Obedience

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I think I'll try my hand at answering these:
>
>
> 	Question;
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> 	Can a Pastor be wrong?

Yes, he is human like anyone else. Only the Pope is infallible :-) (and then
only part time)
>
> 	Do we as Saints have responsibility to verify truth?

Yes. We ought to be like the believers in Acts 17:10-11

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:
who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether
those things were so.
>
> 	What do we do, when we find a Pastor in error?

It depends on the time of error.

Factual error (i.e. He says Mexico is in Central America) should be dealt
with as with any other person.

Doctrinal error should be dealt with according to the passages in Timothy.
Entreat him as a father, and after the first and second unheeded warnings
avoid him (i. e. go elsewhere). Speak to others in leadership about the
matter if it is causing problems for the whole church.

Moral error should be dealt with Scripturally, too. Confront him according
to Matt. seeking a spirit of restoration "when one is fallen, ye who are
spiritual seek to restore him...". If this attempt at restoration is
unsuccessful and the lapse is verifiable, take it to the elders of the
church in a meeting, and finally to the whole church as a body, should he
refuse correction. If in the face of clear evidene of SERIOUS moral failure,
people wish to deceive and cover up for the sake of "peace", leave that body
ASAP. Ichabod is on the door. If part of an organization, you may also
choose to follow the procedures of that organization for ministerial
discipline, although the procedure for these seems to harken back to
Nuremburg in the late 40's and provides no  system of support for the
non-member (i.e. non-minister) should they seek to bring about a charge.

>
> 	What do we do, When the Pastor states he does not care, It's his way or
the highway?

Ask yourself if the point is worth it to fight over. If it is one of the
situations listed above, choose from that list. Prayer can be remarkably
successful n cases like this, too. God can intervene when a minister uses
the "my way or the highway" statement one time too many and discover that
God made "his way" the highway.

Also depending on attachments to the assembly, you can choose to leave. Paul
and Barnabas parted ways for a time. Maybe you can, too.
>
> 	What should a Pastor do when a saint refuses to obey the Word of God, and
the CONVICTION of the Pastor?

The same thing that they tell the saint to do. Obey them that are over them
(i.e. Jesus) Maybe the person in question has a rebellious spirit, maybe
they just want to understand. Jesus through His Spirit will give the best
course of action.

>
> 	Should a Pastor have the right to impose HIS own CONVICTIONS on the body
that he is a shepard of?

To me that depends. Did the pastor start the work from scratch? If so and
people undestood this was the way it would be, and chose to join, sure. If
he came in because of an "audition" as Bro. Jerry put it, and made this
clear, and was voted in sure. BUT if he came in under false pretenses and
decided to "clean house" once he got there (I've known ministers who have
justified being deceitful, because God wanted them there to clean house),
then no, he should be given his coat, hold the door for him, so it doesn't
hit him on the way out. Why this answer to the last question? If he had to
deceive to get the position, God didn't want him there, so he isn't one of
the "shepherds

> 	If So, where do the lines on Pastoral Authority get drawn?

The Word of God gives humans the right, through free will, to submit
themselves to any degree of authority they choose, from anarchy, to
despotism. All He asks is that they be willing to suffer the consequences
for their actions.

God provides shepherds in a church for us to follow. Paul set the limits for
their authority in his statement "follow me as I follow Christ." If I as a
shepherd stop following Christ, I have no business telling others to follow
me. A shepherd is not following Christ to the degree that he does not submit
his will to Christ's, just as it is with any saint. I may be submitted in
one area, but not another. A pastor might ask his church to sign up under
him in an MLM on the basis of his pastoral authority. In this part of his
ministry he is not following Christ, so the request/command need not be
obeyed. One of the benefits of plural ministry is that the elders and
shepherds can keep each other accountable and avoid such things happeneing.
>
> 	Is there any limit?

See my comments on Paul, above.
>
> 	What rights/responsibilities do the saints of God have over their own
salvation?

While the passage in Hebrews says that pastors will be accountable to God
for their faithfulness in pastoring us, we are ultimately responsible for
our decisions. We will each stand before a judgement seat of God either to
determine our rewards, or our damnation, depending on which seat. The pastor
will not be there. This is why teachers are said to be worthy of double
honour. There are the rewards for their own life and conduct, and the
possible rewards for being faithful and obedient in their given ministry.

This is the account a pastor will have to give for you. How much like Christ
was his shepherding of you?

Frank Vandenburg