How close should a pastor get to the members?

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So when I am having car problems do I just open the pages up to the Book of Autozone?

What the Word say if an older (or younger!) married couple went to the pastor because he was suffering from E.D.?

I agree that there are principles in the Word that can be applied toward virtually any issue that could come up, but sometimes it just helps to know someone who has experience or training.....

In fact, the Word itself says this about the elders! Why? Because they may have faced the same issue(s) that you have. A pastor cannot have experience in everything and those who think they do, need to be avoided at all cost.

I've never made that case. God doesn't concern His book of eternity with how to fix a piston. But he will let you know that "all things work together for good". Cars and people are different things. Pastors don't know it all. True. Sometimes I've seen my Pastor refer people to others in the church that could be a good help. I won't be foolish to make the claim that a single pastor knows everything about everything. I just know I would want them involved (at the least), if there is a life-altering consequence.

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Michlow

If by the "word of God" you mean Jesus, than I heartily agree. (If you are referring to a book, then not so much )

Yup. The Scriptures. He is THE Living Word. Rhema Word and The Word. But my post was specifically about the wisdom in scripture.

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Absolutely - especially Borderlines.

I once had the happy privilege of encountering a classic borderline who also had a lying spirit. The lying spirit was easy to deal with through intense prayer and the exercise of spiritual authority, but the rest of the mess is almost beyond God because of the inherent blindness to the problem. How does even God help a person who can’t, or won’t, see that they, and not the rest of the world, have a problem? We have authority over spirits, but unrestrained flesh is a headache that won’t respond to aspirin.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

I once had the happy privilege of encountering a classic borderline who also had a lying spirit. The lying spirit was easy to deal with through intense prayer and the exercise of spiritual authority, but the rest of the mess is almost beyond God because of the inherent blindness to the problem. How does even God help a person who can’t, or won’t, see that they, and not the rest of the world, have a problem? We have authority over spirits, but unrestrained flesh is a headache that won’t respond to aspirin.

On THAT note I bring up other cases I am familiar with, where such "hopeless" situations (personalities) were the result of very real brain tumors. When the tumor was removed, the loving "old" personality came back.

[Indy]

Originally Posted by Amos

Using goofballs as an example doesn't enhance the discussion.

Situations like you reference are extremely rare and so dysfunctional that they in no way represent the mainstream.

If you really believe that then your head is in the sand far deeper than you realize. These goofballls are not that rare. There are plenty of op pastors who operate just like this. I have seen my share of them and so have other peple. Maybe not in the are you run around in, but there are plenty of them out there. I have known some personally. I thinnk it is sinful behavior on their part but you are not being realistic trying to marginilize it.

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Indy

If you really believe that then your head is in the sand far deeper than you realize. These goofballls are not that rare. There are plenty of op pastors who operate just like this. I have seen my share of them and so have other peple. Maybe not in the are you run around in, but there are plenty of them out there. I have known some personally. I thinnk it is sinful behavior on their part but you are not being realistic trying to marginilize it.

I think it was well-marginalized, and rightfully so. Because they exists does not place them as the standard of the Apostolic church nor "OP". Don't argue a point on the weakest virtue. Argue to the strongest. Count me as another that doesn't know as many dysfunctional pastors that the poster mentioned.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

I once had the happy privilege of encountering a classic borderline who also had a lying spirit. The lying spirit was easy to deal with through intense prayer and the exercise of spiritual authority, but the rest of the mess is almost beyond God because of the inherent blindness to the problem. How does even God help a person who can’t, or won’t, see that they, and not the rest of the world, have a problem? We have authority over spirits, but unrestrained flesh is a headache that won’t respond to aspirin.

I once had the opportunity to meet and fellowship with an Anti-social personality in a church I attended. The person was very good at lying, manipulating, and causing dissention in the local assembly. I was amazed at it because I was absolutely fooled and taken in by the person also. After knowing the past sins and behaviors of the person it was easy to see, but they were totally unmoved by the Spirit of God even when it was like a cloud over the church. Makes you wonder about true reprobates and if this person may have been one.

Personality disorders are not treatable. Their only hope is Christ.
Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Indy

If you really believe that then your head is in the sand far deeper than you realize. These goofballls are not that rare. There are plenty of op pastors who operate just like this. I have seen my share of them and so have other peple. Maybe not in the are you run around in, but there are plenty of them out there. I have known some personally. I thinnk it is sinful behavior on their part but you are not being realistic trying to marginilize it.

Indy, I'd have to agree with you that it is more the norm in our ranks in the past than it is rare. There have been many heads in the sand on this forum for a long time

[2020Vision]

Yup. Those that disagree have heads in the sand, are ignorant and we are just waiting for the same enlightenment to come upon us that many of you have received. Pray for us.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Yup. The Scriptures. He is THE Living Word. Rhema Word and The Word. But my post was specifically about the wisdom in scripture.

I was going to respond here, but decided that it might make for an interesting thread, so I started a new one.