Should the weight of pastors be addressed?

[Ascetic X]

I wonder about gluttony, regardless of weight. Some can over eat without gaining weight (I was one of those at one time). But it seems the problem is self-indulgence (a mind set on the flesh) regardless of the lust.

I have seen and known a lot of overweight people. In fact, I am one . For some it is gluttony. But in my experience this is not the case with most. Often it is food choices, but normally (again, just from my experience) it is a combination of factors not assiciated with overeating.


I will use myself as an example (it is certainly safer than using anybody else).

I normally do not overeat. But working swing shift my food choices are not the best. I went from running 3 times a day to knee surgery, two bad knees and a bad back (I fractured my back). When I walk it sounds like I am walking on bubble wrap. That part is kinda neat, to be honest. Throw in 12.5 hour swing shifts and you have the perfect recipe for me.

Now, those are reasons and not excuses. I know I should develop a method to eat better foods, and to exercise more. My point is we have to be careful judging others by appearance.

But still, being obese means something probably needs to be improved, some sort of temple maintenance.

Aside from thyroid issues, obesity indicates the possibility of overeating, too much fattening food, lack of sufficient exercise, sloth, hedonism.

This should not result in us judging and condemning obese people, but they should confront their problem and try to deal with it. Especially if they are a Christian, and even more so if in a ministry position.

 

[Deacon]

So is the conclusion that large pastors should spend more time serving tables and less time studying God's word? (Acts 6)

Rob

 

[Ascetic X]

So is the conclusion that large pastors should spend more time serving tables and less time studying God's word? (Acts 6)

Rob

Overweight pastors should do diligent temple maintenance, like eating less food, avoiding fattening foods, exercise.

Studying the Word won’t help the pastor’s congregation if, through neglect of his body, the pastor dies from an obesity related illness.

The choice is not between serving tables and studying God’s Word.

The choice is between honoring the body God gave you vs. not keeping it healthy.

 

[JonC]

But still, being obese means something probably needs to be improved, some sort of temple maintenance.

Maybe. I gained weight when I fractured my back and had to have knee replacement. Mobility and meds work against me.

Before this I ran 3 times a day, for an hour each time. Probably why I had to have knee replacement

 

[Ascetic X]

Maybe. I gained weight when I fractured my back and had to have knee replacement. Mobility and meds work against me.

Before this I ran 3 times a day, for an hour each time. Probably why I had to have knee replacement

I’m sorry you experienced knee trouble. I broke my lower back twice in the 1990s, but my knees, calves, ankles were fine…until I slipped on black ice last December and broke my left hip and left shoulder. Now my right knee is stiff, my calves are tight, and my ankles are stiff.

I used to have a dog that I took on long hikes through the nearby park’s nature trails, and walked 5 miles or more often, with no problem.

So now, since my catastrophic fall, being less active, I have gained weight. I walk 100 laps around my driveway or livingroom every day, to try to stay fit. I also do a lot of physical therapy home exercises daily.

 

[JonC]

I’m sorry you experienced knee trouble. I broke my lower back twice in the 1990s, but my knees, calves, ankles were fine…until I slipped on black ice last December and broke my left hip and left shoulder. Now my right knee is stiff, my calves are tight, and my ankles are stiff.

I used to have a dog that I took on long hikes through the nearby park’s nature trails, and walked 5 miles or more often, with no problem.

So now, since my catastrophic fall, being less active, I have gained weight. I walk 100 laps around my driveway or livingroom every day, to try to stay fit. I also do a lot of physical therapy home exercises daily.

Thanks. My weight is dropping now. I walk.

My gain was for not bring active (one can't go from running to not doing much with your body saying "hey, 'sup?").

I am not what I would call obese (although I probably would be by medical standards...the Army wanted me no heaven than 205 lbs, at that time I was 210 but also too skinny....I am tall).

Still, I need to loose about 50 lbs. (I have been loosing about 3 lbs a week since being able to exercise again).

 

[Salty]

A few years ago - I lost 30 pounds in 4 days.
OK - I was in the hospital -for that purpose - and I was on medication.
Most of the weight I lost was water weight.

Since those 30 pounds I have lost - I have lost another 20-30 pounds over time.

BUT -
When I go to the State fair and I play the "Guess your weight" I always win - they are normally about 20 pounds off!

 

[JonC]

When I go to the State fair and I play the "Guess your weight" I always win - they are normally about 20 pounds off!

Over or under?

 

[Salty]

Over or under?

They think I weigh less than I actually do!
NY State fair starts in about 2 weeks!

 

[canadyjd]

What if…

A man is obese while unsaved… is drawn by God Holy Spirit into a saving relationship… stops being a “glutton”… and simoly never loses weight?

Calories in equal calories burned.

