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david_munson (david_munson)
Senior Member
Username: david_munson
Post Number: 2188
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 65.140.247.140
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:12 am: | 
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Handbook of church administration and government from 1996, © GGWO, pages 50-52
How can the average member of a local assembly recognize the struggles their pastor may have with affiliation.
The following are troubling statements that might be made by a pastor when he is struggling with affiliation with home base:
1. “I answer to God only for my decisions.“
2. “I’m not sure the Bible teaches clearly about spiritual fathers.”
3. “I believe that you can become an adult son and progress into your own call independently.”
4. “We need to concentrate in our own local area first. We only have so much money to work with and therefore we need to invest it right here first before we can consider missions.”
5. “We have a unique area. People are different in their responses in this area. We can’t soulwin and blitz like they do in Baltimore.”
6. “I don’t think this or that way of evangelism will work here.”
7. “We are individual believer-priests and we are called differently. My call is different than others.”
8. “I don’t believe in a hierarchical government over us.”
9. “I’m a U.S. citizen and this church has a right under the constitution to be autonomous.”
10. “Dr. Stevens is a sinner saved by grace who doesn’t always make the right decisions.”
11. “Who is Dr. Stevens accountable to?”
12. “I disagree with Baltimore’s form of government.”
13. “May be Dr. Stevens didn’t counsel that person the best way.”
14. “My two provisions for guidance for my life as a pastor are the Word of God and prayer only!”
15. “I don’t agree that a pastor must give an account at the Bema Seat for the people of his congregation.”
(continued)
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david_munson (david_munson)
Senior Member
Username: david_munson
Post Number: 2189
Registered: 9-2005
Posted From: 65.140.247.140
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:13 am: |
|
16. “What happened under the New Testament apostles was a unique time in church history. Since the apostles are all dead, we are under a different economy in church government.”
17. “Sometimes Dr. Stevens does things that I wouldn’t do because I don’t think it’s neccessary.”
18. “I wonder if some of the problems over the years that Pastor Stevens has experienced are maybe because of poor wisdom.”
19. “I have no disagreements personally with Baltimore. I just have my own style.”
20. “It’s impossible for someone hundreds of miles away to control or know what goes on in this local church.”
21. “I’m a non-conformist!”
22. “I’m not trusted by Baltimore.”
23. “I feel under pressure to perform.”
24. “Why am I not consulted before a decision that affects me is decided?”
25. “No one should be a clone of Dr. Stevens.”
26. “I’m sick an tired of the constant innuendos and derogative remarks made against me in messages.”
27. “No one knows the unique problems I deal with.”
28. “When I come to visit Baltimore, I’m looked upon like I have the plague by certain pastors.”
29. “I’m not able to ever get satisfaction from Pastor Stevens concerning my grievances.”
30. “Something is wrong between Pastor Stevens and me. I don’t know where I’ve failed or what I’ve said that gets me the cold shoulder.”
31. “This local church should decide whether this policy is right or wrong.”
32. “There is no persecution here. Identification with Dr. Stevens and the G.G.W.O and T.B.S is a real problem. Nothing against pastor, but …”
33. “Why can’t people think for themselves?”
34. “I’ll say what I want to say when I feel it is justified.”
35. “I only want people to know the truth and if the truth hurts … well, so be it!”
36. “Do we think we are the only ones?”
37. “I think that is a private interpretation.”
38. “I have my own vertical with God and I don’t need someone else to tell me what I should do.”
39. “Why aren’t we like other churches? If we are not respected, then maybe something is wrong.
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