Overweight Preachers

[freeatlast]

On another thread a poster said:

  I would hope more people as humans would have enough 
decency and be responsible enough to take care 
of their bodies.  Obesity is a real issue in this 
 country  and I can't stand seeing overweight preachers 
that aren't even responsible enough 
to maintain a healthy weight.

So is it sin to be an overweight Preacher?
Should a church consider the BMI before extending a call?
If a church desires a "proper size" should they use something in the line of the Army Regulation for weight? ( AR 600-9) pdf file Note: the Height/weight chart is on page 10

Should other church leaders be held to the standards?

Do you see overweight pastors as a problem at all?

Is overweight/excessive overweight in the same ball park as alcoholic abuse, ect?

Does the Bible teach against obesity?

Other comments

Salty

PS - no need to answer all the questions - pick out 2 or 3 possibly.

Can you give the biblical guidlines for being overweight please? What are the parameters in the bible?

 

[abcgrad94]

Yes, it is a sin to overeat. But it is not a vice that disqualifies one from the pastorate.

Bingo!

(Gasp! Did I just agree with Aaron?)

 

[Jkdbuck76]

We are really an unhealthy nation. Obesity. Heart disease. Diabetes. These are the top killers of people in our country.

I just had a scary thought: what would happen if "reverend" Phelps and his bunch at Westboro came to the realization that obesity, heart disease etc where the leading causes of death and medical bills in this country rather than the you-know-who's? Would they start protesting outside Dunkin' Donuts with sign that say "G-d H4tes Saturated Fat"?

That was a (lame) joke, ppl.

 

[saturneptune]

Lots of people are large without being gluttons. I am not very concerned about the outward appearance of a pastor. I am concerned about his actions and example. If a pastor has just delievered a sermon on the evils of drinking, dancing, gambling etc, then proceeds to the church pot luck and force feeds himself three plate fulls, we have a problem. I have seen some pat their stomachs and let everyone know how proud they are of what they just ate.

How often to you hear a sermon on gossip or gluttony?

 

[Ron Wood]

Lots of people are large without being gluttons. I am not very concerned about the outward appearance of a pastor. I am concerned about his actions and example. If a pastor has just delievered a sermon on the evils of drinking, dancing, gambling etc, then proceeds to the church pot luck and force feeds himself three plate fulls, we have a problem. I have seen some pat their stomachs and let everyone know how proud they are of what they just ate.

How often to you hear a sermon on gossip or gluttony?

I never want to hear another sermon on gossip, gluttony or any other thing. I want to hear of Christ. The more I see of Him and the more I learn of Him the more I want to honor Him and live looking to Him. I don't need to hear a sermon on sin or how to aviod it or how to live or whatever else I hear from a great many so-called preachers today. All I want and need is to see Christ and learn of Him. A glimpse of Him exposes my sin and gives me all the motive I need to live to His honor and glory.

 

[freeatlast]

I never want to hear another sermon on gossip, gluttony or any other thing. I want to hear of Christ. The more I see of Him and the more I learn of Him the more I want to honor Him and live looking to Him. I don't need to hear a sermon on sin or how to aviod it or how to live or whatever else I hear from a great many so-called preachers today. All I want and need is to see Christ and learn of Him. A glimpse of Him exposes my sin and gives me all the motive I need to live to His honor and glory.

Sounds like you have arrived. 1Cor 10:12

 

[Gershom]

Lots of people are large without being gluttons. I am not very concerned about the outward appearance of a pastor. I am concerned about his actions and example. If a pastor has just delievered a sermon on the evils of drinking, dancing, gambling etc, then proceeds to the church pot luck and force feeds himself three plate fulls, we have a problem. I have seen some pat their stomachs and let everyone know how proud they are of what they just ate.

How often to you hear a sermon on gossip or gluttony?

I cannot recall hearing a sermon on gluttony. But I have heard pastors bragging about their gluttony. Pastors should be disciplined in all areas of their life, including health.

