Should Those Who Have Addiction Struggles Be Allowed In the Church Ministry?

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Ugly

Guest
#41
#41
We see Paul telling one church to cast some members out if the church for repeated, willful sin. If this woman is a practicing homosexual with no intentions of changing we already know the answer from Paul.
Even if she's struggling if she has a girlfriend I would still say no. Her lifestyle and behavior is a reflection on the church. And actively living in a sin reflects poorly, even if she's struggling. That she's dating another woman shows she's not far along in her struggles. Or trying very little.
 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#42
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#42
PRO. 14:2.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth The LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.

28:18.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

ACTS 20:30.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

PHI. 2:12-13-14-15-16.
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as Lights in the World;

Holding forth The Word of Life; that I may rejoice in The Day of Christ, that I have not run in vain,
neither laboured in vain.

we each have to learn in our own time where God draws His lines... if we care to learn and obey,
then The Holy Spirit will teach/show us how to abide within them...
come what may...
 
OneFaith

OneFaith

Senior Member
#43
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#43
AbigailZeke said:
I have this friend / co-worker who goes to the same church as I. She smokes and has a girlfriend (lesbian). But she goes to church where she is accepted and not condemned while she goes through her struggles. Recently, she's been expressing interest to join the ministry. The ministry requirements are a grey area so she asked me if she should join. I honestly didn't know what to say.

So, I wanted to know, as Christians, should we let people who are going through struggles, especially addiction struggles, serve in the ministry?

What does the bible say about this?
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That is sexually immoral. The Bible says with such a one do not even eat. No, everyone sins, but such a one must be above reproach. Even elders wives must be above reproach. This is to be like Daniel, with whom no fault could be found, even though he did have faults.
 
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pottersclay

Guest
#44
#44
How long has she been a believer seeking after the Lord? Does she get no convictions of her life style? What about her partner is she a believer?

I'm not trying to be mean or judgemental here but let's break it down. You have a gay individual who attends a fellowship she has a nicotine addiction who is getting confused by scripture and is fearful in asking the church leaders about a interest in a ministry. So she ask you her friend your opinion.
You in turn ask for a biblical perspective on a chat resource. You indicated that the above church is a grace believing church yet as almost liberal minded as they would accept her with her lifestyle to be active in a seen ministry.

I wonder who's testing who.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#45
Jul 18, 2017
26,003
13,723
113
#45
AbigailZeke said:
So, I wanted to know, as Christians, should we let people who are going through struggles, especially addiction struggles, serve in the ministry?
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1. If by ministry you mean preaching, teaching, or administration of church affairs, those ministries are only for men, not women.

2. If a person is still addicted to any substance, then they are not fit for any kind of formal service within a church. Their example would be detrimental. As you will note, when the apostles appointed deacons in the Jerusalem church, these men were "filled with the Holy Ghost" (which automatically excludes addictions).

3. If a woman continues to be a lesbian after professing Christ, then chances are she is not even saved. So really you should be talking to her about her spiritual standing, not ministry (which will be a long way off). Homosexuals show repentance by turning away from that sin -- renouncing it.
 
MessageOfTheCross

MessageOfTheCross

Senior Member
#46
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#46
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29

Most men struggle with pornography, including pastors and deacons. They will not admit it. However they love God and continue to preach and serve God. They don't parade proudly in this sin.

The scripture says Sodom parade their sin and didn't hid it. They have brought disaster upon themselves. Woe unto their soul! For they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Isaiah 3:9

 
AbigailZeke

AbigailZeke

Beloved
#47
Mar 11, 2016
3,055
242
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#47
Thank you all for your responses. Some of my doubts are cleared. Going through all the responses, it seems we all agree that: she must first be a believer, who acknowledges that she's living in sin and is repentant about it.

For now, I'll just encourage her to keep hearing the Word. If she does send her application to the ministry team, the ministry leaders will take care of it.
 
C

Chidiano

Guest
#48
#48
It's unfortunate that some people don't understand the teachings of the Bible.
the Bible made us understand that you can not come to Jesus without acknowledging your sins, that is to say Lord I know that I am a sinner I have done these(name the sins) then ask for forgiveness and promise him you will not do them again.
By the Bible doctrine she or he is not qualified to do any kind of work if in the house of God for it is a sacred place.
What she or he is struggling with is a spirit that opposes Holy living, and can be transfered to those around him or her, so please discourage him or her to save the church.
Thank you and God bless you.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#49
#49
Willie-T said:
We have the same trouble at our church. Too many people bent over backwards to try and act like God is fine with the lifestyles our two gay couples and our two Transvestites lived. The gays finally left, so did one transvestite, and the other one hardly ever comes anymore. I guess they needed more than just twenty or thirty people gushing over them.
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They really acted like God is fine with that?

That is scary.

One does not have to act like sin is ok to love a person.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#50
#50
AbigailZeke said:
Thank you all for your responses. Some of my doubts are cleared. Going through all the responses, it seems we all agree that: she must first be a believer, who acknowledges that she's living in sin and is repentant about it.

