Fat Preachers, An Addendum
Some sympathy:
I understand lack of discipline in one area of life is not a necessary indicator of slovenliness in other matters. Plenty of overweight people are outstanding of performance in many areas of life. So, a fat preacher may be outstanding as a pulpiteer, person of prayer, counsellor, student of scripture, etc. And being fat does not disqualify him/her from excellence in his field. He will just die sooner.
I also understand many overweight people are very unhappy about their physical state, and are not helped by criticism from others. They try but fail to lose weight.
And, I know metabolism and heredity plays a major role in the tendency of be overweight. Many people who are not fat eat lots of food, and some fat people do not eat as much as one would think. Just don't say “It's a problem with my metabolism” as you eat three Big Macs.
Also, I know the ministry offers a particular challenge to maintaining proper weight. First of all, so very many preachers are fat that it is easy to just acquiesce and “join the club”. Really, a physically fit preacher is an exception. And, his very job involves socializing, with so much of the interaction taking place at the table. I know I can count of 6 times of ministry interaction for myself, in the last week, which involved meals. So it's really the fault of the congregation!
Some reality:
Still, when all the excuses are stated, we are fat because we intake more calories than we burn. We eat too much and we do not exercise enough. And, this includes preachers. Do I hear an amen? We know that eating the wrong kinds of foods, and eating too much food, and being overweight is unhealthy. It leads to all kinds of health complications. I do lots of funerals. So many involve persons who died early because of chosen lifestyle. And I cannot help but believe that most of these people were intended of God to be on this earth for alot longer. They had needy people to help, services to God's kingdom to render, and issues of personal growth to settle. But they ate themselves right into the grave. Perhaps instead of a Bible verse, we ought to put a knife and fork onto some of these tombstones?
James 4:17 comes to mind; “He that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is a sin.”. The fat preacher is not a victim; he is a sinner.
Some guidance:
Self Control is a spiritual issue. It is a “fruit of the Spirit” mentioned in Galatians 5:23, an outward evidence of the inner working of God's Spirit in the life of an individual.
Aristotle understood there to be an ongoing struggle, within the heart of every person, between reason and passion. He proposed four possibilities of outcome:
(1) Perfect Temperence, in which passion has been entirely subjugated to reason (Good luck!)
(2) Unbridled Lust, the state in which reason is entirely subjugated to passion (Indulgence?)
(3) Incontinence, in which reason fights but passion prevails (I'm guilty!)
(4) Self-Control, where reason fights against passion and prevails (Harmonious life)
This last outcome, self-control, I believe to be the proper Christian ethic. An individual is not to be emasculated of his passions. They remain, but as his servants, not his tyrants. Especially is this to be true with the appetite for food.
Final thoughts:
*I'm so glad for God's grace. He loves and uses imperfect people, including fat preachers.
*I saw a movie clip the other day that had a fat Jesus. It just did not look right to me.
*I appreciate that I have reached a point in life where, after two minutes of getting to know someone, I could care less about their weight and physical appearance.
*I wish it did't take two minutes.
01.29.06 (9:16 pm) [
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posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
01.29.06 (5:31 pm)
What fun is this? A post where I can't even disagree with one measly point? CUT IT OUT!
Nice post!
posted by:
babe4Jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
01.29.06 (6:01 pm)
this makes me smile; my beliefs and my academic major all rolled into one. :-)
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
01.29.06 (6:51 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Let us not make a habit of this. And, how many Big Macs did you eat tonight?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.29.06 (6:55 pm)
Reply to: babe4Jesus55
And, what would be your academic major? Nutritionist, Physical Ed, Eating? Your beliefs- I discern that you love Jesus. Pretty good, I think.
posted by:
graceshaker (
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post date:
01.29.06 (7:25 pm)
"An individual is not to be emasculated of his passions. They remain, but as his servants, not his tyrants."
this should be a famous quote. maybe it is. either way it sums up perfectly what i was thinking as i read this post. good job pd.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.29.06 (7:37 pm)
Reply to: graceshaker
I believe the thought, and some of the wording, comes from William Barclay, one of my favorite Bible commentaries. I guess I'm guilty of plagiarism. Add that to my list of sins! Genuinely original thoughts are actually quite rare.
