Pastors Leading the flock???)

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In a message dated 9/3/98 9:47:04 PM EST, ReedActs@aol.com writes:

<< the programing on TV is destructive and not constructive.  It is not
conducive to living a holy life.  Can you argue with that statement?  Do you
think TV''s programing *is* conducive to living a holy life?  Do you think TV
*is* constructive? (spiritually)  This is a standard we have at our church.  I
do not believe (and it is not taught here) that TV watching will send you to
hell, however, it can't help you to remain spiritually minded >>
     Bro Mike,  I only have a little problem with your language.  By that I
mean that you need to learn to add a few important words that many of us
Apostolic folks tend to leave out when instructing congregations.  The first
line of your statement above should read "SOME OF the programming on TV is
destructive and not constructive."  Even if you had of said,  *much* or *most*
of whats on TV is destructive,  your statement would have been more accurate.
And the same could go for the next sentence.  Placing a *some*, *much*, or a
*most* in that statement makes it far more truthful.  But as it stnds it is
largely a false statement.  You can own and watch television and still live
holy.  
     When you ask the question,  do you think TV  watching is spiritually
constructive?  The question must be answered that sometimes it can be.  Many
facts that would generally only be known by watching television have brought
great revelation to God's people.  Not to mention that some things are
educational and not defiling to the eye.  Not to mention that many Apostolic
churches have used television to the positive effort of saving souls and the
spreading of the gospel (quite effectively I might add),  and encouragement of
saints who are bedridden,etc.    So again I say that the answer is yes,
*sometimes*.  
     And concerning its positive affect on your holy living,  again the answer
must be that sometimes it can affect you positively toward holiness.  It all
depends on what you are watching on TV.
     Along with this question comes another one.  Is *everything* that we do
during our 24 hours spiritually constructive?  I dare say that it is not.
Eating  and drinking soda pop are not always spiritually constructive.   How
about hunting and camping and fishing.  How about telephone and internet use?
How about every conversation that we have with our friends or family members?
Even some of the time that we spend at work is not necessarily "spiritually
constructive."  Nor is it even always necessary.  But we are able to do these
things and still be saved.   
     The major question here is how much time do you spend with these things
as opposed to your time with God?  What priority do they have in your life?
Would you put these things in place of attending service or in place of
praying or bible reading?  And while the bible teaches us to abstain from sin.
The bible also teaches us to put Christ and the things of the kingdom first.
Which indicates that there are other things that don't necessarily pertain to
the kingdom (directly) which will also be a part of our life.  And about these
non-spirtual influences,  scripture teaches us to be temperate and to let our
moderation be known.  Some things also fall in the category of lawful but not
expedient.  And those things are all about timing and appearances.
     One thing that I really appreciate concerning your post was that you said
that you don't think people are going to hell for owning a television.  Thanks
for that.  Because my big pet peave is saints swinging from one extreme to the
next.  Some people say everything goes.  Some people say nothing goes.  Some
people say throw the tv out the window.  Some pastors could care less
concerning the owning of TV and what you do with it.  I like pastors that say,
be cautious about how much time you are spending with the TV and about what
you are watching.  And then give some good guidelines and hold the people to
it.  Moderation and Temperance.  
     And as for the rest of this particular post allow me to quote these few
words
<<
Skip:
 The rules change from place to place.
 
Mike:
 I don't see a problem here either.  There may be a pastor at one church that
believes a little differently in one area than another.  So what.  You know
you can move if you don't like it.  That is what I would do.
>>
     I think that what my dear brother Skip is trying to say is that since
these standards vary from church to church,  pastors should stop condemning
other churches to hell simply because they follow standards which are
different from their own.  They should explain that they have sought the face
of God concerning xyz and feel that this is the direction that God wants them
to operate the church over the which God has made them overseer.  And with
that,  he should instruct them not to look down upon other churches which do
not hold standards which are identical to theirs.  
     I do feel that we should strive for unity as much as is possible
concerning standards.  But that will only come when we try to acheive more
unity in other areas.  And it may come when pastors stop condemning those
which don't believe exactly like them,  to the fires of hell.
Marlon