You didn't offend the pastor, you offended the institutional church of whom the pastor is leader of. Once becoming a 501c3 organization, there is no option for the leader of the institutional church to interpret Romans 13, except in a manner acceptable to the institution, and there is no room for a layman to offer an alternative point of view.
I am sure that if this disagreement were addressed privately (as commanded by Jesus), things would have gone much differently.
The fellowship I was part of used a word that always bothered me: they would ask the congregation "are you teachable?". My first response would be "of course I'm teachable!", but that's not really the question. The question is "are you pre-indoctrinated?" Have you adopted biblical interpretations (whether your own or from outside sources) outside of the interpretation of the 501c3 organization? Are you a blank paper we can write upon? Are you willing to let go of any contrary interpretations, or at the least, keep these understandings private.
Hey, Brother!
Thanks for checking in, and for your take on this. Yes, the organization we left is a 501c3, but (surprisingly) in this particular case, that is not the sticky wicket... The problem really is "tradition," they are a "confessional" church and the lead pastor has committed to adhering to those creeds, canons, and confessions. He has, indeed, been "pre-indoctrinated."
I have no problem with honest disagreement and debate, but (as we'll see in upcoming installments) I have to draw the line when it comes to regulating what I am allowed to speak of in private conversation. But this is only the most recent in a series of similar situations, and at this late stage in my life I find myself completely re-evaluating what the ecclesia is to be, from the ground up.
More of the sad story to follow...
😄😇😉