Church Danger Signs.....
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We are starting a verse by verse study of Titus tomorrow...Lord willing. See http://mikesullivanblog.blogspot.com/
if you'd like to follow along.
Find us on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/Simple-Daily-Living-1140594709318692/
Verse of the day: I started off with Proverbs 30:5-6 and took a rabbit trail. First of all, the word of God is tested. The second part that caught my attention is we are not to add too His words or He will reprove you.
What is the cost of these improper changes we make to God's Word? Usually we consider them "minor doctrine" and we've room and flexibility to do as we with. Is that really true? Consider these warning signs: it's a long list, in no particular order and probably could be added to.
Prosperity Gospel, purpose driven issues, charismatic teaching and practices such as healing, speaking in tongues, etc, liberal theology, the Bible is considered a guide, gender neutral bible/hymnal, gossip is practiced by many including church leaders, internal focus where evangelism and community outreach is lacking, members are content with warming pews, church growth is stagnant, no one brings guests, lack of service volunteers, lack of prayer meeting, unwillingness to participate in Bible studies, popular Christian books are used vice books of the Bible, tithing sermons are frequent, conflict and problems are not dealt with, fellowship is very shallow, difficulty connecting, women are permitted leadership roles, people depart immediately after the service, volunteers are always lacking, church life revolves around the pastor, men of the church disagree with doctrine and practice but are afraid to speak, yes-men are elevated to church leadership positions, unbiblical titles are used, favoritism is practiced, authoritarian leadership and stifling bureaucracy, public sin is tolerated, worship is lethargic, lukewarm and predictable, lack of authenticity, low community impact, leadership view church members as inferior, someone is paid to come in and preach if the pastor takes a vacation, church employees remain on the payroll even though they are a budget burden, poor performance by paid employees is not dealt with, unbiblical church organization, leadership discourages questions about doctrine and practice. If it feels like the pharisees are in charge, watch carefully and be cautious. If you do choose to blog about church/theology issues, be prepared to be thrown under the bus. They will claim it's not biblical to ask questions or write about practices....hogwash. It's leadership by intimidation and stranglehold and they are engaging in coverup and damage control. It even happened to Spurgeon...see writings on the down-grade controversy. Spurgeon's magazine had critical articles written...he was probably thrown under a horse carriage - no buses in his day.
Application:
If your gut tells you there's a problem, there might very well be issues. Pray. Check with scripture. Consult with other godly men not a part of that particular denomination. Do your homework. Confront. Blow the whistle if necessary. Be prepared to depart before you're lynched by a kangaroo court for having the temerity to disagree and confront.
Do you have a fear of God or man?
***Be accountable to someone. May your day be blessed. Mike
Feel free to share this. Follow, subscribe by email, share God's Word. Subscribing by email allows you to save and read the post at your leisure without hunting for it. :)
We are starting a verse by verse study of Titus tomorrow...Lord willing. See http://mikesullivanblog.blogspot.com/
if you'd like to follow along.
Find us on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/Simple-Daily-Living-1140594709318692/
Verse of the day: I started off with Proverbs 30:5-6 and took a rabbit trail. First of all, the word of God is tested. The second part that caught my attention is we are not to add too His words or He will reprove you.
What is the cost of these improper changes we make to God's Word? Usually we consider them "minor doctrine" and we've room and flexibility to do as we with. Is that really true? Consider these warning signs: it's a long list, in no particular order and probably could be added to.
Prosperity Gospel, purpose driven issues, charismatic teaching and practices such as healing, speaking in tongues, etc, liberal theology, the Bible is considered a guide, gender neutral bible/hymnal, gossip is practiced by many including church leaders, internal focus where evangelism and community outreach is lacking, members are content with warming pews, church growth is stagnant, no one brings guests, lack of service volunteers, lack of prayer meeting, unwillingness to participate in Bible studies, popular Christian books are used vice books of the Bible, tithing sermons are frequent, conflict and problems are not dealt with, fellowship is very shallow, difficulty connecting, women are permitted leadership roles, people depart immediately after the service, volunteers are always lacking, church life revolves around the pastor, men of the church disagree with doctrine and practice but are afraid to speak, yes-men are elevated to church leadership positions, unbiblical titles are used, favoritism is practiced, authoritarian leadership and stifling bureaucracy, public sin is tolerated, worship is lethargic, lukewarm and predictable, lack of authenticity, low community impact, leadership view church members as inferior, someone is paid to come in and preach if the pastor takes a vacation, church employees remain on the payroll even though they are a budget burden, poor performance by paid employees is not dealt with, unbiblical church organization, leadership discourages questions about doctrine and practice. If it feels like the pharisees are in charge, watch carefully and be cautious. If you do choose to blog about church/theology issues, be prepared to be thrown under the bus. They will claim it's not biblical to ask questions or write about practices....hogwash. It's leadership by intimidation and stranglehold and they are engaging in coverup and damage control. It even happened to Spurgeon...see writings on the down-grade controversy. Spurgeon's magazine had critical articles written...he was probably thrown under a horse carriage - no buses in his day.
Application:
If your gut tells you there's a problem, there might very well be issues. Pray. Check with scripture. Consult with other godly men not a part of that particular denomination. Do your homework. Confront. Blow the whistle if necessary. Be prepared to depart before you're lynched by a kangaroo court for having the temerity to disagree and confront.
Do you have a fear of God or man?
***Be accountable to someone. May your day be blessed. Mike
