Dear Antoine,
Your Question(s): If you know that your pastor is not behaving as one
should, do you simply leave or should you say something and should this be
private or openly before the congregation?
My Answer(s): Again, Antoine I thank you for your
questions. But I must point out, that you said in your previous question that
your pastor was dedicated to your congregation, helping you grow spiritually.
Yet, here you say he is not behaving, as one should. Therefore, I answer your
question with this in mind, as well as knowing that if one is sinning they can still be a dedicated minister to those whom
he serve if his sin does not lead to death. For it is written, "If
anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should
pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to
death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray
about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to
death" (1 John 5:16-17 NIV). So, I shall answer this question also
with the belief that this sin does not lead to death. According to this
Scripture in 1 John 5, you may pray for your pastor if this sin does not
lead to death. And this sin does not effect
the whole congregation or you. Otherwise, if it does effect any portion of the congregation then you must
pray for him, and also follow the instructions below depending on the kind of
sin it comes under.
Again, we should let the
Scriptures be our guide in all things, and rely on the Holy Spirit, which lives
in the true Christian. For the Spirit of Christ will lead you into all truth,
helping you discern what you should do (John 14:15-18, 26; 1 John 2:27 and
Jeremiah 31:33). In Galatians 2, Peter came to Antioch, see Paul and
Barnabas, and work they had done with a congregation of Gentile Christians.
Now, before men from Judah came from James, Peter would eat with the Gentiles
(at that time the Jews did not approve of such behavior, see John 4:8-9,
Acts 10:9-15 and Acts 11:1-9). After men from James arrived from Judah,
Peter stop eating with the Gentiles, following Jewish traditions, and Paul
seeing that this sin was public before others of the faith. Paul confronted
Peter to his face before them all, for Peter had caused all the other Jews in
Antioch to be caught up in this sin also, even Barnabas (Galatians 2:11-21).
So, these verses point out the necessity to confront a minister openly about
his sin if this sin is public, and known before the congregation to be true.
Thereby, this sin must be confronted openly, if it is done openly by your
pastor then you must involve the congregation in this matter.
Next, we find in Matthew
18, that if a brother sins against us. This kind
of sin is something the person has done to you personally. Then you should go
to him alone, privately and confront him of this wrong behavior. And if he
hears you in this matter then you have gained your brother in the faith. But if
this pastor or brother does not hear us, then we are exhorted to take with us
one or two witnesses to meet with the brother, thereby establishing the matter
as true. Lastly, if this brother do not hear you and
your witnesses, then the matter should be brought before the congregation,
publicly. And if he still refuses to change his behavior toward you, even after
hearing it from the church then this person should be treated as an unbeliever,
and you are not to associate with such a person. This sin is one where the
person sins against you personally, and not against others. Therefore, if this
person is a pastor then you must leave the congregation, after confronting him
by following this Scripture, and he still refuse to change such behavior (Matthew
18:15-20). Plus, if the pastor is against you in such a way, then it is
more than likely he is doing the same to others in your congregation.
Finally, we have Galatians
6, telling us that if we catch our brother being overtaken in any sinful
behavior, then we who are spiritual must restore this person in such way as not
to commit sin ourselves. Meaning you should correct them privately, and not
openly if it is a sin that you know of or a small few. However, if this is the
pastor such as this case, then you must consider the congregation as a whole.
Also, you must correct such a person in the spirit of gentleness, considering
yourselves as those weak in the flesh, lest we be tempted also (Galatians
6:1-5). These verses warn us against correcting someone in the wrong
spirit, believing that we are better than they are. Such as thinking evil
things that we would never commit such sins as this person. For we as
Christians, should always "esteem others better than"
ourselves (Philippians 2:3). So, if the Spirit of God in you moves you
to correct this person, who walks as a brother or sister in Christ, then you
must remember 1 John 1:8-10. Knowing this that the evil one will always
be roaming until he is taken out of the way; therefore, if this is the kind of
sin of your pastor then you should bear his burdens, not thinking more of
yourself, while restoring him in the law of Christ.
Therefore, I exhort you in
the faith of Christ that you fear God in all things, and keep His commandments.
Praying always that you may not fall into temptation. And remember to seek the
will of the Father in heaven in all things, for God is faithful He will direct
you in your decisions. I pray that these Scriptures help you in deciding your
course of action. I pray that your God and my Father in heaven and His Christ
will bless you and your household in understanding His holy word. Amen. Praise
God.
In Christ love,
Ron Davis, minister of Christ
Update: See http://kushedifyingministries/PastorBehaviorPart2Web
for my response wife.