pastor's disqualification ...

[junebugz]

I don't think any of you will argue the fact that a pastor can do things which can disqualify him, but my question is this ... Where would some people get the idea that a pastor can permanently disqualify himself from any type of ministry?

I am sure some things would take a rather large amount of time for restoration but others might be a shorter time. I know the qualifications in Titus and I Timothy but those would be applicable to the person here and now and the days forward ... it could not reference 20 years ago or there would be hardly any men able to be qualified.

I heard once that God did not call the qualified, He qualifies the called ... I believe that to be true and I believe He can restore a pastor who has fallen as well, but was wondering not your thoughts but the Scriptures which would apply.

Thanks!

 

[daveleau]

Hi junebugz,
First, I'm going to move this to General Theology since this asks a more general question instead of asking about a specific Bible passage for expostition or study.

With that said, I agree wholeheartedly that pastor's do have things that can disqualify them and that current issues are the ones that should be looked at. The only act that I think could permanently disqualify someone would be the issue of having "only one wife". This part of pastoral dictates has given people a lot of problems. Does it mean one wife at a time, or not proned to unfaithfulness, or does it mean that you can only be married once, period?

God bless,
Dave

 

[PaladinValer]

Traditionally, only an Inspired council of apostolic clerics can defrock another cleric.

 

[daveleau]

Who is the inspired council of apostolic clerics?

 

[PaladinValer]

Those bishops, deacons, and priests chosen to serve in an ecclesiastical court to judge whether the cleric in question is guilty of infraction(s) and what punishment is fitting if necessary.

 

[daveleau]

Ok, thanks. I think that would translate into the same as pastors, elders and deacons for other groups as well. I fully agree.

 

[Ann M]

Looking at your OP, the first thing that comes to mind is Pedophilia.

Whilst it seems to be more prevalent in certain denominations, I was amazed to learn that state Baptist 'council' actually has a special committee set up to 'deal with these issues and the people involved'.

And herein lies a problem that many of us have. This is such a serious situation, and a major breach of Faith and Trust, that it is not totally unreasonable for congregations to demand that pastors, priests, elders, deacons etc do stand aside from their positions. But so often the heirarchy have steped in and 'swept it under the mat' and many are unaware of what has happened and the guilty party moves onto a new congregation without many repurcussions.

A serious situation was highlighted over here last year when a Baptist pastor had to face court. He was not charged with pedophilia, but rather more seriously (to my own mind) he was facing charges over the destruction of a young girl's diary. This young person had been sexually abused by another member of the congregation, and had written about it in her diary. When her parents found out they had spoken to the pastor who had asked to have the girl's diary to read. When the pastor reluctantly returned the diary, as the parents were going to the police (I believe), they found that the relevant pages had been torn from the diary. After much wrangling the pages were finally returned in an envelope - the pastor had shredded them to prevent anyone from reading the information. Whilst the pastor continues to believe that he had done nothing wrong (he went to jail), the damage he has done to that family, and I dare say his congregation, is enormous and I know that if I had attended that Church I certainly wouldn't be there now.

For years now, we have also listened to the accusations put against priests and brothers, some are guilty, some may be innocent, some of whom have fought the charges, and others who have humbly accepted the consequences as "Where God wants me to be". But things are now changing as (I believe) they have started de-frocking priests in Ireland who are found guilty.

So yes there are situations were de-frocking or permanent disqualification should be considered, both by the heirarchy and by the guilty.

 

[TrevorL]

Howdy "junebugz",

Greetings. A brief response to your questions.

Acts 20:28-35 (KJV): "28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

1 Peter 5:1-4 (KJV): "1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[plmarquette]

look at romans 10.14-15 .... called , gifted , and sent

many are in the ministry as a favor , tradition , or last wish of some one ...
these are many of the uncalled ones who fall during storms of attack ,
that the media beats us all up about ....

 

[katherine2001]

In the Orthodox Church, the bishop of the diocese can suspend a priest. When all the bishops of the jurisdiction meet in their twice-yearly synod, they decide whether to restore him or to defrock him.

 

[MbiaJc]

I don't think any of you will argue the fact that a pastor can do things which can disqualify him, but my question is this ... Where would some people get the idea that a pastor can permanently disqualify himself from any type of ministry?

I am sure some things would take a rather large amount of time for restoration but others might be a shorter time. I know the qualifications in Titus and I Timothy but those would be applicable to the person here and now and the days forward ... it could not reference 20 years ago or there would be hardly any men able to be qualified.

I heard once that God did not call the qualified, He qualifies the called ... I believe that to be true and I believe He can restore a pastor who has fallen as well, but was wondering not your thoughts but the Scriptures which would apply.

Thanks!

First let me say this one man pastoral authority we have today is not bibical. God doesn't call a man to pastor the local Church. The Church should apoint the Elders that the Holy Spirit has placed in the Church to the Bishop.

The Elders are the true Pastor/undershepard of the Church. They all of them(having equal authority) that qualify should be appointed to the office of Bishop.

 

[Shok]

I don't think any of you will argue the fact that a pastor can do things which can disqualify him, but my question is this ... Where would some people get the idea that a pastor can permanently disqualify himself from any type of ministry?

IMHO a pastor can be permanently disqualified only if this pastor is permanently unrepentent.

• 1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Shok