Ethics: Pastoral Candidate Preaches Salvation through the Sinner’s Prayer

If the former pastor was "a great expositor from the pulpit who preached against the sinner’s prayer many times", then it should be very easy for this person to go to the other folks on the search committee and explain the problem he has from a biblical position. Then, they could go together and speak with the pastor and address these concerns?

I know some people are in favor of retaining here, but this is a deep seeded theological issue. This pastor is lying to people from the pulpit. He is forwarding an unbiblical form of evangelism and he is attempting to strip God of His rightful authority. This man is untaught as it relates to the qualifications for an elder and as such should be disqualified. Paul says in Titus 1:9 that an elder "must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." Given that in this area ( which isn't a small issue at all) he doesn't meet the qualification... we must submit to scripture.

Larry, the other problem is that the rest of the search committee don't seem to be bothered by it.

Ajay, interesting. I've not heard it put that way before. I'm sure it's more zealousness than laziness (I hope).

Marie P, I thought the issue of taking pressure off was more bothersome when I first read about the issues. I'm with you, sister.

Chris Roberts, good, encouraging words, thanks.

One thing I wonder about staying in the church is if this is a pattern and his conscience is bothered so much that staying is not good for his spiritual health.

I'm with Larry. Don't turn tail and run. Prepare a response in love that addresses and makes clear the issues resulting from decisional regeneration and evangelism.

Depends on other circumstances. Is the man married? Does he have kids? What is their discernment level? What other aspects of the pastor's preaching are problematic? I always encourage people - even those visiting my own church - to stay at their churches unless there is a really good reason to leave. I wouldn't necessarily consider this conclusion to the sermons a really good reason to leave - unless, perhaps, it demonstrates a pattern of preaching found throughout his ministry.

Certainly I'd think the man should speak with the pastor before doing anything else, share his concerns. Might not get anywhere, but it is the right first step.

"Yes, I want everyone including Christians to pray together to help take pressure off those who may still be a little intimidated."

Actually, this quote seems the more disturbing of the two sentences. Take the pressure off??? If someone is embarrassed to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior in the church, then how in the world do you expect them to confess Jesus in trial and persecution?

The "and you really mean it" tagged onto the second sentence seems to soften it a bit- he's not saying that the sinner's prayer in and of itself saves anyone.

It's ironic how baptism is often downplayed and the sinner's prayer is trumped up in so many modern evangelical churches. If they were consistent, they'd ask all the Christians to get baptized too!

"That if he doesn't step up with the sinners prayer he won't be an effectual pastor..." (Sorry, hit post before looking to notice I'd not finished that sentence)

I've never disliked the sinners prayer, but I've also thought it was a crutch of the lazy pastor who was trying to convert without convicting in times past. I think I'd be saying lets go sit down and talk with him, perhaps there's some fear in his mind that if he doesn't step up with the sinners prayer. He may just be zealous to win souls for Christ, and that can mean he just needs a bit of rebuke and reminder (ala Aquilla and Priscilla with Apollos)

Unless what he said in the podcast is an anomaly, I could not vote to confirm such a person and I would advise my friend not to as well. However, I'd also advise him to share his concerns with the committee as well as directly with the pastoral candidate. If the man does indeed believe in decisional regeneration and giving immediate assurance to any who repeat his prayer then this deacon (and I) will have some decisions to make about his ongoing relationship with the church should the man be called.