Our churches Are Failing! Part 2 of ?

With little instruction on how to actually run the Church, the church needed to look to the life of Christ as the example and with the leading of the Holy Spirit, a lot of leeway is granted on how to fulfil the two main purposes of the church; that being feeding the sheep and accomplishing the Great Commission. Preachers, which, early on were the Apostles and those that worked directly with and assisted the Apostles, made rounds correcting the Church, with the Holy Spirits guidance.

The Early Church had congregations at different locations but they were still on Church. Besides in Jerusalem, the Church was also at Alexandria, Antioch, Athens, Berea, Caesarea, Capernaum, Colosse, Corinth, Crete, Cyprus, Damascus, Derbe, Iconium, Philippi, Rome, Sidon, Tarsus, Thessaloncia and Tyre to name most of what is mentioned in the New Testament. It’s isn’t clear who started them all, though certainly some Apostles did. However, the Early Church, no matter who started them, submitting to Christ, placed themselves (at least eventually) under the authority of the Apostles and the preachers. Despite the location, congregation and who taught them, there was only on church.

However, one Church in each city didn’t necessarily mean one physical location in that city. As there were no “church buildings” in the beginning, the Church at each city likely meet at differing locations including the Synagogues. However, they were still on Church; one body. They all had the same doctrines (though sometimes it needed corrected). For example, there may have been a group that meet on the North side of Antioch and a group that meet on the South side of Antioch. But they would both be considered as the Church at Antioch and the same Elders and preachers (and possibly others) would likely oversee both locations.

However, each group may have different needs and different methods of working with to achieve the two primary duties of the Church; Shepherding and the Great Commission. Different functions but the same goals with the same doctrines and not in competition with each other. This is what the Church is supposed to be and what Christ intended.

This Church, the Church Christ left, is not failing.

The other church(s), those that may appear like the Church at first, have become divisive, splintered and combative with each other. Where Christ left leeway in the Church to accomplish His will, churches used it to split into multiple denominations and personal twists of His intent and word.
The church seldom keeps its own congregation in check let alone correcting the faults of the other denominations incorrect doctrines. The World see’s this and states, “What a bunch of hypocrites”. I can’t blame people for wanting to stay away. About the only answer I have received when I have asked Elders and trained clergy is, “We’re all sinners”. I guess that means they’re ) either personally or the church) is not interested in trying to confront incorrect doctrine or correcting damaging individuals. I can’t blame the World for seeing the hypocrisy of it and I’m certainly tired of being a part of it.

Originally, the care of the Church was given to the Elders. The Elders would have not only led the Church but also taught it (part of the definition/description/duties of an Elder). There would also have been just teachers. The Apostles and preachers made rounds not only correcting the Church, but also to encourage it, so they were also teachers. And one of the first warnings after Christ returned to heaven was to watch out for false preachers and teachers.

I have to wonder if that includes condemnation of not only what they said but what they didn’t say. After all, much of Christ’s condemnation of the Pharisees was their hypocrisy. They didn’t practice what they preached; they said one thing then did another. Will the Church be condemned for teaching and preaching, “Going out into the world, feeding the sheep, carrying for others, seeing after the elderly and other good things?” I don’t if the Church will but I believe that certainly a great many churches will. Will yours?

I believe that one of my misunderstandings is assuming that the Elders, Deacons, Teachers and Preachers in a congregation were the leaders. As such, I expected them lead as one would in a business; to be (at least part of) the energizers, the enthusiastic, excited and leaders. None of these terms are given to the above anywhere in the Bible. So over the years I have an unwarranted expectation of the “leaders” in the churches where I served/tried to serve. To any Elders, Deacons, Teachers and Preachers that may have had my disappointment placed on them because of my recently realized “leader” expectation, I am sorry.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that most of Elders, Deacons, Teachers and Preachers (let’s call this group EDPT from now on) are/were Godly and wise men and women. I’ve just come to realize that they weren’t leaders. But as I mentioned, leader and the other terms were not part of their duties, Biblically speaking. However, I had and still expect the EDTP to appoint people, that are good leaders (either themselves or others) that include those who energizers, enthusiastic and excited to head the ministries and invigorate the congregation. Unfortunately, many times it is the opposite as far to often I have seen the EDTP stifle the congregation.

It’s a hard call. The EDTP’s say they are following God’s leading, and people questing the direction or stagnation, are out of touch with God. Many in a congregation feel that the church should be doing more or differently. Does the EDTP have the direct lien to God or does the congregation? Being at odds is what aids in splitting the Church into churches.

I find it hard to believe that Christ wants stagnation. That He doesn’t want fully completed and not just half done to get the star or check marks next to the ministry/activity name indicating the congregational attendance or participation in an activity. The goal isn’t the number of checkmarks on a score card, website or Facebook page. The goal is effective ministry to perform the 2 primary responsibilities of the Church.

Not effectively accomplishing the 2 primary responsibilities of the Church, squarely falls on the shoulders of the EDTP’s of the churches, that is the local congregations. If a church isn’t effective, the EDPT is failing not only the congregation, but Christ, the community, “and the Church”.

I’m beating the church up pretty good in this and my previous post. I’m probably not finished beating them up yet; we’ll find out in my next post. However, the tone will (hopefully) change soon as suggestions will be brought forward that churches may use to go from failing to effective. Or maybe my future posts will just continue to show my insanity; for those of you who think that I am way off base.