There are countless other examples of men who are both protected and PROMOTED despite their unlawful and unbiblical deeds. I will spare you the details and shame that continues EVERY DAY.
Would you believe that there are those who still applaud these men as heroes of the faith and implore others in the church to pledge their support to this man who has been “falsely accused” BEFORE the matter has been formerly and completely investigated and cleared? Blind followship to perverted leadership is unbiblical and unethical, and is void of any form of wholesome morality – It is bad stewardship.
Soul winning is not the solve all. It is not the “ajax” which cleans the stains. It is NOT the basis for righteousness. Holiness is more than what I wear, listen to, or how I “serve” God. Holiness is my standing with God and with man. Whatever happened to Accountability within the Body of Christ?
“You build your church, and I will build mine” or “I just want to help hurting hearts” is their cry. The evidence of innocence is “how many do you run in Sunday school?” Or, “How many souls have you seen saved and baptized this year?” I have been asked “How long have YOU been in the ministry?” Do my years negate the truth from being spoken? Does my small corner of the world hinder me from standing up and pointing out the nakedness of the emperor who is parading down the street dressed in deception? Do my minute “numbers” eliminate my voice from screaming “FOUL” on the shameful actions of my “fellow believers” (I will use this term loosely) who bear the same name of Independent Baptists? Like David I stand before the cowardly men of God’s army and passionately resound “IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?”
How long should I remain quiet before I open my mouth and cry against the sins and sickening behaviors radiating from our Pulpits, colleges, churches, and even HOMES? Shall I wait until I am old and gray and feeble? Shall I wait until the problem is out of sight out of mind? Should I refrain from commenting because I want to flippantly quote that “love covers a multitude of sins?”
Shameful Shepherds which protect, promote, and partake in the sins of these criminals need to be removed and forever barred from Church leadership, and or turned over to the police for aiding in the crimes of these vile offenders.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Shameful Shepherd Part 7c
A Pastor in North Western South Carolina was arrested for embezzling Hundreds of THOUSANDS of dollars in a pyramid scheme. He was arrested and found GUILTY of his crime. Did he resign from the pulpit? NO! Even worse, he remained the pastor while locked up (still is- last I heard) and PREACHED OVER THE PHONE WHILE IN PRISION! WHY wasn’t he removed from the pastorate? Why would the church standby and allow such foolishness? Oh, because he is a soul winner and the man of God. The money was not found, however, his family NEVER lacked. In fact, they own a BIG house, fancy cars, and stylish clothes without missing a beat – on a PASTOR’s SALARY?
One other illustration and I will move on, there is a man who married the daughter of a pastor in New York. He forged his wife’s name on credit cards, used her social security number and information and opened several charge accounts. He opened a PO Box to which the bills were sent. He ran up close to $100,000 in debt on his wife’s perfect credit. When the wife attempted to open a charge account at the local department store, she was turned down due to bad credit. A credit report was soon sought and she learned of her plight. Soon after, the Post Office called and asked her to empty her box. She never knew she had one. After opening the countless monthly records, she broke down and informed her father/pastor of the crime. The man apologized and vowed to do his part to pay off the debt. The pastor generously assisted in the payments. A few months later, the husband bailed out of the arrangement and began spreading the lie that the pastor was ruining his marriage. He split the church and went to a church across town where he was lauded as a HERO because he was a good bus captain and soul winner. Soul winning negates blatant criminal misconduct? He soon did the same to another woman whom he lived in a sinful lifestyle with.
A pastor who cheats on his wife, thus breaking the solemn marriage vow to his bride, the congregation of witnesses and even to God himself is no more worthy to stand before a gathering of corpses much less a multitude of the saints to proclaim the things of God. Yet, within months of the gross immorality, he stands and speaks often to a group of believers having “proven himself worthy of his calling.” Meanwhile the destruction of his selfish actions cause ripple effects in the church where he was forced to step down from office yet requiring for financial assistance due to his “tenure” of service. I don ‘t need to know this man’s side of the story. He has disqualified himself from the ministry and is no more fit to be in office of a church. He has joined himself to that other woman whom he purposefully violated and deceived for a moment of sinful adulterous pleasure, and never again can he be a candidate for the pastorate. II Timothy 3 describes this character as one who deceives and is yet being deceived. Truly a man without discernment is not leadership material.
