Post by Daniel on Jun 2, 2016 8:55:23 GMT -5
When Your Church’s Doctrine Drifts
Dr. Randy White
On my weekly broadcast, “Ask the Theologian,” a listener asked, “How should we respond to the de-emphasis of sound doctrine and the continued movement towards entertainment and unbiblical teachings which are taking place in so many churches?”
I could have answered with just one word: “Move.” But seldom are such issues so clear-cut.
The Entertainment of Application-Based Sermons
All Christians have a biblical responsibility to each other to ensure the continued preaching of sound doctrine in our churches. As Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2b).
I certainly agree that many churches are de-emphasizing doctrine in favor of entertainment. In fact, if you truly study your Bible and place what you know against what many churches are preaching today, you ought to feel more than a little uncomfortable at what leaves the mouths of those behind the pulpit.
Application-based sermons are often no more than spiritualized self-help teachings tailor-made for ADD-riddled audiences looking for just enough pop spirituality to feel better about themselves. They’re entertaining messages preceded by entertaining music.
Would such churches continue to exist if they nixed the 35-minute show that happens before the sermon? Would worship still occur at such churches if worship was only founded on the message being delivered? Few churches are built around the proclamation of the Word. Consequently, music and entertainment come to play an increasingly larger role in many worship services today—but that ought not to be our focus.
Too often, application-based sermons have little to do with the actual content of Scripture. Using one or two verses as a springboard (likely taken out of many contexts), the speaker launches into what he believes will move his audience. Sometimes this will even go against Scripture.
So what’s a student of the Bible supposed to do then?
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
The hard truth is that sometimes the right decision in such situations is to move.
Get out.
Go away.
Find a new church.
Even though a quick departure may be the norm for some churchgoers, I don’t recommend ripping off the Band-Aid so quickly for a number of reasons.
First, if you’ve become involved in the church, they ought to be like family to you. It will hurt to leave them, and they may be hurt that you’re leaving, especially if you share why you’re leaving. Changing churches is a choice that ought to be given much prayer and time for consideration. But if you feel like a frog in a slowly boiling kettle of water and your spiritual life is draining out of you more rapidly than you’d like to admit, it may be time for you to depart.
But first, you’ll need to have a talk.
The Problem of Pastor as CEO
As I said before, you have a Bible-bound duty to lovingly confront someone who’s not preaching the truth of the Word. Practically speaking, this means you need to schedule a meeting with your pastor in order to discuss why you’re leaving the church.
But please remember that essential word: lovingly.
If you’re currently in such a situation, I may be able to read your thoughts: “Well, Randy, my church has twelve pastors. Who am I supposed to meet with?”
Meet with The Pastor. You know who that is. He’s The Pastor.
I’m a stickler that a church has only one pastor. Sure, your church may have many “pastors” on staff, but The Pastor is the leader of that church. And if your request for a meeting is refused or recedes infinitely into the future, I’d caution against calling him a pastor. He’s a CEO.
Consider that situation in this light: if I went to the local department store and asked to meet with their CEO, it would never happen. While he may say differently, the CEO doesn’t care about that specific store or my specific need. Very likely, I’ll never be able to meet with that CEO. At best, I’ll be referred to a customer relations officer.
Transferred to a church setting, I don’t want to meet with the customer relations officers. I’d want to meet with The Pastor, and especially if he’s the one whose teaching is off base and extra-biblical. (Note: “extra-biblical” doesn’t mean “super-biblical.” It means outside of the Bible.)
Now, if he’s just busy, give the guy a break. Take the initiative to try again next week. Just because the Pastor doesn’t take your drop-in visit, or your “I need to talk to you within 24-hours” appointment-request doesn’t mean he’s not a Pastor, it just means you are not at the center of his universe.
On a similar though side note, have you ever read today’s job descriptions for pastoral positions? They read more like corporate openings than spiritual callings. Current job descriptions include verbiage stressing leadership, communication, and people skills—certainly all good skills for a pastor to possess. But seldom appear the pastoral job openings that specifically mention the need for sound doctrine, biblical knowledge, and a foundational biblical worldview.
