the real deal is that from what i read that he confessed it to the congregation and they fired him - my question is would you forgive him and demote him to layman or would you fire him and ban him from the church altogether? what is the morale action that would be what jesus would do.?
2006-11-07 03:56:27 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would think that yes, it is neccessary to fire a pastor because you just can't have that kind of person in church leadership.
but my feeling would be that he should be forgiven and not banned from the church. Maybe he needs to be watched more carefully, and people shouldn't trust him so easily until he proves he is trustworthy, but he should definitely be forgiven and allowed to be a member of the church.
2006-11-07 04:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by kristin c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because he only admitted his sin when he got caught, his honesty as a preacher and teacher is now in question. He should lose his credentials and be no better than any other member, but the problem with that is his family likely has become accustomed to the lifestyle that his position afforded them. If his wife divorces him, he will be ordered to pay child support based on his past earnings.
He should be placed on disfellowhipped status for 6-12 months, or longer if he doesn't get help. This is a difficult issue because of his position. He is a part of the elite who separate themselves from the membership, in that they think regular members are not capable of learning the Bible as a whole, let alone being taught how to preach and teach.
People may not like Jehovah's Witnesses, but their system prevents these type of abuses from taking place. Everyone knows everyone. There are no elite elders and no one gets paid a large salary, or even a small one, for preaching and teaching.
2006-11-07 04:03:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he repents of his sin there is no reason why he should be banned from the church. Every member of the Church is simply a forgiven sinner that has repented. He certainly should not keep his leadership position though. Scripture has specific attributes that describe how an overseer or pastor should be.
Now the problem would be if someone committs a sin and it has come to light and they refuse to repent of it. The Bible has very clear direction of what's to happen in this case.
2006-11-07 04:04:41 · answer #3 · answered by Almack 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think what should be done is that he should resign from his position. However, I do not feel a church should ban him at all. We are supposed to restore our brothers who have fallen. Galatians and James both make this clear. I don't think a church should allow this man to teach because he is at a broken point in his life and needs restoration.
We all sin--even pastors. This one was just so high profile that it caught attention. Would you demote a preacher you caught lying about his mileage for reimbursement--even if it was just by a couple of miles?
2006-11-07 04:04:25 · answer #4 · answered by Seeking answers in Him 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
See 1 Timothy, Chapter 3
An Elder/Overseer or Deacon (that would include pastors) must live a life beyond reproach or blameless. That pastor would be allowed to stay within the fellowship if he truly repented but not allowed to remain in a leadership position.
If the sin was a criminal offense (sin against a minor, etc...) the authorities would be informed.
2006-11-07 04:01:51 · answer #5 · answered by paulsamuel33 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus would forgive him, but lets keep in mind that there will be now gay people in heaven. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that I don't like gay people I am just saying that if you know your bible you will know that, that kind of actions do not take place there and it is a sin. God did not make man and man. He made man and woman. It is that mans choice to have those kind of actions, but when judgment day comes he will be held accountable for his actions. He should repent and stay in church but not with any role as a leader.
2006-11-07 04:12:37 · answer #6 · answered by Melissa B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What does this say to you? James 5:sixteen (ESV) sixteen for this reason, confess your sins to one yet another and pray for one yet another, which you would be healed. The prayer of a righteous individual has great capacity as this is working
2016-10-15 11:54:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
True repentance: repent and turn away from the sin. He would be forgiven, but he would definitely be asked to take a seat until He learns how to recognize his deliverance and properly place faith in the Finished works of Christ.
2006-11-07 04:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Gail R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The way I understood it was that only God could fire a pastor. Huh you learn something new every day.
2006-11-07 04:05:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we're talking about the same guy, the problem with him is not that he is gay or that he 'confessed' it (as though there was something to 'confess'). The problem is that he spent years trashing gays, and he turned out to be one. The problem is his double morality.
2006-11-07 03:58:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