemned) for being blind but again, based on scripture, the standard by which you hold others is going to be the standard by which you are held... And if you somehow perceive a sin in another and you don't immediately forgive it, then you will not be forgiven, and if you're condemning others for sins they they can't possibly even perceive then how do you expect to escape the sins you don't perceive? That's some serious #*&$)!....

 

[Danielwright2311]

The majority of the pastors in our conference, last I knew, simply have their own agenda, one that differs from the Lord's.

Then its up to you to seek them out and tell them about it.

Its your church to, and they need to be reminded about this in a loving way.

 

[dreadnought]

I would guess it depends on the situation. I would probably meet with the pastor and an elder (witness) and discuss. It is possible that the words he said were just comprehended different from what he was trying to relay. Whatever is done, it should be done in love. If they react out of pride or anger, that would be my first red flag. I try to would handle it privately first. If it is heresy and leading people astray, I believe one should call it out as Paul did in 2 tim 3

It happened over and over with this pastor. I spoke with him on several occasions. He is leaving us in July, but it isn't unlikely the next one will be as bad. In this conference, it's not easy to find a good pastor.

 

[dreadnought]

I think if it is something that would cause them to lose their salvation then we should correct them because quoting the scriptures. If it is not something that will result in loss of salvation then it is probably ok to just leave it alone for the sake of unity. Just my opinion.

Sexual immorality destroys lives. When pastors teach that there is nothing wrong with sexual immorality, you've got a problem.

 

[dreadnought]

Then its up to you to seek them out and tell them about it.

Its your church to, and they need to be reminded about this in a loving way.

There are more than three hundred churches in our conference. I can't fight the conference. All I can do is try to influence my own local church to stay on track.

 

[GUANO]

Actually, (I just read that 'response' you quoted) , that response is completely Scriptural.

Yours , on the other hand , ..... well, maybe you are what you don't want to be....

Perhaps I am. It would be a great dis-service if you didn't point me in the right direction, Jeff...

 

[st831]

It happened over and over with this pastor. I spoke with him on several occasions. He is leaving us in July, but it isn't unlikely the next one will be as bad. In this conference, it's not easy to find a good pastor.

Honestly, I know alot of people that left the methodist church for the same reason. Every church is different. I have found calvary chapels to be about the most Bible centered as far as teaching goes. They stricktly teach verse by verse of the Bible. Its hard to get too far off course that way.

 

[brinny]

I didn't think we disagreed either

I have thought on this matter for many years myself because I "see it" (sin/error) everywhere... But then again, what do I see? I'm not worthy to make a determination on any of these matters, only those related to my own self. God's Word, and his judgement (determination of things), cuts through bone and marrow. Many Christians seem to revel in the thought that the blind are going to be judged (condemned) for being blind but again, based on scripture, the standard by which you hold others is going to be the standard by which you are held... And if you somehow perceive a sin in another and you don't immediately forgive it, then you will not be forgiven, and if you're condemning others for sins they they can't possibly even perceive then how do you expect to escape the sins you don't perceive? That's some serious #*&$)!....

Yes, it refers to removing the HUGE plank in one's eye before attempting to remove that tiny splinter in our brother's eye. I agree.

What i was referring to is what God and Jesus strictly preached against, thus rendering them "liars" and/or discounting Them in favor of something that is more "acceptable" to any who have no desire whatsoever to adhere to what God has made crystal clear is not to be compromised.

What comes to mind, is Jesus, in the Temple, making a whip, and overturning tables, and driving out the money changers.

He wasn't ABOUT to "compromise, was He?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

They stricktly teach verse by verse of the Bible.

Like the religious leaders in Jesus' day, who He exposed and who sought to kill Him ?

They at that time (and today even) had a better translation than any english translation even comes close to
yet they rejected entirely the MESSIAH all Scripture and Moses talks about.

Same today, still, in many places teaching (supposedly) verse by verse straight Bible.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I believe homosexuals should be welcome in church. .....

At least reading through the posts on this page,
this one does not fit with your others,
and is itself contrary to Scripture directly.