Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Reformer Joe | 29347 | ||
I have changed my church of attendance in the last six months, for two reasons. First of all, the theology to which I now have come to embrace is very much at odds with that of the pastor and elders of the church which my wife and I used to attend. They were not issues of utmost importance (i.e. in such a way that it could be said that the members there are not Christians), so it was not a situation which my wife and I were compelled to leave at first. It was only when the direction of the church changed to take on some practices which I consider very contrary to what Scripture reveals that my wife and I decided to move on. Specifically, it was the abandonment of the concept of the church as a place for believers in favor of a "seeker-sensitive" model which dumbed down the sermons and treated the services of the church as a place where the unregenerate could feel right at home. Appeal to the sinful human's felt needs had assumed the place where sound theology and teaching should be. Drama and contemporary music and "how-to" sermons (with the merest smattering of a Scripture passage) were seen as techniques and methods to win people for Christ, rather than the unadulterated proclamation of God's Word. I addressed the situation verbally and in writing to the elders of the church, citing Scripture and including quotes from many authors who had already addressed the theological errors of this movement. I welcomed both dialogue and correction from them from the Bible if I was doctrinally wrong inanything I said. Well, when I met with the elders, they completely missed the point of my 15-page epistle to them. They saw my problems with the church's direction as a matter of personal taste rather than of theological significance. They failed to address even one of the Scripture passages I cited in support of my position. I knew it was time to go when the pastor said in no uncertain terms that he had been a minister for X number of years, and that he has come to the conclusion that simply getting up and preaching the Word of God by itself simply was not going to work with the world today. There are good reasons for finding a new church, and my previous church had just about all of them. I am happy to say that my present congregation has all of the marks of a vibrant, God-honoring, biblically-centered church, and my wife and I are more than elated to be serving God and our fellow saints, learning and growing within this fellowship. As long as we remain where we are and God in his grace grants that the church maintains its high doctrinal standards and practices, this is where we will stay. So there's my story! --Joe! |
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2 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Brian.g | 29352 | ||
Joe I am familiar with what you described as the "seeker-sensitive" model. Some people equate this style of service to when Paul said: 1 Corinthians 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. And, some people are ready for, and need solid food. With only the "milk" type of service, the long term problem becomes: Hebrews 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness How do you feel a local church can satisfy both, those needing milk, as well as those needing solid food? Brian |
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3 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Reformer Joe | 29368 | ||
Brian: You wrote: "How do you feel a local church can satisfy both, those needing milk, as well as those needing solid food?" That is the kind of question local congregations should be asking. One way that our church does it is by means of intro classes for prospective members, which basically delineate the basics of the evangelical Christian faith along with the distinctives of the Christian tradition to which it belongs. To become a member, one must only subscribe to the evangelical distinctives and have received a Trinitarian baptism (which will be administered to those who have not yet been baptized). Sunday school classes can go a long way in meeting this need for recent converts or those who have simply never looked beyond the basics of their faith. Catechism is another good method for accomplishing this goal. Our church employs the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms as instructional tools, and they benefit children, new converts, and mature believers alike in teaching and re-affirming the central doctrines of the Christian faith. The sermons preached every Sunday can serve this purpose as well to some extent, but I find it is much better to feed the flock with solid food rather than serve mush just in case there are any non-Christians in attendance. Our ministers do a very good job of both challenging mature, knowledgeable Christians and explaining theological truth as well. And let's face it: a lot of the "new stuff" we learn as believers generally spin out from the very basics of the gospel in any case. It is merely deeper exploration of the many facets of God's redemptive work in human history. In any case, it would do churches well to remember that the church is primarily for BELIEVERS. While the services should absolutely welcome visitors who may or may not be Christians, the service should not "target" them. There are undoubtedly the unregenerate in just about any church today, and ministers should make note of that as they preach law and gospel in every message. Both serve the believer and unbeliever alike. For Christians, the law demonstrates God's holy standards for our lives, and the gospel reminds us of how God both has provided satisfaction for those requirements and as well as His Spirit so that we will in thought, word, and deed approach a more holy life in keeping with that law. For non-Christians, law demonstrates their own inability to attain the righteousness of God, and gospel points out to them that the only way we will be able to stand before God is if we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. So law and gospel, in the same message, is sufficient both for evangelism and training in righteousness. The elders of a church, however, should make every effort to see that true Christian education in the faith is taking place for all who affiliate themselves with the church, at whatever level they are. --Joe! |
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4 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Brian.g | 29410 | ||
Joe Thank you for the amount of thought and effort in assisting me. I appreciate it greatly. Brian |
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