How much?

Question

How much in your opinion should a church be able to tell you what you can and can't do? If you have examples please share.

Answer

If your church is actively trying to control you, it is a cult. Get out before they start passing around the kool-aid.

Answer

You live for the Lord not the church. A church is suppose to be filled with a support group to help eachother bring their lives closer to the Lord and worship him. You don't go to church for the people you go to have a relationship with God. If you feel like you are living a life that is pleasing to God then who cares what the church thinks. Find a new church if people are judging you

Answer

As an atheistic satanist, the church has ZERO control over what I do. Sex before marriage? That's not a sin to those who don't follow a church that preaches that. 
What I'm saying is that the church only has a say on what it's followers do, and even then, they can't FORCE the followers to follow their "rules" (if they could there would be less divorces, babies, and premarital sex).

Answer

Your church should just be there to keep you accountable if you identify as a follower of Christ. In our church, if you are a member, you agree to allowing the church to confront you if you're living in blatant disobedience to God's word. That means if I'm committing adultery, for example, there is a process the church goes through to try to reconcile me to the Lord, and if I refuse, they would revoke my membership because at that point I'd no longer be living as a Christian and there's no point in being a member and giving a bad name to other believers, etc. So aside from that kind of thing, churches should only be "telling you what to do" in that they are telling you what God's word wants us to do. Anything else (dictating clothes, etc) is legalism and something that God would probably hate.

Answer

My church doesn't tell me what I can and can't do. They don't grant permission or forbid things....that's not their job. My pastor preaches straight from the bible, and we learn and fellowship together.

Answer

What the bible says. If it says you shouldn't, then the church (pastor) should tell you the same.

Answer

Can you provide an example of what you had in mind when you say "what you can or can't do”?

Answer

They should only speak straight from the Bible/Holy Spirit.

This will provide guidance to receiving Jesus and living  a saved and godly lifestyle, but there should be no forcing involved.

Now, if they start dictating your life I would suggest you make like Forest and RUN!!!

Answer

Zero control.

Answer

A church should have zero control over what you can and can't do - if this question is based in your current experience, I recommend you get your butt out of there asap.

As a ministerial leader in a Christian denomination, I have witnessed abuse of authority. It definitely happens. Church leaders are there to support communities in their faith discernment, fellowship, and Christ-like service. They should NOT dictate your beliefs or actions - obvious exceptions include if you are trying to harm another person or burn down the church or something. If controlling behavior shows up, report them to whoever's the next level up and find a safer community.

Good luck!

How much?

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