Now, aside from the fact no one has actually defined ethical conduct or how it relates to one's moral character or personal integrity, we are left with one glaring issue, which is the question of spiritual loyalty.
What we have expressed on these pages is that one must be loyal to one’s organization, one’s pastor (or other appointed authority) and to be loyal to the local assembly.
We also have had expressed the idea that it is wrong to engage in “sheep stealing”, e.g. inviting members of another church (same organization) to visit (or even join) your church.
That the proselytize other churches, religious groups and organizations is Okay – or even from the same organization if the pastor gives his/her permission, as it is currently done in a number of churches I have attended.
That local church attendance is really all about people numbers and the money they bring into the coffers.
What have I missed?
Oh yes, our first loyalty is to be to people, things, and activities, in that order. I can’t think of a book, chapter and verse right off hand, but that’s Bible. Right? Yet, somewhere burred in all of those words, is a little known and even less practiced principle concerning the theory that there is but one God, one Spirit, one Christ and He has only one undivided church – consisting of many parts. Now, even though there are no scriptures to support this strange concept, I am convinced that my allegiance is to be to God through Jesus Christ, and I am to give honor (not allegiance, worship, or lordship) to those appointed over me. And, to those to have the responsibility of teaching the word of God, I am to render double honor. Abstract concepts, I realize, but gee, would it not be nice when we all reach the unity of the Faith among the brethren rather than just conformity of look and actions within a closed meeting? What if all of the really called of God ministers of the faith came together and created a area wide counsel of elders to over see the many local assemblies? And, weeded out those wolves in sheep’s clothing from among us!
Ah, what if we were no longer in bondage to building programs? What if we actually spent out our money, not on mortgages, utilities, and building maintenance but on spreading the gospel of the kingdom of God, taking care of the elderly, the widow, the orphan, the sick, the poor, and imprisoned? First to those within the body of believers and also to those outside of our group. What ever happened “to the Jew first and also the Gentile”? Novel concepts, I know. These ideas will never fly except in someone’s flight of fancy.
So I charge you all, keep your priorities straight: Keep your allegiance to the pastor first (be he right or wrong, called of God or just another wolf, it makes no difference as long as you don’t make any waves), the congregation second (growing in the Spirit or not, even stunted or dying), and your programs third (do what makes one look good among the congregation and even within the society at large) – then if you have any time, money or energy left, you might consider your family’s needs, and we can always let someone else take care of the lost, the dying and the hurting.
I have met a few church leaders who actually practiced what they preached. I can hear their voices almost as if they all said the same words. “If you cannot get your spiritual needs met here, under my teaching and leadership, please let me help you find a church that will met your needs, and where God can put you into the ministry He has called you to. Your soul and spiritual growth is more important to God than your presence on Sunday morning in this church.” Strange words coming from A/P preachers - who actually meant them - in love,compassion and concern!
But, these pastors aren’t very spiritual men in the modern American church way, they were not socially pragmatic or spiritually practical, they only wanted what was best for the saint of God. What a novel concept!
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Alright, I do apologize for preaching down to everyone here. But, I do so for only one reason, to shake us all from our parochial attitudes for a moment, so we might see how our seemingly important differences and profound theological discussions really fit into the kingdom of God/heaven worldview. Our modern-day churches have become more obsessed with power, money, influence and feeding our personal pride than with the things of God and what actually matters to Him. Mt 23 seems an appropriate passage to reference, with
Lk 18:9-14 added just for good measure.
Shalom Aleichem
Peace be Unto You
Yeah, I guess that is where it falls apart.
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