For now, I'll just encourage her to keep hearing the Word. If she does send her application to the ministry team, the ministry leaders will take care of it.
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I would say that is probably the best. My view is she should not be allowed. But if I or you would say that, we would be called judgmental. Let the church leadership handle it. And then [ray hard about it
 
D

dalok6800

Banned
#53
Sep 12, 2017
65
2
0
#53
Originally Posted by Willie-T

We have the same trouble at our church. Too many people bent over backwards to try and act like God is fine with the lifestyles our two gay couples and our two Transvestites lived. The gays finally left, so did one transvestite, and the other one hardly ever comes anymore. I guess they needed more than just twenty or thirty people gushing over them.
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Originally Posted by Willie-T

Yeah, it was mostly the 20-35 crowd.
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eternally-gratefull said:
the younger generation scares me. Even in my church,
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eternally-gratefull said:
They really acted like God is fine with that? That is scary.One does not have to act like sin is ok to love a person.
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Student and young adult ministries do not initiate these kinds of things on their own. They are being taught this from someone or something in the church. Vetting, mentoring and managing by walking around of youth and young adults leadership and pastors is crucial today. These young pastors are usually enticed by another elder couple that was appointed by Senior Pastors to be a volunteer elder to the youth/young adult pastors ministry. They deceive these young pastors with a false teaching. These wolves seek to build congregations of their own by tickling the ears of the young pastors and then either split the church or if the Senior/Lead Pastor catch the false teachings, throw those young pastors under the bus.Students and next generation are a herd and led mentality and they despise legalism. They are taught these things not manifesting on their own.
 
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Depleted

Guest
#55
#55
dalok6800 said:
Could her wanting to be a part of a formal ministry team, also be to mask or deflection to hide her desire to also stay in a homosexual relationship?
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I suspect she has yet to be told homosexuality is a sin. I'm not faulting Ab for that, because I would have no idea how to bring it up in such a way as to not turn the woman off.

I am praying studying God's word helps that light come on though.


As for what I'm thinking? I wouldn't want her doing any evangelism or teaching, but nothing brings us more a part of something than to help out.

Of course, I'm also at a disadvantage myself. In our denomination, she wouldn't be given a job until she became a member, and she wouldn't be able to become a member until she becomes a believer, and repents. She could come to church and make friends, but joining is a different level.

This one is perplexing to me, but I am curious how she has been a member so long without the pastors or elders figuring out she's homosexual.

(Smoking? Not considered a sin. Weakness, but not sin.)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#56
#56
pottersclay said:
How long has she been a believer seeking after the Lord? Does she get no convictions of her life style? What about her partner is she a believer?

I'm not trying to be mean or judgemental here but let's break it down. You have a gay individual who attends a fellowship she has a nicotine addiction who is getting confused by scripture and is fearful in asking the church leaders about a interest in a ministry. So she ask you her friend your opinion.
You in turn ask for a biblical perspective on a chat resource. You indicated that the above church is a grace believing church yet as almost liberal minded as they would accept her with her lifestyle to be active in a seen ministry.

I wonder who's testing who.
Click to expand...
"Girlfriend." That tells me she isn't a believer yet. It's a sustained relationship, and once you figure out homosexuality is sin, at worse, you fumble. The relationship is over, because you're telling the GF it is a sin and you can't. That's going to change her relationship with you in short order, even if you back-and-forth the issue for a while.

So, at best, she's thinking about it. But she's not a believer yet.
 
FlSnookman7

FlSnookman7

Senior Member
#57
Jun 27, 2015
1,125
135
63
#57
As a recovering addict I am sure glad it is God who decides what gifts we have and not man. I wanted to teach as I have always disliked speaking before crowds but I am finding that God has given me a gift for evangelizing. I seem to be blessed with what I call the ability to get out of God's way and letting Him do the talking. In fact I am speaking in front of most of our group (100-125 people) Friday morning after praise and worship.

If anyone could be "disqualified" from any office in the church it would be me. For 40 years I lived what can only be described as an ANTI-Christian lifestyle. I wont get into specifics but I'll just say that I can understand Paul when he says "of sinners, I am chief."

I think it's one of the most telling aspects of God's glory that He DOES NOT call the qualified but instead He qualifies the called. To everyone saying this person's friend can not or should not be allowed to do whatever God has caller her to do in HIS church, please get back to me once you've created a galaxy or two....(that's humor but still applies)

I think we sometimes get so concerned with other's gifts or callings that we miss out on our own gifts. We should also be wary of letting our emotions dictate what we perceive to be God's law. I am reminded of a certain verse..

Romans 14:4
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

I just think we better serve God when we reflect His love for us in our own walk instead of trying to fix everyone else. I know many will say "if we love someone we owe it to the to tell them the truth" and that may indeed be the case. We should just make sure we check our motivation very carefully so as not to put a stumbling block in front of anyone. Shalom.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#58
#58
FlSnookman7 said:
As a recovering addict I am sure glad it is God who decides what gifts we have and not man. I wanted to teach as I have always disliked speaking before crowds but I am finding that God has given me a gift for evangelizing. I seem to be blessed with what I call the ability to get out of God's way and letting Him do the talking. In fact I am speaking in front of most of our group (100-125 people) Friday morning after praise and worship.

If anyone could be "disqualified" from any office in the church it would be me. For 40 years I lived what can only be described as an ANTI-Christian lifestyle. I wont get into specifics but I'll just say that I can understand Paul when he says "of sinners, I am chief."

I think it's one of the most telling aspects of God's glory that He DOES NOT call the qualified but instead He qualifies the called. To everyone saying this person's friend can not or should not be allowed to do whatever God has caller her to do in HIS church, please get back to me once you've created a galaxy or two....(that's humor but still applies)

I think we sometimes get so concerned with other's gifts or callings that we miss out on our own gifts. We should also be wary of letting our emotions dictate what we perceive to be God's law. I am reminded of a certain verse..

Romans 14:4
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

I just think we better serve God when we reflect His love for us in our own walk instead of trying to fix everyone else. I know many will say "if we love someone we owe it to the to tell them the truth" and that may indeed be the case. We should just make sure we check our motivation very carefully so as not to put a stumbling block in front of anyone. Shalom.
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I do think God has qualifications for whom he chooses -- the weak and foolish of the world.
 
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