Is he a sinner for being obese? Is he disqualified from the pastorate,

Peace to you

 

[SovereignGrace]

I blame it all in great tasting spoons, forks, and knives. Make them less tasty.

 

[Kai]

I think Matthew 7:1-3 is applicable here:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

For all we know, the weight of an individual may be out of their control due to an underlying medical issue, and we shouldn't be going around trying to pry into people's personal lives in an attempt to expose a particular sin.

 

[Ascetic X]

I think Matthew 7:1-3 is applicable here:


For all we know, the weight of an individual may be out of their control due to an underlying medical issue, and we shouldn't be going around trying to pry into people's personal lives in an attempt to expose a particular sin.

Proverbs 23:20-21

Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.


Deuteronomy 21:20

And they shall say to the elders of his city, "This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard."


Philippians 3:18-19

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.


Gluttony is the cause of being overweight in the vast majority of cases. Insufficient exercise also is sometimes a factor.

A pastor needs to set a good, godly example for his flock.

Gluttony is a sin that cannot be hidden. Our god must not be our stomach. We must exercise self-control as Christians.

We should not condemn fornication, theft, alcoholism, drug abuse, gossip, and other sins, while tolerating gluttony.

 

[Kai]

Gluttony is a sin that cannot be hidden.

We also have no way of knowing just by looking at a person's body if their size is the result of genetics, medications, or hormonal imbalances. We could be in sin ourselves if we jump to conclusions without having all the facts.

 

[Ascetic X]

We also have no way of knowing just by looking at a person's body if their size is the result of genetics, medications, or hormonal imbalances. We could be in sin ourselves if we jump to conclusions without having all the facts.

My point is not that we should confront or condemn obese pastors.

My point is that pastors should set a good example of self-control in the consumption of food.

Food is often a big part of church events. You can easily observe who fills up their plate repeatedly and who eats smaller portions. But still, we need to focus on our own discipline, health, and weight.

 

[JonC]

Should we address pastors who are obsessed with their physical bodies?

I am asking seriously. I have known a few (not many) pastors who were obsessed with physical health. Their ministry activities revolved around exercise (excluding those too old or with disabilities, or who lacked that obsession).

My belief is any such obsession is bad (whether it is an obsession with food or with what we put into our bodies).


Is it wrong to address a pastor who is trapped in gluttony?

It is not unless that is our "line in the sand". Our bodies are temporary. An obsession that damages the body is just as bad as an obsession with our bodies.


My caution is to first remove the log out of our eye, make sure the reason for obesity is gluttony, and them address the pastor in love and support. A good way to do this (once that is completed) woukd be to encourage the pastor to use a weight loss program (exercise and monitoring food intake) as a ministry to others with the same struggle.

 

[Van]

Does scripture indicate one of the qualifications for Elders is an absence of gluttony? Not really. But their appetite or lust for satisfying physical desires cannot be their god.

People who do not have a weight problem might like to think those that do simply need to exercise self control like they themselves do. And of course an overweight person might find pride and arrogance in the make-up of their accusers.

When we eat enough to be satisfied, is that always more than we should eat? Many overweight people found that with the help of GLP1 drugs, they too can eat until satisfied and not eat too much.
On the other hand, someone who does not do their best to battle over-eating might find it difficult to preach on self control.

 

[JonC]

Does scripture indicate one of the qualifications for Elders is an absence of gluttony? Not really. But their appetite or lust for satisfying physical desires cannot be their god.

People who do not have a weight problem might like to think those that do simply need to exercise self control like they themselves do. And of course an overweight person might find pride and arrogance in the make-up of their accusers.

When we eat enough to be satisfied, is that always more than we should eat? Many overweight people found that with the help of GLP1 drugs, they too can eat until satisfied and not eat too much.
On the other hand, someone who does not do their best to battle over-eating might find it difficult to preach on self control.

Those I know who are overweight from gluttony or food choices (many I know are overweight for other reasons) are so not from reasons most also struggle with. They just have different coping mechanisms (eating as a coping mechanism, of not learning proper nutrition, or because of economics).

What I mean is it not worse for a person to overeat than it is for a person to indulge or become obsessed with things other than gluttony.

We are not to be mastered by any of these things.

The problem with pointing to overweight pastors is it is low hanging fruit. It is what can be obviously seen and assumed to be the result of gluttony.

But what if this pastor who struggles with food lacks the issues to which other pastors fall prey?

 

[Kai]

It's surprisingly simple for folks to put on weight—not always because they're overeating, but rather because they're taking in more calories than their body actually needs each day.

In our fast-paced world, it's super convenient to swing through a drive-thru for a quick meal. A Big Mac and french fries might not seem like a huge amount of food, but here's the thing: they're very dense in calories. Since most people don't bother tracking their calorie intake, weight gain often happens simply because it goes unchecked for too long.