We all knew that Church leaders knew very well & follow the Biblical principles of Restoration to sinful ministers or to any servant of God! I personally agreed on the previous comments of all brethren above and just want to add some more! Actually, in the process of restoration, it is in the execution and not in the principles that problems arise and that is commonly ignored by anyone assuming that all consequences were all just the results of his/her sin that is why he/she deserved such ill treatment! I mean we knew that we are God's instruments for the restoration of our fellow servant who had sinned with the motivation of love but what is really happening is the other way around, we commonly becomes the stumbling block that gives the brethren a more harder time to be restored! Few are those who really followed the Biblical principles of restoration and do it without prejudging nor reservation!
kevin (Guest)
Posted: May 17, 2008
We also forget that sometimes that God is the Judge. If a leader has backsliden then he must confess and ask for forgiveness not only to the lord but to the church and it's leaders as well. Remember that even after David had his affair with Bathsheeba He repented and God was able to use him again. He was restored. Once a leader has been in a sinful situation and has confessed and apologized he should not be talked about and the situation must end unless it comes to pass that he is continuing in sin. The way we judge we will also be judged. Let us remember to pray for all leaders because they aren't perfect and can fall into temptation and other sin. We are human.
God Bless You All
AJ Hil (Guest)
Posted: April 10, 2008
A church's primary principle should be to disapprove/restore. Often times issues exist within the church that leadership is well aware of, however they turn a blind-eye. Thus the issue becoming the subject of scandal, slander, and juicy gossip. This type of behavior subtly implies that the backsliders actions are acceptable. When in fact it isn't. Additionally, we (christians) can be our worst critics. A church's greatest failure is to restore the backslider in the spirit of love; instead of condemning him/her in all out public humiliation! I believe that first the backsliders behavior needs to be addressed personally by the pastor, pastoral body, or by experienced and mature leadership of the church. Secondly, the backslider has to work diligently to redemonstrate his faithfulness. Of course prayer and asking for forgiveness is essential. However our focus is the "churches" role/responsibility. We are to correct them in love. Build them up (restore them). Not toss them to the wolves!
altagracia (Guest)
Posted: April 10, 2008
God loves us all, including a sinful minister. Anyone can be restored as long as there is repentance. A heartfelt desire and action not to return to the sin. It involves time of solitude, but also time of accountability with a fellow minister. It involves "giving back" what was ''stolen" from the people's hearts-trust. Its a long road, but honesty form the fallen minister and assuming responsibility for his(her ) actions are key to paving the road to restoration. Abounding grace and felowship with the body of Christ will assure not only his restoration but also that of the body. The Body also has to be restored and the sinful spirit cast out.
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