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Overweight Preachers

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Salty, Feb 27, 2011.

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  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    On another thread a poster said:

    HTML:
      I would hope more people as humans would have enough 
decency and be responsible enough to take care 
of their bodies.  Obesity is a real issue in this 
 country  and I can't stand seeing overweight preachers 
that aren't even responsible enough 
to maintain a healthy weight.
    So is it sin to be an overweight Preacher?
    Should a church consider the BMI before extending a call?
    If a church desires a "proper size" should they use something in the line of the Army Regulation for weight? ( AR 600-9) pdf file Note: the Height/weight chart is on page 10

    Should other church leaders be held to the standards?

    Do you see overweight pastors as a problem at all?

    Is overweight/excessive overweight in the same ball park as alcoholic abuse, ect?

    Does the Bible teach against obesity?

    Other comments

    Salty

    PS - no need to answer all the questions - pick out 2 or 3 possibly.
     
    #1 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  2. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    Salty, you and I must have posted at the same time. I just started a thread about unreasonable expectations of pastors in the general discussion area. You know what they say. Great minds think alike!
     
    #2 abcgrad94, Feb 27, 2011
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Over weight (or obesity) is NOT synonymous with gluttony.

    Some body types are naturally larger than others. That isnt sin.

    Listen, I'm all for physical fitness. Live better and live longer imho. But my standard of living isnt normative for all other people. Do overweight pastors bother me? Sometimes. When you preach so strongly about lifestyle choices it can get confusing if you ignore obvious difficulties in your own life.

    Its a touchy issue. But when I hear unchurched people joke about the supposed hypocrisy I do give pause.
     
    #3 preachinjesus, Feb 27, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 27, 2011
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    True, though your thread is expanding the discussion.
     
    #4 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    As a side-note, have you seen NJ's (and My) Govenor Chris Christy? What about Mike Huckaby?
     
    #5 Earth Wind and Fire, Feb 27, 2011
  6. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    From your link:
    See it works both ways in the service.

    But how many of these church busybodies "can't stand seeing" underweight ministers?
     
    #6 Jerome, Feb 27, 2011
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I didnt realize that Christy is a pastor -....
    OP Overweight pastors
     
    #7 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    A friend of mine has a ministry and has written a book about this subject. Her focus is the fact that all of us (not just pastors) should take better care of ourselves for the sake that we're the temple of the Holy Spirit - AND that we want to be around and healthy enough to continue to serve in ministry for as long as possible. If we are battling health problems, how much can we help our brothers and sisters in Christ?
     
    #8 annsni, Feb 27, 2011
  9. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    Qualifications for a pastor/deacon are outlined in scripture, and those qualifications deal with the spiritual maturity of the man, not his outward appearance.
     
    #9 abcgrad94, Feb 27, 2011
  10. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Fat Is Fat!
     
    #10 Earth Wind and Fire, Feb 27, 2011
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    and the OP is on pastors - please stay on OP
    Feel free to start a new thead about overeight politicians..... You could call it "let them eat bread...)
     
    #11 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  12. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    I would wonder if one's physical condition is a part of one's spiritual condition. The idea being that you cannot separate them.
     
    #12 gb93433, Feb 27, 2011
  13. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    One of the qualifications for a pastor is self control. If a pastor is overweight to the point where it is unhealthy and there is not a medical reason then that calls his self control into question.

    A couple of years ago I was convicted by the fact that I had gone over 200 pounds at a height of 5'7". I felt like I was a poor testimony because my desire to eat controlled me. I knew that I was wrong so made some changes in order to get control of the situation. I am still a little overweight at 170, but have, by God's grace, regained control over my diet.

    I would not call it sin, I am not one to judge, but do think that pastors should carefully consider this issue.
     
    #13 NaasPreacher (C4K), Feb 27, 2011
  14. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    So people with cancer are getting their comeuppance from God for their sin?

    Just saying...I don't think it follows...
     
    #14 preachinjesus, Feb 27, 2011
  15. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    True, but II Cor 6:19 tells us "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

    This is just not for pastors but all Christians - I think that is what Met65 was trying to say - though in a tactless way.

    Does the Bible say a pastor have to take a bath every so often - brush his teeth? Of course not, but we would expect him to do so (as well as his wife:love2:) and this could be applied to all Christians based on the I Cor passage

    I do understand that some folks do have a problem controlling their weight - such as me (I do overeat,and do not get enough exercise) On one hand we preach that God can cure alcoholism - but can he do the same other actions?

    I think it would be impolite to walk up to a pastor and insist on knowing his medical history, but on the other hand a man of God wants to present himself as a temple of the Lord.

    For the record, I am about 40% over the authorized weight for the US Army. Could it be that this thread is a wake up call for me? :praying:

    Studies do show that being overweight can lead to an early meeting with the Lord. Just think of Philippians 1:23. Hmm, do you think that is an appropriate verse.

    This is off just a bit off the OP, but the principal is the same.
    About a month ago, I requested from an ABC church if I could teach my Defensive Driving Class there. I mentioned to the committee I just get irritated when I see a bumper sticker for a church, and the driver is driving crazy. Everyone started chuckling. Come to find out, the pastor does have said bumper sticker on his car, and has not exactly been a model driver. Well, I stop by a week later to drop off some info for the class. The pastor and I had a short prayer time. He prayed that his driving would start to exemplify his witness for the Lord. :thumbs: He will be in my first class I will be having at his church. (BTW, he preaches :jesus: is the only door to salvation!)
     
    #15 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  16. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Yes, it is a sin to overeat. But it is not a vice that disqualifies one from the pastorate.
     
    #16 Aaron, Feb 27, 2011
  17. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    This thread reminds me of a story I once read( don't ask me where because I doubt that I could find it) where Spurgeon, well know to enjoy a cigar, was visited by Moody, well known to be a rotund man. He met Moody at the door with a cigar and Moody asked when he was going to give the vile thing up. Spurgeon poked Moody in the belly and said "When you give this up."
     
    #17 Ron Wood, Feb 27, 2011
  18. Ron Wood

    Ron Wood New Member

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    Pastors are men just like everybody else and sinners just like everybody else. That is why Paul said that we have this treasure, the Gospel of Christ, in earthen vessels. 2Cor. 4:7

    I am much more concerned with what a man preaches than how he looks. What he preaches has eternal consequences for himself and those who hear him. What he looks like is only temporary. Certainly a pastor is to be an example of faith to the flock but his example is to live a life of faith looking to Christ alone. Religion is always about things faith is about a person, Christ. Religion is an outward act and show, faith is an inward principle.
     
    #18 Ron Wood, Feb 27, 2011
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    #19 Salty, Feb 27, 2011
  20. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Just been looking over in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. For the life of me I can't find any qualification for a pastor that includes checking his weight. :type:
     
    #20 John of Japan, Feb 27, 2011
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