Thanks.
posted by:
babe4Jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
01.29.06 (8:21 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Exercise science... that's my major. :-D
posted by:
surrogate (
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post date:
01.30.06 (3:47 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Never. If I find myself stuck going through a Mac-Drive-thru, It's a Mac-Chicken and a large coffee ($2.33)
My sin is the "not exercising enough" variety in the winter. I pick up 12-15 pounds every October or November and then seem to lose about 10 to 12 of them in the spring. Multiply the difference by the years I've lived passed 30 and you come up with a puffy surrogate.
posted by:
JolieFille (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (5:44 am)
A verse comes to mind-
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
-1 Corinthians 6:19-20
My mother and I had a conversation about how even though we are creatures of the spirit, we live in this material world. Thus, everything we have (our car, house, clothing) is a reflection of our spiritual beliefs. We must honor Jesus' sacrifice for us by caring for the bodies he gave us with which to enjoy the world.
Good topic. I see a lot of heavy televangelists. My dad and I watch Joel Osteen. :)
posted by:
ScubaDiva (
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post date:
01.30.06 (6:02 am)
WWJO?
(At McDonald's - What would Jesus Order?)
LOL
posted by:
sweetsue (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (11:56 am)
instead of that big mac..a nice juicy red delicious apple..did ya know that if you eat 3 apples a day..morning..afternoon and evening will lose weight..and of course exercise..so if you spend time at the dinner table with congregration...then take a nice little walk when you get home...Americans are the most overweight people..so sad...many need to change their eating habits..and drive by all those fast food places that line the highways.
posted by:
21CC (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (12:27 pm)
Hi Pastor Dave,
I could do a free download of the Bible, but actually, many websites already do that...so that is already available to many. As of now, I do not have the economic means. I was thinking about just giving away the gospel of John...becuase that is the book you get to know Jesus the best and it is also used often for evangelism. As for your study group, I would recommend doing it, however, you have to keep people interested and hold them accountable! For example, you could make an online forum where you would pose a question and then the church would reply with their answers. Just a thought. (you can go to activeboard.com for a free forum)
take it easy.
posted by:
DRAMA (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (2:14 pm)
I so want a Big Mac now...
You know, society dictates what "fat" is. What was healthy looking ten years ago now seems to be at the "big" wnd of the spectrum. If your doctor has told you to lose weight, you might have something to worry about, but if your photo reflects your weight, I wouldn't dwell.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (4:51 pm)
Reply to: JolieFille
Joel Osteen? He of the tall and wiry build. He could probably eat a dozen chocolate sundaes everyday, and not gain weight. That's not fair.
Your scripture from Corinthians is quite applicable. Our health is a spiritual issie, I agree. And, such involves much more than just our eating habits.
Obviously you have some wise parents. Better stick with them!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (4:53 pm)
Reply to: ScubaDiva
So, would Jesus frequent a McDonalds? That's where the people would be, and Jesus went out of His way to build relationships with ordinary people. But, being a good Jew, I doubt He would order a bacon-cheeseburger.
That is a deep theological question.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (4:58 pm)
Reply to: sweetsue
Of course, a strict apple diet may lead to death my rickets before one reaches their desired weight loss. I remember Paul Harvey stating that his lunch consists of a baked apple, and nothing else. That's his secret to maintaining his weight.
The fast food restaurants are the source of temptation, but not the problem. Just like cigarettes. No one forces the fat preacher, or anyone else, to indulge. Personal responsibility!
But I am sure the federal government will find a way to regulate the consumption of french fries within the next few years. It is sad when you require the government to protect you, from yourself!
Thanks, Sue. Always good comments.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (5:01 pm)
Reply to: 21CC
I like the idea of a forum, and if I find time may pursue it. Perhaps make a link available in our church website, and advertise in our church literature. And promote it with a discussion issue/question every week. Good thinking, and thanks for the link.
