Few months ago, I met a pastor at a birthday party. As we opened a conversation, he asked me where I go to church to. It surprised him when I said I do not attend any church on a regular basis. He was intrigued to know the reason and I shared a little bit of background (not much, because it's hard to explain everything in few minutes and sometimes I don't even know where to begin!). One of the thing I highlighted was that my skepticism and distaste over the practice of leadership in today's churches. I said, I do not believe I have to submit myself under any earthly spiritual authority.
It didn't strike a chord with him.
He took me to a corner and lectured me for the next 90 minutes or so, explaining the different 'levels' of 'anointing'. Interestingly, he did not use any New Testament Scriptures. Instead, he went to OT, took the example of David, explained to me how God anointed David in 3 different levels (the third one was the kingly anointing).
His point was, pastors are generally at the third level of anointing, so its good to be submissive to them. Because they are like Kings.
Of course, I was looking for a way to escape all throughout this conversation. To be quite honest, I felt very weary to even spend my energy explaining him why I do not necessarily agree with his view. It was also an astonishment to see how people develop doctrines from OT stories.
What are your thoughts on the issue of leadership in church today? Do you think pastors have some special anointing? What about the hierarchy in leadership? Do you believe in the 'calling'? Do you believe in any form of leadership at all? Pls. share your thoughts...
Showing posts with label pastor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pastor. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The school crisis!
My wife and I still go back and forth on the issue of whether we should send our kids to public or private school. When they were babies we always thought that we would send them to only a private school, preferably a Christian School. My daughter is going to be 5 years in next June and we are currently in the mode of researching various schools. At some point, economically thinking, I thought public school would be fine. Our school district isn’t bad as well. Then as I thought more about it, I kind of backed off a bit; because I didn’t want my kids to be taught that we are evolved from Monkeys!
Anyways long story short, yesterday I took some time to research some Christian schools near by. One of my search criterion was a school without a denomination affiliation. It boiled down to just one school finally which is about 6 miles away from home. I was excited about everything I read in their website and we were going to see if we can pay a visit to see the facility and meet the staff.
To my surprise, my wife, as she read further on their website today, found out the below requirement:
[Name of the school] exists as an aid to Christian parents in their God-given responsibility of training their children in the way of the Lord. To this end, the school requires that parents be confessing Christians to assure consistent mutual goals between family and school. Parents and students will be required to sign a parent-student agreement that indicates agreement with the doctrinal statement and promises to maintain a Christian lifestyle in the home. In addition, a recommendation form from the family’s pastor is also required.
The parents must support the policies of the school. This is most important in teaching the Biblical principles the school is founded upon, but also in the area of discipline, schoolwork, and parent/teacher support.
Ouch!
I am faced with a huge challenge now: I have no family pastor and I don't know how to make one!
I am not a member of any church organization.
I have no family pastor.
I am not a church-goer.
I am not religious.
I don't tithe.
I don't do 'ministry'.
I am not part of a 'small group'.
I don't follow a set of 'laws'.
But,
Jesus loves me.
He gave His life for me.
I have the Spirit of God living in me.
I am a child of the Most High.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I am righteous and holy in Christ.
I have eternal life.
I am fully forgiven.
I am placed in the Body of Christ (Church) by Him.
I am clothed with Christ.
Jesus is my Shepperd, Bridegroom and Friend.
I am complete in Him.
And, I can't prove any of these!
Can I still be considered as a Christian? Would they accept me as a Christian? Who can give me a certificate of recommendation?
Anyways long story short, yesterday I took some time to research some Christian schools near by. One of my search criterion was a school without a denomination affiliation. It boiled down to just one school finally which is about 6 miles away from home. I was excited about everything I read in their website and we were going to see if we can pay a visit to see the facility and meet the staff.
To my surprise, my wife, as she read further on their website today, found out the below requirement:
[Name of the school] exists as an aid to Christian parents in their God-given responsibility of training their children in the way of the Lord. To this end, the school requires that parents be confessing Christians to assure consistent mutual goals between family and school. Parents and students will be required to sign a parent-student agreement that indicates agreement with the doctrinal statement and promises to maintain a Christian lifestyle in the home. In addition, a recommendation form from the family’s pastor is also required.
The parents must support the policies of the school. This is most important in teaching the Biblical principles the school is founded upon, but also in the area of discipline, schoolwork, and parent/teacher support.
Ouch!
I am faced with a huge challenge now: I have no family pastor and I don't know how to make one!
I am not a member of any church organization.
I have no family pastor.
