In a recent PEW study, Pastors, Preachers and Priests scored an abysmal 38% in Biblical Knowledge, while small group members scored an 87%. Worse than that, only 14% of Pastors, Preachers and Priests actively engage in evangelism outside of their church, while an astonishing 92% of small groups members involve themselves in evangelism on a weekly, if not daily basis.
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Hi Keith,
ReplyDeleteI believe the 'real' church is not any denomination or building. It is the body of Christ on earth, those who are born again of God's Holy Spirit and believe that Jesus is the One mediator between man and God (YHWH). I like the church gathering that I meet with now and find a freedom to interact there, it is called a community church. They not only gather in a small building but also have prayer groups and meet in one another's homes (which I have not done yet but hope to one day). I feel to go wherever the Lord leads me and always have done.
I also like blogging and really enjoy reading yours as I feel you have a lot of Biblical knowledge. I have always loved talking to people outside about the Lord and maybe used to plant, water or add the increase. I feel that evangelizing is part of my personality as God and His Son Jesus are constantly in my mind, and I love the fact that my times are in His hands.
I hope you and yours are well, we have just had a night of rain after nearly two months of hot, dry weather here in Northern Ireland.
Hi Brenda, we are in agreement. The church is not in a building, but in the hearts of the individual believers. I hope you will go to a small group. It is an intimate setting where believers can dig deep into the Word and worship God.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy blogging, but unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to blog for the last two months, due to really long work days. However, I see the light at the end of the tunnel and will be getting back to normal soon.
Everyone here is great. Thank You. It has been reall hot here too. I hope you and yours are doing well also.
“Evangelism outside of their church “.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have said that right, “outside of their church”.
Obviously, that is NOT the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is outside of THEIR church.
Those pastors and fathers and reverend’s are NOT willing to gather in the lost souls. But they are eager to keep their little flock of goats under an umbrella of delusion.
That reminds me of William Huntington SS, an old puritan who said, “Instead of shepherd of sheep, they have become herdsmen of goats”.
Hey Paul, you caught the implied meaning behind, “outside their church.” I agree that too many of the pastors, preachers,priests are far more likely interested in their own legacy rather than doing the Lords work.
ReplyDeleteBig test for reality; we need to keep to the wrd of God in the scriptures. Christ has His church in His hands and will receive it to Himself soon.
ReplyDeleteGrace be with you!
Keith,
ReplyDeleteNot that it would change the issue/problem but I wonder what questions they were asked in the survey. I mean...if they asked "what did Lot's wife turn to when she looked back?", or if they asked "How many actual commands did Jesus give His disciples?", or "Why did Jesus pick Peter, James, and John as His inner circle?"; that would kind of matter about what is "knowledgeable" of the Bible.
The reason if you ask me why that number is so low is because we have Pastors/Elders/Bishops/Priests/what have you, being more about self-help gurus instead of actual preachers of the word.
7 steps to a better relationship
How to live a more economical stable life
Love, how to achieve it in all you do
Instead of going through the word and discussing what it means. I don't know if they are being trained this way or if it is because they want to try and reach a younger crowd that lives like this and they want loyalty out of it or what.
The reason why only 14% practice evangelism is because they all say going door to door "doesn't work" and that is just makes people angry. We even have on our mailer as one of the hooks "we won't show up on your doorstep", which is two below..."free coffee and donuts".
That is a little sad and pathetic.
I think one of the main problems in :churches' these days is the fact that people go to 'Bible colleges' to learn, therefore being taught by man how to 'teach', when the scriptures say 'No man shall say 'Know the Lord', they shall all be taught by God. Teachers have to be appointed by God and not man, as do evangelists, healers, workers of miracles etc.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, with you, David. A lot of people say that it is a cop out, when true Christians can only understand the complete security, within the hands of God.
ReplyDeleteTim, I don't know what questions were asked. As for what you said, in the rest of your comment, we are in 100% agreement, very sad and pathetic.
ReplyDeleteHey Brenda, Yes. I agree. That's John 16:13.
ReplyDeleteBut when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
We don't need anyone other than the Spirit of Truth.