As the new pastor/teacher of the church, and having spend the last several weeks teaching on the Biblical structure of the church, and the folks sit and listen to what I say, and appearing to be generally in agreement. I have come to learn over the years, this is not always what it might appear to be. People can listen and nod their heads, and I will be thinking they are in totally agreement with what I am saying. And when the time time comes to suggest that we do what we are teaching the following could happen.
- "One pastor had spent months and months teaching a church about the Biblical structure of leadership. They all nodded and looked pious; no arguments nor objections were raised. Then he attempted one relatively minor change to the constitution, and was buried under an avalanche of "what-ifs." The business meeting was like "Dawn of the Dead," with the graves opening up to yield "church members" who had not actually attended for many, many years. "What if he has a [big-name secular rock band] come here and do a concert?" was one of the alarmed concerns."
In those churches where the people actually agree in principle and then agree to respond to biblical principles have seen that God can really bless the church body. While they are listening to the teaching that is presented, their hearts and mind have been prepared to accept the changes necessary to fulfill the Biblical mandate that is set before them.
What we need to keep in mind in this matter of teaching biblical truth, we need to keep the whole view in mind. We are never to isolate one Biblical truth at the expense of others. (Failure to do this, is how heresies are born) We must view what Paul said to Timothy, to view the whole ministry as a whole and keep all things in balance.
- So when the pastor pursues his primary, vertical relationship, what does the God he is worshiping tell him? "Feed my sheep," He says. "Lead, but don't bear oppressive rule over them. Be an example to them. Reprove and rebuke, yes; but encourage also. Be tender, as a nursing mother. Don't huckster the Word, but use plainness of speech." (Scriptures: John 21:17; Acts 20:27-28; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1, 17; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:3.) (ESV)
While he is to train them in biblical structure, he is also to teach them in biblical truth, while all at the same time he is to encourage and build up, and pray for them. Any one of these out of balance will lead to failure of ministry.
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Photos: Charity took this photo last night) The room was not empty, we have a good group of people who love the Lord and love learning the Word and about the church.