I am not a church-goer.
I am not religious.
I don't tithe.
I don't do 'ministry'.
I am not part of a 'small group'.
I don't follow a set of 'laws'.
But,
Jesus loves me.
He gave His life for me.
I have the Spirit of God living in me.
I am a child of the Most High.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I am righteous and holy in Christ.
I have eternal life.
I am fully forgiven.
I am placed in the Body of Christ (Church) by Him.
I am clothed with Christ.
Jesus is my Shepperd, Bridegroom and Friend.
I am complete in Him.
And, I can't prove any of these!
Can I still be considered as a Christian? Would they accept me as a Christian? Who can give me a certificate of recommendation?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Christianity is not working for many, even for pastors!
Two pastors who spoke recently with CNN explained that when it comes to religion, they still preach the core beliefs of Christianity. But when it comes to practicing what they preach in a modern world, borrowing from Scientology helps.
Read full article here: Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology
Isn't Christianity practical enough?
What does it mean by 'The righteous shall live by faith'?
Borrowing from man-made '---ologies' to substitute Christ?
What did Apostle Paul mean when he said: 'I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me'?
Is that a concept, feeling or '---ology' that Christ lives in a Christian?
This is more alarming:
Kennedy knew that before he could introduce any Scientology-related text to his congregation, he would have to prove that it did not contradict his Christian beliefs. And so, he found Scripture to match each of the 21 principles.
Apostle Paul prophetically reminds us about this potential harm at Colossians 2:8
To me, this is a reminder of the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, total forgiveness in Christ, New covenant, walking by faith and above all the unconditional love of God and His grace.
Thoughts welcome.
Read full article here: Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology
Isn't Christianity practical enough?
What does it mean by 'The righteous shall live by faith'?
Borrowing from man-made '---ologies' to substitute Christ?
What did Apostle Paul mean when he said: 'I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me'?
Is that a concept, feeling or '---ology' that Christ lives in a Christian?
This is more alarming:
Kennedy knew that before he could introduce any Scientology-related text to his congregation, he would have to prove that it did not contradict his Christian beliefs. And so, he found Scripture to match each of the 21 principles.
Apostle Paul prophetically reminds us about this potential harm at Colossians 2:8
To me, this is a reminder of the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, total forgiveness in Christ, New covenant, walking by faith and above all the unconditional love of God and His grace.
Thoughts welcome.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Is your pastor confusing you?
Are you confused in your Christian walk?
You started your Christian life with lot of enthusiasm, thrill, joy and peace…
After a while, you have been eventually drifted away from all the good things you enjoyed with Christ.
No enthusiasm for reading bible. The only reason you go to church is to have fellowship with others and if possible to get some goose-bumps from the fiery preacher/music.
You easily get frustrated with your wife and kids. None of the ‘principles’ are working. You tried many study tools, bible in a year, more study. Nothing works.
You even disconnected your internet connection and stopped watching television. That really didn’t help much. You tried ‘quite time’ with God fervently.
Problem worsens!
You tried everything your pastor told you to do in order to be more ‘spirit filled’ and joyful. It seems like there is nothing wrong with any of these things.
So, there must be something wrong with me…
You again go back to your pastor…
He looks as if he is the most joyful person in the world. And he shares all the ‘tricks’ which he uses to be that joyful with you such as – Fasting two days in a week, praying 1 hour at 4.00 in the morning, reciting bible verses etc. It looks like he has the best marriage in the world. When you see that you become more saddened and questioning yourself why is this not working for me?
You have framed 10 commandments and many other bible rule verses and hung all over your home. There is ‘fruits of the spirit’ hanging right on the refrigerator. Every time you go to the kitchen you see that and you get more saddened realizing that you have none of them.
You are easily angered when some one cuts off in front of you on the freeway. You feel like killing him and then tries to block all his ways to pass! And then you look to the sticky note on the dashboard which says – ‘Always be patient’!
You feel guilty and irritated…
Then you started questioning the capability of your pastor…
Isn’t the pastor capable enough to give me all the capsules I need for my Christian life?
He should be. He is a PhD in ‘Biblical Life applications’! He is well trained in a respected seminary.
Is he lying?
No way! Why would he?
Days goes by… Weeks… Months... Probably years!!!
No difference in the ‘joy’ department!
You tried – more strict rules, more ministries, more charity, more tithing and offering, more programs, more everything…
Nothing seems to be working…
Then one day out of your frustration you cried out to God (Finally!!! God got your attention!)… Lord! What am I doing wrong?
