We can't let them continue to get away with it: 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep 45)
Feb 14, 2025
auto_awesome
Exploring the moral obligation to expose abusive pastors, the discussion emphasizes accountability and the need for transparency in church leadership. The podcast delves into nuanced theological questions, like the implications of body piercings and the unique role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of New Covenant believers. It also addresses the complexities of biblical figures like David justifying sinful behavior, while underscoring the call for leaders to be held responsible. Engaging with scriptures, it tackles the intersection of faith and cultural standards in modern ministry.
01:20:30
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Accountability for church leaders is essential, requiring open confrontation of wrongdoing to prevent the culture of silence and safeguard congregants.
Misinterpretations of scriptural principles can hinder justice, as they may prioritize forgiveness over the necessary accountability for abusive behavior in church contexts.
Public rebuke of sinning elders serves to promote accountability and deter misconduct, ensuring a safer environment within church leadership.
Deep dives
The Call for Accountability in Ministry
Pastors face a unique challenge regarding accountability, as they are often vulnerable to both false accusations and legitimate concerns about their behavior. Some leaders may be complicit in failing to expose wrongdoing due to a shared vulnerability, leading to a culture of silence around inappropriate actions. When accusations arise against certain figures, dissenters can be pressured to remain silent under the pretext of preserving unity or following Matthew 18 guidelines. This flawed perspective can perpetuate unaccountable behavior, making it crucial for leaders to confront misconduct openly and justly, rather than protecting one another at the expense of integrity and safety for their congregants.
Biblical Support for Public Exposure of Sin
Scriptural references highlight the necessity of addressing public sins committed by church leaders, establishing a precedent for accountability. For instance, Paul openly names individuals in his letters who have deviated from the truth, emphasizing the importance of public correction to prevent further harm to others. Jesus himself confronted the religious leaders of his time openly, showcasing that accountability extends beyond private matters when significant interpersonal harm is involved. This principle supports the view that neglecting to address serious transgressions can perpetuate a culture that allows wrongdoing to flourish unchallenged.
Distortions of Forgiveness and Accountability
Misinterpretations of scripture can hinder proper accountability, particularly in church contexts where forgiveness is emphasized over justice. This misapplication can lead individuals to suppress their experiences of abuse or wrongdoings by church leaders under the guise of spiritual grace. The expectation for forgiveness should not absolve leaders from accountability for their actions or allow them to continue in their positions unchallenged. Instead, true repentance is required to align with biblical principles, acknowledging the need for accountability alongside the call for forgiveness.
The Role of Witnesses in Church Discipline
The requirements for establishing a charge against an elder, according to scripture, can be misused to discredit victims' claims and shield abusers. The biblical instructions for bringing accusations necessitate careful discernment rather than serving as a barrier to justice. Witnesses should encompass not only those present during the incident but also any corroborating evidence, such as behavioral patterns indicating wrongdoings. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and ensures a protective environment for those who bring forward accusations.
Public Rebuke as a Means of Protection
The scriptural mandate for public rebuke of sinning elders serves both as a corrective measure and a deterrent for others. Such actions are intended not to instill fear but to foster accountability and awareness of serious consequences for misconduct. Leaders are reminded of their responsibility to reflect Christ-like behavior, and when they fail to do so, it necessitates a public acknowledgment of their actions. By transparently addressing wrongdoing, the church fosters a culture of safety and vigilance against potential predators within its ranks.
The Importance of Compassionate Oversight
Leaders must exercise caution and compassion in their oversight of fellow ministers to ensure that protection for victims remains a priority. Partiality towards certain leaders can lead to neglect of serious allegations and may perpetuate an environment where abuse can thrive undetected. Those in positions of authority must strive to remove biases that could inhibit fair evaluations and responses to allegations of misconduct. Creating a church environment grounded in accountability, with systems in place for victims to be heard and valued, is essential to upholding the integrity of the ministry.
1. 0:15 {Should We Expose Pastors?} Can you provide an overview of why it is biblical and right to expose abusive and harmful pastors and those who are in positions of Christian leadership? 2. 33:41 {Fallen Angels – Past or Future?} I’ve heard someone say that Satan hasn’t taken a third of the heavenly angels yet, but will do it in the future (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9). Is that a possibility? 3. 38:35 {David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?} How should we respond to people who use the story of David and other flawed biblical figures, whom God still used, to justify their own sinful behavior, especially when in positions of power? 4. 45:48 {Are Body Piercings Sinful?} What does the Bible say about piercings? If a woman who serves in the worship ministry gets a belly piercing, should she no longer be allowed to serve in that ministry? 5. 50:31 {Indwelling of the Spirit: How it Differs} What about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes us unique compared to Old Covenant believers? I’ve never quite grasped what difference it makes. 6. 53:22 {Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?} Jesus tells the apostles that the Holy Spirit will “teach them all things” (John 14:16) and “guide them into all the truth” (John 16:13). What exactly does this entail, and was it only for the apostles? 7. 1:00:34 {Reuel vs. Jethro: Contradiction?} Is there an explanation for why Moses’ father-in-law appears to have two different names (Exodus 2:18 (Reuel) & Exodus 18:2 (Jethro))? 8. 1:02:41 {Jonah: Failed Prophecies?} I recently had a Mormon claim it’s OK that Joseph Smith had failed prophecies because Jonah also did. He claimed Deuteronomy 18:22 didn’t apply to either of them. Thoughts? 9. 1:09:28 {Shad., Mesh., & Abed…Did they Know?} In Daniel 3:16-18, how did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that God would deliver them from the fiery furnace? 10. 1:13:28 {Our Work in Eternity} Are there any hints in Scripture about what kind of work we will do in God's Kingdom in the future?
My video on the false prophet Brandon Biggs: Click Here
I do this live stream most Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. You're welcome to join. To ask a question, you'll need to follow these instructions: 1. Don't post your question before you see me live on camera. 2. Post questions as comments in the LIVE chat at the beginning of the stream. 3. Post your question with "Q" at the beginning so we can easily identify that you are sending it in as a question for me and not just a comment in the chat. 4. Try to be as clear as possible so I won't misunderstand the question. Keep in mind that I don't know anything about your question other than what you type in that short comment. 5. Include specific verse references when possible or applicable. 6. Only one question submitted per subscriber, per stream, please. Submitting the same question into the chat a few times is OK. 7. Please understand that we don't strictly take the first 10 questions submitted. Our team takes several factors into consideration. 8. Check the Clip Search on BibleThinker.org in advance to see if your topic of interest has already been covered in a past session.
