Should Church Leaders Resist Government and Open Their Churches?

ByREFORMATION CHARLOTTE

-MARCH 22, 2021

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By Don Boys, Ph.D.

Religious people have had trouble with secular officials from the beginning of time and will until the end of time.

The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 settled a religious dispute between Roman Catholics (the Emperor’s church) and Lutheran nobles in Bohemia, especially its capital, Prague. The peace lasted for about 60 years with ever-increasing religious liberty and additional civil rights for Lutherans.

It was an era of good feelings between two formerly aggressive religions. But in 1618, that came to an end as a new heir to the kingdom wanted to make Europe Catholic again at the Lutherans’ expense. (Politicians have such a short memory, but then no one ever said they were brilliant.)

On May 23, 1618, some Protestant nobles, angry at their loss of rights, confronted four Roman Catholic lords who admitted their part in the reversal of Protestant rights. One Protestant said, “You are the enemies of us and of our religion…you have tried to force [us] to adopt your religion against [our] wills or have had [us] expelled for this reason…”

Then the angry Protestants released two lords but threw two of the Catholic hardliners and their secretary out of a third-story window, and incredibly all three survived the fall—or the throw. Catholic officials said it was because the three men were caught by the Virgin Mary and angels; however, the reality is they landed in a large pile of manure just under the window!

That was followed by the bloody Thirty Years’ War fought mainly in central Europe and was one of the most protracted and brutal conflicts with over 8 million deaths from all causes.

Catholics—don’t mess with Protestants. They are very sensitive when their religion is threatened.

A classic church-state conflict has been brewing for the past year because of officious China coronavirus lockdowns that have usually been unfair, unequal if not unnecessary.

This gets more complicated, confusing, and contentious when a church is involved and the safety of people is in question. No church leader wants to cause further suffering or impinge on others’ rights. Religious leaders, especially pastors, usually have strong opinions that should be based upon Scripture.

However, there is a massive problem with that statement: frail humanity, including theological scholars, must interpret what the Scripture means with what it says. Many clerics don’t even believe the Bible they preach and, in my opinion, they are parasites without principle, living rather grandly off a Book they deny, denigrate, and often despise. Those church leaders who sincerely want to know the truth must seek that truth, then obey without concern with public reaction or personal ramifications.

Pastors are to lead their churches on the right path that is straight and narrow; however, it is unpopular to take a narrow position. Popular thought today is that we are supposed to be amenable to anything; after all, truth is not absolute, so there is my truth, your truth, Bill’s truth, etc. But that is spineless, sacrilegious, and senseless if not stupid.

When the China coronavirus smacked the face of the world in the early days of 2020, the herd mentality took control as U.S. governors issued orders to close down all public gatherings. Any public movement had to be “essential.” This was the most aggressive, intrusive, pervasive edict by governments in history. And like sheep (or some would say as good citizens), people basically obeyed globally. Mankind had never seen anything like that.

All state and county officials coerced pastors to shut down all church services in March of 2020, and the California governor decided church services were nonessential in the battle with the China coronavirus. That offended many pastors who pointed out that other businesses such as strip clubs could remain open.

That seems, dare I suggest, the governor would appear to be a bigot, maybe even a hypocrite. Well, the possibility of being a hypocrite is well established since he told all Californians to not go out to eat, yet he went to a famous restaurant for a meal that cost at least $310.00. He didn’t simply stop for a hot dog.

Governor Newsom is a card-carrying hypocrite, but then he is also a progressive Democrat. Sorry for the redundancy. It seems his main purpose in life is to annoy people.

Most U.S. church leaders closed down in an attempt to help defeat the disease now called a pandemic. Many churches met in their parking lots with members sitting in their automobiles responding with lights and horns. Some produced their services via computers reaching many additional people worldwide.

But that got old and developed a new set of problems. Many church leaders struggled with the scriptural admonition of Hebrews 10:25 that warns, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

That is a command to go to church.

They had refused to assemble; consequently, they were obeying men rather than God. Pastors, struggling with their conscience, decided to resist the governor’s order and opened their churches. However, most government officials think they are omnipotent and don’t like to be disobeyed by the hoi polloi—the little people. And they sure don’t like it when those who disobey are so sure they are right and think they are special.

It is a fact that the church of the living God is special, and if government officials don’t like it, they can change the state and federal constitutions.

