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mrmody · 06-08-2012, 07:52 AM

(06-07-2012 09:28 PM)tiarali Wrote: How the hell was he made a pastor in the first place.

Fundies like a good conversion story, like on the radio show “Unshackled”. One actually has more social status if one was a greater sinner before they were “saved”.
It was probably exciting for this church to have an ex-con as their pastor.
It all starts with the apostle Paul, who was a mass murderer of Christians before god "chose" him to write most of the New Testament.

**Tiarali** · 06-08-2012, 08:10 AM

Yes. And the early christians were smart. They wouldn't have accepted Paul just cause he told them he'd converted. So God used a blinding light, an audible voice, and a miraculous healing to prove that Paul actually was legit.

Anyone who puts a criminal in the position of pastor without such is a bastard.

BASSENCO · 06-08-2012, 12:58 PM

(06-08-2012 08:10 AM)tiarali Wrote: Yes. And the early christians were smart. They wouldn't have accepted Paul just cause he told them he'd converted. So God used a blinding light, an audible voice, and a miraculous healing to prove that Paul actually was legit.

Anyone who puts a criminal in the position of pastor without such is a bastard.

He also put a number of years between conversion and service for Paul, in which Paul's life was blameless and consistent with his profession of faith, and He caused Paul to demonstrate a willingness to suffer for the faith of Jesus Christ. Let's remember, Paul went from being a promising upper middle class Jewish elite scholar to being, essentially, a flea market vendor because he chose Christ. I don't see any of these guys doing that.

notdrinkingthekoolaid · 06-08-2012, 04:42 PM

I don't see the concept of "cowboy church" much differently than that of a "seeker friendly" church. We are a consumer society through and through--even down to the church we choose. I have no interest in cowboy culture, but I don't have a problem with those who do and have built a fellowship around it. In this case the problem lies in who they chose to lead.

bamabob1 · 06-09-2012, 12:18 PM

Churches before they call a pastor should do a thorough background check and also a credit check. Also they should want to know his credit score. Some may question the credit but that tells quite a bit about a person. If they have a low credit score I would pass on them.

Are any of these check perfect no but the more information you ask for will also let you know if your potential pastor balks at any of these that there is something he is trying to hide. If he does balk pass on him as there is something in the past that he does not want found out.

lucrezaborgia · 06-09-2012, 08:49 PM

Is there a shortage of pastors that people take anyone they can? I'm confused why the lack of discernment.

**Tiarali** · 06-09-2012, 10:35 PM

Nope. Idiots glory in their lack of discernment. They have become wise in their own eyes.

lucrezaborgia · 06-09-2012, 11:17 PM

I think it is as someone else said upthread: there is a lot of 'street cred' if your pastor used to be a criminal. As the forum heather, I don't believe that finding Jesus in any way makes you suitable to be in such a position of authority if your former crimes are of a sexual or violent nature. That being said, I do know some people who have records who are definitely not their past, but their crimes are 10+ years in the past or they are for non-violent offenses. Also, these friends do nothing to hide their pasts and are very open about them to their possible employers.

**MKxcomm** · 06-09-2012, 11:36 PM

(06-08-2012 05:00 AM)Tbird Wrote: I just thought of something else regarding "cowboy churches". Isn't it Boyd Householder at Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Humansville, MO who calls himself the "Gunslinger for God"?

My parents and three sisters go to the church that Householder attends...

One of the staff at his "ranch" had sex with one of the girls (she was 16) and nobody reported it. They fired the worker and kicked the girl out really quickly. The whole church knew about it.