The pastor who “restored” such a one by a quick paint job and new tires has failed to push out the dents, and repair the bent frame. Sooner or later, the rust will eat through the new coat of paint and the ugly deteriorating condition will be manifested again. A Shameful Shepherd does not regard the Biblical counsel of Discipline, Repentance, Restitution and Restoration.
One other illustration and I will move on, there is a man who married the daughter of a pastor in New York. He forged his wife’s name on credit cards, used her social security number and information and opened several charge accounts. He opened a PO Box to which the bills were sent. He ran up close to $100,000 in debt on his wife’s perfect credit. When the wife attempted to open a charge account at the local department store, she was turned down due to bad credit. A credit report was soon sought and she learned of her plight. Soon after, the Post Office called and asked her to empty her box. She never knew she had one. After opening the countless monthly records, she broke down and informed her father/pastor of the crime. The man apologized and vowed to do his part to pay off the debt. The pastor generously assisted in the payments. A few months later, the husband bailed out of the arrangement and began spreading the lie that the pastor was ruining his marriage. He split the church and went to a church across town where he was lauded as a HERO because he was a good bus captain and soul winner. Soul winning negates blatant criminal misconduct? He soon did the same to another woman whom he lived in a sinful lifestyle with.
A pastor who cheats on his wife, thus breaking the solemn marriage vow to his bride, the congregation of witnesses and even to God himself is no more worthy to stand before a gathering of corpses much less a multitude of the saints to proclaim the things of God. Yet, within months of the gross immorality, he stands and speaks often to a group of believers having “proven himself worthy of his calling.” Meanwhile the destruction of his selfish actions cause ripple effects in the church where he was forced to step down from office yet requiring for financial assistance due to his “tenure” of service. I don ‘t need to know this man’s side of the story. He has disqualified himself from the ministry and is no more fit to be in office of a church. He has joined himself to that other woman whom he purposefully violated and deceived for a moment of sinful adulterous pleasure, and never again can he be a candidate for the pastorate. II Timothy 3 describes this character as one who deceives and is yet being deceived. Truly a man without discernment is not leadership material.
The pastor who “restored” such a one by a quick paint job and new tires has failed to push out the dents, and repair the bent frame. Sooner or later, the rust will eat through the new coat of paint and the ugly deteriorating condition will be manifested again. A Shameful Shepherd does not regard the Biblical counsel of Discipline, Repentance, Restitution and Restoration.
The Shameful Shepherd Part 7c
A Pastor in North Western South Carolina was arrested for embezzling Hundreds of THOUSANDS of dollars in a pyramid scheme. He was arrested and found GUILTY of his crime. Did he resign from the pulpit? NO! Even worse, he remained the pastor while locked up (still is- last I heard) and PREACHED OVER THE PHONE WHILE IN PRISION! WHY wasn’t he removed from the pastorate? Why would the church standby and allow such foolishness? Oh, because he is a soul winner and the man of God. The money was not found, however, his family NEVER lacked. In fact, they own a BIG house, fancy cars, and stylish clothes without missing a beat – on a PASTOR’s SALARY?
One other illustration and I will move on, there is a man who married the daughter of a pastor in New York. He forged his wife’s name on credit cards, used her social security number and information and opened several charge accounts. He opened a PO Box to which the bills were sent. He ran up close to $100,000 in debt on his wife’s perfect credit. When the wife attempted to open a charge account at the local department store, she was turned down due to bad credit. A credit report was soon sought and she learned of her plight. Soon after, the Post Office called and asked her to empty her box. She never knew she had one. After opening the countless monthly records, she broke down and informed her father/pastor of the crime. The man apologized and vowed to do his part to pay off the debt. The pastor generously assisted in the payments. A few months later, the husband bailed out of the arrangement and began spreading the lie that the pastor was ruining his marriage. He split the church and went to a church across town where he was lauded as a HERO because he was a good bus captain and soul winner. Soul winning negates blatant criminal misconduct? He soon did the same to another woman whom he lived in a sinful lifestyle with.
