going to church 3 times a week

no, it is not. we are to exhort them to go to Church as often as the doors are open. We are to reprove (convince them), we are to rebuke (chastise them) we are to correct and instruct them.

A pastor has the ability to discern what is in a person's heart when he is allowing the Spirit to guide. Just as a police can look at a person's eyes and see they are lying or hiding something.

God's Spirit reveals what is in the heart of man to many pastors and evangelists. Else they would not be able to rebuke as they are commanded to do.

 

The church is composed of believers...not unbelievers, and at any rate the pastor in the OP was addressing believers. I would suggest starting another thread if you want to address the intention and messages of the Bible.

 

All I can say to this thread is "wow". Pastors are now psychics....:BangHead:

A pastor cannot see into another's heart. You have just elevated them to that of God.

 

that which is in the heart comes out on the surface eventually, webdog.

Even the Word of God teaches that.

Nothing about being elevated to the position of God, but allowing God to show what is in the heart of man.


Was Peter elevated to the position of God when he told Ananias 'thou hast not lied unto man, but unto the Holy Ghost'?

God reveals to those in charge more than you realize.

 

I didn't realize we still had apostles alive today. They also healed the sick. When was the last time your pastor told someone in a wheel chair to get up and walk?

 

I seem to remember that the Word of God says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That He is a healing Christ.

I remember a member here on the BB testifying that God raised him out of a wheelchair when doctors had given up on him. Will have to look that up.

God can still give pastors the gift of healing if He so desires.

 

They can still drink poison, too?

 

I have seen people healed completely of cancer because of prayer and because of obedience to pray for that person. It is a shame so many doubt that God is still in the healing business.

 

I'M BACK!!!!!!

You know something... I had to miss church this evening because of my job... That's right...
I am a full time pastor, and a teen in our church had an ATV accident, and I spent the evening in the ER with him... I am such a bad Christian.. I didn't go to church when the doors were open!

See what legalism does... can you imagine your pastor saying, "sorry, I know you need me at the ER, but I have to go to church"

Then why is it so hard to understand that nurses, Drs, and other staff need to work on church nights also....

The sad thing is, while the legalists here would condemn me, if they were in my shoes they would have done the same thing.

So... are you a bad Christian if you have to miss church because of your job?

Tell Jesus that... Because HE sent me to the ER instead of Bible Study.

BTW, pray for this boy, he has to have surgery on his hand, he crushed his right hand.

 

The pastor's duty is to study the Word so he can feed the flock that he is responsible for.

Deacon's were appointed to do the visitation.

You let down the rest of the flock so you could do the work a deacon is supposed to do?

No, I would not have done the same thing. As a matter of fact, I have sent deacons to the hospital when emergencies arose.

And no, I am not advocating deacons missing church either. It does not take hours to pray for someone. I daresay if the accident happened before services, you or the deacon could have gone and prayed for the child and then gone back to church... had you truly wanted to be at church.

 

You're mixing up two different things: Healing by God directly and healing by God through men.

The power for men to heal miraculously is no more.

I've not seen one single person in this discussion (and none on the board that I recall) who denies that God can heal miraculously.

However, to insinuate such seems to make you feel better.

It does show a lot about your character, though.

BTW, we are told to exhort one another. Please show me in the scriptures where we are told to exhort one another to go to the assembly meeting every time the doors are opened, not matter the circumstances.

 

You can't be serious.. if you had a teen in your congregation in the ER from a ATV wreck, you would have refused to visit because it was church night?!!!!!!!!!!


Your theology is totally whacked!

Thank God you are not my pastor...
I can't believe I actually read that....

I feel for your congregation if you are a pastor... they need someone who cares.

I guess you would tell Jesus he shouldn't have left the 99 either for the 1!

Real ministry is outside the church...
no wonder churches are not growing..
Pastors don't care!

 

It shows what is in a legalist's heart... darkness, and uncaring

 

No wonder churches aren't growing.

Pastors would rather be elsewhere when time to preach. And when they do preach they pat people on the back telling them it is ok not to attend services.

 

He was in the ER!!!
Do you not care about others, or are you so whacked up in your stupid theology of legalism to see this...

It is my calling as a PASTOR to PASTOR... NOT DICTATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Pastor cares...
You apparently don't.

BTW, our church is growing in leaps and bounds because our people are not caught up in legalism, but really care!

 

Guess again. I have pastored and co-pastored for more than ten years. And with a congregation of caring and hungry people. Last congregation count was 84.

Of course I care for the people. I also care for the things of God. There is an order in the house of God whether you guys want to hold to it or not. Deacons were appointed for the waiting on the physical needs so pastors are able to spend more time on studying the Word of God to meet the spiritual needs.

Seems many need to study more.

 

I respectfully disagree; the Pastor's duty is to preach the Gospel (this should be his primary 'gift'). Effective preaching may require significant study time by the Pastor. However, you imply that the flock is coming to church to be fed (taught); unfortumately, that is true for many members since it will be the only Scripture to reach their soul during the week. But it is actually the responsibility of every individual sheep to feed on The Word daily.

I do agree that the deacons should shoulder the bulk of visitation, not the Pastor.

 

yeah, you need to study about caring and loving your sheep you tend...
If you were my pastor, and would refuse to come to the hospital because he got to teach.. I would move to remove you as pastor...

Why is it my congregation is growing although I don't brow beat them?
They see love. True love. Christ-like love coming from the pulpit.

Are you really serious, you would not leave to be with someone in the ER if they called for you?

I still don't believe it... you are the first pastor that I have ever seen to be this callous...

 

As I said, if time permitted before service to visit, I would encourage it, I might even go myself.

But I will not abandon the pulpit to visit someone. I would send a deacon out and tell him to get back as soon as possible.


I am not the only pastor who will not abandon the flock, I know many who would not leave the flock on a service time.

And the 99 and 1 illustration does not apply. That story is illustrating one who is lost, not hurt and being tended to by someone else.

and there is nothing callous about staying in the Sanctuary and leading the flock while others tend to the wounded.