How Modern Pastors Are Derelict in their Duties
Terry L. Mitchell
January 12, 2009
I have become so frustrated, disgusted, and disillusioned with many of the men and women who call themselves Christian pastors today. Iīve had it just about up to my eyeballs with their spineless and gutless methods of leading their flocks. With the exception of those who pastor fundamentalist churches, most of them refuse to preach about sin or hell anymore.
They spend of all of their time in the pulpit focusing on Godīs love, grace, and forgiveness. Itīs all well and good to preach about those things, as they are a big part of Godīs nature. But there is another side to God a side of high moral standards and judgment and punishment. When a pastor omits that side of God, it is a clear dereliction of duty.
What are these pastors afraid of anyway? Do they fear people not liking them anymore? If so, thatīs a completely unbiblical fear. A pastor (or any other Christian, for that matter) should only be concerned about what God thinks of him or her and not worry about what anyone else thinks. Godīs opinion is the only one that counts, in the final analysis.
Are they afraid that people will stop tithing or giving to their churches? Money is no problem for God. Pastors who follow Godīs direction do not have to worry about it either. God already owns everything anyway. He could easily give them all the financial support they and their churches need. He could even create a gold mine out of thin air if He wanted to. Are they afraid of being fired by their church? God could give them another one.
People even Christians need to be frequently reminded of what sin is. Our secular society certainly isnīt going to do that job. In fact, it wonīt even acknowledge that the concept of sin exists. People need to know that abortion, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, hedonism, gluttony, drunkenness, recreational drug use, envy, gossip, greed, self-centeredness, foul language, vengefulness, hatred, arrogance, etc. are still sins, even though the world seems to think they are now okay.
There are now churches that allow people who are open and unrepentant participants in the gay lifestyle, as well as heterosexual couples who are unapologetically living together outside of marriage, to become members. This is an abomination! It is anathema to the teachings of the Word of God. It is all a result of pastors failing to condemn sin and, consequently, their churches cozying up to the ways and whims of the world.
Not surprisingly, when the condemnation of sin isnīt preached from the pulpit, neither is Godīs judgment. Thereīs a lot of talk about the heaven that awaits believers, but not much is said anymore about the hell that awaits unbelievers. Some preachers even go as far as leaving out half of certain teachings of Jesus when delivering their sermons. For example, Iīve heard them preach about the parable of the sheep and goats and only mention what God says to the sheep.
In order to make an informed decision about Christ, people need to know about both of the possible fates that await them when this life is over. They need to know that God loves them but still hates sin and cannot let it go unpunished. They need to know that, if they are unwilling to accept Christīs sacrifice His death on the cross as payment for their sins, they must pay the heavy toll themselves.
They spend of all of their time in the pulpit focusing on Godīs love, grace, and forgiveness. Itīs all well and good to preach about those things, as they are a big part of Godīs nature. But there is another side to God a side of high moral standards and judgment and punishment. When a pastor omits that side of God, it is a clear dereliction of duty.
What are these pastors afraid of anyway? Do they fear people not liking them anymore? If so, thatīs a completely unbiblical fear. A pastor (or any other Christian, for that matter) should only be concerned about what God thinks of him or her and not worry about what anyone else thinks. Godīs opinion is the only one that counts, in the final analysis.
Are they afraid that people will stop tithing or giving to their churches? Money is no problem for God. Pastors who follow Godīs direction do not have to worry about it either. God already owns everything anyway. He could easily give them all the financial support they and their churches need. He could even create a gold mine out of thin air if He wanted to. Are they afraid of being fired by their church? God could give them another one.
People even Christians need to be frequently reminded of what sin is. Our secular society certainly isnīt going to do that job. In fact, it wonīt even acknowledge that the concept of sin exists. People need to know that abortion, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, hedonism, gluttony, drunkenness, recreational drug use, envy, gossip, greed, self-centeredness, foul language, vengefulness, hatred, arrogance, etc. are still sins, even though the world seems to think they are now okay.
There are now churches that allow people who are open and unrepentant participants in the gay lifestyle, as well as heterosexual couples who are unapologetically living together outside of marriage, to become members. This is an abomination! It is anathema to the teachings of the Word of God. It is all a result of pastors failing to condemn sin and, consequently, their churches cozying up to the ways and whims of the world.
Not surprisingly, when the condemnation of sin isnīt preached from the pulpit, neither is Godīs judgment. Thereīs a lot of talk about the heaven that awaits believers, but not much is said anymore about the hell that awaits unbelievers. Some preachers even go as far as leaving out half of certain teachings of Jesus when delivering their sermons. For example, Iīve heard them preach about the parable of the sheep and goats and only mention what God says to the sheep.
In order to make an informed decision about Christ, people need to know about both of the possible fates that await them when this life is over. They need to know that God loves them but still hates sin and cannot let it go unpunished. They need to know that, if they are unwilling to accept Christīs sacrifice His death on the cross as payment for their sins, they must pay the heavy toll themselves.
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