Church discipline for morbidly obese

GaveMeJoy

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Hello,
I’m sure to get flamed hard for this post but I don’t care because it’s important to me and my family.

for the purposes of clarity in this thread I am asking regarding morbidly obese people. This is loosely defined by medical community as someone approximately 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For example, a 6 foot 30 year old male who weights 275-300 pounds, with the majority of the excess weight being fat (and not muscle). This is not just overweight or “fat” Christians who could use to lose 10-20 pounds to be more healthy.

I believe that in such cases the elders of the church need to work with the morbidly obese individual to address their sin issue (gluttony). If they are willing to address the issue and repent, take steps to overcome, that is ideal. If the person refuses to acknowledge the sin, I think that church discipline procedures should be implemented in order to lead to possible repentance.

Obviously this needs to be done in love and by elder agreement in extreme cases, not fat shaming etc.

remember, in order to maintain morbid obesity status, even with health issues you have to consume VAST amounts of calories, 5000-7000, we are talking four pizzas and a dozen eggs and two loafs of bread and twelve pounds of bacon a day levels...


I also think if someone is giving themselves diabetes and other health issues from the overeating they need to be called out privately by other believers but that’s more sensitive and I havnt thought through it as much.
 

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Hello,
I’m sure to get flamed hard for this post but I don’t care because it’s important to me and my family.

for the purposes of clarity in this thread I am asking regarding morbidly obese people. This is loosely defined by medical community as someone approximately 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For example, a 6 foot 30 year old male who weights 275-300 pounds, with the majority of the excess weight being fat (and not muscle). This is not just overweight or “fat” Christians who could use to lose 10-20 pounds to be more healthy.

I believe that in such cases the elders of the church need to work with the morbidly obese individual to address their sin issue (gluttony). If they are willing to address the issue and repent, take steps to overcome, that is ideal. If the person refuses to acknowledge the sin, I think that church discipline procedures should be implemented in order to lead to possible repentance.

Obviously this needs to be done in love and by elder agreement in extreme cases, not fat shaming etc.

remember, in order to maintain morbid obesity status, even with health issues you have to consume VAST amounts of calories, 5000-7000, we are talking four pizzas and a dozen eggs and two loafs of bread and twelve pounds of bacon a day levels...


I also think if someone is giving themselves diabetes and other health issues from the overeating they need to be called out privately by other believers but that’s more sensitive and I havnt thought through it as much.
Its very hard for a morbidly obese to get normal again, its simply too much weight and addiction to food.

We must begin sooner, regular checks of BMI for everybody in the church and when it will get too high, they should be publicly punished with running around the church building.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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Its very hard for a morbidly obese to get normal again, its simply too much weight and addiction to food.

We must begin sooner, regular checks of BMI for everybody in the church and when it will come get too high, they should be publicly punished with running around the church building.
I mean, I lost 50 pounds in a couple months by not eating like a pig and running a few miles a day...it’s not rocket science. I love the BMI checks idea tho I’ll bring it up at my next home group meeting
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Fat people generally feel bad enough about their weight without others bringing it to their attention. Most morbidly obese people need professional care, and they must volunteer for it.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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im morbidly obese but its cuz i dont exercise so its not just gluttony

Exercise can increase hunger and thus be counterproductive. Reducing calories is the best, and safest, way to lose weight.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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im morbidly obese but its cuz i dont exercise so its not just gluttony

hey Jason,
Thanks for your response. I think there is a pretty big difference between morbidly obese and obese. I was obese for the last 10 years until a bunch of terrible stuff happened to me and I started running a few miles a day and changed my diet. I lost 51 pounds, so you can do my bro!!!!

As I mentioned, morbidly obese is weighing approximately 100 pounds over your recommended healthy body weight. If you fall in that category, it is my understanding that no amount of exercise deficit could cause that, and it requires an extremely high amount of food intake to sustain that level of weight.

I don’t have a specific definition for gluttony, but I would require a great deal of uncontrolled, habitual eating and gorging on food to maintain a 100 pound body weight surplus that is consistent with a gluttonous lifestyle. Just my thoughts, I’m not trying to fat shame. The reason this is important to me is I was recently obese and have an obese parent killing herself with food.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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Fat people generally feel bad enough about their weight without others bringing it to their attention. Most morbidly obese people need professional care, and they must volunteer for it.
Excellent point, it seems like possibly they need psychological and medical support, idk if a prayer group or accountability person would really be appropriate...I didn’t think of that at all thank you for bringing it up.
 
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Hello,
I’m sure to get flamed hard for this post but I don’t care because it’s important to me and my family.

for the purposes of clarity in this thread I am asking regarding morbidly obese people. This is loosely defined by medical community as someone approximately 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For example, a 6 foot 30 year old male who weights 275-300 pounds, with the majority of the excess weight being fat (and not muscle). This is not just overweight or “fat” Christians who could use to lose 10-20 pounds to be more healthy.

I believe that in such cases the elders of the church need to work with the morbidly obese individual to address their sin issue (gluttony). If they are willing to address the issue and repent, take steps to overcome, that is ideal. If the person refuses to acknowledge the sin, I think that church discipline procedures should be implemented in order to lead to possible repentance.

