tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203917198655292543.post1550922426373534137..comments2023-10-15T04:59:19.613-04:00Comments on Jim writes this.: churchNaiveJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751038646859902049noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203917198655292543.post-52979349438510262172012-09-20T18:40:49.401-04:002012-09-20T18:40:49.401-04:00.....
"In the end, there are far more importa........<br />"In the end, there are far more important things to consider about a church than how much money they put into their multimedia, or what the worship team is wearing. For example, what its members are doing the other six days of the week." <br /><br />There is no need to have one or the other. Church leaders def. need to be held accountable for how they spend others' money for the "sake of the church". David and I have been to mega churches the size of football fields who've spent hundred of thousands of dollars on a full wall exotic fish tank but then only give each missionary $50 a month!!! Then there are other churches hiding their "talents" in the ground while their 2 missionary's they support struggle month to month to do ministry. If the church is pouring thousands into their multimedia add on's to make the church more "fun" while they neglect other more essential areas, then that is where they DO need to be called out and confronted. It never needs to be one or the other, it's a balance. While I agree most people major on the minors (i.e. color of the carpet) while the person sitting next to them goes out every Friday to strip clubs, then yes that is another area where the church as a whole is neglecting an essential part of a church body, confronting/eradicating sin in the Body of Christ. <br />"and simply trust that they probably know what they're doing and don't need me to get all teenage-angsty about it."<br />This is a very dangerous mindset creeping into the parishioners minds these days: who are you to question church leaders. That is totally unscriptual and should never be taught/propagated/implied on any level! Churches leaders are held to a higher standard for a reason and they are human and fallible just like the parishioners they stand over every Sunday and wednesday. Paul commended the Bereans for questioning what he was preaching, he says that more parishioners need to be doing that. In the Reformed, New Calvinism day and age this "don't question your leader" is what leads to cults and destroying lives. Think I am wayyyy over reacting?! lol Then you need to talk to my Dad and pick his brain about the people who contact him on a daily basis wanting to know how to get out of the clutches of their elder/s who tell them to "Shut up and do what they're told". Think I am still over reacting? Then you should ask me how this mentality led to my family being ripped apart. <br /><br />Anyways, like I said, great article!!! =)<br />Heather Ingramnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203917198655292543.post-89523722728736897822012-09-20T18:40:06.509-04:002012-09-20T18:40:06.509-04:00Great article and thought provoking! A few cents t...Great article and thought provoking! A few cents to share: <br /><br />"does this thing, suddenly a "church," immediately get lumped in with the rest of the church (or churches) as a sacred institution? Are they part of the Holy Priesthood, entrusted with the Great Commission, held accountable for all of its blessed finances and how they spend every penny? Holders of the talents while The King is away?"<br /><br />Unfortunately America thinks that the church is the building, pastors, and deacons etc but really what is a church without people? An empty building! People make the church, every member needs to consider themselves a minister. Jesus says wherever 2 or 3 are gathered there I am in their midst. It doesn't matter where, when or with whom, all that Jesus wants is for people to gather to edify, worship and preach His Truths. It's not up to other people or organizations to decide whether or not they should be included in whatever it is that "they" are in charge of. Man made rules all too often are placed at the same level as preaching whats in the Bible. Or man can add and take away from the message simply by forcing the congregation/small group to follow guidelines or worship/preach in a certain way. The style, as long as it doesn't add/take away/distract from Gods word is just semantics at best and should be left to the "freedoms in Christ" category. On the other hand, sometimes a show (what others would call praise and worship) is really just that, a show, because it's all about attracting outsiders and wanting to make the church "look cool", that's where the line gets crossed. God doesn't want a three ring circus as our offering of worship, He wants an honest and committed heart. When Jesus came He didn't come as some hot, rich guy who would stand out. He came as a lowly, humble child birthed to earthly parents who were poor. When He traveled He didn't demand to stay at the Hilton's of His day, He was humble and didn't even have a place to lay His head down at night to sleep sometimes.Heather Ingramnoreply@blogger.com