Clergy Gone Wild

Weekly Blog

Saturday, 02 August 2008

Clergy Gone Wild

Sincerely Deceived?

In the modern version of "church" as we know it, many times we observed many interesting variations in clergy attire.

There were some of the more casual, down to earth pastoral types:

Although most often observed is the common, suited variety as produced in the bible Schools:
.

Other variations may include regional versions:

Here we have the smooth smiling, made-for-TV, book sales, and mega church model :
(note the adoring wife). (autographing his Bible).

And the well defined specialists such as the Biker Preacher:

Of late, the current and very popular "LOOK-AT-ME- BAM! " tatooed and pierced, "evangelist". (with the full endorsement of Charismatic Apostles and Profits. -While some very un-Biblical activities were taking place off stage)

Who could forget the tele-vangelist healer:

Please note, this may require a hair stylist, Rodeo Blvd. Beverly Hills shopping card, custom-tailor, and makeup. However it is also a very $$$rewarding$$$ way to sacrifice your life for the gospel as you travel the world in your personal jet and stay in 4-star hotels .

Many an aspiring evangelical pastor that inwardly desire a "Mega Church" like this successful Prosperity gospel minister (recently divorced, whose ex-wife's ministry influences THOUSANDS of Christian women):

Note the robe, sash, and posture of worship. Perhaps they are Praisng God for the snoot-full of tithes their ushers just raked in.

Race is no barrier to ecclesiastical fame and fortune for the Mighty Dollar:

after service, he relaxes at home:

If you are blessed with looks and talent, these modest charismatic leaders may invite you to appear on their very own TV network!

Women are getting into the leadership act. Is Mrs. Pastor not be comfortable with charity work and the down-trodden? With good marketing skill her ministry may achieve worldly success.

Maybe you do not have the business acumen or looks of this famous lady. Take on a title like "Co-Pastor" or "Pastor Sally", after all, male and female are one in Christ so we can also do away with separate restrooms at church too. Can you find "co-pastor" or a Pastor's Wife called "Pastor" in your Bible?

Pastors may want to put a few of these ecclesiastical heavies up there on the old platform for some real impact on the common folks down there in the pews.... The respect and fear generated in the presence of these garbed ministers is very impressive to fleshly eyes and maybe take the folks minds off things such as silly financial irregularities or the well stocked liquor cabinet in the parsonage.

The people are very impressed by scenes like these. Call it an ordination or even a coronation, yet there is nothing in the New Testament church resembling this scene, it is the self-esteem and impact on the participants that counts as Jesus told the pharisees of His day.

I wonder what Paul was thinking when he wrote: "I suffer not a woman to teach nor usurp authority over a man"? Is that really in scripture? 1Tim 2:12?

Sadly, NONE of this foolishness was taught, sought after, or given to the disciples in the Christian scriptures.  Jesus actually taught His disciples the exact opposite.

When the apostles sought some special position in the Kingdom, Jesus actually rebuked them in Matthew 20:

"But Jesus called them (the apostles) unto him, and said,
Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;
and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: "
He also made it plain "for ye are brethren".

Church Clothes For Success

Today ANYONE can now call or go online and get a pharisee's dream outfit for church http://www.everythingrobes.net/site/603545/page/45031

Available for less than half the cost of an Armani Italian suit along with an accessory called the "stole": (available in coordinating colors with Latin inscriptions)



Once only available to those with manmade religious credentials, but please remember, this ONLY works in places where the clergy and laity have disregarded following Jesus, the apostles, and the "faith once delivered to the saints", as there is not a single verse of scripture to support these showy, ecclesiastical practices.

No, no , no, none of the writers of The Book ever donned the distinctive robes of the modern clergy. It even appears that back in Jesus day also, the spiritual leadership of apostate Israel enjoyed the exalted outfits and position. Why Jesus, the Son of God even went so far as to OFFEND those religious leaders of God's people and He even mentioned their fancy threads!

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments"

Back then, as now, it's all about the show..............



rory moore 2008, may be reprinted only in its' entirety.

POSTED BY: rory AT 11:53 am | Permalink | 8 Comments | E-mail this

Comments:

Rory: Hello! I post some on Sermonindex, with the name, Brothertom. There is an excellent thread evolving there..."who is responsible for the current state of affairs?"

It parallels much of your posts, and addresses these issues. Maybe you would find it interesting. The church is changing too, very, very quickly.

"The treader of grapes will overcome he who sews the seed."

The acceleration towards instant fruit, a pure and spotless bride is happening, side by side with the apostasy. I appreciate your insight..Tom

Posted by Thomas Watkins on 01/13/2009 09:32:42

Regarding the co pastor, or pastors wife. The Lord made them one, a woman is to compliment her husband and is not UNDER him, but alongside him. If he is a pastor, she is a pastors wife. They BOTH minister as one, in Him. The husband reflects the masculine, and the wife represents the feminine. Let NO MAN separate them. !!!!!!

Posted by Paula on 03/29/2009 23:21:47

Response o Paula: "pastor" is "poimen", (Gr), a masculine nouun. The Bible names no woman as a "pastor", the same as no man is ever called a "prophetess". "3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. Colossians 3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. This is what the Bible says. The scripture is what we are called to obey, not the custom or church culture.

Posted by rory on 03/30/2009 10:57:21

So therfore they are NOT one. I thought they were supposed to be a manifestation on earth of the relationship between Christ and the Bride. Obviously not, the woman, as you write does not count.

Posted by Paula on 03/31/2009 23:02:24

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. The bride is one with Christ and is submitted to Him.

Posted by rory on 04/01/2009 10:00:05

Please read an article entitled "position of Women in the Church" by Ed Stewart at www.etpv.org/2009/powitch.html Acts 10:34 "And Peter opened his mouth and said: most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons."

Posted by Linda on 10/11/2009 13:32:50

TY We agree with scripture: 2Tim 2:12 I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man. Numerics establish the correctness of the orig greek thus a more accurate English translation. Women have many ministries,no women are named position of authority or having dominion over men. Many scriptures give separation in roles of men women children husbands wives employers employees We will post the most in-depth study on our site about this. the offices of 5-fold ministry are all masculine nouns in greek. In scripture, not one woman was appointed as an apostle, pastor, prophet, pastor-teacher Junia has no witness of her as an apostle, a masculine noun in Greek. Thank you for posting

Posted by rory on 10/11/2009 14:58:24

They will not endure sound doctrine... The spirit of rebellion is great in the apostate Church. The world has been turned upside down from what God intended. The Church loves the world more than Jesus as you can see by who is influencing who. All Jesus gets from the lukewarm is lip service as they do not really believe or follow his teachings. Judgment begins at the house of God.

Posted by Marcel on 01/19/2010 12:53:54