A pastor who cheats on his wife, thus breaking the solemn marriage vow to his bride, the congregation of witnesses and even to God himself is no more worthy to stand before a gathering of corpses much less a multitude of the saints to proclaim the things of God. Yet, within months of the gross immorality, he stands and speaks often to a group of believers having “proven himself worthy of his calling.” Meanwhile the destruction of his selfish actions cause ripple effects in the church where he was forced to step down from office yet requiring for financial assistance due to his “tenure” of service. I don ‘t need to know this man’s side of the story. He has disqualified himself from the ministry and is no more fit to be in office of a church. He has joined himself to that other woman whom he purposefully violated and deceived for a moment of sinful adulterous pleasure, and never again can he be a candidate for the pastorate. II Timothy 3 describes this character as one who deceives and is yet being deceived. Truly a man without discernment is not leadership material.
The pastor who “restored” such a one by a quick paint job and new tires has failed to push out the dents, and repair the bent frame. Sooner or later, the rust will eat through the new coat of paint and the ugly deteriorating condition will be manifested again. A Shameful Shepherd does not regard the Biblical counsel of Discipline, Repentance, Restitution and Restoration.
One other illustration and I will move on, there is a man who married the daughter of a pastor in New York. He forged his wife’s name on credit cards, used her social security number and information and opened several charge accounts. He opened a PO Box to which the bills were sent. He ran up close to $100,000 in debt on his wife’s perfect credit. When the wife attempted to open a charge account at the local department store, she was turned down due to bad credit. A credit report was soon sought and she learned of her plight. Soon after, the Post Office called and asked her to empty her box. She never knew she had one. After opening the countless monthly records, she broke down and informed her father/pastor of the crime. The man apologized and vowed to do his part to pay off the debt. The pastor generously assisted in the payments. A few months later, the husband bailed out of the arrangement and began spreading the lie that the pastor was ruining his marriage. He split the church and went to a church across town where he was lauded as a HERO because he was a good bus captain and soul winner. Soul winning negates blatant criminal misconduct? He soon did the same to another woman whom he lived in a sinful lifestyle with.
A pastor who cheats on his wife, thus breaking the solemn marriage vow to his bride, the congregation of witnesses and even to God himself is no more worthy to stand before a gathering of corpses much less a multitude of the saints to proclaim the things of God. Yet, within months of the gross immorality, he stands and speaks often to a group of believers having “proven himself worthy of his calling.” Meanwhile the destruction of his selfish actions cause ripple effects in the church where he was forced to step down from office yet requiring for financial assistance due to his “tenure” of service. I don ‘t need to know this man’s side of the story. He has disqualified himself from the ministry and is no more fit to be in office of a church. He has joined himself to that other woman whom he purposefully violated and deceived for a moment of sinful adulterous pleasure, and never again can he be a candidate for the pastorate. II Timothy 3 describes this character as one who deceives and is yet being deceived. Truly a man without discernment is not leadership material.
The pastor who “restored” such a one by a quick paint job and new tires has failed to push out the dents, and repair the bent frame. Sooner or later, the rust will eat through the new coat of paint and the ugly deteriorating condition will be manifested again. A Shameful Shepherd does not regard the Biblical counsel of Discipline, Repentance, Restitution and Restoration.
The Shameful Shepherd Part 7b -
There was a man who attended our church who was a registered sex offender. Allegations came forward of this man being to “chummy” with some of the children in the church. The first thing I did was remove the child from the presence of this man, and contacted the authorities to come and investigate the matter. This is a simple matter of Common sense, right? Would you believe that there are churches, which dismiss the child and family from the church to preserve the accused because he or she is a “soul winner” and a “bus captain?”
