Submission or Subjection?

Some have the understanding that if a pastor is not in subjection to every whim of the people that he is "unsubmissive." Someone gathered from my last blog that pastors are beyond approach and shouldn't ever be kept in check for their doctrine, conduct, or attitude. Only a reader with an agenda would ignore the the premise of the former and conclude that the pastor answers to NOBODY but God. For Faith, Conduct,and ethics...yes, he is answers to God but he is also held accountable to the people. I stand by what I said in the blog "Censoring, controlling and consuming the pastor". The pastor is not an errand boy to the whims and opinions of the people. He is a servant. A minister. However, he is NOT a "red-headed stepchild". Please take time to think about what was typed yesterday and examine your own heart. If you assume that because I posted what I did in that blog, that i esteem myself above correction. If you want to correct me. I accept Correction. But don't correct me with your personal vendetta and opinions. Bring fact or don't come at all. Same as with your pastor. They (we) at least deserve that little respect.

Censoring , Controlling, and Consuming The Pastor

Before I get into this touchy subject, let me say right from the start, I am fully aware of people who abuse the office of the Pastor to browbeat, belittle and force people into the bondage of personal opinion and ideology. This blog is NOT supporting such tactics and I OPENLY shame and shun those legalistic and ludicrous lamers who claim to be Leaders.


Recently, I have addressed subjects that were desperately needing to be adjusted and put in order. The response was that of rebellion. The problem should not have gone on as long as it did. I was hesitant to speak up on the subject for fear that people would perceive me as one of those as stated in my opening paragraph. However, the Bible is very clear that the pastor is responsible for maintaining order. Paul wrote a whole epistle to a preacher who had an entire list of "blemishes" to buff out. Paul encouraged the preacher to "man up" and handle the problem. I found it comforting to be in the company as this Biblical example was in. What a joy it is to realize that the "storm" I am in is not uncommon. Others have experienced it too. Praise the Lord!

Instead of realizing the difficult and delicate responsibility it is to correct a subject involving the Body of believers, and what prayer, fasting, thoughts, studying, and agony took place before it became publicly known; the immediate result was to censor the Pastor and starting a small quorum to offset the decision being made. Never have I seen this action result in anything short of a split. Korah comes to mind. There must be a time to stand for what is right if the pastor/leader is steering into apostasy or legalism. The problem is, many people's ideals of legalism and apostasy is based on personal opinion (abstract) and not on tangible fact. Because the Pastor moves the order of service to better maximize the schedule, that is not reason to create a schism. By the way, schedules and time frames are only in existence so that we can get home before kickoff and to not overcook the roast.

Censoring the Pastor - This is usually done on a telephone. It is "altering" what the pastor has "dictated"/decided/ declared. Again, when dealing with the order of services, conduct of ministry, etc the Pastor has the obligation and authority to do as he is led to do. It should not come to a church vote. It shouldn't have to face a committee. The Pastor is the under-shepherd. It is not legalism. It is not lasciviousness. It is "editing the content" to fit the allotted time. Some things in the church need tweaking. It is the Pastor's responsibility to do so.

Instead of "backing him DOWN" (openly or privately), why not "back him up?". It all comes down to trust. DO you trust the pastor to make the decisions necessary to efficiently operate the services? Do you trust him to operate the everyday business of the church? If not, then by all means...vote him out. Get rid of him. that, or get your self in check. The pastor shouldn't be censored when he is within the boundaries of his office.

Controlling the Pastor
This really gets my goat. You see it all the time. People give something...usually money...."to the Lord" via the church. They make sure you, as the pastor know about it, and assure you (the pastor) that it is a "love gift" to the church and cause of Christ. Boy have I learned that it is the FARTHEST THING from the truth. What they
really mean is, I am telling you what I gave "anonymously" so that YOU know that I have money/goods/services and that you will give me MY way in the future. Yes, I know not all people are like this. I have to say, with the exception of one particular elderly couple, this has been the standard M.O. They are not giving "as unto the Lord" out of a PURE heart. They are giving so that they can control. They "generously" give money in your hand so that you remember that THEY gave it to you. They make sure others see them giving it to you to "flaunt" their pseudo-generosity. They assume that padding your pockets means you will be paid off to let them off the hook in accountability and to "give them what they want in the vote." A Pastor/Teacher/Leader worth their salt won't give in. The Bible is clear about having respect of persons. I heard a "preacher" preach a sermon "blowing the whistle on the wolves" and he said that the only thing goats are good for is to milk em for all that they are worth." Sadly, even if you do that, you are just misleading them and abusing them. The best way to handle "goats" is to put them out to pasture and keep a close eye on your flock so they don't "mate" with your ewes or attack the weak and vulnerable.

