We have an email from Loretta who lives in London and she asks, Pastor John, do you think

technology is threatening the submission of a congregation to their pastor in that

people have so many choices of online teachers?

Well, first let me affirm her concern.

I really appreciate anyone who wants to highlight the biblical conviction that pastors are

leaders by God's appointment and should be biblically followed.

Hebrews 13, 17, obey your leaders, submit to them.

They are keeping watch over your souls.

They're going to have to give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not groaning because that's no advantage to you.

Do this beautiful portrayal of happy pastors doing their work with joy and the people happily

supporting.

That's right.

She should be concerned about that or first Thessalonians 5.

We ask you brothers to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord.

They're your leaders.

They're over you.

They've been put by God in the place of authority and spiritual leadership and you should respect

them and esteem them highly for their work for love's sake.

So yes to the concern.

Now that raises the question, what does submission mean and what does it not mean?

Then we can ask how does the internet affect that?

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