Some would disagree with my assessment by arguing, “Their Christian outlook and biblical knowledge is just assumed.” I would rebut, “That’s assuming way too much.” The spectrum today for such issues is far too wide for us to assume so much so casually, especially when we’re talking about Christian leaders being hired to lead churches of tens, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands.
How to Handle a Tough Conversation with Your Pastor
If you have a biblically based issue with what your pastor is preaching, meet with him. But allow me, as a pastor, to offer some guidance so that your meeting might be constructive and helpful for both of you.
1. Be upfront. Say something like, “Pastor, I’d like to discuss some things from the Bible. Can we make an appointment? Or would you like to come to my house for dinner soon?” Don’t be shy or coy.
2. Don’t threaten. When you say things like, “Pastor, if you don’t start teaching (the way I want you to), I’m leaving the church.” Why would a pastor want you to stay in his church with an attitude like that? And you certainly won’t get a meeting if that’s your opening line.
3. Don’t ensnare. Don’t use trap questions. Don’t ask, “Pastor, what do you think about (the big issue I have with your teaching)?” Don’t use dinner as breadcrumbs to entice your pastor into a theological trap. By the way, the biggest trap question for a pastor is, “What’s your Saturday morning look like?” Experienced pastors know to always have something planned then. Likewise, don’t bait your pastor in the vain hope that he’ll suddenly see, appreciate, and immediately act upon your wishes.
4. State your position. Instead of going after the pastor’s position, state your own. Say something like, “Here’s what I think about (the big issue).” Explain your points. End by asking, “Pastor, how does my position relate to yours on this?” That’s a much more conciliatory and less divisive way of discussing topics that could lead to heated debates. If the pastor rejects your position and your position is biblical, then you probably need to strongly consider moving away from that church. Don’t make your decision in that moment, but allow a few days or weeks to pass as you prayerfully consider your next step.
I Should Go...
continue reading
randywhiteministries.org/articles/churchs-doctrine-drifts/
Dr. Randy White
On my weekly broadcast, “Ask the Theologian,” a listener asked, “How should we respond to the de-emphasis of sound doctrine and the continued movement towards entertainment and unbiblical teachings which are taking place in so many churches?”
I could have answered with just one word: “Move.” But seldom are such issues so clear-cut.
The Entertainment of Application-Based Sermons
All Christians have a biblical responsibility to each other to ensure the continued preaching of sound doctrine in our churches. As Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2b).
I certainly agree that many churches are de-emphasizing doctrine in favor of entertainment. In fact, if you truly study your Bible and place what you know against what many churches are preaching today, you ought to feel more than a little uncomfortable at what leaves the mouths of those behind the pulpit.
Application-based sermons are often no more than spiritualized self-help teachings tailor-made for ADD-riddled audiences looking for just enough pop spirituality to feel better about themselves. They’re entertaining messages preceded by entertaining music.
Would such churches continue to exist if they nixed the 35-minute show that happens before the sermon? Would worship still occur at such churches if worship was only founded on the message being delivered? Few churches are built around the proclamation of the Word. Consequently, music and entertainment come to play an increasingly larger role in many worship services today—but that ought not to be our focus.
Too often, application-based sermons have little to do with the actual content of Scripture. Using one or two verses as a springboard (likely taken out of many contexts), the speaker launches into what he believes will move his audience. Sometimes this will even go against Scripture.
So what’s a student of the Bible supposed to do then?
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
The hard truth is that sometimes the right decision in such situations is to move.
Get out.
Go away.
Find a new church.
Even though a quick departure may be the norm for some churchgoers, I don’t recommend ripping off the Band-Aid so quickly for a number of reasons.
First, if you’ve become involved in the church, they ought to be like family to you. It will hurt to leave them, and they may be hurt that you’re leaving, especially if you share why you’re leaving. Changing churches is a choice that ought to be given much prayer and time for consideration. But if you feel like a frog in a slowly boiling kettle of water and your spiritual life is draining out of you more rapidly than you’d like to admit, it may be time for you to depart.
