MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Get the Hell Out of My Church

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Fri, August 28, 2009
Viewed 163
(32) comments so far

Ahhh... our friend Steven Anderson. Let's just say he doesn't like the President. And if you don't like THAT, then you can... well, I'll let him tell you what you can do.

Kinda takes the punch out of seeker sensitive, doesn't it?

Try this on Sunday morning. See how far it gets you.

Todd

Comments

if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.

Tye Male on Mon, August 31, 2009

Pastor Matt - this is not about a guy having a bad day. This is someone who is leading his church (“get out of MY church”) in a very negative way. The pulpit is no place to take out your anger on anyone, Obama or some church member.

Leaders have a greater responsibility to care for the flock. I don’t see that happening here.
Matt Parkins on Tue, September 01, 2009

Absolutely - his views on Obama are reprehensible - similarly over here in the UK many of us have had to hold our tongues and not Bush-bash in the Bush years. However my point is that his delivery was probably due to the pressure he is under - I’ve seen it often enough (and been tempted often enough too).

I understand why, under pressure, he may say “my” church - of course, being a pastor means that he is accountable to God for the souls in his care. I would draw your attention to the other shade of meaning in the phrase “my church”, ie not possession, but that he has an association with it: just as you could say “my country”, “my nation”, “my family”, you could also say “my church”. Of course it is Christ’s church, but the US is also Christ’s nation, your family is also Christ’s family, etc.

You’re right that what he says and how he says it has no place in the pulpit. But I wonder too if you’ve seen what he does during the week - I have no idea by the way - I’m just aware of the prejudice that can be created from a 34 second you tube clip. We don’t even know what happened before that clip began - had the guy been heckling a lot and this was the last straw and the pastor just lost it? Is it ok for us to pigeon-hole this guy from a you tube vid that lacks context? I’m not sure it is.

Whatever is happening he needs God’s intervention.
Tye Male on Tue, September 01, 2009

Pastor Matt - agreed. “My church” statement is especially repulsive to me, probably more so than all the other things he says. We should be careful judging a man on a 30 sec clip, but then again I would imagine his lack of self control would be evidenced the other hours of the week.
Matt Parkins on Tue, September 01, 2009

Yes, very true.
Brian L. on Tue, September 01, 2009

It’s not an isolated out-of-context issue regarding his hatred toward Obama as well as Billy Graham and others.

He’s got many of his sermons posted on Youtube, not just snippets. Check them out.

Also, he was just on the news recently for a sermon in which he says he prays for Obama to die in office soon.

I don’t like most of what Obama stands for, but I certainly don’t pray that He is struck down with brain cancer!
Matt Parkins on Tue, September 01, 2009

Wow - fair enough!
Jeff Jensen on Tue, September 01, 2009

I will say I am not surprised. The other evening, I heard his name on the radio on CBS news. The story was about a member of his church, who was just following his pastor’s teaching… CBS news quoted Anderson as saying he “hates Obama and prays for his death everyday.”

It really doesn’t say that in the KJV…. I’ve read it.
Tim Wright on Tue, September 01, 2009

Hi,

I agree with him about President Obama. If I was for slavery or Pro Rape would consider me a Christian. I don’t think so.

Tim
Brian L. on Tue, September 01, 2009

It’s one thing to disagree with the President, and even to dislike him and his positions. But to pray for his death? Show me any clear TEACHING in Scripture that supports that.

I’ve disliked a number of our presidents and am not a fan of this one. But Scripture says we’re supposed to pray FOR them. Remember, Paul was writing during a time period where the government was trying to kill Christians, infanticide was a given, as was pedastry (men having sex with boys). All of these were government sanctioned (or government allowed).

Scripture does not say we should only pray for leaders we like.
Tim Wright on Tue, September 01, 2009

Hi,

I would never pray for the death of anyone. But I do think it is ok to question the salvation of someone if you think that there beliefs do not align up what we believe a follower of Christ should believe. I am sure you would agree with that. Imagine I told you that I was a Christian and I said that it was ok for Christians to do _____ fill in the blank. Some things we may be too sure on but they are many things that most Christians would say, no that is too far.

Tim
Peter Hamm on Tue, September 01, 2009

Tim, I hear what you’re saying… but…

Jesus said they’ll know I follow Him because of my love, not my doctrine. And we are saved by trusting Him, not believing all the right things about Him (as important as doctrine and theology are… they don’t save us).

And it’s a slippery slope that ends in “Well, if everybody doesn’t totally agree with MY understood theology”... well, it ends in idolatry of human doctrine… We are all wrong about things, and we are always being led into truth by God’s Spirit. (Presumably, we might become less wrong as we progress…)

This particular individual for instance, actually believes that the KJV Bible is the ONLY inspired word of God… not the original texts, not any other language or translation. I mean… does he really think if you don’t believe that you aren’t saved? And… would it be equally ridiculous to say that because HE believes something that ridiculous that HE isn’t saved?
Tim Wright on Tue, September 01, 2009

Hi,

Imagine talking to someone who said that they were Christians who believed and practiced sex with animals. They are out there! Don’t Google it you will find it. I have no discomfort saying that he love of Jesus probably is not in them. I am in Europe and there are pedophile Christian groups in Denmark. You may want to draw the line with them. I do.

Tim
Brian L. on Tue, September 01, 2009

Tim,

Peter would never say that sinful behavior by “sincere” Christians is acceptable.

When Scripture says it’s a sin, it’s sin. I think Peter would agree.

That’s not what he’s discussing, and I think you may be stretching his point a bit.

He’s saying that it’s not doctrine that saves us - it’s Christ and our faith in Him. Believing certain doctrines (KJV only, abstinence from alcohol, divorce/remarriage, etc. - take your pick of many others) doesn’t define who is a Christian and who isn’t.

Am I right on that, Peter?
Peter Hamm on Tue, September 01, 2009

Brian L., yes.

Tim,

yeah, there’s lines I’d draw.

It’s a dangerous line to draw, but at times… it’s obvious… even based merely on common sense.

And I am NOT googling it…
Tweed on Tue, September 08, 2009

Matt:

Can you explain to me why you would need to hold your tongue regarding a man who was not your president and never did anything to you? So you had an opinion, thats nice.

I’m glad our country has now elected a man YOU now can okay.

Bottom line is that this guy is whack job. As a pastor I am very careful to preach God’s truth. While I am conservative politically, I never make my politics an issue. I do not support churches aligning themselves fully with the republican party. I think that approach is now resulting in a lash-back now in the church as all sorts of non-Christian beliefs are now being tolerated and espoused by Christians to show they are tolerant and embracing.

NO political party fully represents Christ. Just because a party sounds “christian” also shows they are not Christian at the very core. Jesus has not called us to set up governments of justice nor of prosperity. He’s called us to a higher calling.