There are dozens of stories and examples that I could reference. There are thousands of court documents and noteworthy news articles. These are credible, ethical, and respectable reporters and investigators who have researched and have published their findings into the criminal acts of those who are to be “blameless” in their office.
I recall the odd request of a church in Florida asking believers around the world to sign a petition asking a pardon from the powers that be in Texas on behalf of two men who “executed corporal punishment” on a student in a day school at their church. The young man was left bloodied, bruised and in Critical Care due to the beating that he received. Now, let me say this, my father and mother did their fair share of corporal punishment on my siblings and I. Yet, never did they leave one of us in critical care with our lives in hanging in the balance. I am all for corporal punishment. I can honestly say that my daughter will also receive corporal punishment when she has demonstrated continual and blatant disobedience. However, there is something terribly wrong when Christians around the world are asked to sign a petition to free BRUTAL child abusers under the guise of “they are soul winners and members in good standing”. These men are not heroes. They are not martyrs. They are MORONS! They did not execute discipline in a BIBLICAL manner much less within the law.
I recall the familiar case of a national group of pastors who were petitioned to stand behind the son of a widely known pastor/speaker whose son was accused of scandals and affairs which should NEVER have been named among the people of God. Instead of executing Church Discipline and even CRIMINAL correction on this pathetic wayward one, they sent him off to another state. Never was he dealt with. He continued the pattern of violations there too. Again, dismissed but not held accountable for his sinfulness and unethical behavior. Again, protected because of who daddy was and because he was a soul winner.
A well known Pastor in Jacksonville, Fl was accused of several cases of sexual misconduct upon the minors of his congregation and day school for decades. Instead of being turned over to the authorities, he was strangely “called to the mission field in Germany”. When he returned from the “mission field” the problems never went away. Soon, he was arrested and began to endure the humility of the legal system, media, and his “stellar reputation” being picked apart and shown for what it really was – SHAMEFUL!!
There are dozens of stories and examples that I could reference. There are thousands of court documents and noteworthy news articles. These are credible, ethical, and respectable reporters and investigators who have researched and have published their findings into the criminal acts of those who are to be “blameless” in their office.
I recall the odd request of a church in Florida asking believers around the world to sign a petition asking a pardon from the powers that be in Texas on behalf of two men who “executed corporal punishment” on a student in a day school at their church. The young man was left bloodied, bruised and in Critical Care due to the beating that he received. Now, let me say this, my father and mother did their fair share of corporal punishment on my siblings and I. Yet, never did they leave one of us in critical care with our lives in hanging in the balance. I am all for corporal punishment. I can honestly say that my daughter will also receive corporal punishment when she has demonstrated continual and blatant disobedience. However, there is something terribly wrong when Christians around the world are asked to sign a petition to free BRUTAL child abusers under the guise of “they are soul winners and members in good standing”. These men are not heroes. They are not martyrs. They are MORONS! They did not execute discipline in a BIBLICAL manner much less within the law.
I recall the familiar case of a national group of pastors who were petitioned to stand behind the son of a widely known pastor/speaker whose son was accused of scandals and affairs which should NEVER have been named among the people of God. Instead of executing Church Discipline and even CRIMINAL correction on this pathetic wayward one, they sent him off to another state. Never was he dealt with. He continued the pattern of violations there too. Again, dismissed but not held accountable for his sinfulness and unethical behavior. Again, protected because of who daddy was and because he was a soul winner.
A well known Pastor in Jacksonville, Fl was accused of several cases of sexual misconduct upon the minors of his congregation and day school for decades. Instead of being turned over to the authorities, he was strangely “called to the mission field in Germany”. When he returned from the “mission field” the problems never went away. Soon, he was arrested and began to endure the humility of the legal system, media, and his “stellar reputation” being picked apart and shown for what it really was – SHAMEFUL!!
