Are you held accountable for supporting a corrupt pastor?

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JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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#41
But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 1 Corinthians 7:28
 

Underwhosewings

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2023
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#42
"Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! " Matt 18:7.

If you know the Pastor or church leader has stolen from the church, cheated on their wife or done other things, are you held accountable for continuing to support them? Even if they have not repented? I am amazed when I read of corruption in a church and yet some members of the church still support the Pastor or church leader.
To know iniquity and keep it covered, the Lord will not hear our prayers.

Psalm 66:18 KJV
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me :

2 Timothy 4:2-5,7,10,14-15 KJV
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
[14] Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
[15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

James 5:19 KJV
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

James 5:20 KJV
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
 

montana123

Well-known member
Oct 9, 2021
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#43
"Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! " Matt 18:7.

If you know the Pastor or church leader has stolen from the church, cheated on their wife or done other things, are you held accountable for continuing to support them? Even if they have not repented? I am amazed when I read of corruption in a church and yet some members of the church still support the Pastor or church leader.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The Bible does say to not associate with hypocrites for they are living in sin, and their lifestyle does not reflect a Christlike behavior, and causes some people to shun Christianity not giving it a chance, and can cause people that are claiming Christianity to leave it, but these are usually people that are new to Christianity.


2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

There will be hypocrites and the people that are strong in the Lord will not let it shake their faith for they know Christianity is true regardless of the hypocrites.

Hypocrites do not change Christianity nor do they void it out, and Jesus said the hypocrites do not belong to Him.

Which not everyone that says Lord Lord shall enter heaven for they were workers of iniquity all the while claiming following Jesus who represents goodness.

They claim Jesus but do not want to be like Him which they love Jesus for the benefit but not to reflect His goodness.

There are more hypocrites today than in the past because there is more people, and society is more sinful than in the past having fleshy pleasures available to them more than in the past with worldly entertainment, abundance of material things, money flowing like a raging river and can reach out farther to make money, a more self exalting society that want to have their own way, fighting with each other more with the internet being ground zero.

Which results in increased selfishness, immorality, rebellion against authority, marriages ending in divorce, fighting, and things that are not of God.

The 1960's counter culture movement was no good for it was rebellion against authority, portraying a hippy Jesus, causing individualism with do your own thing which individuals are more selfish, and self exalting, and fight more, and immorality, and causing the nation to start straying from the truth.

But it was the new age movement plan to get the people away from the 1950's attitude.

Which the Bible says that children honoring, and obeying their parents is the first commandment with promise, for if children honor, and obey their parents they are more likely to humble themselves before God.

But the Bible says that the fathers are not to provoke their children to wrath so parents have a responsibility too which the counter culture movement caused an increase of immorality and many parents not being moral and then telling their children to be moral, and the children are thinking you are a drug addict, and an alcoholic, and cut down the neighbors, a thief, and then you are going to tell me how to behave.

Americans fight more with each other, and belittle each other more than any nation in the history of mankind.

America fights with each other more than any other nation between husbands and wives, men and women, parents and children, teachers and students, politicians, and general all around fighting.

People fight about every little thing there is to fight about and now it is time for the men and women to fight.

It was inevitable for it had to get around to it sooner or later, and it came around with America.

The next fighting will be the new age movement interpretation of religion and reality against all who oppose them the great tribulation.

So there will be a lot more hypocrites at this time even among preachers especially when it comes to money and adultery, but mainly money.

Which the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy, and love is the fulfillment of the law.

This not Little House on the Prairie anymore.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,933
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#44
Or the Pastor doesn't know any better and can only use the scripture. Not all the answers are in the bible.
A lot of pastors are obedient to the Lord and are faithful to their spouses. So this results in them not having any life experience for reference - all they have is the Word. And you know? God's word is enough. I had often referred to the Bible, especially when I didn't have a reference point for my problems. I found that if I obeyed whatever the Lord pointed out to me in regard to my problem - it all worked out!

So I don't think that pastor was at fault at all, but one or both of the couple did not trust God to help work out the problems in their marriage and/or did not obey whatever the Lord had commanded them.
 

Joelightening

Active member
Feb 27, 2023
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#45
"Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! " Matt 18:7.

