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Bob2 · 11-19-2009, 02:41 PM

A pastor does not technically need any formal or official designation ...anyone can call themselves a pastor. I'm not sure how much theological education Bob Farah has under his belt, but I can assure you that most of what he teaches comes from his own interpretation of the bible. A "priest" is a catholic term I believe, while "minister" is typically used in most Protestant religions.

Center Harbor Christian Church (and Center Harbor Christian Fellowship before that) is considered a non-denominational church--meaning the church congregation and its leaders are not accountable to anyone. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest problems with this church and others like it. They set their own rules (structurally as well as morally). Anytime you see the word 'pastor' used it is often safe to assume that person has been elevated or put on a pedestal by his/her 'flock'. It's kind of ironic how non-denominational churches refer to the relationship between their leaders and the congregation as the "shepherds" and the "flock". Sheep are not leaders...they are followers. If it is too painful for you to think for yourself then by all means you should join a non-denominational church (or most other organized religious institutions for that matter). Without someone leading/directing them and telling them what to do and how to do it they would literally die. The root of the problem here lies with handing over complete control to any one individual. In this case the pastor has been "ordained by god" as they say in the church world. In reality he/she has been "ordained" by man and man alone.

Careful who you put your faith in and how much of it you give them...regardless of whether it's money or your soul you're dealing with. Not to mention, take ownership of your own life...if we are all truly "created in the image of God" as the bible proclaims then you don't give God or yourself enough credit if you think that you weren't created with enough common sense and knowledge to make daily decisions without checking with a church 'leader' first.

and to the comments related to "not getting" my answer to questions about my original user name ("PastorBob")...if you really don't understand sarcasm then I'm not sure what to tell you. In all the news reports surrounding this story and "Pastor Bob's" replies I have yet to see anyone come to his rescue or that of the Farah family--I think that speaks volumes. Maybe the Lakes Region community finally sees them for who they really are. That said, the two other Farah sons have lived outside the area for many years so I can't speak to their characters other than to say that the middle son, Paul, was seen as the black sheep for most of his life. I would venture a guess that from the little I know of him now he is probably the most upstanding member of that family and that being the 'black sheep' has worked in his favor.

11-19-2009, 02:41 PM	#34
Bob2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	re: "Pastor" vs. "Priest", etc... A pastor does not technically need any formal or official designation ...anyone can call themselves a pastor. I'm not sure how much theological education Bob Farah has under his belt, but I can assure you that most of what he teaches comes from his own interpretation of the bible. A "priest" is a catholic term I believe, while "minister" is typically used in most Protestant religions. Center Harbor Christian Church (and Center Harbor Christian Fellowship before that) is considered a non-denominational church--meaning the church congregation and its leaders are not accountable to anyone. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest problems with this church and others like it. They set their own rules (structurally as well as morally). Anytime you see the word 'pastor' used it is often safe to assume that person has been elevated or put on a pedestal by his/her 'flock'. It's kind of ironic how non-denominational churches refer to the relationship between their leaders and the congregation as the "shepherds" and the "flock". Sheep are not leaders...they are followers. If it is too painful for you to think for yourself then by all means you should join a non-denominational church (or most other organized religious institutions for that matter). Without someone leading/directing them and telling them what to do and how to do it they would literally die. The root of the problem here lies with handing over complete control to any one individual. In this case the pastor has been "ordained by god" as they say in the church world. In reality he/she has been "ordained" by man and man alone. Careful who you put your faith in and how much of it you give them...regardless of whether it's money or your soul you're dealing with. Not to mention, take ownership of your own life...if we are all truly "created in the image of God" as the bible proclaims then you don't give God or yourself enough credit if you think that you weren't created with enough common sense and knowledge to make daily decisions without checking with a church 'leader' first. and to the comments related to "not getting" my answer to questions about my original user name ("PastorBob")...if you really don't understand sarcasm then I'm not sure what to tell you. In all the news reports surrounding this story and "Pastor Bob's" replies I have yet to see anyone come to his rescue or that of the Farah family--I think that speaks volumes. Maybe the Lakes Region community finally sees them for who they really are. That said, the two other Farah sons have lived outside the area for many years so I can't speak to their characters other than to say that the middle son, Paul, was seen as the black sheep for most of his life. I would venture a guess that from the little I know of him now he is probably the most upstanding member of that family and that being the 'black sheep' has worked in his favor.