Still Where the Lord Planted You?

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Rico

I used to have a pastor who literally thought you were out of the blessing plan of God if you didn't consult him on things like buying a car, going to visit unsaved family members, moving to another house, etc. I finally told him I wasn't going to come ask his permission every time I wanted to spend $50. He told me it was fine but not to be surprised if God stopped blessing me. It was another step in my leaving that church. lol

I don't believe a pastor needs to be consulted over every decision a person makes, but for MAJOR life-changing decisions, I strongly think it would be wise.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by Rico

I wish I was closer to my family. We all are in the same state (my side of this marriage anyway), but it's still too far to see each other very often. My wife's family is in California. She hasn't seen some of them since she was a child.

That's awesome.

I think if one has a good relationship with their family, then they would want to communicate and visit and perhaps not move so far away.

[Sister Alvear]

I would consult my pastor in any major decision. I don´t think I would bother him about what car I want or little things but something that might affect my life or walk with God I would talk with him.
Of course my pastor is not the abusive or nosey type...

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I would consult my pastor in any major decision. I don´t think I would bother him about what car I want or little things but something that might affect my life or walk with God I would talk with him.
Of course my pastor is not the abusive or nosey type...

Is your husband your pastor?

[Sister Alvear]

Well over here yes but I was refering to Brother Taylor where I grew up.

[Sam]

I was baptized in Jesus' Name and received the HGB in Wisconsin. A few months later went to Minnesota to Bible School with my pastor's blessing.

I came to Ohio from Minnesota for the summer in 1957 and the way things worked out have been in Ohio ever since.

I went to a UPC church in Ohio for about 7 years and then started going to an ALJC church for a smaller, less judgmental church. This was not with the UPC pastor's blessing. At the UPC church I taught Sunday School and occasionally filled in for the pastor by preaching.

I left the ALJC church after about 15 years because the pastor was preaching false doctrine. While there I taught Sunday School and filled in for the pastor by preaching.

I went to a Vineyard church for about 8 years. My wife did not care for that church because it was so large. I could actually go to a Sunday morning service, look around at a couple of thousand people and maybe only know one or two. While at the Vineyard, I was a POC (pastor on call) for about 5 years, did some teaching at seminars and small groups, did outreach and was on a couple of prayer teams. I told the pastor over the prayer ministry and other prayer team leaders why I was leaving and they had no problem with it. I told them I wanted to go to a smaller church that was more "Pentecostal." I still get calls to do prayer visitation and a while back preached a funeral for them.

Around Easter 2006 we started going to a much smaller church. I'm involved in outreach and have been teaching the midweek Bible Study.

Looking back, I do not think I have "missed" God's will for me and that for right now I'm where I'm supposed to be.

[jaxfam6]

I have heard all my life that we are 'planted' by God in a certain place and that is where God intends for us to stay. Well I can also say that those who I have heard that from have also been major control freaks. I say if we are planted by the River of Liviing Waters then it doesn't matter where at on that river we are planted and since we have the ability to move about we have the right to do so also. I saw no where in scripture that says we had to stay in one church or one place. As long as God is who we focus on and what we focus on he will allow us to move and do as he sees fit. If he does not want us some place he will make it clear to us. He may even let us go there but he will make a way for us to get to where he actually wants us.

I do think that advice is good in major decisions as long as you are getting it from someone who is God fearing. I do not think that has to be the pastor. Telling me that God will tell my pastor something before me is crazy. God lives in me and will talk to me. The pastor is the watchmen and if he sees something that will or could harm he is to cry out, but he is not the only source that God speaks to and through. If I hear from God then I am obligated to act on it rather my pastor hears from God about it or not. I think God will confirm things for us rather through the pastor or leadership or another person God will always confirm for you.

[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by tstew

On a related note, how does this apply to staying in the organization where God planted you, if at all?

Organizations change.

The Methodist church is a very good example of how organizations change. The Methodist church has changed so much since before.

My pastor stayed in his church where he was born again, was publically rebuked in his church but endured the chastening, was used to preach by his pastor, called into the ministry under his pastor, and went evangelizing with his pastor's blessing. He was asked to consider pastoring my church over 30+ years ago and ended up doing so; since then the church has grown.

My pastor's pastor was the late I. H. Terry who ended up putting out somewhere around 40+ preachers.

My pastor has not deviated from what he was taught by his Pastor. His pastor asked my Pastor to preach his funeral.

My pastor has been pastoring the same church for 30+ years and was the second longest member of the UPC general board before voluntarily stepping down this past year. Also, he was the district super for over 20+ or 25+ years. This speaks of stability.

If you know your history concerning the KJV of the bible and the Catholic's counter-reformation movement and what they planned and did to counteract the reformation movement; then you'll see that the enemy flooded England's churches, universities, etc with RCC's which resulted in getting permission to produce another bible other than the KJV which was the RSV.

Many other organizations used to stand for holiness, but were not able to keep up with those who have truth.

Liberalism has a way of entering into organizations.

Paul, Jude, and Peter all wrote about those who would creep in unawares, show an example of turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (lawlessness), some on the inside would rise up speaking perverse (distort, misinterpret, corrupt) things, drawing away from the truth disciples after them, not being able to endure sound doctrine; false teachers being among them on the inside causing many to follow their destructive ways by reason of speaking evil of the way of truth, using covetousness and feigned words making merchandise of God's people.

Sometimes purging and church-splitting is necessary. At some point, you have to come out from among them and be ye separate.

How can 2 walk together except they be agreed?

If one can no longer endure, then there are 2 choices - they either leave and do their own thing; or they stay and try to effect the changes that they desire on the inside. Either approach will eventually lead to a parting of the ways. Either the organization will stay strong and stand for what they have always stood for, not removing the ancient landmarks that their fathers have resurrected and not building again those things that they once destroyed; in which case the others will have to depart and start their own new thing. Or if the organization will NOT stay strong and stand for what they have always stood for, removing the ancient landmarks that their fathers have resurrected and building again those things that they once destroyed; then the others will have to come out from among them and be separate.

A house divided against itself shall not stand. How can 2 walk together except they be agreed. Its better to split on as best terms as possible, wish each other the best and each go their separate ways and try to win as much people as possible.