The Preacher and the 'Lady'

[rocknanchor]

This is so repulsive I know, but true and we should be prepared when it happens. Shouldn’t we actually be rejoicing with her? As was shared by our AOG Pastor one morning to all of our shock, the gest, ,

“If one of our women invites a lady who’s profession is the street to come and visit with us, and she does so right down here on the first row in front of me scantily-dressed, we have no choice if that is the total sum of her wardrobe but to welcome her. But there has to be shown some change in that outfit if she chooses to remain with us.”​

(Then let the kiddos back in and the petitions for the street rise up to the throne-room), ,

Is this a wholesome approach or should our guard be more apparent?

 

[Greg J.]

A former AoG pastor of mine was once a youth pastor. He relayed this story that had happened to him (as best I can from my poor memory): A girl came to youth group wearing a short leather mini-skirt and one of the others in leadership was predisposed to rebuke the girl, but went to the youth pastor with the info, who didn't say anything to the girl. Later he found out that the girl had worn it because it was the nicest thing she owned and wanted to look nice for Jesus. Imagine what would have happened to her if she were rebuked for that.

It brings tears to my eyes, even though its been 20 years since I heard this story, to think of the heart this girl had and the self-righteousness in the church today that could have destroyed her for all eternity.

 

[faroukfarouk]

A former AoG pastor of mine was once a youth pastor. He relayed this story that had happened to him (as best I can from my poor memory): A girl came to youth group wearing a short leather mini-skirt and one of the others in leadership was predisposed to rebuke the girl, but went to the youth pastor with the info, who didn't say anything to the girl. Later he found out that the girl had worn it because it was the nicest thing she owned and wanted to look nice for Jesus. Imagine what would have happened to her if she were rebuked for that.

It brings tears to my eyes, even though its been 20 years since I heard this story, to think of the heart this girl had and the self-righteousness in the church today that could have destroyed her for all eternity.

Skirt hems have been like yo-yos over the decades. Best to concentrate upward and Godward.

 

[quietbloke]

Jesus spoke about being 'shrewd as a snake and harmless as a dove'. We all get it wrong at times. Point taken 'rock'

 

[Greg J.]

Judging a pastor is a bad business. Only he is in a position to understand the big picture of the individual coming into that particular church. Remember it is the lust in others that makes scantily-clad people a "problem." I think Jesus would rebuke the others because they are responsible for what their minds dwell on (and had let their minds get that way in the first place). Jesus would welcome her of course. The Lord is not going to be happy if someone burdens her by implying she should help solve the problems in other people's hearts.

If she continued to come to church, a humble and gentle friend could talk (as an individual, not for the church) with her about the issue and offer to go shopping with her (and pay) if she desired. If no one has made friends with her after a while, then the church needs work and it would be horrific, but no surprise, if they became responsible for harming the woman's eternal condition.

 

[quietbloke]

Judging a pastor is a bad business. Only he is in a position to understand the big picture of the individual coming into that particular church. Remember it is the lust in others that makes scantily-clad people a "problem." I think Jesus would rebuke the others because they are responsible for what their minds dwell on (and had let their minds get that way in the first place). Jesus would welcome her of course. The Lord is not going to be happy if someone burdens her by implying she should help solve the problems in other people's hearts.

If she continued to come to church, a humble and gentle friend could talk (as an individual, not for the church) with her about the issue and offer to go shopping with her (and pay) if she desired. If no one has made friends with her after a while, then the church needs work and it would be horrific, but no surprise, if they became responsible for harming the woman's eternal condition.

Thankyou 'Greg'

 

[rocknanchor]

If she continued to come to church, a humble and gentle friend could talk (as an individual, not for the church) with her about the issue and offer to go shopping with her (and pay) if she desired. If no one has made friends with her after a while, then the church needs work and it would be horrific, but no surprise, if they became responsible for harming the woman's eternal condition.

Excellent points, speaks real-world responsibility, progress!

 

[quietbloke]

Grace needed

 

[brinny]

Judging a pastor is a bad business. Only he is in a position to understand the big picture of the individual coming into that particular church. Remember it is the lust in others that makes scantily-clad people a "problem." I think Jesus would rebuke the others because they are responsible for what their minds dwell on (and had let their minds get that way in the first place). Jesus would welcome her of course. The Lord is not going to be happy if someone burdens her by implying she should help solve the problems in other people's hearts.

