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What is forgiveable?

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by SaggyWoman, Oct 22, 2003.

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  1. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    What is forgiveable for ministerial staff? What is not?
     
    #1 SaggyWoman, Oct 22, 2003
  2. Jonathan

    Jonathan Member
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    All sins are forgiveable. I think that what you are asking is "What sins can a ministerial staff member commit and still remain on staff?"

    IMO, divorce disqualifies a man from being a pastor so, while he may be forgiven of this sin, he may no longer serve as pastor or elder. Period. The remaining biblical qualifications for pastor and elder are described in terms that allow for recovery (i.e. one prone to outbursts of anger can, over time, cease being prone to outbursts of anger. In contrast, one who has been divorced can never be "undivorced")

    After this, we need to examine the type of credibility that is needed to perform the functions of ministry. If you are an unsufferable gossip, you are not fit to be in a position of ministering to others. If you are in the throes of a porn addiction, you are unfit to minister to youth. If you are a recently convicted child molster, you are unfit to minister to children. If the desire for money (or the stuff money can buy), food, sex, status, praise, etc... get in the way, you are unfit to minister to God's people (for no other reason than the horrible example that you are setting).

    In each of these issues (and others similar), one can recover by repentance and growth.

    [ October 22, 2003, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Jonathan ]
     
    #2 Jonathan, Oct 22, 2003
  3. Jamal5000

    Jamal5000 New Member

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    Saggy,

    I assume that you define unforgivable as "any offense that would exclude a minister from effectively serving in that capacity with local church support and support from the universal body of church members".

    In that case, I would include murder, child/spousal abuse of any kind, and racism.

    Everything else is forgivable (including adultery).

    What do you think?

    J5Grand [​IMG]
     
    #3 Jamal5000, Oct 23, 2003
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    The answer is simple. Any sin that an individual church is willing to overlook. Here is on example: In a former church I attended, the pastor ran off with the church secretary. A couple years later he became pastor of another church, even though they were made aware of what happened previously.

    IMHO a church should look at the overall picture. (In the above example I would NOT vote in such a man) If I were to be on a pulpit committee again, should a pastor have had a "sin" in his past I would consider the following
    1. the severity
    2. has he truly repented
    3. how much time has elasped
    4. has he sought repentenced from the indivial he sinned against
    5. what has he done to prevent such a re- occurance (counseling, ect)
    6. (did I forget anything)

    There is one additional thing to consider. If a man has gone thru a major problem, would he be in a better position to counsel someone. It is easy for so many of us to say "I know how you feel", but if you have been thru a trial you can really mean it when you say it.
     
    #4 Salty, Oct 25, 2003
  5. arkjewel

    arkjewel New Member

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    Hello, This is my first post so I hope this is in the right place.......
    Recently, my brother found out that his wife left him for the preacher, both were really good friends with this preacher and now we found out they are got married yesterday. My question is, is there anything the could be done to let others know about this man. Apparently, this isn't the first time this has happened.
    Also, there are 3 children involved all under 10.
    Can someone help me figure out how to deal with all the things that are happening and will happen or just give me advice. Thanks in advance.
     
    #5 arkjewel, Nov 24, 2003
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    God gives two sins that are "unpardonable". Blaspheming the Spirit and shedding innocent blood of babies/young children. That applies to all mankind.

    In the christian ministry, I agree that there are NO unpardonable sins, but MANY disqualifying sins.

    And maybe some disqualifying that is not even "sin" based, per se. Just like our nation as qualifications (age, birth, nationality) to run for various offices.
     
    #6 Dr. Bob, Nov 24, 2003
  7. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    I think you gave no reason why the first rhee are forgiveable while the last is not? How is adultery not considered spousal abuse? And why can adultery be forgiven and racism not?? That doesn't seem to add up ...
     
    #7 Pastor Larry, Nov 24, 2003
  8. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I know some very good Christian men who have faced the horrors of divorcement and continue to be effective ministers of the word and of Jesus Christ. God is blessing their ministry in abundance.

    I should think all sin is forgiveable save one; the sin against the Holy Spirit; the unpardonable sin. Then, this one is an unbeliever and God knows, will never come to repentance and faith.

    Methinks some are too hard on those whom God has chosen despite their station in life. Peter denied knowing the Lord at His crucifxion, and God used him mightily. He took sword to hand and would have killed given the chance; God used him. Others killed in Old Testament, and God used them. David, Solomon and other leaders fell gravely into sin, including adultery, and God chose to use them. Let's not cut anyone short. I know I won't.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #8 Jim1999, Nov 24, 2003
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