Expert: Phillip Senn - 9/30/2008

Question
Q:   Can I advise my pastor, and in meekness correct his doctrine?

My pastor runs a nation wide prayer network, and he sincerely loves God and people. Yet he has misinterpreted things in the bible about prayer and speaking in tongues, and he teaches these things to people across our entire nation. He is a humble man, and I'm sure he would listen an elder, but he might not listen to me. I feel as though it’s not my place to advise or correct him, but at the same time there is so many critical matters needing effective prayer and warfare by this prayer network in our country. The Holy Spirit has kept me in perfect peace, but I really want the people to know the truth about prayer, so we can be more effective.

According to Galatians 6:6 "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." Yet I have not yet said anything to my pastor, because I love and respect him. And don't want to offend him or hinder our friendship. Prov 29:11 "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."

Regarding intercession, the congregations are taught to speak in tongues for intercession and warfare. Unfortunately, my pastor and his peers have misunderstood 1 Cor 14 and Rom 8:26-27. Please take into account that my pastor trains pastors across the nation, and is the president of the prayer network in our country.

Also in warfare, we have been taught to make noise, blow trumpets and sing battle songs. (Eg. Song chorus: “I went to the enemies camp, and I took back what He stole from me”) When I believe that we should use all kinds of prayer in the spirit (under the instruction, control and guidance of the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 6:18) and use the word, apply and sprinkle the blood of Jesus and carry the cross (deny ourselves totally) to be effective in warfare against the enemy.

Anyway, there are many God fearing, spirit-filled believers who are passionate about prayer, spiritual warfare and intercession for our nation, yet they are misinformed about prayer and as a result, they may are "fighting as one that beats the air"

Most of the elders and pastors just teach what they have been taught, and unfortunately much of what they have been taught is actually slightly contrary to the word.
People just seem to believe anything their seniors teach, and I wonder if they ever consult the Holy Spirit on doctrines during their private bible study. Acts 17:11(b) "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

I have thought about privately discussing some interpretations of the scriptures with my pastor, for the sake of the people, needing to know the truth. Psa 119:104 “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Psa 119:128   “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”

I would greatly appreciate your advice Phillip.

Thanks,
Alan


Answer
Alan,

Thank you for your question. I can tell it is from a very sincere heart.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with going to your Pastor with a question concerning doctrinal issues. I would suggest that you prayerfully consider whether you should go to "instruct", or to ask a "question". If you go to ask a question of him, he may be more open to hearing your understanding of these scriptures. That would be a meek way of instructing him. If you go in with the attitude that you are going to show him something, he will probably say that you are attacking him, and it will place him in a defensive mode. I have seen this attitude before.

By being in a place of prominence, he is also at risk of losing that place of prominence if he changes his position on any of these issues. That can be an added reason for being on the defensive. Because of these issues, my suggestion would be to pray, pray, pray.

I have dealt with many, and I am not sure what position your Pastor takes, that will use the "touch not mine anointed" to say you are attacking. Should any of these issues arise, I would suggest that he is not following the leadership of the Holy Spirit in his response to you. A Pastor should always accept instruction from the Word of God, no matter who it comes from. The final authority should always be God's Word, and not what someone else has said. Acts 17:11 is the key that you invoked. I agree with that wholeheartedly. When a question is raised that goes against what we have been taught, we should "search the Scriptures daily" to find the acceptable understanding of the Scriptures.

Prayerfully Submitted With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn