Pastors making egregious errors

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santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#1
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#1
For the second time in just several weeks, I’ve heard two different pastors make the same egregious mistake while teaching/preaching. I’m not sure how to feel about it – I feel somewhat insulted by the bad theology, and at the same time I want to just stand up to defend the Word of God. Do I stand up, right in the middle of the service, and correct the errant preacher? I mean, the err is so egregious, it seems to me that it demands this approach.


I would love to hear from any pastors out there for their opinion. How would you feel if a congregant stood up to correct you? Or how would anyone, as a congregant, feel if someone stood up to correct the pastor?


It all seems highly disruptive to me, and certainly disunifying, but if the err is so flagrantly in conflict with Scripture, shouldn’t the mistake be corrected, then and there? I know I could always speak to the pastor after the service, but at the same time, many who may not be as versed in the Bible will walk away with some pretty bad theology.


Your thoughts?
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#2
#2
First thought: Are you absolutely certain that it is the preacher and not you who got it wrong?
(I feel it is safe to ask that since I have no idea what the topic is so I cannot accuse either of it :p )
 
breno785au

breno785au

Senior Member
#3
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
764
113
39
Australia
#3
How would you picture the outcome to be?
There really wouldn't be a CC style debate in the middle of service right? I think the best thing to do is approach your concerns after the service. If they in error and you win them over perhaps they would openly correct themselves to the congregation the next week?
 
B

bluto

Senior Member
#4
Aug 4, 2016
2,026
506
113
#4
First of all I would like to know what he taught that was so "egregious?" Secondly, what Chruch do you attend? Thirdly, you go to the Pastor and talk with him first and give him a chance to explain himself and see what happens. :eek:

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 
D

Dade

Guest
#5
#5
My first thought at seeing this post was ..Kenneth Copeland , but his errors are intentional.
 
B

bluto

Senior Member
#6
Aug 4, 2016
2,026
506
113
#6
Dade said:
My first thought at seeing this post was ..Kenneth Copeland , but his errors are intentional.
Click to expand...
Interesting you should say that dade. My first thought was probably a word of faith teacher but I doubt very much it would be copeland. He has been approached many times and when the late Dr.Walter Martin (who was my main mentor btw) wanted to meet him about copelands little gods teachings and his false prophecy where copeland claimed that Jesus never claimed to be God copeland at first said yes and then changed his mind and said no. Thanks! :eek:

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 
tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#7
Mar 13, 2014
41,313
16,301
113
69
Tennessee
#7
My thoughts are to correct the pastor in private and then start looking for another church home.
 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#8
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
179
0
#8
santuzza said:
For the second time in just several weeks, I’ve heard two different pastors make the same egregious mistake while teaching/preaching. I’m not sure how to feel about it – I feel somewhat insulted by the bad theology, and at the same time I want to just stand up to defend the Word of God. Do I stand up, right in the middle of the service, and correct the errant preacher? I mean, the err is so egregious, it seems to me that it demands this approach.



I would love to hear from any pastors out there for their opinion. How would you feel if a congregant stood up to correct you? Or how would anyone, as a congregant, feel if someone stood up to correct the pastor?


It all seems highly disruptive to me, and certainly disunifying, but if the err is so flagrantly in conflict with Scripture, shouldn’t the mistake be corrected, then and there? I know I could always speak to the pastor after the service, but at the same time, many who may not be as versed in the Bible will walk away with some pretty bad theology.


Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
What did they preach?
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#9
Jun 30, 2015
24,685
13,376
113
#9
I was pondering a similar situation this morning... a guest preacher was blatantly misinterpreting a passage of scripture to fit his position. This happened many years ago, but I have thought perhaps I should have challenged him. Better probably to bring it up in private though I'm certain in that situation he would have simply steamrolled me... that was his personality.

I can see the need to bring it up publicly if it is blatant heresy. The only thing I would definitely say not to do (and you didn't mention it as an option) is talk to others in the congregation about it. Publicly, or privately with the pastor, but not privately with third parties. :)
 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#10
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#10
if you are a 'bona-fide-Christian', (always, always, 'stand-up' for the Truth/Word of God)
at any cost!!!
 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#11
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
179
0
#11
oldethennew said:
if you are a 'bona-fide-Christian', (always, always, 'stand-up' for the Truth/Word of God)
at any cost!!!
Click to expand...
Amen..... but do it by The Book.:)

Matt 18:
15“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16“But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#12
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#12
Thanks for all the input.

