But he smokes

Not an issue for us

 

I don't think its an issue either.

Its hard to make the connection with smoking being a disqualifier for ministry when it isn't linked in with the New Testament documents.

 

You could make this same argument with, is he to fat, or to skinny, does he drive to fast. Does he eat fast food, the list could go on and on. Its nothing more than pointing fingers at someone else's sin. We all need to be weary of that speck in his eye when we have a plank in our own.

 

Our church doesn't allow smokers to hold any office or be members. I don't know how they arrived at this since it was in the by-laws long before I became a member (6-7 months ago). My previous church would allow members who smoked but would not allow smoking for any visible office such as pastor, teachers, deacon. I'm not sure if they would allow them to hold a less visible position such as custodian or not. It has never been up for discussion.

The positions come from a standpoint of the witness provided. In our area it is generally assumed that a Christian does not smoke, so therefore smoking provides a poor witness. There are many other things(temper, gossip,etc) that would be a poor witness and they too would prohibit one from holding an office.

We just don't want to provide a stumbling block for the weaker brother.

 

"Won't keep anyone out of Heaven but they'll smell like hell when they get there!"

It's a poor testimony . Even the majority of the secular crowd knows smoking is bad.

 

If a local church wants to set that as a rule, that is their right, I would just not be going there. I personally think smoking should not be done in or around the church building, but that is just me.

My only question is, which issue is more vital to the Christian walk, smoking or tattoos?

 

We might be amazed at how many of the greats of old smoked their pipes and cigars and even a nightly sip of brandy as they wrote those gigantic deep spiritual books.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Great thread... very thought provoking!!!

However, I am not going to vote... in the OP the word qualification is used and that throws it for me. This is not necessarily an issue of qualification... for me at least.

I may be wrong here, but I think that every Christ-Follower should work at living up to the standards set in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 whether we are speaking of Pastors or anyone else for that matter. Unless we want to perpetuate the split between "Clergy" and "Laity" in our churches.

Bottom, this is not a "Biblical" issue per se but one in which I believe the church has freedom to decide where it lands.

 

Very true my friend... very true.

 

Having looked at John Gill and John Owen [looked I said] I have wondered how they got so deep. Now I know!

 

Note: I am not advocating either smoking or drinking. Sometimes I think we must overlook some peculiarities in favour of spirituality and cultural and knowledge differences.

Cheers,

Jim

 

We have no disqualifying bylaws concerning smokers holding any church office. However, I am pretty sure a smoker would not be called as pastor or Sunday School director. We do have an absolute requirement that there be no smoking anywhere in the building, and that goes for everyone who comes on the property.

 

As pointed out..
If smoking is Sin,a lot of Spiritual Giants are in deep trouble. Ever heard of a churchwarden pipe? Tradition holds that the long stems came into fashion so one could prop their pipe on the pew in front of them. While smoking during services.

Tobacco didn't become the 8th deadly sin until the secular politically correct anti-joy police dictated to the church that it should be. I know a feller that said 'its not what you put in your mouth, but what comes out, that defiles a man'...

 

Like schools and hospitals we are a smoke-free institution.

Smoking would raise our insurance rates.

He could be a member but he'd have to smoke off property. :smilewinkgrin:

Rob

 

With to-day's laws, one prolly wouldn't be smoking indoors anyway, so holding an office shouldn't hinder him or her.

Some of the critics of smokers run out from morning services and buy lottery tickets????

Cheers,

Jim

 

Don't even get me started on the lottery. It's one of my pet peeves.

 

Not only lottery tickets, but rush to gossip.

Maybe we need about 5 or so new threads with the same poll but title them instead of "But he smokes" the following
1. But he dances
2. But he buys lottery tickets
3. But he plays cards
4. But his hair is long
5. But he wears jeans and T shirts to church.

I will guarantee you will not see a thread that says "But he is a glutton."

 

What some of the prophets did would be unbelievable.