Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
Established denominations usually draw on certain Bible schools or seminaries for youth leaders, assistant pastor, worship leader, etc. With time these ones may move on to become pastor for some needy church.
I am also familiar with some non-denominational community churches that basically "grew up" with their pastor, depending on his gifts/talents. Look at Saddleback Church. Rick Warren grew that church of 20,000 from nothing.
Some small rural congregations hire retired brothers who love to labor in the word to come and share with the church. Some of these brothers are the richest ministers. One I recently heard was a retired State Trooper. He shared richly on Psalm 23.
These are the diversities of gifts and ministries which the Lord Spirit will use to shepherd His people. Whenever man comes along to define "THE God-ordained way," you can be sure it is not "THE" God-ordained way at all. No such pattern in history ever existed. No way can ever be "the way," because Jesus is "the way," and He can use any way, many ways, and all ways to meet His people's needs.
For example, John Darby hated diverse musical instruments in the worship of God. Thus all the Exclusive Brethren around the world must sing a cappella. Nee and Lee permitted pianos only. But look at how many diverse instruments David and Solomon used in their worship. Lee hated drums, but Christians throughout sub-Saharan Africa nearly all use drums of some sort. Who is WL to tell the entire body of Christ "THE WAY" to worship God? ... "THE WAY" to meet? ... "THE WAY" to minister?
|
Thank you Ohio. I am fully behind your position here and Jesus is the Way. He is the only way. The LC 'the new way' just offended my heart so thoroughly...it seemed another usurpation of Christ and His headship, His position of being our way to the Father. Something so wrong with it. And I agree, He cannot be limited to the LSM 'way'.....just the idea of every believer He justifies, He sanctifies, He called, He redeemed by the sacrifice at the cross....to believe that every precious one of these is somehow lacking the 'way' if they are outside the LSM system is so far fetched, so presumptuous!
Nell, I don't mean to change the subject of this thread, I just don't know anything about it.