Then eventually your turns your Bible to Galatians 5!
For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.- Verse 4
What???
Ooopss!
Oh! My….
Then you read further…
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. – Verse 6
Faith?
Love?
Faith expressing itself in love?
Is that the only thing counts?
The only thing?
No one told me this!
Then you read further…
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? – Verse 7
That’s true! I was running the race so well!
I eventually drifted and drifted and drifted from the truth!
Then you read further…
It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. – Verse 8
It shouldn’t be God…
This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! – Verse 9
Ya. Little false teaching is enough to make life miserable!
Then you read further…
I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. – Verse 10
Oh My…
My pastor was confusing me! And I was following him as fool holding this Bible in my hand, never asked God to show me the truth!
Now I started seeing some clarity…
WOW!
So God is not concerned about what I am doing…
That’s liberating…
It was not God teaching me all those junk for sure…
Then you read…
You feel the joy!
And it is a consistent Joy! Which you never had for years!
It is not just goose bumps!
It stays!
You read, read and read…
You can’t stop reading… You learn about Grace, Love, New Covenant, Jesus, His all sufficiency, His righteousness…
You quit trying… You slowly understood what it means by ‘abiding in the vine’…
Aaah!
What a joy!
You started your Christian life with lot of enthusiasm, thrill, joy and peace…
After a while, you have been eventually drifted away from all the good things you enjoyed with Christ.
No enthusiasm for reading bible. The only reason you go to church is to have fellowship with others and if possible to get some goose-bumps from the fiery preacher/music.
You easily get frustrated with your wife and kids. None of the ‘principles’ are working. You tried many study tools, bible in a year, more study. Nothing works.
You even disconnected your internet connection and stopped watching television. That really didn’t help much. You tried ‘quite time’ with God fervently.
Problem worsens!
You tried everything your pastor told you to do in order to be more ‘spirit filled’ and joyful. It seems like there is nothing wrong with any of these things.
So, there must be something wrong with me…
You again go back to your pastor…
He looks as if he is the most joyful person in the world. And he shares all the ‘tricks’ which he uses to be that joyful with you such as – Fasting two days in a week, praying 1 hour at 4.00 in the morning, reciting bible verses etc. It looks like he has the best marriage in the world. When you see that you become more saddened and questioning yourself why is this not working for me?
You have framed 10 commandments and many other bible rule verses and hung all over your home. There is ‘fruits of the spirit’ hanging right on the refrigerator. Every time you go to the kitchen you see that and you get more saddened realizing that you have none of them.
You are easily angered when some one cuts off in front of you on the freeway. You feel like killing him and then tries to block all his ways to pass! And then you look to the sticky note on the dashboard which says – ‘Always be patient’!
You feel guilty and irritated…
Then you started questioning the capability of your pastor…
Isn’t the pastor capable enough to give me all the capsules I need for my Christian life?
He should be. He is a PhD in ‘Biblical Life applications’! He is well trained in a respected seminary.
Is he lying?
No way! Why would he?
Days goes by… Weeks… Months... Probably years!!!
No difference in the ‘joy’ department!
You tried – more strict rules, more ministries, more charity, more tithing and offering, more programs, more everything…
Nothing seems to be working…
Then one day out of your frustration you cried out to God (Finally!!! God got your attention!)… Lord! What am I doing wrong?
Then eventually your turns your Bible to Galatians 5!
For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.- Verse 4
What???
Ooopss!
Oh! My….
Then you read further…
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. – Verse 6
Faith?
Love?
Faith expressing itself in love?
Is that the only thing counts?
The only thing?
No one told me this!
Then you read further…
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? – Verse 7
That’s true! I was running the race so well!
I eventually drifted and drifted and drifted from the truth!
Then you read further…
It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. – Verse 8
It shouldn’t be God…
This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! – Verse 9
Ya. Little false teaching is enough to make life miserable!
Then you read further…
I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. – Verse 10
Oh My…
My pastor was confusing me! And I was following him as fool holding this Bible in my hand, never asked God to show me the truth!
Now I started seeing some clarity…
WOW!
So God is not concerned about what I am doing…
That’s liberating…
It was not God teaching me all those junk for sure…
Then you read…
You feel the joy!
And it is a consistent Joy! Which you never had for years!
It is not just goose bumps!
It stays!
You read, read and read…
You can’t stop reading… You learn about Grace, Love, New Covenant, Jesus, His all sufficiency, His righteousness…
You quit trying… You slowly understood what it means by ‘abiding in the vine’…
Aaah!
What a joy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)