Obviously this needs to be done in love and by elder agreement in extreme cases, not fat shaming etc.

remember, in order to maintain morbid obesity status, even with health issues you have to consume VAST amounts of calories, 5000-7000, we are talking four pizzas and a dozen eggs and two loafs of bread and twelve pounds of bacon a day levels...


I also think if someone is giving themselves diabetes and other health issues from the overeating they need to be called out privately by other believers but that’s more sensitive and I havnt thought through it as much.

Eli was a High Priest of God---God did not say anything to Him.

1Sa 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

And as for consuming vast amounts of calories---it depends on how many calories you use up. When you are in a wheel chair and cant excercise for other reasons---calories are not used up as easily.
I had a friend who drank, not milk, but 1/2 and 1/2, she ate about 5-8 candy bars a day, ate constantly and ate high calorie foods---in order to be about 10 # UNDERWEIGHT. If she didn't eat like that, she would loose weight - dramatically. If she weren't so nice you could easily hate her. If she went dancing, she had to eat even more to make up for what calories she lost dancing---or doing any kind of excercise. When her husband came home with a cheeseburger, shake and fries---she knew what was on his mind--he came prepared with her "after sex snack." Doctors could do nothing back then, she just had to keep eating. She hated it. This can happen in reverse---every little calorie will add weight on some people.
 
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Eli was a High Priest of God---God did not say anything to Him.

1Sa 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

And as for consuming vast amounts of calories---it depends on how many calories you use up. When you are in a wheel chair and cant excercise for other reasons---calories are not used up as easily.
I had a friend who drank, not milk, but 1/2 and 1/2, she ate about 5-8 candy bars a day, ate constantly and ate high calorie foods---in order to be about 10 # UNDERWEIGHT. If she didn't eat like that, she would loose weight - dramatically. If she weren't so nice you could easily hate her. If she went dancing, she had to eat even more to make up for what calories she lost dancing---or doing any kind of excercise. When her husband came home with a cheeseburger, shake and fries---she knew what was on his mind--he came prepared with her "after sex snack." Doctors could do nothing back then, she just had to keep eating. She hated it. This can happen in reverse---every little calorie will add weight on some people.
Have you ever seen any very old obese person? Its practically impossible.
 
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Hello,
I’m sure to get flamed hard for this post but I don’t care because it’s important to me and my family.

for the purposes of clarity in this thread I am asking regarding morbidly obese people. This is loosely defined by medical community as someone approximately 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For example, a 6 foot 30 year old male who weights 275-300 pounds, with the majority of the excess weight being fat (and not muscle). This is not just overweight or “fat” Christians who could use to lose 10-20 pounds to be more healthy.

I believe that in such cases the elders of the church need to work with the morbidly obese individual to address their sin issue (gluttony). If they are willing to address the issue and repent, take steps to overcome, that is ideal. If the person refuses to acknowledge the sin, I think that church discipline procedures should be implemented in order to lead to possible repentance.

Obviously this needs to be done in love and by elder agreement in extreme cases, not fat shaming etc.

remember, in order to maintain morbid obesity status, even with health issues you have to consume VAST amounts of calories, 5000-7000, we are talking four pizzas and a dozen eggs and two loafs of bread and twelve pounds of bacon a day levels...


I also think if someone is giving themselves diabetes and other health issues from the overeating they need to be called out privately by other believers but that’s more sensitive and I havnt thought through it as much.
It's a tough issue. The most spiritual man I ever met was well overweight. He was one of those naturally out going people who eat everything in sight. I asked the Lord about it, as it affected his health. The Lord me not to worry, that He was going to fix it but that there were other priorities.

We need to know that God is in the business of changing us, but not the way we expect (or want, very often). We do not change. We are exchanged. Financial problems, health problems, difficulties at work, relationship issues may all seem terrible to us. Mostly they are self-inflicted. But God will use them to break down stubborn pride and rebellion. For example, someone who perpetually complains about their job may lose it. The Lord is drawing attention to that attitude problem. The antidote is "in everything, give thanks". God knows how to effect change without destroying the person completely.

The man I mentioned before was a friend and mentor for 30 years. Towards the end of his life, his food problem had gone. He used to say, "Eat to live, don't live to eat!"

In principle, someone grossly overweight should be disqualified from being an elder. That's where being led by the Spirit is essential. If I had turned away from this man because he was overweight, I don't know where I'd be. He steered me through some the of the darkest days of my life.
 
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topher694

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Hello,
I’m sure to get flamed hard for this post but I don’t care because it’s important to me and my family.

for the purposes of clarity in this thread I am asking regarding morbidly obese people. This is loosely defined by medical community as someone approximately 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For example, a 6 foot 30 year old male who weights 275-300 pounds, with the majority of the excess weight being fat (and not muscle). This is not just overweight or “fat” Christians who could use to lose 10-20 pounds to be more healthy.

