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NASB | 1 Timothy 4:6 ¶ In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 4:6 ¶ If you point out these instructions to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished [through study] on the words of the faith and of the good [Christian] doctrine which you have closely followed. |
Bible Question:
Are there many pastors (or ex-pastors) on this Forum who have been "wounded" by their congregation or District Superintendent or overseeing board of directors for "political reasons" and have been forced out from fulfilling their calling as pastors? If so, how is the church to minister to a pastor and his family who is among the 'walking wounded'? Are there places for pastors and their families (who have been burnt before in the past) to fulfill their calling? |
Bible Answer: Dear Makarios, Greetings in Jesus' name! I was asked this same question by another brother on the forum recently. Following is an excerpt of my own experience. I can only pray that it helps our little community to understand some of the things that pastors go through to serve their flock: …you asked about my 'excommunication' experience. You may recall I sent you 'my testimony' last year explaining my salvation in Pittsburgh and my coming to Japan. Well, my pastor had about that time become involved with overseeing a few other churches in Alabama, Ohio, Hawaii, England, Brazil, and South Africa. He would visit each of the churches about once a year, encouraging us, and ministering the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was always done in order, and giving honor to the local pastor. Well, in his own church, his first-born had come of age, and my pastor's wife was kind of anxious to get 'Junior' into the ministry, more specifically, the pastor's chair. This would mean my pastor would have to become 'Senior Pastor,' which is fine, I guess (but not in the Bible). Then, he created an 'Apostolic Team' and started to make noise that we must pay homage to this new entity. I was not asked my opinion about this, but I went along, more by shutting my mouth than agreeing. Well, it escalated into a pseudo-denomination, and I was getting very uncomfortable. This all happened just as we were about to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I went all-out, and invited all of my co-workers, their wives, and of course, my pastor. Well, he was taken ill, and could not come, so sent his son as representative. Then he told me that our celebration would be a great opportunity for a 'Pastor's Conference.' I disagreed. All was fine until everyone arrived, and the 'young pup' called me to carpet, explaining that this WAS a 'Pastor's Conference,' and that any guest that was not a pastor (I invited, at my expense, several good friends) was not invited to the proceedings. Well... I told him (very nicely!) that it would not happen that way. Well, we had a great 10th Anniversary anyway, and I smoothed things over with my pastor after 'Junior' went home. All was OK for almost a year, until they had some problems at my home church. There was an ugly split that ended with 25 percent of the 400 people there leaving the church. I was uninvolved, but someone (I still do not know who!) said I was on the side of the dissenters. He asked me to give him my 'allegiance.' I said that he was my pastor, and Jesus is my Lord, that should be enough! He said, "You're outta here!" and cut communications with all the people in the church and other churches. That was over 3 years ago. There is a lot more detail, but that just about wraps up the basics. I have left a door open, and have never bad-mouthed my pastor, but he is adamant. He is also very sick, and this situation saddens me much. But, my job is not politics, and I am no longer a resident of Pittsburgh, so I do what God has given me to do! Many blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |