Tuesday, March 11, 2008

My Commentary: The Top 10 Church Fallacies

I put out the list without comment on my last post. Indulge me, please, as I take a moment to comment on each of the ten.

1. Churches decide things by voting
Democracy, although a blessing in human government, is not so much as hinted at in the NT for that of the church. It is an invention of western society and capitalism rather than the scriptures. It has seeped into the church by osmosis, rather than arising from the inspired instruction of God for his church.


2. God has commanded the church to tithe
This is a relatively recent invention, developed out of a misappropriation of the OT law. Christians not only don't have to, they should not do so, if doing so is an attempt to gain status before or blessing from God (legalism). If one tithes, he or she should not think that it merits a blessing from God.


3. Modern pastors get paid too much
The Bible says that
elders, especially those that labor in the word, are worthy of double honor. The context is remuneration. If you work full time, take whatever you make, multiply it by two, and that is easily what your pastor is worth. A good pastor is worth his weight in gold! Now, I'm not saying that is what pastors should get paid, but certainly, 99.9% of all churches have no reason at all to complain about what their pastors do get paid.

4. Church growth should be the number one concern of church leaders
Church growth is not in the purview of church leaders, nor church members for that matter. They sow the word, and water it, but
God alone is responsible for the increase. A focus on church growth can only result in the dethroning of God and the subsequent substitution of human methodology in place of the work of the Spirit. If we control it, as we must if it is ours to determine, than it also follows that it must be generated from our creativity and determination. One can expand the clientele of a supermarket through good marketing, it doesn't follow that we can or should do the same for our church.

5. Evangelism requires Christians to act as unbelievers do
I have to admit, this one can bug me. Jesus didn't collect taxes, get drunk, or use the services of prostitutes. He didn't dress like them nor act like them. He did hang out with them, minister to them, and win them. He changed them, they didn't change him. How is cussing, drinking, watching questionable entertainment, or gutting the gospel following Christ's example? I don't think Paul's statements about cross-cultural evangelism can be taken to mean we should either.

6. Pastors chief role as leaders is vision casting
Where to begin with this? The Bible would be the wrong answer. This is out of the business world pure and simple-- Peter Drucker rather than Simon Peter. The word pastor literally means "a feeder of sheep', a bishop is literally "one who watches over", and an elder is an aged one. The only thing the Bible suggests that this leader cast is feed.

7. Christians in every generation need to apply their creativity to reinvent the church
The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We never get to scrap it and start anew, for no other foundation can be laid than what has already been laid. We must, instead, be careful how we build upon that which was built before. The church is his and the faith has been delivered once for all time. We had better do what we do out of the grace of God given us, rather than out of the manipulative fads of the moment.

8. The church is meant to transform society and cure its ills
Though we are salt and light, I see no promise that we will change the world. Just the opposite in fact: the poor will always be with us, evil will wax worse and worse, and evil men will proceed to their doom. The ship is going down, all we can do is to get as many as we can into eternity's lifeboats before it goes down.

9. It is acceptable for believers to treat other believers in error or sin with disdain
All I have to say is Galatians 6:1-2 and 2 Timothy 2:23-26.

10. The Republican Party is the only acceptable political party for American Christians
A reminder of things said before.

Top Ten Church Fallacies

A little thought exercise might be fun. I offer you my top ten list of fallacies adopted by the modern church. They are in no particular order, and done a month from now, the list would most likely be different. Regardless, please take a moment and comment on any or all of them, but if you find fault with any of them, please tell me why, scripturally. Looking forward to hearing from you!

SLW's Top Ten Contemporary Church Fallacies

  1. Churches should decide questions by voting
  2. God has commanded the church to tithe
  3. Modern Pastors get paid too much
  4. Church growth should be the number one concern of church leaders
  5. Evangelism requires Christians to act as unbelievers do
  6. Pastors chief role as leaders is vision casting
  7. Christians in every generation need to apply their creativity to reinvent the church
  8. The church is meant to transform society and cure its ills
  9. It is acceptable for believers to treat other believers in error or sin with disdain
  10. The Republican Party is the only acceptable political party for American Christians