Can a Pastor claim to be a true evangelist?

Question

...if he allows his pastoral/counseling staff to consult
with Psychologists and Psychiatrists, or refer church
members to the same?

Bear in mind, Psychology and Psychiatry are based on humanism and evolution, and as a discipline is not subject to the authority of the Bible.

Consider the use of psychotropic drugs: the greek word for "Sorcery" is "pharmakia" - our root english word for Pharmacy. Can a person who takes antidepressants and mood stablizers to alter his mood apart from the Holy Spirit be Spirit Filled?

Sorcery is a deed of the flesh (pharmakia, drug use) and is a sign of carnality, not spirituality.

My point. While submission to the Verichip microchip implant is currently voluntary (many see this as a precursor to the Mark of the Beast - 666) for work release prisoners, and people with psychiatric profiles (antidepressants, retalin, etc) who may be a "danger" to themselves, being implanted or "chipped" can be mandatory some day.

As such, you have an "evangelist" who refers a potential church member to a psychiatrist, who will start a psychiatric profile on that person. In turn, that person is in danger of a device that can send his soul to eternal hell.

Evanglists and "Psychoheresy" - bad combination.

Its unfortunate that a religious flake like Tom Cruise came to the forefront on psychotropic drugs.

If indeed we are in a spiritual battle, the enemy will find ways to discredit the issue.

In this case, according to the last chapter of
the book of Revelation, that countless millions will perish for "sorcery". 21st Century? Sure - "pharmacia" - drug use and abuse.

Psychiatrist or street dope pusher - much the same for me.

How many of you have lost a friend or aquaintence to the drug world? Or tried to help one?

And of course, the ones who are the least informed and confused about the issue are the other "Christians".

Anyone heard of the Great Apostacy (great falling away) before Christ returns? If we are close to that time, how would you know if you are apostate (heart hardened by heresy and sin)?

Answer 1

Sounds like a pastor you should run from. I constantly am sitting down with my disciples and going over personal problems. I would never refer them to a psychiatrist or recommend drugs. A man of God is to help and guide his flock, not send them elsewhere or dope them up. God is the answer to our problems not the ways of man. This is just one of the many reasons that true Christians should not be a part of organized denominationalized religion.

Answer 2

I worked for 10 years in a mental health clinic where the majority of our directors were elders in their respective churches, at least one psychologist taught adult sunday school, and our clinic's head psychiatrist was known throughout the state as being a true Christian as well as top psychiatrist. Psychiatry treats real medical conditions. Some disorders are primarily behavioral while others involve chemicals or injuries of the brain. Any drug can alter your mood not just psychotropics. The same is true for medical versus mental health conditions, both can cause extreme mood changes. Psychiatry can be a hot topic among Christians because it is a field studying the processes and actions of the mind which are also linked to the spiritual world. A Christian who has ever experienced a depressive episode can surely see the difference between a spiritual fight and a physical problem. To me part of a minister's duty is to counsel, which because of their position in the church would be based on Christian beliefs. While I agree with this, not everyone would seek help from a Christian minister. Psychotherapists can be the middle ground of counseling without the religious basis. In the same respect that I would not go to a medical doctor who insisted on reading to me from his or her Koran or Book of Mormon because that is against my own faith. Or praying for me under their faith.

Answer 3

First of course medication is now known not to be magic or from the devil, if anything it is blessed by God though man who invents it and uses it for good.

And next most pastors are not trained in psychiatry and do have to send people in serious need for help

And yes antidepressants are very needed by alot of people to help them, and yes they can be just as spirit filled as the next person.

I would say if you don't believe so, you have been with a bad group of christians who are not really there to help a person .

And of course there are christian people in the profession, some specialize as christians in the field. And next others may be humanistic but what did evelution come in, ??

I would say you have been getting bad advice.

Answer 4

ok , who is this? Tom Cruise?...well, i do have mixed feelings when it comes to the holy spirit and taking antidepressants or pain relievers. I have chronic pain and I am clinically depressed so I am told, but sometimes when I take my meds in the morning I just want to cry and throw them away. I wonder who I really am without them and if I would be dangerous to others. who am I , I don't know sometimes anymore. I do believe in God and the holy trinity....i pray it is really me believing in them and not the meds. you know what I mean? I think you do.

Answer 5

You really need to get out more, don't you? People like you are just plain scary! Give it a rest and worry about today being the 6th of june, please....somewhere out there, a villiage is missing an idiot..please go home.

Answer 6

It is difficult enough trying to Pastor a Church without going around the country evangelizing.
A Pastor that cares for his flock will tend them and allow others to tend to their flock.

Answer 7

Sounds like your having a rough time with drugs yourself. Nothing you posted makes any since in context to your question.

Answer 8

Evangelist are plain and simple to my taste a loud mouth individuals.

Answer 9

Your question and explanation don't even go together??? Your writing is fragmented. Un plug your verichip and try again.

Answer 10

If he cares about his fellowship and their problems he can.