The "man of God" and his "power" over the people of his church........(pastors)?

Question

Yes,the pastor of a church is usually there to help the people of the Church.He is sometimes there to instruct them on the will of God.He helps the families of the church with their problems.
When does this go too far?
I ask this because I have seen pastors of churches meddle in other people's lives without ever asking.All the while condemning his "people"and causing chaos in the church. When does the "man of God"'s personal convictions have limits over his Church?When has he gone too far?

Answer 1

this is where religion fails and spirituality prevails.

Answer 2

I would have to agree with the others that reminded you or maybe you never knew before that the Bible states that, " no one is perfect, no not one". Pastors & Priests are just human beings just like the rest of us and can fall to sin. Also, just because one Pastor or Priest has done something wrong that brings attention to himself and his church doesn't mean we should place all of them in one category.

Just like there are good cops and bad cops, good sports figures and bad sports figures, good people and bad people there are good Pastor/Priests and bad ones or should I say ones that have allowed satan to draw them away from the ways of God.

Also, we must remember that by their position alone as the mouth piece of God, satan will attack them more so than any of us.

I guess this went alot deeper than what you are asking and to give you more of an answer to the question, EVERY recognized CHRISTIAN denomination has guidelines for what Pastors/Priests are allowed to do and consequences if they over step those guidelines. Religions that may not have these restrictions would be Mormons, RLDS and Jehovah's Witnesses. Other than that all others have restrictions and guidelines such as male pastors should never be behind a closed door with a female that he may be counseling. In that situation the Pastor/Priest should have a female that the female is comfortable with having in the room in there while the counseling is going on. This is for the protection of both the female and the Pastor/ Priest. Also, at NO time should a Pastor/Priest be sticking his nose into your personal life unless asked to do so by you or if your actions have caused a situation in the church but then he should be meeting with the person with other church leadership in the meeting as well.

Answer 3

He's gone too far when he does anything unbiblical when it comes to working with people in his church. If he's going around judging others while trying to act the part of a saint- that's wrong. If he's meddling in others affairs without consent then he is not respecting them and showing the the love of God he preaches about. Short answer again-anything unbiIical when interacting with his church. The job of a pastor is hard because you are responsible for those you preach to plus yourself. That's why Jesus cautioned people who want to be pastors/teachers. I say this as a pastor.

Answer 4

My best friend went through this a couple years ago--he quit going to the church he'd been raised in and STILL gets harassed by the pastors to come back. (Last instance of it was Saturday, as a matter of fact. I was with him at the time.)

There are times when a person says "no" or at the very least, has continually rejected what's being offered...this is the time to stop. In any case, really, but this is a big one. It's a major turnoff to that church and, for some people, religion entirely.

Answer 5

Teh problem with meddling pastors is why my denomination is structured the way it is. The pastor is not a member of the local church. His membership is held at the presbytery (local collection of churches). Also, he serves for one year at a time and his pay must be voted on by the local church. If he starts aberrent teaching or meddling too much, he can be brought up on charges to the presbytery or his one year contract can be left unrenewed. Either way, he is gone.

Answer 6

I would personally like to see more involvement in the Church with the pastors or at least in the Catholic Church. When the laity try to run everything they do not do it in a reverent manor always. The priests try to give more authority to the laity but, sometimes the laity should not be involved with things they do not truly understand. Like the liturgy. There is an awful lot of faulty Theology out there and if you let the laity run things you will get alot of garbage along with the good, and garbage is not acceptable when offered to the Lord.

Answer 7

Its actually pretty tough to control since Protestantism has no final authority to even determine what the will of God is! Each pastor is then free to interpret anything he/she wants in any manner he/she wants -- not necessarily out of the long-standing teachings of the Apostles and Jesus. You MUST have a final authority.

Answer 8

Remember,just because a man is in the pulpit teaching God's word don't think for a second he is beyond falling victim to the devil's tricks.They don't get any sneekier than the devil.Christians must always have their guard up.

We all fall short of the glory of God.

Answer 9

I have never seen this in my Church. Our pastor is available for spiritual counseling if needed. He has never "meddled". If help of a more personal nature is needed, he directs elsewhere. (lawyer, mediator, counselor...)

Answer 10

Even pastors fall short of God's glory. None of us are perfect nor are pastors. Pray for the pastors-

Answer 11

The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, & they [the clergy] believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: & enough too in their opinion, & this is the cause of their printing lying pamphlets against me. . .