Understanding how the Lordship of Jesus Christ extends to all areas of life.
Our church received a resume recently from a man who, in his words, wanted to be the “Head of our church.” I thought I would pass this on to you as it was too good to keep to ourselves!
Age: Early 30s.
Marital Status: Single.
Political party: None.
Denominational affiliation: None.
Educational Background: Homeschooled.
College / Bible College: None.
Seminary: None.
Previous Church Experience: None.
Previous Employment: Carpentry.
Current Employment: Unemployed / Street Preacher.
References: We were unable to obtain any positive references from this guy. His neighbors don’t like him. Apparently he grew up in a poor, backwards community that has a reputation of nothing good ever coming from that area. We were told by his neighbors that he was homeless and that he has been seen leading what is considered to be a Zionist gang comprised of a bunch of uneducated teenagers and young men from questionable backgrounds (including one former Militia member with ties to some anti-government, terrorist organizations). We were also told that he is an alcoholic, a glutton and has been seen visiting prostitutes.
He has a bad habit of name-calling when he disagrees with people. At one point he called some church leaders “snakes” and “rotting corpses.”
Theology: He seems to have some extremely heterodox theology that doesn’t fit with mainstream thought or practice. At several previous churches, he was asked to leave for causing division among the members.
Family: When we called his family, they said that he is “out of his mind.” Apparently at one time when they tried to talk some sense into him, he even denied to some of his friends that they were his family. He has a cousin who is a self-made religious leader who lives alone in the wilderness on a very strange diet. His cousin seems to look up to him.
Psychological Evaluation: Has a Messiah Complex coupled with Grandiose Delusions. We have heard that he vacillates between being a loner and wanting to be worshipped by the masses (Bi-Polar?). Seems to have a very co-dependent relationship with his dad, whom he references often.
Criminal History: While charges were never formally pressed, at one former church he didn’t like how things were being handled, so he vandalized some of the church’s furniture and physically assaulted some sub-contractors who worked for the church.
So, as you can see, it seems highly unlikely that this man will EVER be the head of ANY church! I mean, would you let him lead yours?
Written by Israel Wayne, Copyright 2011.
Israel Wayne is an Author and Conference Speaker with Wisdom’s Gate Ministries. He is also the Site Editor for www.ChrisitanWorldview.net.
What are the irreducibly complex components of a church?
I have been trying to figure out what are the basic, fundamental elements (Irreducibly Complex) that must all be in place, working together at the same time, for a church to be considered a true, Biblical church.
William Dembski gives this definition of Irreducible Complexity:
“A system performing a given basic function is irreducibly complex if it includes a set of well-matched, mutually interacting, nonarbitrarily individuated parts such that each part in the set is indispensable to maintaining the system’s basic, and therefore original, function. The set of these indispensable parts is known as the irreducible core of the system.”
Here is my short list so far:
1. It must be confessional.
The whole counsel of God must be faithfully proclaimed by Biblically qualified and recognized leaders.
2. It must be missional.
It must endeavor to reach the lost and to serve others.
3. It must be communal.
It must facilitate real relationships and community that exist outside of the formal church meetings.
4. It must worship.
This includes much more than singing and administration of the sacraments. It includes viewing all of life as an act of worship and obedience to God. This means that the people are taught by the instruction and example of the leadership to live holy and separate lives.
If a church is not doing all of these things it is not a true church.
Some people have suggested that church discipline should be included in this list. While I agree that a Biblical church must be willing to exercise church discipline when it is necessary, it seems to me that many churches may go for long stretches without church discipline being a need, so I haven’t included it in my list of essentials, even though it must be used when needed.
Food for thought: If something is not really a true church, should you feel bad about leaving it?
Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker. He currently serves at Marketing Director for Wisdom’s Gate Ministries.
Recently I asked my Facebook friends what they thought were some of the greatest threats facing the American church. Predictably the feedback swung from the polar ends of the theological spectrum. Some thought the Church was too worldly and some too legalistic. Some felt the church is too focused on outreach and not on discipleship. Others believe the Church isn’t culturally relevant enough and wasn’t committed to evangelism.
Some think the church is too Calvinistic, and others too Arminian. Some said bad Eschatology was too blame for the Church’s woes. Some blamed the youth pastors for undermining the parents, others blamed the worship pastors for dumbing down the songs and making church services seem like rock concerts. Some were for institutional or traditional models, and others preferred an Organic or house church approach.
Many were concerned about bad theology, false doctrine, Postmodernism and Humanism, heresy, Universalism, feel-good cheap grace messages, lack of holiness, prosperity gospel, lack of accountability and hypocrisy among leaders, lack of church discipline, Biblical illiteracy, bad Bible translations, low of view of the inerrancy of Scripture, too much political involvement, not enough political involvement, lack of the fear of the Lord and much more. However, there was one problem that was stated overwhelmingly above all the rest.
The most common answer was Apathy.
Lukewarmness and a lack of real zeal and fervor for the things of the Lord was what most of my friends said is wrong with the Church today. Isn’t that surprising? The greatest (at least perceived) threat isn’t something “out there somewhere,” but rather something that encroaches upon every human heart.
To the church in Laodicea, Jesus said:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” — (Revelation 3:15-21)
The British writer, G.K. Chesterton was once asked to write an essay for a London newspaper on the topic, “”What’s Wrong With The World.” His submission took the form of a terse and direct letter:
Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton
I am mindful of an old hymn we used to sing in our church when I was growing up. Its prayer was:
Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me.
Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who serves as Marketing Director for Wisdom’s Gate Ministries. He is also the Site Editor for www.ChristianWorldview.net