The Shameful Shepherd -Part 7 (A) Protecting, Promoting, and Partaking in Sins
This Shameful Shepherd Series has cost me – spared me rather, the friendship of many of those who have had an influence on my life. I did not write this in bitterness or jealousy as some might have assumed. I did so to simply warn others of what God has shown me, and any other student of the Word. I do not claim that I am better than anyone. It baffles me that those who have stated such to me through personal contact that I think I am above others. Maybe my ability to communicate my thoughts clearly is an issue. Or, maybe there is a bit of a “Stockholm syndrome” in their hearts and they don’t see it. Maybe they would rather stay in allegiance to these shameful shepherds and their pernicious ways rather than deal with the situation in a biblical fashion. I seem to remember the children of Israel as they exited Egypt. They CONTINUALLY whined, murmured, and complained that they wished they were back in bondage. Maybe there is a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, but then again, I believe it is an indication of a lack of faith and or motivation.
I slightly understand why the “average Joe” would have a problem leaving this type of church or this type of pastoral leadership, but for other Pastors to patronize and yield support to such Shameful Shepherds is beyond comprehension and or excuse. I have seen and know of MANY pastors who will openly stand against the Joel Osteen’s and Rick Warren’s of the world but not against the Jack Schaap’s, Bob Gray (FL) and other such because of the size of their ministries. “But, they use the KJV, and they had x amount of people saved and baptized last year, and they have x number of people in their church, and YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS!”
When we start justifying the gross and unscriptural practices of Shameful Shepherds, we blemish the cause of Christ. Pastors who “protect” other pastors instead of holding them accountable for their unethical and UNLAWFUL deeds, we are partakers of their sins.
Recently, I have been “harping” on the unethical practices of men in leadership in our churches. However, what about the flat our illegal practices of these men? What about those who have criminal charges against them still preach and lead a church without any restraint? A inter-church investigation into the allegations of the Pastor, Youth Pastor, staff, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or even the “common Joe” in the church regarding a criminal manner should NOT hinder or prevent the investigation that MUST be conducted by the civil authorities.
I slightly understand why the “average Joe” would have a problem leaving this type of church or this type of pastoral leadership, but for other Pastors to patronize and yield support to such Shameful Shepherds is beyond comprehension and or excuse. I have seen and know of MANY pastors who will openly stand against the Joel Osteen’s and Rick Warren’s of the world but not against the Jack Schaap’s, Bob Gray (FL) and other such because of the size of their ministries. “But, they use the KJV, and they had x amount of people saved and baptized last year, and they have x number of people in their church, and YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS!”
When we start justifying the gross and unscriptural practices of Shameful Shepherds, we blemish the cause of Christ. Pastors who “protect” other pastors instead of holding them accountable for their unethical and UNLAWFUL deeds, we are partakers of their sins.
Recently, I have been “harping” on the unethical practices of men in leadership in our churches. However, what about the flat our illegal practices of these men? What about those who have criminal charges against them still preach and lead a church without any restraint? A inter-church investigation into the allegations of the Pastor, Youth Pastor, staff, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or even the “common Joe” in the church regarding a criminal manner should NOT hinder or prevent the investigation that MUST be conducted by the civil authorities.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Disclaimer
I have been writing some VERY critical things against the pastors among our IFB "denomination". I use denomination loosely, but anyway...I'll use it.
I just want you, as a reader, to know that failure to handle a situation scripturally, is not fixing the problem....it is masking it. If you leave without addressing the problem, you could be hurting more people than you "have been hurt".
YOU have just as much obligation to fix the problem than the Pastor. Because YOU have come to the truth on the subject (not my opinions btw...but ACTUAL EVIDENCE) and have done NOTHING about it. You turned and ran. IF the situation is bad enough to leave over, it is bad enough to fight over.
DO NOT do the cowardly thing and leave.... pulling others with you. I am not going to be guilty of insisting rebellion or a riot. However, there are SCRIPTURAL ways of handling it.
