Ministry News

Cheating Church Members

Details: Tuesday, 01 December 2009 11:43

QUOTE: "In most churches, membership requires little more than a public declaration of faith and a quick trip through the baptistery. After meeting these requirements, members hear vague notions about being involved in stewardship, discipleship and service. … Perhaps we are cheating church members. We assume that most church members won’t evangelize, so we’re happy to stick with the very few who understand the mandate. We assume that most church members will not get involved in a demanding Bible study, so we water down our teaching to appeal to the masses. We assume that many church members will never tithe or give of their time in service to the community for the glory of our King, so we budget accordingly. At best, we hope that people will act on our suggestions. … Perhaps we should stop designing worship services, discipleship programs and youth events for the “average Christian” (aka: the Christian we don’t expect anything out of). Instead, let’s refocus on our church covenants and clearly communicate the expectations for being a disciple in the kingdom of God." —Trevin Wax, associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tenn., on how church leaders' low expectations of believers can ruin the kingdom purposes of a congregation [trevinwax.com, 11/10/09]

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Comments

+1 #6 Frank Coleman 2009-12-01 06:55

The issue is that Jesus has left the building (church.)

There is no real teaching on repentance.
No real preaching on sin & it's consequences.
No real move of the Holy Spirit.

One thing the church does well these days: fill the seats and put on a show (entertain) after taking a sizable collection.

When are we going to follow the mandate of Jesus and make disciples?

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+1 #5 Sam the man 2009-12-01 06:16

: One need to realize that we live in New Testament times and there is no need to work our way into the kingdom, nor perform as some require; it is love that gets us started and that is shown to others through the body, the authentic body, of Christ - those who know him intimately and whose love, agape, spills over into the rest of us Could start with the leader, or some others. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and the book is your guide, renew your minds and read Galatians until it spills over into the group. Be holy, humble and bless all who enter your doors.

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+1 #4 Arising Glory 2009-12-01 06:01

WHY.... are we so confused about the Spiritual gifts that are discussed in the BIBLE??? Heard of evangelism? the gift of giving? gift of helps? gift of preaching? the gift of caring (Holy Spirit shed abroad in our hearts)?

Bring Jesus on the scene to flush out the world and see a vibrant church! Just how dead are we anyway? Why does FEAR take over? Come on!!!

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+2 #3 rpmaster2 2009-12-01 05:40

I think when someone is truly converted, repentant, and falls in love with Jesus, they want to do those things out of a grateful heart. I think the biggest problem may very well be that often times, we put people on the spot, get them to say a prayer of salvation, even though we have not been gently leading them or pouring in to their lives so that they SEE the love of Jesus. We assume that it will be "off they go..." to serve the Lord. We need to disciple them after they are saved. Teaching them what the love of Christ LOOKS LIKE is most likely the answer. Putting hands and feet to what love looks like is where they will get the most understanding. Do unto others...

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+1 #2 Dane G 2009-12-01 05:02

One of the dangers is when church leaders use church covenants as tools to manipulate the people to make the ministry appear more successful. It must not be "do these thingss and you will be accepted as a first class member", but rather, "When God is truly having His way in us, these are the kinds of actions that reflect the heart of the gospel working itself out in our daily lives." (This is placing our expectations on God's grace and not man's works.)

The gospel is good news and replaced a covenant of commitments engraved on stone. God writes His covenant on our hearts. We don't need a return to a list of rules.

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+1 #1 Lance Harrell 2009-12-01 04:48

Focusing on those that don't want to go anywhere is like kicking a dead horse. Jesus came for the sick (those that know they need something), not the self-righteous healthy.

Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

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