CHURCH
CHURCH.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT

One of the greatest frustrations to church leaders is in getting their people involved in doing the work of the church. We have, of course, previously dealt with the difference between the 'churches work' and 'God's work', so we won't go there again.

Why is it though, that people don't want to be involved? While we constantly hear the excuse that today we are too busy, I would suggest that this is an 'excuse' rather than the 'reason'. For we all find time to do the things that that we consider most important to us. Put simply, God's work is further down the priority list than other pursuits in the time we have available.

I would suggest, even going back 50 years when the pace of life was slower, the situation was little better. Sure, at this time when mothers stayed at home with the kids, there was a greater people resource available, but it still didn't result in a big increase in God's kingdom.

So there has to be another, more basic reason why people don't feel the need to become involved, even while claiming that God is their No. 1 life priority!

To find the answer we need to go right back to the time of Constantine and the early Roman church where we saw the formalisation of a paid priesthood placed over the laity. It is no good criticising the Roman Catholic Church about this, for the division has been perpetuated through all the reformations that have taken place since. From priests to ministers to pastors, the basic organisation structure has remained. The common perception is that the 'professionals' are far better qualified to do the job - and this is what we are paying them for anyway!

Pastors will cry out, "No David, you are wrong! We aren't like that at all!"

But 'Pastor Tait' has a title, perhaps wears a robe, or clerical collar, or more subtly, dresses better than his people. He likely has a formal qualification, may even be called 'Rev' or 'Dr'. He stands behind a pulpit on a raised platform, maybe even sitting on a grand throne on the stage. He is placed on a pedestal by his people and takes the place of honour at banquets. Then wonders why the people might perceive him (or her) as a superior Christian to them! To know, deep down, that they are inferior believers and the Lord would certainly use the pastor first to build His kingdom. Besides, that is (generally) what he is paid to do.

Yet this Old Covenant system is not the way it is meant to be under the New Covenant. Jesus criticised the Rabbis for precisely the same things!

In those rare situations where equipping and encouraging the people to do the work is the primary focus of ministry, you will almost always find a healthy, happy and effective 'church', of whatever form it might take. One of people willing to work for Jesus in the way the Lord has shown them to do. It is a more difficult road for the leadership, but the truth is, we are to be like Jesus and act as He acted.

As we conclude our study of God's call upon the church today, we will look at a final, difficult area of church life. The area of a Christians 'right' to material wellbeing, epitomised in the closely related 'name it and claim it' and 'prosperity' doctrines.

One thing I have noticed when travelling around the world, is the makeup of congregations in prosperity teaching churches. It would be reasonable to assume, if the teaching was effective, that the people attending would be of above average wealth for the community in which they live. For prosperity is relative. What is considered poverty in New Zealand is regarded as wealth in Africa. Yet, whether in the USA or the heart of Africa, the congregations of prosperity preachers are invariably poorer than the community average. Why? The teaching appeals to the poor, those who see this as a way out of their financial disadvantage. It is noticeable too, invariably, that the preachers are rich.

But what does the Bible say? Much of our confusion comes because we fail to understand the fundamental difference in the manifestation of God's blessing between the Old and the New Covenants.

The Old Testament was based in the natural. Ongoing physical sacrifices of animals were required for forgiveness of sin, while wealth and the possession of land measured blessing. The glory days of God's blessing of Israel were found in the reign of King Solomon. Unfortunately however, in spite of being the world's wisest man, Solomon's character was unable to resist the temptations wealth brings. A sobering warning to us all! From the final part of Solomon's reign onwards, it was all downhill for the Jews.

Jesus came to change the system. Believers accept with gratitude the incredible final sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and are gladly prepared to spiritually apply the power of His blood for the forgiveness of sin. For we have read in Hebrews:

Yes, Jesus came with a new covenant. One based on the spiritual 'kingdom of God'. Today God is calling on us to put aside the seductive temptations of materialism and embrace principles of kingdom living. Jesus died, not that we might become wealthy in the world, but to build spiritual treasure in heaven.

There will come a time when the physical and the spiritual will be reunited as it was in the Garden before Adam and Eve sinned. But that is another story, one dependant upon the spiritual development of our character to become like Jesus.

INTRODUCING THE OVERCOMING TABERNACLE (KINGDOM) CHURCH

Before we start, it must be made clear that Jesus was the fulfilment of all the Tabernacle Feasts.
When He died on the cross the veil was parted forever.

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud
voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the
curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to
bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51)

Jesus, through His death made it possible for us to enter the very throne room of God. Praise the Lord! Yet we all know that we have not yet occupied the throne room, at least not for more than short periods of time. Why is that? We have been saved; many have been filled with the Holy Spirit, yet these twin experiences have not been sufficient to live in the throne room of God’s presence. There has to be something more.

I trust you have been as challenged by these challenges as I have been when writing them!

It is so easy to slip into traditional ways of thinking without considering what the Word itself says about the church and how it should be run.

While I don't expect you to agree with everything I have written, I would just ask you to take these 12 points to the Holy Spirit and see what He has to say to you about them.

The Tower of Babel

The Bible reveals that all false systems of religion began in the land of Babylon and will have their consummation from the spirit of Babylon in the last days. It is interesting to note that every organized system of religion in the world today has traces of ancient Babylon. The Bible records in Genesis 10:10, that, after the great flood, all men spoke one common language and a man named Nimrod built a city and established a common religion. Nimrod was a descendant of Noah’s son, Ham. Genesis 11:1-9 describes the building of the city and its famous tower "whose top may reach unto heaven." It also records how God came down and punished the people’s arrogance by creating a confusion of different languages and possibly their racial distinctions. This way man would be forced to obey God’s original command to "be fruitful and fill the whole earth." It is interesting that the materials used to build the Tower of Babel were the same as those employed for the construction of the great ziggurat of Babylon and similar ziggurats, according to ancient building inscriptions.