First of all, ARE YOU USING THIS AS AN EXCUSE FOR REBELLION?
Did these posts give you the license, in your own mind, to go where the grass is greener? To tell the pastor exactly how you feel? To get even with something he has preached hard about?
Secondly, EXACTLY HOW MUCH TIME have you spent in prayer over it? If you haven't bathed this situation in prayer, you are not acting out of principle...but out of passion. Check yourself....you might be covered in humanism.
Thirdly, WHAT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES are supporting your decision?
"Well, I read your blog/note...and....." is NOT going to cut mustard before the judgment seat of Christ in heaven when YOU are judged EVERY MAN (person) for the things done in YOUR body...whether good or bad.
Finally, Lets just say you are totally just in your realization...that you have a shameful shepherd.
What are you going to do about it?
DO NOT...I REPEAT...DO NOT do this:
http://timd1011.blogspot.com/2009/09/censoring-controlling-and-consuming.html
I just want you, as a reader, to know that failure to handle a situation scripturally, is not fixing the problem....it is masking it. If you leave without addressing the problem, you could be hurting more people than you "have been hurt".
YOU have just as much obligation to fix the problem than the Pastor. Because YOU have come to the truth on the subject (not my opinions btw...but ACTUAL EVIDENCE) and have done NOTHING about it. You turned and ran. IF the situation is bad enough to leave over, it is bad enough to fight over.
DO NOT do the cowardly thing and leave.... pulling others with you. I am not going to be guilty of insisting rebellion or a riot. However, there are SCRIPTURAL ways of handling it.
First of all, ARE YOU USING THIS AS AN EXCUSE FOR REBELLION?
Did these posts give you the license, in your own mind, to go where the grass is greener? To tell the pastor exactly how you feel? To get even with something he has preached hard about?
Secondly, EXACTLY HOW MUCH TIME have you spent in prayer over it? If you haven't bathed this situation in prayer, you are not acting out of principle...but out of passion. Check yourself....you might be covered in humanism.
Thirdly, WHAT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES are supporting your decision?
"Well, I read your blog/note...and....." is NOT going to cut mustard before the judgment seat of Christ in heaven when YOU are judged EVERY MAN (person) for the things done in YOUR body...whether good or bad.
Finally, Lets just say you are totally just in your realization...that you have a shameful shepherd.
What are you going to do about it?
DO NOT...I REPEAT...DO NOT do this:
http://timd1011.blogspot.com/2009/09/censoring-controlling-and-consuming.html
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Shameful Shepherd Part 6
Pastors Who Proselyte
As I was reading Matthew 23, I came across the all to familiar verse which describes the actions of the pharisees who were willing to travel the world to make one person twice the child of hell than they were. This got me thinking about "Proselyting Preachers." This is not limited to Pastors though. This problem in our churches reaches to the "average joe" who proselytes.
First of all, let me point out that the Pharisees were sincere in their actions. They were doing exactly what they knew to do. They Were determined to keep the law and to bring as many people under their doctrine as possible. They were blind in their own belief. They honestly thought they were doing right.
Face it, if a man showed up today, and started doing miracles, raising the dead, and calming the seas all while developing a gathering of followers we would mark them off as a false prophet. We jump down the pharisee's throat for their blindness, however, we also are under the same condemnation. David Koresh came professing himself to be the messiah. he gathered a group of followers, and we saw the end of his life unfold when the government was forced to attack his compound in Waco Texas.
We all shook our head in shock and anger when we learned that the Mormon Compound a few years ago was a place where children were being molested. We all said 'good' when the government took out the women and children and put the kids into foster care.
The pharisees were MORAL people! The Pharisees were religious! They were sincere! They were also guilty.
As an Independent Fundamental Baptist, I have not only witnessed, but also took part in proselyting others. What do I mean by Proselyting? Let's look at what the word means.
