I have to say.... I honestly believe that most pastors are their "church's" primary problem.....
In most Christian circles, pastors are treated like "rock stars"..... or more importantly..... they take the place of "Jesus" in people's lives. I've meet many pastors in my life across many denominations. I've meet those that were proud and a few that were humble. Even the humble usually have the same problem.
They honestly believe they are God's "mouthpiece" on earth. If I could take this one belief away from "pastors" I would......
God's already spoken. Its detailed in Hebrew chapter 1
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son
The attitude that pastors get by believing they're God's "mouthpiece" is down right ungodly......
They sincerely believe they are right just because God supposed "told them something".... or "touched their heart".
This leads to many circumstances where "pastors" are wrong and refuse to acknowledge it. I have dear friends that fall into that category. If they admit they're wrong, they'd have to admit it wasn't God speaking to them after all.
I admit it. I've felt the same way before. Did the same thing..... I was wrong. So is everyone else that hold such beliefs.
Could you imagine what would happen if people would give the same attention to Jesus that they give to their pastor?
I'd say it would change this world..........
Goodness! I work in the church office and I don't see my Pastor in this light. Neither do I hear from our congregation this mindset. The closest I can come to your narrative is when my Pastor made a decision and then reversed it a few days later because of Holy Spirit inspiration. But this hasn't happened in the last few years. I think he has learned to wait for Holy Spirit inspiration BEFORE he announces a decision. To me, this is the picture of a humble man.
FYI, our current senior pastor was our associate pastor until 2010. He has grown much in the last 7 years. Praise God!
(06-21-2017, 10:06 PM)lnf Wrote: [ -> ]Goodness! I work in the church office and I don't see my Pastor in this light. Neither do I hear from our congregation this mindset. The closest I can come to your narrative is when my Pastor made a decision and then reversed it a few days later because of Holy Spirit inspiration. But this hasn't happened in the last few years. I think he has learned to wait for Holy Spirit inspiration BEFORE he announces a decision. To me, this is the picture of a humble man.
FYI, our current senior pastor was our associate pastor until 2010. He has grown much in the last 7 years. Praise God!
Its one thing to say God is leading us somewhere and its an entirely different thing to say God has revealed some "truth" to lead everyone.
It is my experience that most any pastor, if they are honest, would tell you they believe God is revealing various things to them for everyone in their congregation. They see this a being a their place as "Shepard" of some "flock".
Do you remember what Jesus told Peter? Jesus told Peter "feed my sheep". He didn't say they were anyone else's sheep. We are of one flock having one leader. His name is Jesus Christ.
I'm certain you don't do this yourself, but have you ever seen anyone that followed the "pastor" more than they followed Christ?
Do we really put forth as much effort to deal with Christ as much as we do with our "pastor"?
(06-21-2017, 12:52 PM)praise_yeshua Wrote: [ -> ]I have to say.... I honestly believe that most pastors are their "church's" primary problem.....
In most Christian circles, pastors are treated like "rock stars"..... or more importantly..... they take the place of "Jesus" in people's lives. I've meet many pastors in my life across many denominations. I've meet those that were proud and a few that were humble. Even the humble usually have the same problem.
They honestly believe they are God's "mouthpiece" on earth. If I could take this one belief away from "pastors" I would......
God's already spoken. Its detailed in Hebrew chapter 1
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son
The attitude that pastors get by believing they're God's "mouthpiece" is down right ungodly......
They sincerely believe they are right just because God supposed "told them something".... or "touched their heart".
This leads to many circumstances where "pastors" are wrong and refuse to acknowledge it. I have dear friends that fall into that category. If they admit they're wrong, they'd have to admit it wasn't God speaking to them after all.
I admit it. I've felt the same way before. Did the same thing..... I was wrong. So is everyone else that hold such beliefs.
Could you imagine what would happen if people would give the same attention to Jesus that they give to their pastor?
I'd say it would change this world..........
Although I am certain there are a few IFB pastors out there,
like the one lnf works for, who can be considered true servants of God. Sadly, my experience with IFB pastors and also with the assistant and associate leaders of their IFB churches, has been almost exactly like that presented in the OP.
The majority of IFB pastors I came across in the 3 decades I was a part of the IFB movement were nothing more than servants of themselves - - who had a disturbing talent for manipulating others into serving them as well. And a talent for making those people believe that service to the pastor or some lesser leader in the church, was akin to service to God Himself.
While some of those may have truly believed they were servants of God.. or even foolishly believed they were Gods' mouthpiece on Earth, I personally know of others who were well aware they were neither, yet continued their charade. Pretending to be the very voice of God in front of their church, for the power and control it gave them over their congregations, and over the congregations families.
One day all of these people will give account to God. Some of them, that were exposed and defrocked, may feel as if they already have.
But the shame they feel for having been discovered, prosecuted, or otherwise dealt with on this Earth over a few things they got caught up with for, is mild compared to what awaits them in eternity for the untold damage and destruction they have done to the Church and to children of God throughout their lives. - Things they may have thought they got away with, might have been blissfully unaware of, or were even openly smug and indifferent about.
I have seen all the various types of them at work. And I have seen a few of them fall. But the vast majority of those deceivers will be found out at the judgement, when Jesus, who they should have been following and also teaching others to follow, declares that He never knew them.