Some of you know my background. I've was (always will be) a Children's Minister for the past 10 years. We recently left our Church because some of the things the Pastor did wasn't lining up with the Word. Nothing immoral, just not letting the Spirit has His way.
After much prayer and fasting, we knew we were supposed to leave. We told our Pastor we were leaving and he said "That happens sometimes!" Kinda heartless, ya think? After all, we dedicated our time and heart to this Church and our ministry.
Anyways, since then, some of our friends told us that after we left he preached on "The Final Authority" and how leaving was the easy way out!
Do you follow every word/action of your Preacher or do you follow the lead of the Holy Spirit?
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2007-07-25 18:50:32 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
>>I would not take what you did lightly. I'm wondering if you didn't post this question in order to get answers that justify what you did. In that you are trying to seek the approval of men. If you really weighed this on the Spirit, then why do you need us? <<
I'm not asking for your approval. Question my motives for posting all you like. I was asking who you follow...man or the Word of God? But judge me if you must!
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2007-07-25 19:14:37 · update #1
Your Q&A history shows that you are a spirit filled Christian. If what the minister preached or taught was at all contradicting scripture, run. I left a church that hung on to a few unscriptural rituals, and though some of the formal rituals were founded in the word, this was not. I talked to the pastor, and left when we could not come to agreement. A few months ago, he was visiting our area, and stayed with my sister and her husband. They have changed so much, as I am sure I have. We had a wonderful time in the Lord and prayed together. He is still my brother. Leaving was not easy, as I was leaving family and friends, and I loved the pastor and his wife. I am in a non-denominational church now that is loving people to life that are the walking wounded, victims of dogma and false doctrine.
Edit: Christ is the head of the chruch, and His servant's should always be led of the Holy Spirit, grounded in the Word.
He gave gifts, one of which is discernment. Be grateful for that gift.
2007-07-25 19:33:42 · answer #1 · answered by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The pastor of a church is just supposed to be an example for others in the church not the head of the church or the authority. The head of the church is Jesus Christ and the authority comes from God and the direction of the Holy Spirit. Don't worry about it , although it is no good he had to act like this really he was probably just down because felt he was losing a valuable part of the church and perhaps could have thought it might have been his fault in some way, I dont know but follow the Spirit.
2007-07-26 01:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by disciple 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Every preacher's job is to line up to the word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:17-19 (King James Version)
17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Ephesians 1:20-23
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
What would this world be like if more people done what you did? I believe things would be a lot better. If preachers lined up and was worried about the results for not doing what the word of God teaches.
1 Corinthians 11:1-3 (King James Version)
1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
This is a very tough decision to make at times, especially when you have been apart of this for so many years. This is the reason I am non-denominational. I haven't been pleased with the way the denominational churches have followed the spirit and the Word of God. I would not blame anybody who has left a church that has truly sought the Lord and has been led out. Trust the spirit everytime, the spirit lines up perfectly with the Bible. If anything is contrary to the Bible turn away from it.
2007-07-26 09:26:18 · answer #3 · answered by Old Hickory 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God Bless you...
If you have fasted and prayed...the only thing I can see that you didn't do was seek the counsel of Godly men...but maybe you did. You have to trust what the Spirit told you to do. Sound like the Pastor has lost touch with the Spirit, for whatever reason...
I don't follow every word or action of my Pastor if it doesn't align with the Word of God as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the "Final Authority"--nothing else other than direct revelation of the Spirit, and that had better align with the Word or it it false prophecy...
God Bless you and keep up the Kingdom Work...
2007-07-26 01:58:09 · answer #4 · answered by Todd J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My final authority is The Holy Spirit and the written Word of God, together they are two witnesses. We are all at different places in seeking a Union with God. And if your spirit is telling you he is heartless than maybe you have grown to a higher place of love, lots of us have a long way to go.. Christs love in us is the evidence that he has Risen and we have a relationship with Him. To be in a place of authority as a Christian leader, it should be a walk in Godly Love visible for all to see. Unfortunately some Churches pull out I am the finally authority sermon and book I think they do this not out of Love but to stop any questions. Just because We are Christians does not mean will have no brains. No wonder we are criticized for being mindless they should not try to scare members in to complacency but encourage all to grow in Christ.Thank God for Jesus...
2007-07-26 02:20:56 · answer #5 · answered by klesis 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By all means follow the leading of the holy spirit. This pastor could never stop the holy spirit from doing his job with mankind. An individual would have to quench the spirit himself wheras no one from outside like your pastor can.
2007-07-26 01:57:48 · answer #6 · answered by JoJoBa 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. The church belongs to Jesus not the preacher.
2007-07-26 01:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Paul said that the Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonicans because they checked everything that they heard to the Word of God. If what your pastor says goes against anything in God's Word than that isn't right. I follow what the Bible says because that's the instruction that God's given me.
2007-07-26 02:10:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit was pledged by Jesus, as the comforter, and as the Spirit of Truth, to the Catholic Church alone, when he founded, authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed it.
Jesus gave no such power and authority to any other person or group ... and no one can simply "claim" such authority for themselves ... it must be handed down, via apostolic succession.
If your pastor wasn't a duly ordained Catholic priest, then he had no more authority than you do.
So if you're looking for authority, you need to look to the only church that Jesus ever founded. That's where the authority is ... and that's also where the grace is.
That said, we Catholics have our share of pastoral problems too ... as you may have recently heard.
2007-07-26 02:01:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Firstly, I respect my priest at the church that I go to. He is an amazing priest, and I completely respect him. So, yes I take what he says seriously. Secondly, I want to comment on the remark he said to you about 'That happens sometimes'......Man oh man.. that is cold hearted.
Hey look at it this way, God directs us and maybe it was just His blessing that you found something better. Signs come in all designs :)
2007-07-26 02:09:03 · answer #10 · answered by SDC 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