Main Entry: pros·e·ly·tize
Pronunciation: \ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pros·e·ly·tized; pros·e·ly·tiz·ing
Date: 1679
intransitive verb
1 : to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2 : to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
transitive verb
: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
Now, I realize that there might be an uneducated reader who perceives what I am about to say as complete heresy. I am well aware of that. However, I will take that into consideration as I continue. Far too many preachers, churches, colleges, "cliques" and organizations are proselyting people by the dozens on a weekly basis.
Atheists have said that Christianity/religion is for the weak minded, women and children. No doubt they say that because that is what we as Independent Fundamental Baptists have focused on. I attended a church where we focused our "soul winning" on the "ghetto" and the "other side of the tracks." We adjust our "plan" of "salvation" to appease to the typical welfare mentality of today's society. We purposely avoided the educated and 'socially affluent' because "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle" than it was for a rich person to be saved. I recall listening to Mr. Bob Gray from Longview,Tx preach that we should go first to the highways and hedges rather than waste our time on those who won't come to Christ.
I have seen what happens when one "builds a church" on the down and out, as a rescue mission, rather than a church. Don't get me wrong, we SHOULD help the down and out. We SHOULD minister to those in need (indeed). However, when all we strive for is to help those whom we can "win to ourselves" and meet their needs thus becoming their "savior".
We proselyte. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are likely to reach out to those who "like us". It is unavoidable. However, if we focus our whole ministry towards those who establish us as HEROES, we have failed them miserably. Proselyting people to follow our values, our slant in theology, in "standards" and "convictions" and not to the Lord Jesus Christ is an unmistakable trait of a shameful shepherd.
I remember hearing my youth pastor and Pastor parroting the statement made by Jack Hyles "if you don't have standards of your own, borrow mine until you can get some of your own". Then, when you DO establish standards that are "lower" than theirs, you are shamed and even disrespected for having lower standards than what "you once had".
Paul told the Corinthian Church "Follow me as I follow Christ" (paraphrased). Hebrews 12 tells us in a round-a-bout way "Look past the cloud of witnesses". Look PAST Moses. Look PAST Noah. Look PAST David. Look PAST Samuel. Look PAST Sarah. Look PAST those countless souls who were persecuted and killed for Christ's sake. Look PAST the angels. Look PAST the ordinances of the law. Look PAST the gifts of God through grace. Look PAST your Christian Liberty and LOOK UNTO JESUS.
Pastors who purposefully counsel, visit, "buddy up" to members who are from other churches for the sole reason to "win them" to their church is equally wrong as one who clones others to themselves. I recall a situation in which an area pastor visited people in the church I was a member of, during the pastor's absence, without the pastor's permission. Cooperation in churches is a must, but must be maintained with ministerial ethics.
"If you come to "my" church, I will give you an office, Sunday school class,a position". Really? Member swapping is just wrong on so many levels. "If you come to my church, boy, we could really use you more than you are at X-church"
I recall hearing stories, and even experiencing where a church would go and invite "bus riders" to their church moments after the church where they are faithfully attending visited them. They persuade the riders that they would have MORE FUN at THEIR church than at the church they HAVE been going to. All under the guise of "the Great Commission."
I have been guilty of these tactics. I am sure there are more that I am unaware of, and when they DO come to light, I will also repent of them.
Shame on the shepherds who proselyte.
As I was reading Matthew 23, I came across the all to familiar verse which describes the actions of the pharisees who were willing to travel the world to make one person twice the child of hell than they were. This got me thinking about "Proselyting Preachers." This is not limited to Pastors though. This problem in our churches reaches to the "average joe" who proselytes.
First of all, let me point out that the Pharisees were sincere in their actions. They were doing exactly what they knew to do. They Were determined to keep the law and to bring as many people under their doctrine as possible. They were blind in their own belief. They honestly thought they were doing right.