But first, you’ll need to have a talk.
The Problem of Pastor as CEO
As I said before, you have a Bible-bound duty to lovingly confront someone who’s not preaching the truth of the Word. Practically speaking, this means you need to schedule a meeting with your pastor in order to discuss why you’re leaving the church.
But please remember that essential word: lovingly.
If you’re currently in such a situation, I may be able to read your thoughts: “Well, Randy, my church has twelve pastors. Who am I supposed to meet with?”
Meet with The Pastor. You know who that is. He’s The Pastor.
I’m a stickler that a church has only one pastor. Sure, your church may have many “pastors” on staff, but The Pastor is the leader of that church. And if your request for a meeting is refused or recedes infinitely into the future, I’d caution against calling him a pastor. He’s a CEO.
Consider that situation in this light: if I went to the local department store and asked to meet with their CEO, it would never happen. While he may say differently, the CEO doesn’t care about that specific store or my specific need. Very likely, I’ll never be able to meet with that CEO. At best, I’ll be referred to a customer relations officer.
Transferred to a church setting, I don’t want to meet with the customer relations officers. I’d want to meet with The Pastor, and especially if he’s the one whose teaching is off base and extra-biblical. (Note: “extra-biblical” doesn’t mean “super-biblical.” It means outside of the Bible.)
Now, if he’s just busy, give the guy a break. Take the initiative to try again next week. Just because the Pastor doesn’t take your drop-in visit, or your “I need to talk to you within 24-hours” appointment-request doesn’t mean he’s not a Pastor, it just means you are not at the center of his universe.
On a similar though side note, have you ever read today’s job descriptions for pastoral positions? They read more like corporate openings than spiritual callings. Current job descriptions include verbiage stressing leadership, communication, and people skills—certainly all good skills for a pastor to possess. But seldom appear the pastoral job openings that specifically mention the need for sound doctrine, biblical knowledge, and a foundational biblical worldview.
Some would disagree with my assessment by arguing, “Their Christian outlook and biblical knowledge is just assumed.” I would rebut, “That’s assuming way too much.” The spectrum today for such issues is far too wide for us to assume so much so casually, especially when we’re talking about Christian leaders being hired to lead churches of tens, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands.
How to Handle a Tough Conversation with Your Pastor
If you have a biblically based issue with what your pastor is preaching, meet with him. But allow me, as a pastor, to offer some guidance so that your meeting might be constructive and helpful for both of you.
1. Be upfront. Say something like, “Pastor, I’d like to discuss some things from the Bible. Can we make an appointment? Or would you like to come to my house for dinner soon?” Don’t be shy or coy.
2. Don’t threaten. When you say things like, “Pastor, if you don’t start teaching (the way I want you to), I’m leaving the church.” Why would a pastor want you to stay in his church with an attitude like that? And you certainly won’t get a meeting if that’s your opening line.
3. Don’t ensnare. Don’t use trap questions. Don’t ask, “Pastor, what do you think about (the big issue I have with your teaching)?” Don’t use dinner as breadcrumbs to entice your pastor into a theological trap. By the way, the biggest trap question for a pastor is, “What’s your Saturday morning look like?” Experienced pastors know to always have something planned then. Likewise, don’t bait your pastor in the vain hope that he’ll suddenly see, appreciate, and immediately act upon your wishes.
4. State your position. Instead of going after the pastor’s position, state your own. Say something like, “Here’s what I think about (the big issue).” Explain your points. End by asking, “Pastor, how does my position relate to yours on this?” That’s a much more conciliatory and less divisive way of discussing topics that could lead to heated debates. If the pastor rejects your position and your position is biblical, then you probably need to strongly consider moving away from that church. Don’t make your decision in that moment, but allow a few days or weeks to pass as you prayerfully consider your next step.
I Should Go...
continue reading
randywhiteministries.org/articles/churchs-doctrine-drifts/