A fiend of mine was telling me of an experience he had with a local COG. Here it is.He attended a business meeting where the financial stats were discussed. They were vague when it came to the salaries of the staff. He said those stats were lumped into one category and not broken out individually. So he asked the question if they could be broken into individual categories. The business manager of the church replied that it was none of his business and that he didn’t ask how much money he made in his place of employment. My friend just sat down and didn’t challenge the business manager. Big mistake in my opinion. Needless to say my friend no longer attends that church. He was a consistent tithe payer.
Quakers did OK in the earlier years without a sermon. I much prefer solid teaching or Bible study to the traditional sermon. I have access to good books and teaching via Internet or Facebook and find that the traditional role of a sermon may have been important decades ago but not so important now.
A service where real and important communication is going on between believers would have high value.Take for instance where a large plant is rumored to be closing down. It will affect half the congregation and the church budget itself; why shouldn’t it be a concern for prayer, for wisdom, for words of knowledge? Instead of calling for a revival call for nightly meetings to earnestly discuss what could be done for damage control? Done right the church would have a strong draw to others in the community.
Thanks man for the great comments,well how can we hear the voice of God and in what ways,and the frequency?
the idea church gathering is identified in ! Cor 14
I have enjoyed the services when the Holy Spirit takes over. They are refreshing. But saying that the churches are moving away from preaching and doing more teaching goes cross-grained to the teaching set forth by Apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 1:17-21King James Version (KJV)
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. I am not saying that teaching is wrong. But look at the qualifications for a Bishop. 1 Timothy 3:1-7King James Version (KJV)
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. This says “APT TO TEACH” meaning teaching is not his main focus, and I take it to mean preaching. Getting away from preaching has led our churches down the road of compromise with man’s wisdom.
Hopefully not.
Women do not need to be leaders. I had a very old aunt that was a preacher, she was very happy with that. No women leaders and I’m a lady. Wanted to clear that up with Bobbi for a first name.
So God discriminates?
No, I think the men should be leaders.
It is discrimination according to whom?
And it is discrimination why?
I guess God discriminates against men because they can have babies,,,
(LoL)
I kill me.
I would like to refer you to the Webster dictionary for that answer.
My point is that their point is selfish and shows a lack of understanding in God’s plan and design.
WHO are you referring to as their?
The ladies pressing the issue (and the men enabling them).
Feel free to use all caps in my post anywhere YOU would like TO.