Face it, if a man showed up today, and started doing miracles, raising the dead, and calming the seas all while developing a gathering of followers we would mark them off as a false prophet. We jump down the pharisee's throat for their blindness, however, we also are under the same condemnation. David Koresh came professing himself to be the messiah. he gathered a group of followers, and we saw the end of his life unfold when the government was forced to attack his compound in Waco Texas.
We all shook our head in shock and anger when we learned that the Mormon Compound a few years ago was a place where children were being molested. We all said 'good' when the government took out the women and children and put the kids into foster care.
The pharisees were MORAL people! The Pharisees were religious! They were sincere! They were also guilty.
As an Independent Fundamental Baptist, I have not only witnessed, but also took part in proselyting others. What do I mean by Proselyting? Let's look at what the word means.
Main Entry: pros·e·ly·tize
Pronunciation: \ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pros·e·ly·tized; pros·e·ly·tiz·ing
Date: 1679
intransitive verb
1 : to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2 : to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
transitive verb
: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
Now, I realize that there might be an uneducated reader who perceives what I am about to say as complete heresy. I am well aware of that. However, I will take that into consideration as I continue. Far too many preachers, churches, colleges, "cliques" and organizations are proselyting people by the dozens on a weekly basis.
Atheists have said that Christianity/religion is for the weak minded, women and children. No doubt they say that because that is what we as Independent Fundamental Baptists have focused on. I attended a church where we focused our "soul winning" on the "ghetto" and the "other side of the tracks." We adjust our "plan" of "salvation" to appease to the typical welfare mentality of today's society. We purposely avoided the educated and 'socially affluent' because "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle" than it was for a rich person to be saved. I recall listening to Mr. Bob Gray from Longview,Tx preach that we should go first to the highways and hedges rather than waste our time on those who won't come to Christ.
I have seen what happens when one "builds a church" on the down and out, as a rescue mission, rather than a church. Don't get me wrong, we SHOULD help the down and out. We SHOULD minister to those in need (indeed). However, when all we strive for is to help those whom we can "win to ourselves" and meet their needs thus becoming their "savior".
We proselyte. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are likely to reach out to those who "like us". It is unavoidable. However, if we focus our whole ministry towards those who establish us as HEROES, we have failed them miserably. Proselyting people to follow our values, our slant in theology, in "standards" and "convictions" and not to the Lord Jesus Christ is an unmistakable trait of a shameful shepherd.
I remember hearing my youth pastor and Pastor parroting the statement made by Jack Hyles "if you don't have standards of your own, borrow mine until you can get some of your own". Then, when you DO establish standards that are "lower" than theirs, you are shamed and even disrespected for having lower standards than what "you once had".
Paul told the Corinthian Church "Follow me as I follow Christ" (paraphrased). Hebrews 12 tells us in a round-a-bout way "Look past the cloud of witnesses". Look PAST Moses. Look PAST Noah. Look PAST David. Look PAST Samuel. Look PAST Sarah. Look PAST those countless souls who were persecuted and killed for Christ's sake. Look PAST the angels. Look PAST the ordinances of the law. Look PAST the gifts of God through grace. Look PAST your Christian Liberty and LOOK UNTO JESUS.
Pastors who purposefully counsel, visit, "buddy up" to members who are from other churches for the sole reason to "win them" to their church is equally wrong as one who clones others to themselves. I recall a situation in which an area pastor visited people in the church I was a member of, during the pastor's absence, without the pastor's permission. Cooperation in churches is a must, but must be maintained with ministerial ethics.
"If you come to "my" church, I will give you an office, Sunday school class,a position". Really? Member swapping is just wrong on so many levels. "If you come to my church, boy, we could really use you more than you are at X-church"
I recall hearing stories, and even experiencing where a church would go and invite "bus riders" to their church moments after the church where they are faithfully attending visited them. They persuade the riders that they would have MORE FUN at THEIR church than at the church they HAVE been going to. All under the guise of "the Great Commission."
I have been guilty of these tactics. I am sure there are more that I am unaware of, and when they DO come to light, I will also repent of them.
Shame on the shepherds who proselyte.
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