Controlling the pastor with threats is just as foolish as the Pastor trying to control with legalism. Both breed resentment and idolatry.

If you are going to give something to the Lord through the church, GIVE YOUR GIFT IN SECRET. Ananias and Sapphira purposefully planned to lie to Peter (who was the leader at the time) about the gift given. They didn't have to give anything much less the whole price for the land. They did however try to "boost" their gift so they could receive the praise of men.

If you are going to give something to the Lord....you better make sure it is out of a PURE heart and not a strategic move. NO STRINGS ATTACHED. I made it a point a long time ago...even before I accepted the pastorate here to NEVER be sold out to anyone or anything but GOD. I am in clear conscience to this day except ONE thing. I learned the hard way that not every gift given comes from a pure heart. Some people give to "ensure" that they get what they want. Never again will I be blinded by some people's "generosity". If they want to announce it to me, then it is going to be rejected.

They are always quick to blow up and try to censor the pastor openly but then later that week or soon following, they "give a generous gift" to make up for their immaturity and Unchristian conduct. They grin and smile at you like nothing ever happened. They throw "forgive as Christ forgave you" in your face without remembering the part of "repent" and "confess your faults one to another". They attempt to control the Pastor through gain, goods, and pseudo-gratitude. PREACHERS BEWARE! Does "Et tu, Brute" mean anything to you? "Lord, is it I?"


CONSUMING the Pastor
I remember the old joke about the Pastor who joined a family of the congregation for a Sunday dinner. When the ham was brought to the table, the little girl leaned over and told the Pastor's wife 'mom must have changed her mind...she said we were having the turkey for Sunday lunch.'While we chuckle at this cute little joke, we also realize the truth behind the statement. Sure, it doesn't happen all the time. However, when it does (not even going to entertain the idea that it does not) happen, we fail to realize the lasting damage it leaves on the moldable minds of our children. "It is ok to bash the preacher." It is not disrespectful to run him down or even to criticize him as long as we can present it as a prayer request, right?! We teach our children to run down the teacher/pastor/members of the church, and then get all up at arms and on edge when they turn and "render us" as well. "WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT FROM?". Hello, McFly!! They learned it from YOU! They learned it from US. No wonder our kids today walk around wearing their rebellion on their clothing "NO FEAR". The Bible says to beware of those who speak evil of dignitaries. Yeah, I know, it is hard to not speak evil of our current President (Mr. Obama). It is hard not to defame him. No, he shouldn't be worshiped. However, he should be respected....the office of the president. The office of the Pastor should not be any less diminished. No, it shouldn't be elevated to deity either. Whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches us to respect the man who is in the office of Pastor. We are to follow them as they follow Christ. They are to be prayed for and "revered." Again, please distinguish the SCRIPTURAL STANDARD against the "Man-worship Manifesto."

They Consume the pastor out of rebellion. They hate his preaching, his purity and his purpose. (Again, realize that not all pastors are perverse...and that not all pastors are pure.) They despise the Servant to the people of God and kill him in their hearts. They stiffen their neck against the rebuke given THROUGH the Pastor by the Holy Spirit. They ignore his conduct. They only know to speak evil and to tear him down and to mock and jeer his attempts and failures. The Bible gives us examples of those who withstood Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and even Paul. Remember Paul, he said that there those who sought to take his life! "Beware when men speak good of you". Again, "keep an eye on the goats."

Here is a truth. When Censoring doesn't work, and the Pastor remains steadfast, when control is overturned because he will not be sold out, there is only one thing that is left to do to the pastor...and that is to consume him.

DRIVE HIM OUT!! STARVE HIM! THREATEN HIS LIFE! VICIOUSLY ATTACK HIS FAMILY! SPLIT THE CHURCH! Attack his integrity and Character. Slander his reputation among those without. Curse him. Try to kill him. DO whatever it takes, but make sure you get your way. One way or another, "we will not have this man to rule over us". No, I am not comparing him to Christ, and NO I am not saying every preacher/pastor/leader/teacher is a sterling example of Christian Conduct. There is a scriptural way to deal with wayward leaders. There are principles to purge problematic and perverse/perverted Pastors/Preachers...but Censoring, Controlling, and Consuming the pastor is NOT how it is done.

