When I Was A Child – The Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

As I have grown both physically and spiritually it has become necessary to discern God’s Word with personal responsibility. As a result, many teachings from the pulpit that I received as a child have not matched up with God’s Word.

Consequently, I have wondered, over the past several years, about the lack of Biblical knowledge and wisdom possessed by many who have preached to me. It has caused me to wonder about church politics and the self-preservation of the pulpit. Did the pastors and teachers in my past simply posit upon those things that they have heard, or did they compare scripture with scripture? That is, the tradition of men sometimes overshadows the truth and expressed conduct.

Certainly, the desire of the men who have taught me since a youth has been with explicit exhortation toward pleasing God. That is not to say, though, that I was relieved of personal responsibility to study to shew myself approved.

Our churches need to grow, with spiritual maturity, in the following areas: (no specific order intended)

• The use of deacon boards and “head” deacons (what’s a head deacon)
  • Deacons are not a board of managers or directors
  • Becoming empowered by church by-laws
• The authority is in the church, collectively, for which the pastor and deacon are a part
• Truly implementing 1 John 1:9 and Galatians 6:1
  • Time to lose the list of pet sins
  • Stop picking and choosing “sins” that get a hearty “AMEN”
  • Learn the difference between preference and conviction when preaching a topic as “doctrine”
• Back office meetings with certain men, and then the church is presented with the expected outcome
  • Again, local church authority, not a few men with an ax to grind
• Preaching thus saith the Lord, not thus saith the mentors in your life
  • Preach thus saith the Lord and the church won’t be confused when the next pastor is voted in
• A church member should never be disrespected by the pastor
  • There’s a difference between Shepherd and under-shepherd
• Baptist preachers can’t agree on many issues, so how do they expect doctrinal consistency in their churches
  • modesty
  • ties
  • music
  • movies
  • methods
  • cards
  • beards/ moustaches
  • communion (closed, close, open)
    • The list can be longer — too much preaching about preference instead of doctrines proven by God’s Word
• You can’t pick and choose which of the pastoral attributes listed in Timothy and Titus you will give yourself a free pass
  • No pastor or deacon in my lifetime has, without error, fulfilled those characteristics
    • Study to shew thyself
• Accepting state and federal tax exemption
  • I understand it, but it’s worth of discussion
• Approaching the church as an organization instead of a Blood bought organism
  • Constitutions and by-laws are the drivers
• What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder
  • Does that include cooperation with the state
• Ordination of pastors
  • Should be a local church function not an approach of the Baptist hierarchy
  • This process is of no business to other pastors outside the church who make up the committee (uh oh, another committee)
  • Is this process even scriptural
  • Appears to be a tradition of men

“We better spend more time learning the fundamentals of the faith! These are things we must agree upon, and if not, separation may be necessary.” 

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

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