Does it matter?

[JimfromOhio]

The most important Scripture in this regard is 1Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" Your body is a "good" and wonderful gift from God. Christians know that God is with them, they sometimes feel it is unnecessary to make needed lifestyle changes to help prevent such diseases saying that, "God will protect me."

Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Starting and maintaining a proper diet and exercise program involves more than anything else, discipline and caring enough for yourself (again, "...as you love yourself") to take care of yourself. You have to remember that exercise should not become an obsession. Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1Tim 4:8). So Paul recognizes that physical exercise has some profit, it is important. But there are also more important things in life; namely our relationship to God.

 

[McDLT]

I must say I don't really have the vice of gluttony (as I see it). I do not eat much, but what I do eat sticks to me and shows.

I don't have much of an issue with overweight pastors because I don't know their heart. Maybe they are trying to lose weight; maybe not. Maybe they have thyroid or metabalism problems; maybe not. God is the judge and knows all - not me.

Now if I have a real friendship relationship with my pastor and my pastor wants accountability then that is a different story.

 

[eldermike]

I must say I don't really have the vice of gluttony (as I see it). I do not eat much, but what I do eat sticks to me and shows.

I don't have much of an issue with overweight pastors because I don't know their heart. Maybe they are trying to lose weight; maybe not. Maybe they have thyroid or metabalism problems; maybe not. God is the judge and knows all - not me.

Now if I have a real friendship relationship with my pastor and my pastor wants accountability then that is a different story.

I agree, that is why I said good condition is not a certain body type. I know men who are in good shape but carry more weight than others that are in poor condition and thin.

 

[P_G]

Amen Bro
I notice when anyone wants to move something heavy it is always Pastor George they call on first!

Ah well like some one said here already the Body is the temple of the L-rd
and some of us take that to heart!
Like me

I love the L-rd so much I didnt' want to stop at a temple I am working on building him a cathedral!

PG

 

[eldermike]

I love the L-rd so much I didnt' want to stop at a temple I am working on building him a cathedral!

 

[JamesBell]

Personally I find it sickening that one would judge the ministry of a person based on their appearance and whether it is in line with what our society deems as appropriate. To ask another question, do you think a pastor that has acne scars all over his face can be hindered by this problem? Of course you would never answer yes to that question, but it is really the same thing.

People have learned a lot about weight, and it is becoming quite clear that your genetic makeup has as much (if not more) to do with your weight as does your eating habits. You're blaming a person for their genes, and I just don't get it.

 

[arunma]

James, I think the assumption here is that the hypothetical pastor in question practices gluttony. That said, I don't think that weight is a big issue in a pastor's ministry.

 

[kidsminister]

James, I think the assumption here is that the hypothetical pastor in question practices gluttony. That said, I don't think that weight is a big issue in a pastor's ministry.

I think that's James' point - it is wrong to make an assumption that a large person is practicing gluttony simply because they are large.

 

[ZiSunka]

Are overweight and out-of-shape (physically undisciplined) pastors limiting the effectiveness of their ministry? Or is one's physical condition and habits irrelevant to the effectiveness of their ministry?

opinions...

(I am not speaking of those with involuntary disabilities or prolonged illnesses)



--

Thank God almighty that He can use all of us, not just the trim and pretty ones!!

If we all had to be in tiptop shape to be effective in ministry, then Arnold Schwartzenager would be the greatest minister in the world, and we would all be spending so much time at the gym buffing up our bodies that we wouldn't have time to be about the things of God.

 

[kathydiane]

Sometimes weight has nothing to do with gluttony. Medications and medical problems can cause drastic weight gain and who knows what is healthy food anymore. One day its fresh fruits and vegetables, then its' high fiber, then its lots of protein (esp. meat).

 

[TwinCrier]

Unfortunately I've witnessed his eating habits................

I think this is important though seems to be over looked. Yes, we shouldn't judge falsely, but if you see Pastor Potluck downing cream-filled pastries that's another issue. It's not just big bones or glandular trouble. Just because our body is a temple of the Lord doesn't mean we should seek to add a new wing. I'm not being judgmental (I don't exactly have a super-model bod as you can see from my picture) but gluttony is a sin. Killing yourself with food isn't more moral than killing it with cigarettes.

 

[McDLT]

Are overweight and out-of-shape (physically undisciplined) pastors limiting the effectiveness of their ministry? Or is one's physical condition and habits irrelevant to the effectiveness of their ministry?

opinions...

(I am not speaking of those with involuntary disabilities or prolonged illnesses)
--

Just wanted to remind what the original post was all about and highlight this section:

(I am not speaking of those with involuntary disabilities or prolonged illnesses)

 

[White Horse]

I say if God's called a man to preach, then his physical condition is between God and that man. We have no idea what factors may play a role in any one particular person's condition. It may even be that the ministry itself is stressful to the point it causes problems, or so time consuming that the man doesn't have time and/or energy to exercise properply.

Then again, he may just be a lazy bum.

But, really, that ain't our business. That's between him and his Maker. MHO.

 

[daveleau]

Are overweight and out-of-shape (physically undisciplined) pastors limiting the effectiveness of their ministry? Or is one's physical condition and habits irrelevant to the effectiveness of their ministry?

opinions...

(I am not speaking of those with involuntary disabilities or prolonged illnesses)



--

Haddon Robinsons speaks about this in Biblical Preaching. He says that our testimony is directly tied to our appearance. He does not say that this is correct, but it is going to be part of human psyche. We need to be in shape and dress appropriately to effectively reach the whole congregation.