The Lack of Teaching and Being Taught

First thing I have noticed among my IFB associates, is their refusal to be taught. Growing up, I remember foolishly making the statement, "I DON'T NEED A BIBLE STUDY...I NEED PREACHING! PREACHING SAVES THE LOST." Yes, preaching does work with the Holy Spirit's convicting and wooing to redeem the lost. The preaching of the cross is effective. However, in the same token, what we lack in the "GREAT COMMISSION" is what was stressed more by Paul and Peter and exemplified by Christ himself...TEACHING. Christ took every opportunity He could to TEACH the men who left all to follow Him. He taught them simple things. He taught them hard things. He taught them things they did not understand. He taught them things they would NEVER understand. He taught the multitudes. He expounded the Word of God to the Rulers in theTemple at a young age. He taught Nicodemus. Christ was known not so much as a PREACHER, although he was, Christ was a RABBI; that is to say, a teacher.

Preaching has its place. I agree. I am horrified that we "break in" our men who have surrendered to Pastor, by teaching them how to PREACH. I can recall the first opporotunity I got to PREACH. I went through my Bible, and put together the best sermon I could muster. I was gonna preeeeeeeeeeeeach amen! I "mounted" the pulpit, pulled out my notes, and began to teach. I didn't mean to. I wanted to preach! I began to teach about making Godly decisions and trusting the omnipotence of God, never going where God didn't lead, and taking a stand against opposition even when it comes from your own family and friends. When I got done, I stepped off the platform, ran to the bathroom, and wept because I didn't hear an ounce of AMENs. My BIG CHANCE..and I flopped. When I finally gained composure, I walked out of the bathroom and there stood my father with tears in his eyes. He told me that was one of the best LESSONS he has ever heard. He told me that it was clear that my gift is not PREACHING as much as it is TEACHING. I went back to the auditorium to hear the pastor preaching. He was making a point that "THIS PULPIT IS FOR PREACHING! THE WORLD NEEDS PREACHING! CHRISTIANS WON'T GET RIGHT WITH GOD BY TEACHING, it MUST BE PREACHING!!".

I constantly questioned my desire to be a Pastor because I couldn't preach like they could. I couldn't hoop and holler without messing up my words and mumbling everything out. I couldn't FLOW. Teaching though, I could get my point accross. It drove me to tears every week when I would attempt to "PREACH" to the Jr.Church kids. They would laugh as I sounded like Porky Pig instead of like "JACK HYLES". I had to learn several lessons, one of which was that there are various kinds of preaching styles. The second lesson I learned is that if a Pastor only PREACHES and never Teaches, he is not a good pastor at all. I believe it was Jack Hyles who said, "if you teach when you preach you are effective. If you PREACH when you Teach, you are shallow in your walk with God". My friend and former pastor, Mike Franklin said, "teaching is a good indication you are being led of the Holy Spirit". One of the Holy Spirit's priorities and ministry is to TEACH us all things.

There is something to be said today of people who "do not endure sound doctrine" and would rather turn to "spectacles" and entertainers than to hear the TEACHING from the Word of God. I am not referring to the lost as much as I am to the believers. We would rather go to hear someone hooping and hollering and think that God is all over it because we can scream and sweat rather than effectively and systematically expound on the Word of God. It takes MORE effort to teach God's Word than to PREACH God's Word. It takes MORE dedication to TEACH God's Word than it does to "BLOW IN, BLOW UP, BLOW OUT".

Yes, PREACHING has it's place. However, we must not limit ourselves to PREACHING. We must not LIMIT ourselves to TEACHING.

Pastors who never TEACH are doing a grave injustice to their congregants. They should realize the Great Commission COMMANDS us to Teach. Our Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches are dying on the vine because they only get preaching. WHERE is the nurturing? Where is the EXPOUNDING. Where is the Teaching? Sunday School attendance is down because people don't get the importance of it. They are PREACHED to in Sunday School, AM service, PM service, and depending on whether or not the church has prayer meeting at the mid-week service, they are PREACHED to/at and not TAUGHT. Does not the Bible say that one of the "qualifications" mentioned for the office of the Pastor is that he must be APT to teach?

I have witnessed sunday school teachers "prepare" for thier class by opening the packet of material, choose the flannel graph people, and never once look at the GUIDELINE lesson to "GEAR IT" for the children they have been ENTRUSTED to teach. The lack of ability to teach is astounding.

