QUESTION:
If a pastor walked into a man’s house and told him to purchase and use different silverware, change toothpaste brands, rearrange his furniture, cancel his email account and only kiss his wife in the dark on Thursday nights, would that man be living in rebellion against pastoral authority if he did not do all those things?
I have become acquainted with several pastors who are solid Bible preachers, but seem to want to take pastoral authority to a higher level than I ever thought reasonable.
I am genuinely afraid of the mentality that pretty much promotes as much loyalty to and worship of a pastor as God. Please don’t get me wrong or think I am a rebel. I am truly all for biblical spiritual authority, but when you fear a pastors preference more than God’s commands something is BAD WRONG.
Justin
ANSWER:
Maybe the question should be, is the pastor preaching the Word of God? A pastor is supposed to feed the flock not micromanage the flock. If it’s in the Book then preach it, but too many are trying to be lords over the flock. 1 Peter 5:3 says, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” You will notice that the pastor is to be an example, not a lord. The verses before are also very helpful when they say, “The 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: 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;” (1 Peter 5:1-2)
The pastor is to feed the flock. That is in the church. Pastoral authority does not reach into the home. The husband is the head of the home, the pastor is the leader of the church, but GOD is over all. Lets get our eyes on God.