Bible Question:
My pastor does have a passion, and desire for Jesus, without question. However, the leadership does not fit the biblical description for church leadership in the document, starting with me. When I first discovered that I didn't agree with their theology, I went to my pastor with it, and questioned him about it Personally, I do not feel I should be serving on the board of deacons, when I truly don't believe the fundamental doctrines of the denomination. It just doesn't sit right with me, even though my pastor said it was “ok” at his discretion. Where is the integrity in that? I feel I have been blessed with the ability from God, and God alone, to be a church leader but not this church. How can I be a leader in a church, where I can't even honestly defend their basic fundamental doctrines, and in fact oppose them, and consider them false, and unbiblical? (I do feel obligated, and responsible to finish out my term, one more year, in obedience. I accepted the responsibility, and I should see it through.) The question comes in; does God want me there for a reason? The truth is, I can disagree, and debate with them about their doctrine, until I'm blue in the face, but the bottom line isn't what I want, or what they want, it's what does God want. If He told me to stay there, I don't care how uncomfortable it was, or how much I didn't want to, I would, out of obedience to Him, period, and I would not question it. My loyalty is to God. I just can't get a clear answer from Him as to what to do, or when to do it. All that I do know is I'll do whatever He asks of me. It's not knowing what He wants, and meanwhile ignoring common sense and logic, to hold out for an answer from Him, that is the toughest part. I just really want God to tell me in my heart, “Its ok, you can leave there now.” Until I get an “ok” from God, I feel I should stay put. I know better than to move ahead of Him, and hence, out of His will. I know what common sense says, but is common sense His answer to this? Have I just missed His answer, possibly because it is so obvious?
Bible Answer:
The answer to your questions is found in Revelation 2:20-23. In this passage we are told that a woman named Jezebel was teaching false doctrine in the church in Thyatira. God had given her time to repent, but she did not stop. She did not want to quit. So, finally God moved the Apostle John by the Holy Spirit to write Revelation 2:20-23 and publicly rebuke her. She was given a warning in the scriptures. Here is her warning,
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:22-23 (NASB)
Notice that God also said that those who followed Jezebel would be disciplined too! Every false teacher needs followers to be effective. In fact, one cannot be a false teacher without a group of people following. Who qualifies as a false teacher if no one is following? The answer is obviously, “No one!” Those who follow have either accepted the teaching or are supporting the false doctrine. This passage reveals that the false teacher and her followers would both be punished, and therefore the followers of Jezebel were warned too! Both the teacher and the followers were responsible for the false teaching.
How does this apply to you? First, you do not agree with the doctrinal position of the church. In fact, if we understand you correctly, you consider some of their doctrine to be in error. That is, you consider it to be false teaching or in error. While you do not directly accept the teaching, you nevertheless are supporting or contributing to what is being taught since you are a leader and therefore supporting the leadership team, including the pastor. Even if we assume that you are a) not giving financially to the church or b) not accepting the doctrinal position of the church, you are nevertheless as a leader supporting the pulpit ministry of the church. That is, you are responsible for what is being taught in the church, and especially from the pulpit.
Now what is the answer to your questions? The answer is, “Do you want to be held responsible for what is being taught?” To remain is to participate in what is being taught. Doctrine is more important than most Christians believe these days. For example, in 2 Timothy 2:17-18 we read that two men are rebuked for teaching that the resurrection had already occurred. This is a doctrine about the future.
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; {canker: or, gangrene}. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:17-18 (NASB)
Today many Christians are willing to compromise about the doctrine of the future things – what will occur in the future. But that does not please God. These two men were publicly rebuked for their error and Christians over the last 2,000 years have been able to read about their error. They were rebuked by an apostle – Paul. So is doctrine important? Is it important to be right – to be accurate? Truth is truth. Otherwise we commit error. If you believe that error is being taught, then I would recommend that you a) confront the error, or b) leave the church.
Conclusion:
Again I would encourage you to pray. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit can help.