Hey, if your heart is into this free scriptures giveaway, then stick with it and pursue the possibilities God makes available. I like the Book of John booklets, and postage would surely be less than a dollar. Most would be glad to paypal that amout to you, I think. You may be able to come up with an interesting one-page Bible study to include with the mailout, making it unique.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
01.30.06 (5:04 pm)
Reply to: DRAMA
I guess we should not worry too much about how our appearance is viewed by others. But our health, that's a worthwhile matter to dwell on.
posted by:
Fairmoon (
reply)
post date:
01.31.06 (6:49 am)
My friend have been overweight a good potion of her life. She hates it, has done the diet thing and of course that didn't work. Stress and fear and the need for comfort causes her to over eat, binge, and justify eating "sweets and treats" becuase for whatever reason "she deserves them"
she is not going to overeaters anonymous where they talk a lot about 'giving the issue to your higher power or God'
it's tough to accept that often being overwieght is a psychological issue needing therapy and support.
If being overweight has cause som much concern for you, perhaps you can find an Overeaters anonymous group you can attend.
FM
posted by:
guerillafunk (
reply)
post date:
01.31.06 (7:04 am)
You've got an argument that makes sense, there! Amen!
I've thought about this a lot:
I know I don't weigh too much more than I should, but I can attest to the fact that it's all a choice. Even those with slow metabolisms can get healthy and fit and look great; I've seen it done personally!
Fat people *usually* either A) make excuses for themselves or B) accept who they are and just get worse and worse because they don't feel like changing their habits.
It's so nice to see someone actively make a difference in their own life! And I know that it is very inspiring. I've actually never seen a fat preist in my church, and I really look up to them all the more for it, and I think to myself, "If these men can set up boundaries for themselves and stay inside them, then dammit, so can I!"
Self-control is, indeed, one of our objectives as human beings; if we don't show self-control, we aren't using the abilities that God gave us to their fullest.
Whether the weight is lost quickly or not, I believe that an overweight preacher should actively turn his weight around and make a concsious effort to better his health.
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
01.31.06 (9:47 am)
I found myself indulging in the finer points of dining... until I noticed I was gaining some unneeded weight. I cut the carbonated beverages and started limiting the portions... I have lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks! I'm a happy skinny guy. ;)
posted by:
LadyG (
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post date:
01.31.06 (10:01 pm)
Very good post Pastor Dave, really enjoyed all of the different thoughts on the subject.
posted by:
BronwynJ (
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post date:
02.02.06 (6:05 pm)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
- & by the way, being fat is _not_ a sin.
You don't know why a stranger is fat, _and_ it's none of your business.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.02.06 (6:21 pm)
Reply to: BronwynJ
Lets consider for a moment your statement, "...being fat is not a sin.." Your health is a gift from God to be treasured. So many face health problems that are not because of their abuse and misuse of their bodies. Therefore we should treasure every moment we have a healthy body. Being fat is not a sin? Being fat leads to all kinds of health complications. Joint stress that leads to many types of muscular and skeletal problems. Diabetes. Heart disease and other pulmonary complications. I am not a physician, but I am sure many other directly related complications could be added to the list. Now, if you know these self-evident results to be true, and yet you choose to overeat and under-exercise, then you sin.
Being fat will shorten your life. There are people who love and depend on you. You sin against them when you choose to be fat, thus denying them of your very best of presence and service.
Being fat and resultant health complications mean you will tax the healthcare system disproportionately. This will take resources away from others who need the care for non-causal reasons. I do not think this is good or right.
So I believe being fat is a sin. Call such a judgment if you like. But I think it is just common sense.
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
02.02.06 (7:07 pm)
PD -- Do you find it interesting how different the comments from Christians are when they involve Biblically defined sins such as gluttony than when discussing other Biblically defined sins such as homosexuality or adultery.
Oh, how we love to toss out the excuses and laugh about the tendencies of human nature when laziness, dishonesty or obesity are concerned!
I would see it as an improvement in the church if church folks could find it in their redeemed hearts to just treat gays the same as fat preachers! :-)
Good stuff here, as always. I really have to give it to you, PD -- you're struggle to balance reason and understanding with Biblical concepts continues to make your writing much more thoughtful, and thus more powerful, than I recall from your early posts. I assure you that we all learn as much or more from you than you do from us. (Yes, I have a mouse in my pocket! lol!)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.02.06 (7:15 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
So, the church should consider offering the same grace to gays and adulterers that we are so willing to offer to fat preachers? Interesting, indeed. A fat preacher seeks mercy and kindness from his church, to be identified as being of worth, more than just his weight. The gay seeks the same, you say? I will think on this matter. It does have merit.