One incident was at the church where I'm the organist/director of music. I'm not a member of the congregation and would never join this denomination due to differences in doctrine. However, I have had a good relationship with the pastor, but he just gets wacky on his theology, and sometimes I just want to publicly correct him. He's teaching false stuff to his congregation. BTW, he has now been transferred to another church, so he is no longer an issue.

The other incident occurred at an ecumenical service with a pastor I hardly know. It was just so weird because it was the SAME BLATANT ERROR. It really took me by surprise because I've spoken with this pastor before and felt he was, for the most part, a Bible-preaching pastor.

And yes, I know for certain that I am not the one in error here. Here's what happened: ​Basically, referencing in Matthew, when Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is, the pastors completely ignored the part about loving God (first) but put the entire emphasis on loving your neighbor. One even went so far as to say the greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself.
 
A

Adstar

Senior Member
#13
Jul 24, 2016
7,426
3,477
113
#13
tourist said:
My thoughts are to correct the pastor in private and then start looking for another church home.
Click to expand...
What He said...

If the private discussion with the Pastor bears fruit, then the pastor can preach again the next time to correct His mistake with the Congregation.. If it does not bear fruit then its time to move on..
 
M

Meggido

Banned
#14
May 12, 2017
2,641
65
0
#14
santuzza said:
For the second time in just several weeks, I’ve heard two different pastors make the same egregious mistake while teaching/preaching. I’m not sure how to feel about it – I feel somewhat insulted by the bad theology, and at the same time I want to just stand up to defend the Word of God. Do I stand up, right in the middle of the service, and correct the errant preacher? I mean, the err is so egregious, it seems to me that it demands this approach.


I would love to hear from any pastors out there for their opinion. How would you feel if a congregant stood up to correct you? Or how would anyone, as a congregant, feel if someone stood up to correct the pastor?


It all seems highly disruptive to me, and certainly disunifying, but if the err is so flagrantly in conflict with Scripture, shouldn’t the mistake be corrected, then and there? I know I could always speak to the pastor after the service, but at the same time, many who may not be as versed in the Bible will walk away with some pretty bad theology.


Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Schedule a time to see him, make sure his wife is with him[since you are female] and ask clarifying questions, not indicting statements.

for example:

Did you mean to say fruits of the spirit, instead of fruit of the spirit.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#15
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#15
HOW DOES THE BIBLE TELL YOU TO DO IT? I believe we are told to first go to the brother privately.

If you do not do it this way, I would say it is YOU who would be deliberately in error.
 
M

Meggido

Banned
#16
May 12, 2017
2,641
65
0
#16
Dino246 said:
I was pondering a similar situation this morning... a guest preacher was blatantly misinterpreting a passage of scripture to fit his position. This happened many years ago, but I have thought perhaps I should have challenged him. Better probably to bring it up in private though I'm certain in that situation he would have simply steamrolled me... that was his personality.

I can see the need to bring it up publicly if it is blatant heresy. The only thing I would definitely say not to do (and you didn't mention it as an option) is talk to others in the congregation about it. Publicly, or privately with the pastor, but not privately with third parties. :)
Click to expand...
As a Pastor, I have no problems telling a guest teacher, evangelist, preacher to pack up and stop talking if he is in error.
 
L

loveme1

Senior Member
#18
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
63
#18
santuzza said:
Thanks for all the input.

One incident was at the church where I'm the organist/director of music. I'm not a member of the congregation and would never join this denomination due to differences in doctrine. However, I have had a good relationship with the pastor, but he just gets wacky on his theology, and sometimes I just want to publicly correct him. He's teaching false stuff to his congregation. BTW, he has now been transferred to another church, so he is no longer an issue.

The other incident occurred at an ecumenical service with a pastor I hardly know. It was just so weird because it was the SAME BLATANT ERROR. It really took me by surprise because I've spoken with this pastor before and felt he was, for the most part, a Bible-preaching pastor.

And yes, I know for certain that I am not the one in error here. Here's what happened: ​Basically, referencing in Matthew, when Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is, the pastors completely ignored the part about loving God (first) but put the entire emphasis on loving your neighbor. One even went so far as to say the greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself.
Click to expand...

Oh oh gosh I would of stood up and corrected them... must of been difficult holding your peace.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#19
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#19
I think if anyone here feels they have to stand up in the middle of a presentation (of any kind) and insultingly disrupt the person's delivery, they should contact Barack Obama........ he is looking for people like you.
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#20
#20
Meggido said:
As a Pastor, I have no problems telling a guest teacher, evangelist, preacher to pack up and stop talking if he is in error.
Click to expand...
Why because your the only perfect pastor who never errors?
 
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