Featured Pastor Smokes?

Is smoking a sin?

 

Depends. What's he smokin'?

 

I used to attend a church where the pastor dumped his wife and went back home to Pennsylvania for his High School Sweetheart.

It took us a while to find a replacement..., that it did.

Smoking? It's funny how a 350 pound man can stand in front of a church and preach against smoking.

Smoking? In Tennessee & Kentucky not many preach against a shot of whiskey on occasion.

Smoking? ...I do. Tobacco that is. Is it right for a Christian to do so? I don't know.

 

Stepping on some toes.





:laugh:

 

Consider This....

I'm all for liberty under grace, but NOT for license. If you can smoke (I used to smoke heavily but God delivered me from it) and do it in front of a lost and dying world (not to mention in the constant presence of a Holy God) and do it to the glory of God then help yourself. But THAT is the big question now...isn't it?
The standard is: 1 Cor.10:29 - 33 which says:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (emphasis mine)
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
(KJV)

On a lighter note....I've always heard that smoking will not send a man/woman to hell.....but it will do two other possible things.....make him or her SMELL like they've BEEN THERE.....and possibly hasten his/her departure from HERE.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

A 350 pound man probably can't see his own toes if he's standing.

I served as an intentional interim with the Church of the Nazarene. Folk were quick to list off the smoking, drinking, card playing. motion picture show mantra. They said it was unholy living.

Proverbs 6:16-19 NAS77

16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.​

With the exception of the bloodshed part many of the folks lived in the middle of the rest of it and didn't seem to mind- as long as you didn't smell of cigarette smoke and a nip of the recipe. That said, I would rather sit under a pastor that loved the Shepherd and the sheep that smoked than one who abused the pulpit doing harm to the people.

 

Smokes What?

 

How bout eatin food full of saturated fat. (with curly fries)

Or a 64 OZ Soda.

Dont do that in NYC or Blumberg will have you arrested! :laugh:

 

I hesitate to throw rocks at people .... Ive got enough of my own character flaws. So no I would not boycott a guy who smokes.

 

I'm curious...what parts of the qualifications for ministers in the Pastoral Epistles lists smoking as disqualifying?

What about dipping? What about the occassional cigar? How about a pipe?

I'll second the point about the hypocrisy of a 400 lb preacher who gorges relentlessly griping about smoking.

Honestly, I don't care. But I'm a pastor who doesn't smoke either. Would I have someone on staff who does? I don't know.

Honesty, once you get into these preferential areas it ends up being a big game of chance as to what some churches fnd acceptable and others don't. I will say this...I know of two pastors of significant churches one smokes a pipe while working on his sermons and the other smokes regularly. Doesn't seem to bother their parishioners much.

 

I just dont want to get judgmental on a guy for that. If you have ever smoked then you might know how difficult it is to quit.

If he smokes than he has got to be aware of the dangers. That is enough of a burden he has to grapple with, right.

 

Ah yes, the mantra of all Baptists before they head in, both forks charging, for the buffet line. Or as they roll up to McDonalds for that super sized extra value meal.

Where does ethical food end up here? How about veganism? How about organic food? Why stop at smoking?