If you know the Pastor or church leader has stolen from the church, cheated on their wife or done other things, are you held accountable for continuing to support them? Even if they have not repented? I am amazed when I read of corruption in a church and yet some members of the church still support the Pastor or church leader.
I don't trust any Church pastor. It would be wonderful however if they would repent and be saved.
 

JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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#46
I don't trust any Church pastor. It would be wonderful however if they would repent and be saved.
I don't trust any pastor who sides with any politician. I know some have sided with Trump. Did these pastors forget, we are not to get entangled in this world affairs?
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#47
I don't trust any pastor who sides with any politician. I know some have sided with Trump. Did these pastors forget, we are not to get entangled in this world affairs?
Did you know pastors fought in the American Revolution?
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#49
Not the same as today. They were fighting to free this country from England.
I do agree that the weapons of war available to us are the spiritual ones for the most part, and they are sorely underemployed. And many religious leaders appear to be looking for answers in a temporal and not eternal manner. But taking part in the privileges we have been afforded by God isn't antithetical to the gospel. Promoting a candidate who will assist religious freedom in contrast to one who will hinder or limit religious expression is not a bad thing. And simply because a man is called and tasked with the privilege of shepherding God's flock doesn't negate his civic duties.
 

JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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#50
I do agree that the weapons of war available to us are the spiritual ones for the most part, and they are sorely underemployed. And many religious leaders appear to be looking for answers in a temporal and not eternal manner. But taking part in the privileges we have been afforded by God isn't antithetical to the gospel. Promoting a candidate who will assist religious freedom in contrast to one who will hinder or limit religious expression is not a bad thing. And simply because a man is called and tasked with the privilege of shepherding God's flock doesn't negate his civic duties.
You can support an idea, but do not support the man. A corrupt man can have good ideas, but he's still corrupt.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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#51
Question: how does one “support a pastor”? Serious question.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#52
You can support an idea, but do not support the man. A corrupt man can have good ideas, but he's still corrupt.
It's not that complicated for me. I vote for the person who most closely promotes Christian values.
 

JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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#53
Question: how does one “support a pastor”? Serious question.
Greg Laurie and Franklin Graham both back Trump. Even after he lied about the election.
 

SomeDisciple

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Jul 4, 2021
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#55
Question: how does one “support a pastor”? Serious question.
Send/give them money and/or refer them to people who need leadership. For example, if a pastor were to take an offering for a mission- except there was no mission, he was just pocketing the money... and you know this but you continue to work for him, or tell people he is a great guy instead of telling him to stop doing it and return the money he took.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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#56
Greg Laurie and Franklin Graham both back Trump. Even after he lied about the election.
So, how would one “support” them?
 

SomeDisciple

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Jul 4, 2021
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#57
I don't trust any pastor who sides with any politician. I know some have sided with Trump. Did these pastors forget, we are not to get entangled in this world affairs?
I would hardly call backing a political candidate "entanglement".

To be entangled is to be so absorbed that it takes away from your ministry/walk. Also, "the affairs of this world" doesn't even necessarily refer to political things- it can be any worldly distraction.

And just because Timothy was not supposed to abandon the gospel to fight climate change or shift all his effort into abolition- that doesn't mean that he could not support those things at all. In fact, very often political movements coincide with parts of the gospel message- and it's not inappropriate for a pastor to be tangentially involved in those things if it furthers the gospel.

Also- it is a gross error to conflate the ministry of the church with the ministry of the government. You can leave a corrupt Pastor because chances are they aren't a real Pastor anyway... but you cannot simply write off a corrupt government; otherwise their would be no government to speak of.

Notice how Abraham's (Edit: Jacob's) kids didn't just walk up into Egypt and be like "HEY YOU HEATHEN IDOLATERS, WE ARE GODS SERVANTS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU" because that's not how it works at all.
 

Joelightening

Active member
Feb 27, 2023
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#58
"Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! " Matt 18:7.

If you know the Pastor or church leader has stolen from the church, cheated on their wife or done other things, are you held accountable for continuing to support them? Even if they have not repented? I am amazed when I read of corruption in a church and yet some members of the church still support the Pastor or church leader.
In the 1st century Church, each Church in each town had multiple Pastors. Though their gifts varied, they were equal in rank. Those Churches received the true doctrines of Christ through the Apostles and Prophets. Today there is the falling away. That is why I don't trust modern day Pastors. However, if there were one who knows the true doctrines of Christ, I would not object.