Pastor orders 50 married church officials to delete their Facebook accounts or resign from their leadership positions
I had to smile at one of the commenters, who seems like she knows the church, and she commented that there were so many things going on at that church that maybe it would behoove the pastor to take a closer look at things “in the church” and not just on FB.
I wonder if that pastor wants them to get off all their social networking sites as well…and their forums, etc.
I wonder if that pastor wants them to get off all their social networking sites as well…and their forums, etc.
Facebook is not the problem. It does not cause adultery — or any other sin.
Nevertheless, there are weeks when I wish nobody at church had ever heard of it. I’m (thankfully) not talking about adultery, but rather lack of consideration. Christians need to be reminded that Facebook is a mean of communication, and thus under all the same communication admonishments of Scripture that speech is. Some forget that, and cause turmoil.
Nevertheless, there are weeks when I wish nobody at church had ever heard of it. I’m (thankfully) not talking about adultery, but rather lack of consideration. Christians need to be reminded that Facebook is a mean of communication, and thus under all the same communication admonishments of Scripture that speech is. Some forget that, and cause turmoil.
Facebook is still enough of a novelty to cause alot of fuss, but it has nothing to do with ‘causing’ people to gossip or get involved in inappropriate extra-marital relationships.
If the only thing that keeps us from sin is the idea of getting caught, then we are prone to do any kind of wickedness the minute we think we can get away with it.
Facebook has made it easier for those who want to gossip, want to sow discord, and want to stray from their marriage, but it didn’t plant the desire. The desire was there, and social networking gave it a convenient outlet.
If the only thing that keeps us from sin is the idea of getting caught, then we are prone to do any kind of wickedness the minute we think we can get away with it.
Facebook has made it easier for those who want to gossip, want to sow discord, and want to stray from their marriage, but it didn’t plant the desire. The desire was there, and social networking gave it a convenient outlet.
[RPittman] I disagree. Facebook may be a factor in gossiping, lust, adultery, etc. To deny this is nonsense. It offers opportunities and temptations to these and other sins. Digital communication, particularly social networking, provides a sense of security and anonymity that tends to loosen inhibitions. Although sin originates in the depravity of the human heart, it’s manifestation and consummation often depends upon prompting and opportunity. A guy who is struggling at work and home may find another woman more attractive who shows a listening ear and a sympathetic response on FB or in a chat room. This happens.Brother Pittman:
Although there is no one shot solution, deleting one’s Facebook account is an acceptable and Biblical means of removing one’s self from temptation. (See Matthew 5:28-30)
I gather you do not have a Facebook account? True?
Thanks
Roland,
I think if someone is struggling in this area they should delete their account. But they must also take other steps. There are many believers who can have an account and not have a problem. I am not sure making a blanket rule of no FB is really a solution. I think it is better to recommend on an individual basis. In our house, we all have each others passwords and check each others accounts regularly. The internet is only on in the living room on laptops with all of us there. So far for us, it has gone pretty well…but God’s grace.
I think if someone is struggling in this area they should delete their account. But they must also take other steps. There are many believers who can have an account and not have a problem. I am not sure making a blanket rule of no FB is really a solution. I think it is better to recommend on an individual basis. In our house, we all have each others passwords and check each others accounts regularly. The internet is only on in the living room on laptops with all of us there. So far for us, it has gone pretty well…but God’s grace.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
Click my link (signature line) and befriend me!
[RPittman] Digital communication, particularly social networking, provides a sense of security and anonymity that tends to loosen inhibitions. Although sin originates in the depravity of the human heart, it’s manifestation and consummation often depends upon prompting and opportunity.
I agree, but I think each person needs to evaluate their own weaknesses. For instance, I don’t feel any sense of temptation to steal or gain at someone else’s expense. I’ve seen people drop belongings and money, leave behind shopping bags- and I’ve always gone out of my way to get them their stuff back. No amount of opportunity would make stealing attractive to me. Ditto an extra-marital affair. Like, ick. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php] http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick007.gif But for someone who is already discontent and covetous, certain opportunities, like a forgotten purse or old flame on FB, would be a serious temptation.
