We are to submit to God always and to the human spiritual authority to which we willingly chose to submit (i.e. You can chose to submit yourself to mission leadership). However, this should NEVER mean blind obedience to man. Ever. Gene, I understand your friends predicament, and of course, not knowing the specific situation, it's hard to make a judgment call whether your friend was right or wrong. Ultimately, you have to go with what the Lord leads you to do. You ask the Lord, "Am I deceived, Lord? Show me YOUR heart. Is there ANY sin in my life that could cloud what you are telling me to do?" Be in the Word consistently and constantly! And then, you trust the Lord that He is big enough and powerful enough to tell you the proper answer. And when the Holy Spirit bears witness, you go against the world if you have too!
Moreover, as Paul encouraged Timothy: correct with gentleness. Our humble, calm, and loving perseverance in standing on the truth of God's Word in the face of deceived leaders will always be God honoring and glorifying. Though it may not change the hearts of man. When it's all said and done, and no one is budging, you must ask the Lord, "Would it be sin for me to submit to my leaders in this?" If it's only a matter of method in accomplishing something, then it could be sin to buck the system. However, if that method would cause you to sin against family and God, then hang on to the rock of Jesus, because it's going to get stormy! You stand with Jesus, and pray that your leaders repent.
Finally, as one friend put it, stand on the truth, and if they want to enact discipline in firing you, then that's their sin. But be careful in your words and actions! Be sure that their grounds for firing you are not over the manner in which you disagree, but only on that in which you disagree.
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