Couple to form their "own church" ?

[mark_a]

What I concluded was that he wasn’t able to get a job at one of the many churches and he wanted to be the “boss.” If he starts his own church, he is an instant pastor. No working your way up. No relocating to find a job. No submitting to a board of elders or a senior pastor.

Thanks for having the guts to present this possibility

 

[estesbob]

Thanks for having the guts to present this possibility

I think the same is true for celebrities who join Scientology, Think about it-in the Church one must go to the seminary and work for years and years to become a Cardinal . In Scientology you can become a church leader in a matter of months!

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

I am speaking of the authority that the earthly organization had and that when people actually read their Bibles, as God knew they would, his will was done. Quite an inept God if the Reformation was not his will. Could not keep together his “true” church.
No, the truth is his Holy Spirit is working wonders!

We will ever know whether or not Luther was led by God or whether he was simply a misguided priest whose OWN PERSONALITY AND WILL caused the greatest disaster in the history of christendom. Incidentally our local priest definately PREACHES the gospel every Sunday…but much more than that he actually practices what he preaches by showing the love of Christ to all he encounters. He is also actively involved in organising get togethers with the different pastors / ministers in our district. Not all have taken up the offer to come forward and share their faith …what have you done to create peace and understanding amongst the different denominations ?

 

[Ceil-1]

Thank you, DB for admitting that the Reformation was a great tragedy. Who knows the number of souls lost because of this, if only that those of other religions look upon us as nothing but a bunch of arrogant squabblers, each insisting on our own way. What is more, how much good has been omitted because of our lack of unity? And whose hide will God take it out of?

Many non-catholics are scornful of the Catholic position. As if the Catholic position had absolutely nothing whatsoever to offer. Now, I understand having differences of theology, but to completely write off the Catholic position because of prejudices against the Church? That is the height of arrogance. And humility is what is needed for leadership regardless of the church.

Rightly Divide is very prejudicial, making generalizations against the Church like " the Gospel was never mentioned". Apparently, he didn’t pay any attention. Well, when we have died and are standing before the judgement seat, it will be too late for excuses. The only safe way is to be humble and think everyone else knows better, and that’s all there is to it.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Thank you, DB for admitting that the Reformation was a great tragedy. Who knows the number of souls lost because of this, if only that those of other religions look upon us as nothing but a bunch of arrogant squabblers, each insisting on our own way. What is more, how much good has been omitted because of our lack of unity? And whose hide will God take it out of?

Many non-catholics are scornful of the Catholic position. As if the Catholic position had absolutely nothing whatsoever to offer. Now, I understand having differences of theology, but to completely write off the Catholic position because of prejudices against the Church? That is the height of arrogance. And humility is what is needed for leadership regardless of the church.

Rightly Divide is very prejudicial, making generalizations against the Church like " the Gospel was never mentioned". Apparently, he didn’t pay any attention. Well, when we have died and are standing before the judgement seat, it will be too late for excuses. The only safe way is to be humble and think everyone else knows better, and that’s all there is to it.

uh…am not!

 

[Writer]

A friend has informed me that a mutual acquaintance and her husband plan to form their own church. This is in response to a change in the leadership of their non-denominational church wherein the pastor is hiring a man who has been divorced and remarried as co-pastor.

They base this decision on Jesus’ admonishment against divorce in the Gospel, as well as something in the New Testament about a bishop only being married once.

My concern for them is the responsibility of taking on for themselves a position of authority, thereby making themselves responsible for the souls in their congregation.

1. Where does the authority over their prospective congregants come from?
2. How do they think they will be able to escape the same pitfalls as their current pastor?

If I were they, I would be scared to death to take on such a weighty task. They seem to be very comfortable with this, however, they are still discerning the move.

Those of you who come from this faith tradition, can you answer the above questions, and, can you comment on whether you think they are on dangerous ground?

When we were still in the Episcopal Church, the same thought flitted through my wife’s mind. She was so horrified at the prospect that it was one of many, many nudges towards us joining the Catholic Church. It’s beyond me how any inteligent person could believe that constant separation upon separation is the answer…

 

[Ceil-1]

Prejudice: (noun) a judgment or opinion formed beforehand for or against due examination; prepossession for or against anything, bias; intolerance or hatred.

Sorry, RD, but you are as prejudiced as they come.

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

Thank you, DB for admitting that the Reformation was a great tragedy. Who knows the number of souls lost because of this, if only that those of other religions look upon us as nothing but a bunch of arrogant squabblers, each insisting on our own way. What is more, how much good has been omitted because of our lack of unity? And whose hide will God take it out of?

Many non-catholics are scornful of the Catholic position. As if the Catholic position had absolutely nothing whatsoever to offer. Now, I understand having differences of theology, but to completely write off the Catholic position because of prejudices against the Church? That is the height of arrogance. And humility is what is needed for leadership regardless of the church.

Rightly Divide is very prejudicial, making generalizations against the Church like " the Gospel was never mentioned". Apparently, he didn’t pay any attention. Well, when we have died and are standing before the judgement seat, it will be too late for excuses. The only safe way is to be humble and think everyone else knows better, and that’s all there is to it.

So true…we must all come out of our shells and enter into dialogue with our brethren. This will take patience especially when dealing with protestants who have been mentally scarred by a lifetime of indoctrination against our faith. Strangely enough i have been blessed to meet a number of protestants who have broken out of their biased cocoons and they are like a breath of fresh air ! The biggest danger for our protestant friends is that they will never know if the new church on the corner is run by another David Koresh !!! A bit like russian-roulette i would think
Peace and keep the faith…

 

[Beachcomber]

What an interesting thread.

I live in an area where ‘do-it-yourself’ churches seem to pop up with regularity. They flourish for a while, then dissolve.

Personally, I agree with a previous poster that the reason that this may happen is that the pastor wants to be the boss right off and it is a matter of ego. There’s not a lot of humility around any longer.