A correspondent inquires: "I am curious as to your opinion of the 'paid minister.' As you are aware, many argue against church buildings and paid ministers. As a paid minister this idea naturally is a bit disturbing to me. However, I wish to do what pleases God." * * * The New Testament scriptures do not portray institutionalized, corporate-style churches with budgets, buildings and paid staff. One certainly cannot find there an exact equivalent to the modern "paid minister" who works as an employee for a local church. That is not the end of this subject, however, for the New Testament … [Read more...]
WHEN CHURCH LEAVES YOU DRY
A gracEmail subscriber in the Bible Belt writes that the church with which he is affiliated is "very traditional and stagnant." He wants to be "free" -- but he is also "concerned about God's authority and abiding in it." He asks, "Can you give me any advice?" * * * "God's authority" states that believers in Jesus are "free" from law, from human tradition and from the condemnation of others. That means that we are "free" to serve Christ, to live in the Spirit, to walk in love, to imitate Christ in selfless faithfulness to the Father. (See 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1, 13; 1 Pet. 2:16). God's truth … [Read more...]
