“The Preacher's Church”

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

     I recently started going to a church which does a ‘Celebrate Recovery’.  One of the rules the preacher has is that you don't date for a year.  I understand this.  We need to build our relationship with God.  However, one individual started dating the preacher's daughter.  The preacher approves.  Yet, other members are still required not to date for a year even though the preacher allowed an exception for his daughter.  How should I handle this?  Should I find another church?

Sincerely,
Double Standard

Dear Double Standard,

This preacher isn’t teaching people to follow the Bible; he is teaching them to follow him.  The Bible strictly warns against adding to God’s Word (Rev 22:18-19), going beyond the Bible (1 Cor 4:6), and making our own rules (Mk 7:8, Col 2:8).  This preacher is doing exactly that.  The Bible never says anything about not dating for a year or that a preacher has a right to mandate that upon members of the Lord’s church.  The reason this preacher made an exception for his daughter is because this preacher has set himself up as the authority.  This church doesn’t belong to Jesus; it belongs to this man.  Don’t walk; RUN away from this church.  If you’d like help finding a Bible-guided church in your area, just let us know.  Our email is askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

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