I believe that in such cases the elders of the church need to work with the morbidly obese individual to address their sin issue (gluttony). If they are willing to address the issue and repent, take steps to overcome, that is ideal. If the person refuses to acknowledge the sin, I think that church discipline procedures should be implemented in order to lead to possible repentance.

Obviously this needs to be done in love and by elder agreement in extreme cases, not fat shaming etc.

remember, in order to maintain morbid obesity status, even with health issues you have to consume VAST amounts of calories, 5000-7000, we are talking four pizzas and a dozen eggs and two loafs of bread and twelve pounds of bacon a day levels...


I also think if someone is giving themselves diabetes and other health issues from the overeating they need to be called out privately by other believers but that’s more sensitive and I havnt thought through it as much.
Should the elders keep you informed on who they are working with and how it is going so they can be sure it's handled properly?
 
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mmksparbud

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Have you ever seen any very old obese person? Its practically impossible.

Yes, I have and I am one of them. There are older ones, I've had degenerative disks, fibro, and am in wheelchair, heart problems due to Dr. refusing to give me pain pills, and I was in such pain it sent my B/P so high it damaged my heart. Now I'm in hospice and can barely go to the front door without my heart acting up. My stepmother died at 91--she was obese. I've known several other elderly patients who were also obese. When I was younger I took care of an old couple, she was not heavy but, at 94---he was obese. So, no---it's not practically impossible!
 
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GaveMeJoy

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Eli was a High Priest of God---God did not say anything to Him.

1Sa 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

And as for consuming vast amounts of calories---it depends on how many calories you use up. When you are in a wheel chair and cant excercise for other reasons---calories are not used up as easily.
I had a friend who drank, not milk, but 1/2 and 1/2, she ate about 5-8 candy bars a day, ate constantly and ate high calorie foods---in order to be about 10 # UNDERWEIGHT. If she didn't eat like that, she would loose weight - dramatically. If she weren't so nice you could easily hate her. If she went dancing, she had to eat even more to make up for what calories she lost dancing---or doing any kind of excercise. When her husband came home with a cheeseburger, shake and fries---she knew what was on his mind--he came prepared with her "after sex snack." Doctors could do nothing back then, she just had to keep eating. She hated it. This can happen in reverse---every little calorie will add weight on some people.
While it is true that some people can have very fast metabolism and problematic heath issues, struggling to keep on weight, this is not so in reverse. Your metabolism can be as slow as a snail and if you eat the daily recommended caloric intake for a human of your age and gender you will never become obese because it’s physically impossible. It’s basic math.

Aside from a few medical exceptions, obese people do not have the required self control over their portion size, meal frequency, and meal content. Even someone who never exercised for a single minute will not become obese if they just eat the normal recommended calorie load. But fat people don’t do that, and their friends and family tell them it’s OK because they have slow metabolisms. In reality it’s not ok, and they are harming their bodies. Never ok to be morbidly obese
 
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GaveMeJoy

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If you have church discipline for obesity, you should also have one for smoking, being lazy, gossiping and other bad things.
Good point. I agree there should be church discipline for a believer who refuses to repent of those sins and Decides to live in them. But I’m not the judges nor am I an elder, and like I said there needs to be a great deal of love, support and steps before it got to that point.


With smoking it seems like a pretty clear parallel, being fat is extremely dangerous to your health and easily avoidable, as is smoking
 
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Should the elders keep you informed on who they are working with and how it is going so they can be sure it's handled properly?
I can think of a number of times where elders keeping me informed would have avoided problems that my activity caused. One time, even God told me he could solve a certain church problem without my help.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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It's a tough issue. The most spiritual man I ever met was well overweight. He was one of those naturally out going people who eat everything in sight. I asked the Lord about it, as it affected his health. The Lord me not to worry, that He was going to fix it but that there were other priorities.

We need to know that God is in the business of changing us, but not the way we expect (or want, very often). We do not change. We are exchanged. Financial problems, health problems, difficulties at work, relationship issues may all seem terrible to us. Mostly they are self-inflicted. But God will use them to break down stubborn pride and rebellion. For example, someone who perpetually complains about their job may lose it. The Lord is drawing attention to that attitude problem. The antidote is "in everything, give thanks". God knows how to effect change without destroying the person completely.

The man I mentioned before was a friend and mentor for 30 years. Towards the end of his life, his food problem had gone. He used to say, "Eat to live, don't live to eat!"

In principle, someone grossly overweight should be disqualified from being an elder. That's where being led by the Spirit is essential. If I had turned away from this man because he was overweight, I don't know where I'd be. He steered me through some the of the darkest days of my life.
Yes plus there is much more christ love in your words than mine on this topic I fear. My heart is to help people see they aren’t trapped in this sad and horrible physical issue like they think. I think it’s because I spent 10 years being obese and unhealthy and it dragged me down physically and emotionally and spiritually and when the Lord delivered me from it and I lost all the weight I can see more clearly the lie in all of this. Because it’s important that Christians understand this stuff is from the devil. Something that gives us diabetes, heart issues, energy issues, and kills us prematurely is not from God. Obesity is actually from Satan and he has a chokehold on the Christians in my country who are passive on the issue...but I still think I was too harsh
 
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