Questionability, Do You Believe In It?

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Do you believe that leadership should be open to being questioned on their decisions?

If their decisions appear to be inconsistent with scripture, yes. However, I think that those who seem automatically inclined to question leadership have a rebellious spirit.

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

If one is going to question doctrine... the unscriptural kind is the best kind to question.

Yeah...I thought so too!

[Margies3]

There is, however, a difference between questioning leadership because you need to know the reasoning in order to understand better and thereby grow or questioning leadership because you are sure you are right and they are wrong and you want to drive that point home to them.

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

If one is going to question doctrine... the unscriptural kind is the best kind to question.

Doctrine is one thing. If you are questioning your church's stance on a particular subject. Say, a platform standard, membership standard. If you don't like it, you don't have to go there. The church I attend has three levels. Fellowship, Membership and Leadership. All three have different requirements.

Fellowship-Anyone and Everyone(Exception to those that sow discord,disunity)

Membership-Believe the Salvational Doctrine, Keep a holiness standard based on biblical/scriptural examples, Support the church in finance, attendance, prayer, fasting

Leadership-Same as Membership with additional commitment to even higher standard and accountability on all levels.

[RevDWW]

Sure, you should be able to ask anything of those in leadership but your attitude in asking needs to be right. Constructive rather than destructive, would be good as well.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Yes. Although I think that respect should be shown whenever questions are posed. I don't think that anyone needs to tolerate disrespect and impertinence.

The person asking the questions needs to be open to receiving answers they don't agree with and loving their leader[s] anyway.

Bingo!!

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Chan

If their decisions appear to be inconsistent with scripture, yes. However, I think that those who seem automatically inclined to question leadership have a rebellious spirit.

This is very often true. Important point to make!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Margies3

There is, however, a difference between questioning leadership because you need to know the reasoning in order to understand better and thereby grow or questioning leadership because you are sure you are right and they are wrong and you want to drive that point home to them.

This is so true!

[Esther]

How you ask the questions would be an important consideration.

I love my pastor, and he was made decisions that I don't agree with, but I have never made an issue of it nor plan to.

We are building a new church and they were kind enough to show us their color selections and I was kind enough to keep my opinions to myself.

I personally like to see churches with light colors that gives a feeling of uplifting and not dull colors that are more depressing. But unfortunately, that seems to be the trend of today. But I'm sure I'll get over it since I lived with the oranges in the 70's I am sure I can survive it again.

But why would I want to burden him down with opinions when he needs to be lifted up?

Now IF he were going against scripture I would feel very comfortable to say, Bro. did I understand you correctly? Because it could be I didn't, so why not give him the benefit of doubt?

Again, I love my pastor and I don't expect him to be perfect and if he expects me to be perfect he shall surely be disappointed.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Chan View Post
If their decisions appear to be inconsistent with scripture, yes. However, I think that those who seem automatically inclined to question leadership have a rebellious spirit.

So very true...

I am a partial preterist. My pastor doesn't even know it. If he did... he might feel compelled to "deal with me". I have no desire to attempt to "line him up" to my beliefs. To me these are not heaven/hell issues and I don't see more good coming out of my approaching him about these things than bad.

We should feel no need to make sure that leaders see everything the way we do. We all have our own amount of "play in the wheel" when it comes to peripheral doctrines and thoughts. We should allow each other room to be who we are and not demand that everyone else be a "Mini Me". After all... what he believes now is part of the path that took me to what I believe now. What if I had been attacked on my journey? Give people some faith.

One thing is for sure.. if there is a saint who feels the need to make sure their leaders see everything the way they see it... that person should never, ever, ever, ever , ever be in leadership.

They will kill more than they save.