Should the weight of pastors be addressed?

[Logos1560]

We Need to Address Pastoral Obesity — For the Gospel

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but that doesn't make them unimportant. In this article, Costi Hinn addresses the often-overlooked issue of pastoral obesity, arguing that physical stewardship is not merely a health concern but a matter of self-control, longevity, and faithful ministry.

www.forthegospel.org

 

[Ascetic X]

Odd that chronic overeating was mentioned once, but the word gluttony is not to be found in this article.

Obesity in pastors indicates neglect of exercise and a lust for fattening food. Orthodox teaching in the Philokalia collection of texts by desert monks says that gluttony leads to sexual immorality.

For some reason, this article shies away from calling obesity something caused by sin. But it is a brave and important article that will meet with much resistance.

This quote is central to the issue.

Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you...therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Obviously most of us relate that passage to fleeing sexual immorality (and rightfully so), but we must be careful not to overlook the underlying principle. Our physical bodies are a temple in which the Holy Spirit resides and they should be treated as His vessel for use, honor, and the glory of God. Obesity, just like sexual immorality, denigrates the physical temple in which the Spirit resides.

 

[atpollard]

Should the weight of pastors be addressed?​

(Only female pastors … we should talk about their age and weight.)

 

[David Lamb]

Odd that chronic overeating was mentioned once, but the word gluttony is not to be found in this article.

Obesity in pastors indicates neglect of exercise and a lust for fattening food. Orthodox teaching in the Philokalia collection of texts by desert monks says that gluttony leads to sexual immorality.

For some reason, this article shies away from calling obesity something caused by sin. But it is a brave and important article that will meet with much resistance.

This quote is central to the issue.

I agree that many people (not only pastors) are obese because of over-eating, or eating the wrong kinds of food. However, surely some people are obese because of some medical problem such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland.)

 

[Marooncat79]

Cortisol levels

 

[Ben1445]

Let all things be equal. If you want to address obesity, do you approve of a skinny pastor addressing the issue of obesity?
If you’re not saying that all of it needs to be addressed, then you’re not equal. And I don’t think that it is okay for pastors to be gluttonous.

 

[Deacon]

I think a biblical church should have at least 3 to 4 hundred pounds of pastors.

Rob

 

[Ascetic X]

5 Reasons Why Pastors Don't Preach on Gluttony

glutton, glut, food, rich, overeat, obese, weight, lose, pounds, dress, size, inches, diet, exercise, discipline, workout, muscle, fat, health

www.christianity.com

A preacher can wax forth on the other so-called deadly sins (pride, lust, avarice, anger, envy and sloth) all day long, and everyone except his wife will assume he has the issue well in hand and has no difficulty with this particular discipline.

But not gluttony.

If he overeats, everyone knows it. The bulging waistline, the strained collar, the coat that will not button—all speak eloquently to the failure of the preacher to rein in his appetite.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

I think we should all be better stewards of the body God has given us. I wouldn't hold it against a preacher for being "fat" so long as he isn't bragging about being fat! And yes, they are out there!

 

[JonC]

Well... the "prince of preachers" was an obese, smoking drinker.

 

[Ascetic X]

Lust for sex is preached against.

Lust for food is not.

Ministry events often include food.

Self control is a primary feature of Christian life.

To smoke, drink, and over indulge in food makes a Christian seem insincere.

This is the big problem. You are undermining yourself if you are preaching a message that has a transforming power at its core, but you are obviously a slave to and conquered by food.

Where is the power of the gospel to restrain your flesh? Does it work?

What's the Big Deal about being a Fat Pastor?

I was greatly encouraged in both the reach and the response of the initial ‘Fat Pastor’ post. Overall the response was positive. Many pastors emailed or commented discussing their own struggles with their weight. And many church members also chimed in with their ‘take’ on portly pastors. Good...

www.thegospelcoalition.org

 

[Ben1445]

I think a biblical church should have at least 3 to 4 hundred pounds of pastors.

Rob

I can easily find one man to do that job for you.

 

[atpollard]

I think a biblical church should have at least 3 to 4 hundred pounds of pastors.

Rob

I can easily find one man to do that job for you.

"Historical records suggest that the renowned 19th-century British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was approximately 5'9" tall and weighed around 350 pounds during his peak and later years."

I'd hire him.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Well... the "prince of preachers" was an obese, smoking drinker.

Like this guy?

 

[Ascetic X]

More than a third of American clergy members are obese, with stress, longer hours, being underpaid, and lack of self-care among the reasons, according to a Baylor University study.

Portly Pastors Widespread, but Sabbaticals and Peer Support Can Help Fight Fat, Baylor Study Finds

news.web.baylor.edu

 

[JonC]

To be fair, I would question a skinny pastor. If the pastor is obese at least you know there will be good food...even if you have to fight for it.

I would classify myself as obese. I ran for years, but after the Army a fractured back, bad knees (one fake), and a couple of meds helped get me where I am today. I also helped.

 

[Ascetic X]

Proverbs 23:19–21 mentions gluttony directly.

In giving wisdom to those who would avoid self-induced hardship, the wise man says,

“Listen, my son, and be wise,
and set your heart on the right path:
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.”


The path of those who indulge in too much wine and too much food is a ruinous one. Moderation in all things is much preferred over gluttony (see also Proverbs 28:7).

Gluttony is a sin because the Bible promotes self-control as one of the characteristics of the Spirit-led life. We are to curb physical appetites and not let them control us. There are many things about our bodies that we must control: our sexual behavior (1 Thessalonians 4:4), our tongues (James 3:1–12), our hands (Proverbs 16:17), our feet (Proverbs 16:18), and our eyes (Mark 9:47). It stands to reason that we must also control our stomachs. The ability to say “no” to anything in excess is a godly skill.

Is gluttony a sin? What does the Bible say about overeating? | GotQuestions.org

Is gluttony a sin? What does the Bible say about overeating? Why is the sin of gluttony so often ignored by Christians?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Martin Marprelate]

'Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such that sleep o'nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.' [Shakespeare: Julius Caesar]

 

[JonC]

We also need to separate gluttony from obesity. Lifestyles, what one eats, medical issues, etc. rather than gluttony can make one overweight.

I mentioned I am overweight. But gluttony is not an issue for me (I'm eating lunch right now - a tomato and a cucumber... its hot here).

I think the prohibition against gluttony is more about indulging the flesh.

 

[Ascetic X]

'Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such that sleep o'nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.' [Shakespeare: Julius Caesar]

You quote Shakespeare to belittle the dangerous sin of over-eating?

Men that are fat are men who over-indulge, reveling in their lust for more food than they need.

Gluttony is perhaps the most tolerated sin in American Christianity.

Gluttony, after all, is food worship. It’s table idolatry. Exalting stomach over spirit.

People complain about pastors living in mansions, but how about pastors living in obese bodies?

Lack of self-control in any area of life is sinful disobedience to God.

Obesity is no joke. It brings many diseases along with it. Food addiction must be overcome like any compulsive behavior.