When evaluating a church, priorities should be broken down into 3 categories:
1) Absolutes - These are the things that there should be no give and take on and are completely necessary in a church (Divinity of Christ, Authority of Scripture, Trinity, etc).
2) Convictions - These are the things that help guide people in selecting a church that are not 100% clear in Scripture but may create a personal conviction of right and wrong (How often to have communion, How to Baptize, Having a glass of wine with dinner, etc).
3) Preferences - These are the things that people like in a church but are not necessary (Drums in worship, Version of the Bible, Time of Service, etc).
The easiest way to turn a church into a "Me Church" (a church that is all about you and others rather than God) is to make your personal convictions absolutes --- and unfortunately many people today are even turning their preferences into absolutes. Phrases like, "You have to sing hymns", "You have to use the King James", "The Service runs too long", etc are permeating the church. The mindset of the church should be coming to serve the King, not coming so I can be served.
So admonish, teach, train, etc those who focus on personal preferences. It's not all about you...it's all about Him! Above all else make sure His name is glorified. And if that doesn't work...you may want to attempt to direct them to this church...
1 comment:
I love it! Especially the part about the conviction absolutes. I think this has helped establish quite a few 'weird' churches out there...some are referred to as cults.
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