Publicly challenging a pastor
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lismore
Maranatha
- Oct 28, 2004
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The bible says:
1 Corinthians 14:30 NIV
And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
That's God way, but the modern church sometimes doesnt seem to want to do things God's way.
God's way is not one man on a pedestal having all the answers, a body is not just one part!
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msbojingles
resident brat and doom and gloomer
As to challenging a pastor publicly? Well I don't know. Most instances of disagreement really should be taken to task privately, and the subject matter should be of utmost concern. Questions one should ask: Is it of importance to salvation? Is it something that is truly dangerous to the sheep? There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord may prompt someone to challenge a speaker publicly though I also believe that is probably the "exception and not the rule".
Jesus definitely confronted the religious leaders of His day publicly, while He had no earthly authority. I suppose He could have been considered a coward for not going to them privately, but He knew their thoughts and intentions. The Holy Spirit today still knows peoples' thoughts and intentions, and He can reveal that to us. Having said that, it would also behoove each of us to examine ourselves and our own motives before thinking we know someone's thoughts and intentions. IOW, before we would be so bold to stand up to someone publicly, we had better know what we're talking about lest, as someone else said, "we disgrace ourselves and our Lord".
As to writing letters, I have personally never received a letter (as of yet) regarding my policies or teachings (since I said that, I will probably get one now). However, a colleague of mine receives them regularly even though for the most part we are very similar. The biggest difference between us is if someone comes to either of us, I tend to be more willing to listen, whereas my colleague tends to be very unapproachable and wordy, leaving people feeling frustrated, like they're not being heard and their concerns don't matter. It's conjecture, but I tend to believe she gets letters because people don't believe they can really say to her what they need to say without being cut off.
Jesus definitely confronted the religious leaders of His day publicly, while He had no earthly authority. I suppose He could have been considered a coward for not going to them privately, but He knew their thoughts and intentions. The Holy Spirit today still knows peoples' thoughts and intentions, and He can reveal that to us. Having said that, it would also behoove each of us to examine ourselves and our own motives before thinking we know someone's thoughts and intentions. IOW, before we would be so bold to stand up to someone publicly, we had better know what we're talking about lest, as someone else said, "we disgrace ourselves and our Lord".
As to writing letters, I have personally never received a letter (as of yet) regarding my policies or teachings (since I said that, I will probably get one now). However, a colleague of mine receives them regularly even though for the most part we are very similar. The biggest difference between us is if someone comes to either of us, I tend to be more willing to listen, whereas my colleague tends to be very unapproachable and wordy, leaving people feeling frustrated, like they're not being heard and their concerns don't matter. It's conjecture, but I tend to believe she gets letters because people don't believe they can really say to her what they need to say without being cut off.
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You make a good point, but I think in a different context...
That verse in the bible comes from Paul's disapproval from the disorder (in this case many people who immediately had a revelation at the time and felt the need to state it at the moment) in the Corinthian church. Not necessarily Paul's problem with confronting/challenging the pastor publicly.
Aside from that good post.
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