There are lots of things that people engage in that others consider to be time-wasters. But we really don’t know how much time people spend online. I’m at my computer all the time because I homeschool and our lesson plans are stored online at Homeschool Skedtrack. I plan meals online, store my recipes online, have our household calendar and task lists online, plan my shopping online- so if I pop into SI or FB or Crosswalk for a few minutes, it’s no biggie. I have plenty of time to do all the things that are needful because I actually save tons of time doing so much online.
Although, when the internet is down, I do turn an interesting shade of gray-green and my eyes roll into the back of my head. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php] http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick004.gif It isn’t pretty.
Roland,
I agree with what you said. The only thing that I was addressing that you seem to blame FB for sin. FB is no more a cause to sin than a gun when someone kills someone. I agree that it can be a great time-waster. I agree that there are many potential problems. But as you know, there are many great advantages. I have been reconnected with many pastor friends from way back. I have also used it as an evangelistic tool to learn more about some unsaved friends in my area. BTW, feel free to send me a friend request too. :)
I agree with what you said. The only thing that I was addressing that you seem to blame FB for sin. FB is no more a cause to sin than a gun when someone kills someone. I agree that it can be a great time-waster. I agree that there are many potential problems. But as you know, there are many great advantages. I have been reconnected with many pastor friends from way back. I have also used it as an evangelistic tool to learn more about some unsaved friends in my area. BTW, feel free to send me a friend request too. :)
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
http://www.app.com/article/20101120/NEWS/101119142/Neptune-pastor-who-b…] Pastor who banned Facebook had three-way sex affair
The Rev. Cedric Miller didn’t need Facebook to be part of an extramarital affair.From page # 2 of the article (guess the Pastor thinks ménage à trois is like stealing a bakery item)
Miller, 48, who gained national attention this week when the pastor banned his church’s leaders from using Facebook because he said it is a portal to infidelity, had himself engaged in a three-way relationship with his wife and a man a decade ago, according to testimony he gave in a criminal case.
Miller, pastor of the 1,100-member Living Word Christian Fellowship Church on Route 35, admitted in his testimony to a sexual relationship that included his wife and a church assistant. Sometimes the assistant’s wife was present, he testified.
“I also stole a honey bun from a store when I was 7 or 8 which I was also reminded of,”
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2010/11/24/us_pastor_facebook_edict_1… Anti-Facebook pastor taking leave
A New Jersey church pastor who said Facebook can lead to adultery is temporarily stepping down after admitting that he had engaged in a three-way sexual relationship several years ago.
The Rev. Cedric Miller last week urged congregants at his Living Word Christian Fellowship Church in Neptune, N.J., to drop their Facebook accounts because some were having affairs facilitated by the social networking site.
Miller told The Associated Press on Wednesday he will resume his pastorate “eventually,” but will be “taking some time off” following a church vote Tuesday night.
He says church members gave him a vote of confidence, subject to some restrictions he wouldn’t list.
The church had no immediate comment.
[Jim Peet] http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2010/11/24/us_pastor_facebook_edict_1… Anti-Facebook pastor taking leaveThat answers a lot of questions…A New Jersey church pastor who said Facebook can lead to adultery is temporarily stepping down after admitting that he had engaged in a three-way sexual relationship several years ago.
From the article last posted
He testified that the encounters “came to a crashing halt” when several women in the church accused the assistant of sleeping with them.
“My wife found out about it and she just wanted nothing to do with what was going on with us,” Miller testified. “And I didn’t know what it was for awhile. And it wasn’t till, as the other women came out publicly, that’s when I found out about it. So, at first I didn’t know why she just didn’t want any part of it.”
In his e-mail on Friday, Miller said: “There are some very innocent people who could be hurt irreparably by the revisiting of this incident.
“I also stole a honey bun from a store when I was 7 or 8 which I was also reminded of,” he said.
Discussion