Pastoral authority/Cult

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Greetings in Jesus Name,
Dear brothers and sisters,
First let me start with a "disclaimer". (Please read it first.)

DISCLAIMER: In this post, I will not knowingly say anything negative to
or about anyone on this list. I do not imply that the UPCI or any of the
other Oneness Groups are a cult. For the record, I do not believe they
are. Flame my opinions if you wish, but don't put words in my mouth. 

There has been a lengthy discussion on this list on Pastoral authority.
I am some place between the extremes in my understanding, but I would
like to share some of my thoughts on this subject. 

For sometime now I have had an interest in the cults. I read just about
everything I can find on some of them. Yes there is "much" about the
Oneness Groups being a cult. Much of it is the "devil" at work, but some
of it we ask for. The real mark of a cult is usually a man and that man
is usually abusive and domineering. As soon as people see that type man,
they call the group a cult and run. 

1Thes 5:22 KJV says "Abstain from all appearance of evil". For years we
have heard this preached. If you are out driving and get thirsty and
want a coke, you don't stop at a bar to get a coke. Just a coke but if
somebody saw you going in the bar they would think you were there to
sin. But what about the Pastor that is very hard with the "I am the
Pastor so you do what I say"? It makes the Church "look" like a cult to
the world. I have seen things in Churches that I couldn't take. I refuse
to "check my brain at the door" when I go to Church. 

The Pastor should have authority over the devil, not the Saints. But
many of our Churches, it is the other way around. The Pastor has
complete control over the Saints, but can do very little in halting the
devil. And when this happens, he will blame the Saints.

When authority is administered without love, it degenerates into
control. A Pastor will walk in either the true authority of love, the
false authority of control or no authority at all. Since true authority
is built on love, its goal is to liberate, not dominate. Therefore a
Pastor can not truly operate in spiritual authority until he has been
delivered from fear and the desire to control. He must be rooted and
grounded in love. 

The Higher-Fire list is a "semi closed", moderated list. Don't forget
though that the archives are not a private list. The people wishing to
bash the Oneness as a cult can link to individual messages, sometimes
out of context. Lord PLEASE let us try hard to not make ourselves look
like a cult. 

My last remark may sound hard but I don't mean it to. If your Pastor
makes your Church look like a cult, shame on him. If you continue to pay
tithes to him, shame on you. 

I love you all
Floyd E. Avery    feavery@prysm.net