 

[rbell]

A couple of years ago I was convicted by the fact that I had gone over 200 pounds at a height of 5'7". I felt like I was a poor testimony because my desire to eat controlled me. I knew that I was wrong so made some changes in order to get control of the situation. I am still a little overweight at 170, but have, by God's grace, regained control over my diet.

Congratulations.

I, too, had to make some "course corrections." Several years ago, I got up to 240 lb. (at 5'9"). I'm now at 159. Makes me appreciate how hard it is to change diet & lifestyle!

But that was my conviction, for me. I wouldn't begin to put that on another person. Each man should examine his own heart on this, IMHO. I'm fine with a church having a big guy as a pastor. That's between them and the Lord.

For me, it was just about getting healthier.

 

[freeatlast]

I cannot recall hearing a sermon on gluttony. But I have heard pastors bragging about their gluttony. Pastors should be disciplined in all areas of their life, including health.

You are correct. It has been my experience when a pastor is seriously over weight that they are usually also seriously lazy.

 

[Jerome]

I just had a scary thought: what would happen if "reverend" Phelps and his bunch at Westboro. . .

Oh, Phelps does preach a health gospel too. His son Nate Phelps has recounted the daily ten-mile runs, weird diets, etc. that Phelps forced on his clan.

 

[John of Japan]

You are correct. It has been my experience when a pastor is seriously over weight that they are usually also seriously lazy.

One of the hardest working and most successful missionaries I've ever known was the most overweight. I don't say that was a good testimony, and I think he should have lost the weight, but he certainly wasn't lazy.

 

[Iconoclast]

I never want to hear another sermon on gossip, gluttony or any other thing. I want to hear of Christ. The more I see of Him and the more I learn of Him the more I want to honor Him and live looking to Him. I don't need to hear a sermon on sin or how to aviod it or how to live or whatever else I hear from a great many so-called preachers today. All I want and need is to see Christ and learn of Him. A glimpse of Him exposes my sin and gives me all the motive I need to live to His honor and glory.

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

The whole of the scriptures are to preached.Any of the sins mentioned also have reference to who we are in Christ as Image bearers.

I don't need to hear a sermon on sin or how to aviod it or how to live or whatever else I hear from a great many so-called preachers today

I think this is not correct,or God would have only inspired a booklet or tract for us ,instead of a bible.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currSection=sermonstopic&keyworddesc=Gluttony&keyword=Gluttony

 

[Crabtownboy]

On another thread a poster said:

  I would hope more people as humans would have enough 
decency and be responsible enough to take care 
of their bodies.  Obesity is a real issue in this 
 country  and I can't stand seeing overweight preachers 
that aren't even responsible enough 
to maintain a healthy weight.

So is it sin to be an overweight Preacher?

No more so and no less than for anyone else to be overweight.

Should a church consider the BMI before extending a call?

Depends on the congregation and their feelings. BMI is a bit of an indicator of possible future ill health ... just as smoking would be.

Should other church leaders be held to the standards?

All Christians should be aware of the ill effects of being overweight and obese. Obesity is a pandemic in America. Already many teenagers are showing signs of ill health that in the past were associated with age.

Do you see overweight pastors as a problem at all?

Yes, their health.

Is overweight/excessive overweight in the same ball park as alcoholic abuse, ect?

Yes, eating can be an addiction and as stated above affects health.

Does the Bible teach against obesity?

Yes ...............

We are not to let our appetites control us, but we are to have control over our appetites. (See Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:2, 2 Peter 1:5-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2 Corinthians 10:5.) The ability to say “no” to anything in excess—self-control—is one of the fruits of the Spirit common to all believers (Galatians 5:22).

This seems pretty plain. And consider Proverbs:

Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 28:7 declares, “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” Proverbs 23:2 proclaims, “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”

Almost anything to excess can be sin ... too much drink, too much food are prime examples IMHO.

Salty

PS - no need to answer all the questions - pick out 2 or 3 possibly.

