The KJV reminds us that a pastor’s characteristics are present tense, not past. When a shepherd no longer “must be” what Scripture says, the church must respond with truth, grace, and the courage to restore or release.
Many pastors feel pressured by changing service schedules. But Scripture never commands how often we meet—only that we gather faithfully. Whether your church meets once or three times a week, Christ—not the calendar—defines faithfulness.
Many believers have confused rendering with surrendering. Christ’s words in Matthew 22 were not about political compliance but spiritual boundaries. Caesar may own coins, but God owns conscience. Before we render, we must remember what belongs to God.
The local church was never meant to function like a corporation. When boards, councils, and Robert’s Rules replace the Spirit’s leadership, the body loses its voice. True authority rests in the congregation collectively under the headship of Christ.
For centuries, Christians have quoted Romans 13 as a command to obey government without question. But what if that interpretation has blinded us to the limits of Caesar’s authority? This post exposes the “Caesar Syndrome”—a subtle but dangerous confusion between rendering and surrendering—and calls the church back to biblical discernment, conscience, and courage.