If she continued to come to church, a humble and gentle friend could talk (as an individual, not for the church) with her about the issue and offer to go shopping with her (and pay) if she desired. If no one has made friends with her after a while, then the church needs work and it would be horrific, but no surprise, if they became responsible for harming the woman's eternal condition.

Reminds me of the thread here on CF about a member talking about a man he knew saying that God "made" him get up in the middle of the night while his wife and children were sleeping, go to a strip club, and "evangelize" to a stripper, then offer to take her to a motel where he stayed with her overnight.

Did you post on that thread, Greg? i distinctly remember Christian brothers and sisters being viciously attacked, mocked, and ridiculed on that thread because they questioned the man's "evangelizing".

 

[brinny]

I'd like to add that perhaps it's best to have a "clothes closet", along with a food pantry on church property? This is NOT that difficult. Rather than point fingers at and/or ridicule or attempt to "shame" those members who have concerns about a scantily clad "visitor" in the congregation and blaming them for "lust" in their hearts??!!!

Seriously, there is a BALANCE here, and wisdom and discernment are a marvelous thing to keep on hand.

Amen?

 

[brinny]

This is so repulsive I know, but true and we should be prepared when it happens. Shouldn’t we actually be rejoicing with her? As was shared by our AOG Pastor one morning to all of our shock, the gest, ,

“If one of our women invites a lady who’s profession is the street to come and visit with us, and she does so right down here on the first row in front of me scantily-dressed, we have no choice if that is the total sum of her wardrobe but to welcome her. But there has to be shown some change in that outfit if she chooses to remain with us.”​

(Then let the kiddos back in and the petitions for the street rise up to the throne-room), ,

Is this a wholesome approach or should our guard be more apparent?

By the way, the woman who invited the woman, surely should've given her clothing to wear as well?

Amen?

 

[tturt]

One Sunday one of the young women came in with extremely tight pants. I was thinking about how awful they were, etc. The Holy Spirit said if that was one of your children, you would be thrilled they were in church. I knew He was right and it changed me.

 

[rocknanchor]

Reminds me of the thread here on CF about a member talking about a man he knew saying that God "made" him get up in the middle of the night while his wife and children were sleeping, go to a strip club, and "evangelize" to a stripper, then offer to take her to a motel where he stayed with her overnight.

Did you post on that thread, Greg? i distinctly remember Christian brothers and sisters being viciously attacked, mocked, and ridiculed on that thread because they questioned the man's "evangelizing".

Are these types a constant presence here on CF?

 

[brinny]

Are these types a constant presence here on CF?

Lately, yes. There are vicious attacks on brothers and sisters in Christ genuinely defending the faith and being discerning about the slippery slope of sin that God's Word warns us about.

 

[brinny]

One Sunday one of the young women came in with extremely tight pants. I was thinking about how awful they were, etc. The Holy Spirit said if that was one of your children, you would be thrilled they were in church. I knew He was right and it changed me.

it's not a "sin" to "help" this young woman in adjusting her attire to what would honor and respect God, is it?

 

[rocknanchor]

By the way, the woman who invited the woman, surely should've given her clothing to wear as well?

Amen?

Well, yes. In all likelihood, thinking, if it were to come to that point as our Pastor presented it, it wouldn't have gone that far as at that church with an ample head-count, a full-scale women's welcoming committee would have squared up to greet her and provide for her long before coming to Church.

Not trying to throw in a snare here, but saying if the Lord moves among the party of two or more to open the heart of the unlearned, , it would be likely she would question on the articles to wear beforehand I would think??

 

[brinny]

Well, yes. In all likelihood, thinking, if it were to come to that point as our Pastor presented it, it wouldn't have gone that far as at that church with an ample head-count, a full-scale women's welcoming committee would have squared up to greet her and provide for her long before coming to Church.

Not trying to throw in a snare here, but saying if the Lord moves among the party of two or more to open the heart of the unlearned, , it would be likely she would question on the articles to wear beforehand I would think??

i agree. Discernment and wisdom is a GOOD thing and it is a blessing to both the lost and our brothers and sisters in Christ. There's a healthy "balance" in wisdom and discernment, where "no one" is "attacked" or disrespected, but where love and "honor" for all concerned prevails.

 

[tturt]

What about church services on a beach?

 

[quietbloke]

What about church services on a beach?

Had some great openairs on the beach. Great!

 

[rocknanchor]

Had some great openairs on the beach. Great!

Often QB?