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[freeatlast]

One of the hardest working and most successful missionaries I've ever known was the most overweight. I don't say that was a good testimony, and I think he should have lost the weight, but he certainly wasn't lazy.

John therre is always exceptions that is why I dd not say in every case in what I wrote. However what I stated is what I have noticed. By lazy I was mostly refering to about their study habits, but it carries over into other areas as well.

 

[Ron Wood]

The whole of the scriptures are to preached.Any of the sins mentioned also have reference to who we are in Christ as Image bearers.

I think this is not correct,or God would have only inspired a booklet or tract for us ,instead of a bible.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currSection=sermonstopic&keyworddesc=Gluttony&keyword=Gluttony

My point was that we are to preach Christ. He is the focus and theme of our message. Is gluttony a sin? Sure it is but do you need for a preacher to tell you that as the theme of his sermon? The whole of the Scriptures are about Christ. We are to find Him in them and preach Him from them. The Gospel of Christ covers every circumstance and every issue in some way. We find that this is true even when we read the writings of the Apostles. When Paul deals with marriage he does so in the context of the Gospel. The Lord used physical earthly things to illustrate spiritual truth but the physical earthly was never the theme of His teaching. He taught concerning false religion and true. Religion is always about things, do this don't do that, feel this don't feel that, taste not, touch not, handle not, but truth is about a Person the Lord Jesus Christ. He may not be enough for this religious world but He is more than enough for me.

 

[saturneptune]

I never want to hear another sermon on gossip, gluttony or any other thing. I want to hear of Christ. The more I see of Him and the more I learn of Him the more I want to honor Him and live looking to Him. I don't need to hear a sermon on sin or how to aviod it or how to live or whatever else I hear from a great many so-called preachers today. All I want and need is to see Christ and learn of Him. A glimpse of Him exposes my sin and gives me all the motive I need to live to His honor and glory.

That should be the running theme in every sermon. There is nothing wrong with sermons pointing out moral issues of the local church. Christ is preached every sermon based on different verses of Scripture. Your post really misses the point. To love the Lord and follow Him has many aspects, like loving our neighbors, helping the poor, worship and adoration, the way we live our life for him, sin, end times, etc, and countless other ways to paint a picture of Jesus.

 

[saturneptune]

No more so and no less than for anyone else to be overweight.

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Except for one thing, a pastor is called to be an example and leader. This is especially if he has been pounding the podium on other life style, moral issues, and turns right around and in essence does the same thing, pats his belly, like a badge of honor. Yes, I see a big problem with that.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Except for one thing, a pastor is called to be an example and leader.

Here is the way I agree with you. He is to be the example and leader of his congregation. The congregation, as Christians, are to be examples to those in their life outside the church ... say at work. The pastor cannot do this as he cannot be in all the workplaces. For example, the facility I worked in was a closed facility and my pastor could not visit without an escort. Another example, one of my friends was a nurse on a terminal ward and most of the time a pastor could not visit there as the patients were too ill to have any visitors. In some instances it is totally up to the Christian to be a witness, physical, emotionally and lifestyle to those they meet.

So I both agree with you, but there are exceptions.

 

[Dauntie27]

I was in a church one time where the pastor was overweight. We sang a song that said, "I will pray like David prayed.." and then when the verse came up, "I will dance like David danced,.." the pastor said, "we will sing it, but we will not dance!" I was thinking to myself, "I'm glad we aren't going to sing, I will eat like pastor eats..." Wrong I know...and I did confess.
Anyway, here is my thought. A pastor does indeed set an example to the congregation. I would only offer him, 1 Corinthians 10:31-"Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all ao the glory of God."
and
Romans 12:1-"I beseech thee therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God."
Though I must admit the Bible does speak in the OT as the fattened calf as being a sacrifice.

 

[Jerome]

From the Baptist Board archives, discussion of Fairhaven Baptist College (Chesterton IN):

they have a weight limit/program that you must be involved in. If you do not meet your weekly weight goal, you are given demerits... if you are not your weight goal by graduation... they hold your diploma.