The Salters' Hall Synod of 1719

Never heard of it?
Read about it here and its relevance for today.

http://marprelate.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/learning-the-lessons-of-history-1/

http://marprelate.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/learning-the-lessons-of-history-2/

Steve

 

That is a rather sad and jaundiced view.
If it is true then there really is no purpose either in this forum or any other.

Steve

 

Hello Jerome,
I'm sorry! I missed your question.

I think one should try to follow Matt 18. First, go and see your Minister and speak to him about your concern. Maybe you're misunderstanding him. If he won't explain himself and you think he's still in the wrong, find someone else who feels as you do and go back to the Pastor. If you still get no resolution, bring it to the Church Meeting. Then if you still get nowhere, wipe the dust off your feet and find another church.

Steve

 

In the OP, the church in question was under Presbyterian government which meant that the congregation did not have authority to remove him. You are right that the correct thing for a pastor who did not wish to uphold his church's Statement of faith, is to resign. Alas, those who will do so are few indeed.

My church belongs to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (www.fiec.org.uk ). Every Minister and officer has to sign each year that he upholds the Fellowship's Statement of Faith. failure to do so would result in the church being expelled from the fellowship, which would, of course, bring the matter to the notice of the congregation. I think that's a very good idea.

Steve