Preachers lost and tentmakers found

[welltan]

Often we hear of and see on these forums how God has revealed scriptural plural truth to someone who quickly find themselves in a defense of this truth in their local pastor's office. And the result is usually far from desirable. This office visitor is almost never someone who has known a scriptural basis for plural truth for an extended time. Do plural minded people not need preachers? Or do preachers not need the plural minded?
Do preachers that claim to be able to hear from God just not hear on this issue?

 

[CecilW]

Re: Preachers lost and found

>>Was there a misconception of what a preacher's role should be and plural marriage changes this role.

I think "Yes". One of the effects of learning about PM is often, maybe usually or always, for the fella to realize that he's supposed to direct-connect to God for guidance, rather than going through the pastor. This DOES tend to change the pastor's role, and some pastors don't seemto like that one bit.

>>Do poly people not need preachers?

Sure. Most of us need all the help we can GET. Though sometimes the help pastors are willing to give poly people reminds one of the classic saying (from a delightful movie about a robot), "With friends like that, who needs enemas?"

>>Or do preachers not need poly people?

Probably more than poly people need preachers.

>>Do preachers that claim to be able to hear from God just not hear on this issue?

At a guess, they DO hear from God, but filter The Voice through their discernment filter, highly colored with theological mistraining, prejudice, tradition, and such, and conclude, "THAT must not be God talking to me, 'cause we all KNOW God's a monogamist and has but one church, the (fill in blank with his own denomination)."

Add to that that most of us develop evangelistic fever when first introduced to PM, and it is understandable that preachers are often difficult. *sigh* Poor guys.

 

[welltan]

Re: Preachers lost and found

Good response Cecil. I like the direct connecting to God you mention. I think that pastors misplace their trust. They should not be so wary of someone beside themselves wanting to hear from God, but actually should admit to a mistrust of God to lead someone directly without coaching or guidance from the pastor. Rather than trusting God they trust a set of bylaws to filter members. This removes the diversity from the local fellowship and pastors find themselves alone seeking God with "yes men/ladies" surrounding them. It becomes a job rather than an exciting spiritual fellowship.

1 Peter 5:1-3 (King James Version)

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

The first verse shows that elders are actually involved in the leadership and that one person does not monopolize it. There is a sharing of what is seen and also of what shall be revealed.
This second verse shows the flock is God's. The leading and shepherding that becomes a constraint as with an occupation or job is wrong. The money motive or need is harmful. What preacher with family and wife would abandon their paycheck, church van parked in front of their house, and future retirement by entertaining thoughts of truth that step outside of the bylaws or denominational box. And they should have a ready mind or willingness to shepherd God's people. (Most pastors/elders at least start out with alacrity or a quick willingness to lead.)
It is easy to point verse 3 at the preacher to not be a lord or subscribe to 'preacher rule' . But it also absolves Christians that have heard from God directly and find little trust or confidence in church leadership. Having no leadership really is not a scriptural option, but finding leadership elsewhere in the body of Christ is not wrong or a betrayal.
And if a person is a pastor and finds themselves trapped in the "job", then I would suggest finding some outside source of income. If for no other reason then do it for freedom spiritually and also in case the following verse does apply to preachers. And who thinks it doesn't apply? Well probably preachers mostly.

2 Thessalonians 3:
8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

 

[Anonymous]

One of the many things that have come to the fore in my experience as a pastor, after being exposed to the truth of PM, is the need to re-evaluate almost everything I have believed for accuracy. With PM is the necessary position of patriarchy (not the austere tyrant), the loving, godly husband and father, leading, protecting his familiy. Involved in that from my POV is the matter of him being the priest of the home. I believe that this responsibility has been wrongly given to the SS teacher and pastor. Pastors should be equiping men to minister the things of God to their families. I think that this is one of the most important roles of a husband and father. Pastors can never effectively be the mediator between God and men, but rather guides pointing men to further growth and experience with God for themselves. My opinion, for what it is worth. :lol:

 

[CecilW]

Pastors can never effectively be the mediator between God and men, but rather guides pointing men to further growth and experience with God for themselves. My opinion, for what it is worth. :lol:

Works for me. Bellwethers, leading a flock that follows the Shepherd into greener pastures where they can all feed (and out of the chewed up, eaten down pastures now mostly filled with the biological byproducts of sheep digestive processing ...).

Maybe next time I preach, I'll skip the necktie, and hang a small bell around my neck. :lol:

Unless, of course, it's the "Eyes On Me" sermon, in which case it might oughta be a dog collar.