Tag: unity
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High Pastor Turnover Breaks Down Trust and Hurts the Church
Frequent leadership turnover exhausts congregations and makes them wary to trust the next pastor. Some churchgoers suspect it will won’t be long before he leaves just like the previous ones. That’s one of the reasons a church should rely on a plurality of elders and never be overly dependent on a single pastor. God calls… Read more
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In a Class by Themselves: The Clergy-Laity Divide
Many other problems stem from the class division within the church between the clergy and laity (i.e., between the ordained leaders and the non-ordained members). As a missionary myself, I am not opposed to paid, full-time ministry positions. Scripture contains ample support for vocational ministry. Israel’s priests fed themselves from the offerings and sacrifices of… Read more
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Territorial Attitudes in the Church – Part 2
If you have not already, first read Territorial Attitudes in the Church – Part 1 – then come back! The best opportunity to begin remedying the territorial attitudes in the church lies with our youth. Studies suggest that young people have a higher degree of openness than adults do, a willingness to try something new.[1]… Read more
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Territorial Attitudes in the Church – Part 1
Perhaps the most pernicious problem I’ve encountered as a parachurch worker is the territorial attitude that plagues many congregations. First, imagine the ideal: churches of different denominations, as well as parachurch organizations, sharing the common goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ. They do not let minor doctrinal differences prevent them from working together to… Read more