Local Baptist Pastor falls

[returnman]

Just had a pastor from a very large baptist church announce his sin to the church. Very parallel to TB/Memphis. I really did like the guy and feel bad and know several families and friends that I grew up with that attend.

Close friend of ours was telling us that one of the elders in his 70's has been filling the pulpit the last couple of services preaching on outward appearance, dress, etc. She said the place is in an uproar and is afraid they will lose many if this keeps up. Kind of brings me to this thought. I didn't hear anyone upset enough to leave when the sin was announced but now that this type of preaching is coming forth the talk has turned to such.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by returnman

Just had a pastor from a very large baptist church announce his sin to the church. Very parallel to TB/Memphis. I really did like the guy and feel bad and know several families and friends that I grew up with that attend.

Close friend of ours was telling us that one of the elders in his 70's has been filling the pulpit the last couple of services preaching on outward appearance, dress, etc. She said the place is in an uproar and is afraid they will lose many if this keeps up. Kind of brings me to this thought. I didn't hear anyone upset enough to leave when the sin was announced but now that this type of preaching is coming forth the talk has turned to such.

I guess you can't expect the baptist to stand for anything too challenging.

I think every healthy Christian is very conscious of their own sin and really feel sadness for those who fall into sin and are exposed. Most of the time healthy Christians are also quick to forgive a struggling saint and encourage restoration. But "legalism" is a different animal. Legalism is a "bewitching" according to Paul. Sin was dealt with at the cross... legalism drags one away from the cross into a performance based "self-righteousness".

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I think every healthy Christian is very conscious of their own sin and really feel sadness for those who fall into sin and are exposed. Most of the time healthy Christians are also quick to forgive a struggling saint and encourage restoration. But "legalism" is a different animal. Legalism is a "bewitching" according to Paul. Sin was dealt with at the cross... legalism drags one away from the cross into a performance based "self-righteousness".

Neither the mans sin nor legalism is defined here. Are we to assume that one who cheats on his wife and plays the hypocrite with all his Church devotees should be dealt with much more gingerly than somebody who teaches that God commands holiness of his people? That THEY are to be considered an ANIMAL?

Something is way off here. "Healthy Christians" seems to be defined as people who are continually sinning! According to ANY New Testament writer if someone is committing sin there is nothing "healthy" about it.

Personally I can hardly think of a Christian over almost 4 decades that did not encourage repentance and restoration to faith.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I think every healthy Christian is very conscious of their own sin and really feel sadness for those who fall into sin and are exposed. Most of the time healthy Christians are also quick to forgive a struggling saint and encourage restoration. But "legalism" is a different animal. Legalism is a "bewitching" according to Paul. Sin was dealt with at the cross... legalism drags one away from the cross into a performance based "self-righteousness".

Excellent post.

[Cindy]

Sad. Do they really believe that outward appearances affect our actions?

I read the other day about a pastor of a church near us that was arrested for child molestation. A Pentecostal church, I don't think he is affiliated with the UPC.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Sad. Do they really believe that outward appearances affect our actions?

Wouldn't outward appearance as far as how we dress be directly linked to our action.a since it is an action?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Luke

Wouldn't outward appearance as far as how we dress be directly linked to our action.a since it is an action?

No, I am talking about how we act or what we do.

[Dordrecht]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Sad. Do they really believe that outward appearances affect our actions?

I read the other day about a pastor of a church near us that was arrested for child molestation. A Pentecostal church, I don't think he is affiliated with the UPC.

Of course not.

[houston]

Originally Posted by returnman

Just had a pastor from a very large baptist church announce his sin to the church. Very parallel to TB/Memphis. I really did like the guy and feel bad and know several families and friends that I grew up with that attend.

Close friend of ours was telling us that one of the elders in his 70's has been filling the pulpit the last couple of services preaching on outward appearance, dress, etc. She said the place is in an uproar and is afraid they will lose many if this keeps up. Kind of brings me to this thought. I didn't hear anyone upset enough to leave when the sin was announced but now that this type of preaching is coming forth the talk has turned to such.

Simple. People didn't leave over the pastor's sin because he stepped down. I don't know how you got the impression that they dismissed his sin but are leaving over LEGALISM.

[Luke]

How we dress is a choice and it is something we do it may not be what causes our actions but it is an action and it does matter.