If you had to choose...

[ZiSunka]

What if you had to choose between doing only what your church leadership approved of or doing what you knew was right? How would you choose?

Example:

You know it's right to help the poor, but your church doesn't have a ministry to the poor because they focus on ministry to the upper middle class (a real church and a real situation). They don't want poor people coming to the church and scaring off the upper middles, because they have worked so hard evangelizing the upper middle group. But if there are poor people, the upper middles might stop coming. The church depends on the gifts of the upper middles to survive.

Would you obey the pastor and NOT have a personal ministry to the poor, or would you go ahead and do it anyway?

 

[Catchup]

Do you really need to ask?

I have read enough of your post, to know that you know, the right answer.

WWJD?

LOVE

 

[seebs]

I would do what I thought was right, because, in the end, I figure I'm answerable to God first, my wife second, and myself third... and that's *it*. Everyone else's needs are covered adequately by my obedience to God's will.

A lot of churches make a lot of mistakes; in the end, you minister where you're called, and no one has the authority to tell you otherwise. (Or so I think; I know people who think otherwise, and they could be right.)

 

[Andrew]

I believe in submission to the leaders. If one really doesnt like what his or her Pastor is doing, then find another church where he or she is comfortable and can grow.

in my ex church, the old folks didnt like the new things the Pastor was doing. they couldnt see eye to eye with him. they tried to change his mind but failed. they griped, complained, murmured among themselves. whether they had valid reasons or not is not the point.

i think they shld just leave and find another church if they are really not comfortable, and stop wasting time complaining to one another.

 

[AngelAmidala]

If I felt that a ministry to the poor, and the church I was in did not support that...I would be looking for a new church. Unless there were a whole bunch of others who felt called to a ministry to the poor. If it seemed like something the whole church wanted and the pastor was the only one against it...then something else would need to be done.

 

[WayneH]

ANDREW...

I agree on sumitting to the authority of leadership - but that leadership may not always be right or allowing God ot lead the church thru him.... Theres something wrong on a church that only cares what a group of people will do ( ie: middle class leaving if poor came in )...

Like Angel said - maybe the pastor is the one to go !! I know f My church was compelled to a certain ministry - and only the pastor objected - We would go ahead and do it - the church is not a dictatorship - Our church votes on what is done corporate wide - and individual wise people go and do as God leads...

I personally would go ahead and start some kind of ministry if God was calling me there.... We have had just that occur at our church - not saying teh pastor objected - but a few individuals were called into a ministry - eventually more and more people got involved.. thats includes jamaica missions now 20 + going from our church.. some going to Mexico and approx. 20 going to Canada...... with more mission trips being planned in different areas... and one of those mission fields is the Baltimore Rescue mission for homeless... We go there two or three times ayear to help...

take care.. said enough for now..

Oh...... Andrew - not all of the post is directed to you bud.. take care

 

[ChristinaMarie]

Hi,

From your example, I would leave the church. The book of James makes it clear that the rich should not look down on the poor.

Who did Jesus minister to? The rich Pharisees, or the poor?

Didn't Paul make enormous efforts to get the Gentile churches to donate to the poor church in Jerusalem?

Love,
Christina

 

[MissytheButterfly]

I would leave that church immediately..and find a church that is accordance with the bible..Jesus didn't die for only the rich..or upper middle class..he died for everyone!

 

[Martin]

God never has and NEVER will build a ministry on division.

So, I would talk to the church leaders about it, if they still held onto their view then I would go to God and ask Him whether I should go or stay.

If God were to say "Go", then I would go, giving my brothers the handshake of fellowship as I left.

If God said "Stay" then I would stay and submit to their leadership even if I believed it to be wrong. In this case I would pray for them to see the light and continue to seek God, but never go against them. Maybe God would want to use me to change their hearts, maybe God has a greater plan that I can't see. Whatever.... but do not go against your leadership - that is rebellion and is as witchcraft to the Lord.

To go against your leadership, even if you believe them to be wrong, is the start of division and it will open the door for the enemy to come into your church. Let God sort the leadership out....

 

[LouisBooth]

Umm...I go where God directs as does the church.

 

[Kristen]

Do you really need to ask?

I have read enough of your post, to know that you know, the right answer.

WWJD?

LOVE

AMEN!!

 

[ZiSunka]

Thanks everyone.

This wasn't about me or my church, it was about the thread "Individual vs corporate responsibility."

I just wondered what you would think if it was worded differently.