Body Weight & Church Service

I think because of sin people are fat. Sometimes it's a result, sometimes it's genetics. My mother has always had a weight problem even though she hardly eats. She once ate nothing but salads for a week and gained a pound. We should take care of our bodies, but sometimes it's out of our control.

 

How are they any different than the average person? Genetics and gluttony which leads to weight gain are no respector of persons, pastor or not.

 

Our pastor just preached an interesting sermon touching on such a subject.
http://www.kingdombaptist.org/playsermon.cfm?title=Adorned_For_The_King

not dealing with pastors, although many times he has rebuked this spirit in baptist churches that says if it isn't fried, it isn't food. Pastors are dying of heart attacks all the time, because they ignore health issues that even the outside world takes care over.

 

I have struggled with weight ever since I graduated from high school. Just about a year ago I became very convicted that I could not be the pastor that I needed to be unless I dealt with my weight and health issues. Over a period of several months I changed my diet and began exercising regularly and I lost 45 lbs and was in the best shape of my life. Over the last couple months I have gotten away from that and gained a few of those pounds back, but I am back in control now and I am not going to let my weight get out of control again.

It does bother me when I see pastors(and anyone)who are grossly overweight and really do not seem interested in doing anything about it. Now I know there are certain situations where weight cannot be changed even by the most disciplined person. I am not speaking of those situations.

My conviction is a personal one between the Lord and I. I am not, nor will I ever hold my conviction as applicable for any other pastor or person. I just feel strongly that for me to be the best follower of Christ, husband, father, and pastor I had to change my lifestyle. I also am aware that it will be a lifelong battle.

 

I have a weight problem. I don't consider myself gluttonous. My weight is partially due to having 3 children, part to genetics, part to an illness, and a part from the illness that caused me not to exercise.
I now exercise, I do fitness walking, a bit of jogging, weights, and other things. I have lost 30 lbs but I still have a long way to go (about 50 lbs). I feel tremendously better than I have in years.
Being overweight in itself may have many causes. It is between that person and God, as mentioned by PastorSBC1303.

 

Since I could lose a few pounds, I don't ever criticize fat people. Since I don't drink, I am against drinking. Remember, this is partly cultural. Some societies prefer their women to be, uh, what's the word, Rubenesque.

 

Rubenesque, that is a nice word... Is that from eating too many reubens?

Ge 45:18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

Psa 22:29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship...

Psa 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

Pro 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

OK. Just kidding around. I know that gluttony is a sin, I have just never felt "led" to preach on that one very much... Even though it would probably be good for me to lose about 25 pounds (215 at 5'10). Just wanted to "stir the pot" a little bit.

 

rj said:

Actually, I mis-spelled it. It's Reubenesque.

Peter Paul Reubens was born in 1577 in Antwerp. He traveled Italy a lot as a young man during the Renaissance period. He developed into a great artist, with many of his paintings commissioned by the Catholic Church. The men he painted were always muscular and flat-bellied. Many of the women of his paintings would never qualify as a model today. He did portray some women as slender, but there were some who were definitely full-figured.
Here's one called The Dance of the Villagers.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/R/rubens/rubens_dance.jpg.html

 

There's nothing wrong with a woman looking healthy. I never understood the Kate Moss phenomenon. Why people think the methamphetamine look is beautiful is beyond me.

 

It is society/culture that tells us whats fat and whats skinny, whats acceptable and whats not. We as christians should not bow not the pressure to judge like our society/culture does. Judging people based on physical looks is worldliness.

 

Does "obese" and "gluttony" necessarily go hand in hand? I've seen some people who barely eat who are extremely obese; I've seen others who could eat enough food for a family of four and not gain a pound.

 

Good point. Judging those people is falsely judging.

 

It is very hard to lose weight. I am not even overweight, but all of a sudden this summer I put on 15 pounds. None of my clothes fit and new clothes was not really an option. So for someone who has always had real weight issues and in their middle age, I cannot fault them. And yes, they may get fatter. I am thinking of my mysterious 15 pounds...I wasn't eating more, but it came upon me all the same.

Now, I used to have a friend that was grossly overweight and ate like a hog...but always got a diet coke and complained about her weight. That is a different issue. Do you see these pastors eating like hogs?

 

Proverbs talks about (I think it is chapter 23)puting a knife to your throat if you are a man (or woman) given to appetite. I am not sure what the context of that passage is though.

I think to be overweight is not a sin--many people become thick as they age and because of health issues. ( I personally think a skinny grandma is all wrong--a plump one is just so cuddly) I think the sin lies in not having self control or in using food as "comfort" much the way folks use cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. I also think it could be considered a sin to eat foods that you KNOW will make you feel bad. Sugar and wheat products for me. When you don't feel well, you are not as productive. Then, again, I also feel our nation has become way too "body conscious".

I have great sympathy for heavy people. I try not to judge why they are that way. After having my last baby 7 years ago I was steadily gaining weight. Three years ago I was finally diagnosed with thyroid disease. I was put on medication and was able to lost 40 pounds. Partly from the meds and partly because I finally had enough energy to walk 5 miles a day. Well, my doctor switched my meds and my thyroid wacked out again and I gained all the weight back in about 4 months. My meds were switched back to the original and it has taken a year and a half to get my thyroid regulated again. I am just now begining to have any energy again--so it is time to start getting rid of the weight again. I feel like wearing a sign on my back that says "I am fat because my thyroid gland is stupid!!!!" There is a man at our church who weighs about 450 with thyroid trouble that cannot be helped with meds. He has tried everything. His weight is not sin anymore than being bald is.

So, it depends I guess. I do know in my own experience that when I am thinner, I am more outgoing and friendlier and that in itself helps one be a better witness etc.. It is easier to do anything when you feel better. But,sometimes weight just cannot be helped. I guess if it is in your power to control your weight, then I think (as a healthier person) you would be better able to serve the Lord.

I take comfort in that my husband (who has a middle age paunch) and I refer to Song of Solomon and the way he speaks of his love's tummy as a "heap of wheat"--notice it says "heap"--definitly not a hollywood tummy!

 

I am with some of yall here. The Lord convicted me 2 years ago (actually before, thats just when I admitted it)that I needed to get control of that area in my life. Since then, I lost 100 pounds by eating right and exercising. When the hurricane hit, I had to eat ravioli and canned junk, and it took me a while to get back in the frame of mind of eating right. When we got power back 2 weeks later, I was enjoying the chips, debbie cakes and MREs a little too much, lol. I gained some back, but have lost some of that already and am working hard. The verse that has inspired me more than any others is this:

"I discipline my body and bring it under subjection, so that when I have preached to others, I myself might not be disqualified." I Cor 9:27

 

...and am working hard...

That's the bottom line, ain't it ? Eating right and exercise improve the quality of life. Some cannot exercise, but everyone can eat right. But it's hard to stay in good shape, and it gets harder as you get older. You have to want it, and you have to work at it. Good for you, TaterTot!!!!!

To answer the question, remember Jonah's sins were pride & prejudice, and he produced fruit. An obese pastor could lead people to the Lord, plant churches elsewhere, and support misions.