Recently, a man in the church approached me and said, "pastor, I just want to thank you for being attentive to us as a congregation. Sometimes when you are preaching, I can see it in your eyes. You look at us and realize that we are not getting it...and you STOP. Change gears, and TEACH us. I LOVE it, because when you do, God ALWAYS has something for me. It is like God tells you, hey...you....So and so needs this...say it...". I am not trying to brag here. I am not trying to compare myself to others. But, hello?! I felt guilty for every time I preach and don't stop to "chase that rabbit" when I "hear the coon dogs howling".

The inability to TEACH is mostly because people have never been taught. We mimmic what we have seen done. We know to "get down on a knee" when we "pop the question" to our girlfriend. We know to "tap" the side of the appliance when it is on the fritz. We know to let out a "ahhhhh" when we take a sip of a cold glass of water or tea on a hot day. We do things out of "tradition" rather than what we desire. An unchurched, and as far as I know, unconverted lady stopped by to talk to me about the building that is nearly completed, and she just let out an "AMEN". I took notice to that. She got all red in the face, and said "where did that come from?". I told her it came from "expectancy". It is like this guy at church, Evan, he says this ALL the time...."Coke coke coke coke coke pepsi". 9 out of 10 times, we will say COKE because it is what we have heard more of. We MIMIC.

So, if all we do is get around PREACHING and NEVER teaching...we will do what? TEACH. It will be our primary response to things. PREEEEEAAACH!! When was the last time we heard someone say TEACHHHH!!? I am certain it has been a while. We imitate. We shouldn't imitate. We should demonstrate that what we really are. People who have no leading to teach, should not use that opporotunity to preach. Sit down. Hush up.

The Bible says there are those who SHOULD be able to TEACH, but can't because they never learned. They must be TAUGHT again. (Hebrews 5). I am finding it very troubling that we have such inadequate teachers in our "Independent Fundamental Baptist" Circles. YES. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness. Indeed. However, seeing that Christ spent MUCH of his time teaching, I also must do the same if I expect those whom I influence for Christ to grow.

Stay In Your Lane

“Stay in Your Lane”

II Timothy 4:1-8

(preached in 2005 at Victory Bible Baptist Church – Porter Corners NY)

Paul was writing to his young understudy and son in the faith, Timothy, for the second time. Paul was writing under house arrest in Rome and fully aware of his near death. Soberly, he penned these important words to Timothy.

I. Paul’s Admonition – II Tim 3:14 – 4:2

A. Stay Faithful in the things you have taught

B. Remain Steadfast in the Word of God and PREACH with all authority and doctrine to perfect the saints – Eph 4:12

II. Paul’s Alertness

A. For the time WILL come – II Tim 4:3-4

B. End Time Attitude – II Tim 3:1-13

C. BUT WATCH THOU in all things II Tim 4:5, I Peter 5:7 – BE ALERT…BE SOBER

III. Paul’s Achievements

A. I have faught – II Tim 4:7

B. I have Kept – II Tim 4:7

C. I have Finished – II Tim 4:7

1. A few years ago a man was running in the special Olympics. He was just about to pass the finish line, he stepped out of his lane and was disqualified. He ran well, but did not finish.

2. Paul was reminding himself that the finish line is before him and to stay in his lane 6-7

a. By telling Timothy, Paul was able to re-affirm, remind and regroup himself as he ends his ministry

IV. Paul’s Assurance (V8,17,18)

A. Because I have FINISHED and am FAITHFUL “I will receive the crown” (Phil 3:9-14)

B. Paul left no room for error. He left no room for compromise. He could resolve himself to stay faithful. To endure HARDNESS II Tim 2:1-5

V. Paul was ABANDONED by friends but was not alone

A. v10 Demas took off

B. v10 Crescens flew the coup

C. v10 Titus got called away

D. v12 Tychus was needed elsewhere

E. v14 Alexander stabbed me in the back

F. No Man stood by me – everyone took off

G. BUT – II Tim 4:17

1. NOT WITHSTANDING The Lord stood by me

2. AND strengthened me

3. I was delivered – Acts 27 “be of good cheer”

VI. Paul’s Appetite (V.13)

A. Bring the parchments – Bring me my Bible. I want to read the Word of God.

B. Oh that we would, at the end of our life, find freedom, comfort, companionship, and satisfaction within our Bible.