Last week Dr. Jack Treiber, pastor of North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California, groveled to Governor Newson of California. Baptist pastors don’t grovel with grace; it is always as awkward as an African elephant dancing The Nutcracker Suite. Treiber has served for 45 years as pastor of a large church and founder of a Christian school, a college, etc. He is a committed and capable leader, although I know him only by reputation. He and I would identify with the Independent Baptist movement. He pleaded with the governor to permit the church he pastors to reopen.

He should never have closed the church.

After initially closing its doors for the pandemic, the church resumed indoor services in late August of 2020 with enormous fines accruing for each illegal service. The order also prohibited the church (that practiced social distancing) from singing. The church eventually accrued over $112,000 in fines that reportedly will not be forgiven.

They also should not be paid.

The pastor begged, “Governor Newsom, I implore you to open up our churches Easter Sunday, April 4. This is Sunday, early in the morning, and we’re freezing out here. We’re cold. We’ve been obeying for 366 days, one year and one day. We’ve shut our church down. We’re meeting in the parking lot. We’re meeting in open-air meetings, and we have tents everywhere.”

He added, “We need our church open.” It should never have been closed. Moreover, the pastor need not have used the various reasons to reopen his church. The Constitution is enough. However, let me be clear: even without a constitution, the church is obligated to disobey the government and take the consequences.

Principles are always the same. Can anyone even consider the early apostles appealing to Jerusalem officials for permission to hold services? These are the people who met in homes, barns, caves, etc. They are the ones who told officials (who specifically ordered them to stop preaching Christ) in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

That was one of the first and most eloquent appeals on record in favor of the right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience. This was confessing that the authority of God in all matters was higher to that of any man, whatever his position and presumed authority. And that confession, conviction, and claim manifested itself early in the Christian church against all politicians, potentates, and powers in favor of the right to follow the dictates of the conscience and the will of God.

Ironically, the pulpit at North Valley Baptist Church is inscribed with the truth recorded in Colossians 1:18, “In all things he might have the preeminence.” All things means all things. This is the heart of any church-state dispute. Is Christ superior and sovereign over all? If so, then no authority, even the U.S. Supreme Court, has the authority to close a church, although a church can decide to do so by a congregational vote for remodeling, bad weather, etc.

When all appeals have been made and everything has been attempted, the state or feds make their final ruling: the church must remain closed and pay the fines or go out of the religion business. At that time, the church must refuse to close down or pay any fines, even a token fine.

Of course, no church member will be involved in violence, but they must not cooperate in their closing. It is not considered wise to hand your executioner his ax. The church should force, by their refusal, the state or feds to arrest them and confiscate their buildings and sell them under the glare of television cameras. Let the world see what the political bullies do to people of principle.

The harassed church should then meet in a funeral home, school auditorium, or even in member homes all over the city. If officials persist in chasing them down, the church should continue to meet in disobedience to any law or ordinance. The church leaders will then be arrested and jailed.

When hundreds of pastors are in jail, maybe lazy, thoughtless citizens will understand our republic has become a totalitarian nightmare. No pastor or church leader should pay a fine or negotiate his way to freedom since any compromise is impossible if Christ is over everything. The pastor is Christ’s representative, and he cannot compromise the church of God for his own safety or the church’s existence.

This might and will probably take many forms as the officials, impressed with their own self-importance, bully their way through various church-state conflicts.

The governors who think churches are nonessential may be like Dr. Seuss, who speculated about the Grinch, whose “head isn’t screwed on just right, his shoes are too tight, or perhaps his heart is just two sizes too small.” Most of the offensive governors don’t have their heads “screwed on just right” since they are all Democrats. Not sure about their shoes being too tight, but for sure, their hearts are “just two sizes too small.”

Some may suggest that our religious problems can be solved as per the Lutherans’ plan in 1618—to throw each governor out of the window might be the best and permanent solution.

All right, but make sure he lands on a soft surface.
(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives who ran a large Christian school in Indianapolis and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Boys authored 18 books, the most recent being Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! The eBook is available here with the printed edition (and other titles) at http://www.cstnews.com. Follow him on Facebook at Don Boys, Ph.D.; and visit his blog. Send a request to DBoysphd@aol.com for a free subscription to his articles, and click here to support his work with a donation.)

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Churches could not close their doors quick enough during the pandemic of 2020-2021. Even in Florida whereby Governor Ron DeSantis was much more conciliatory and lenient, many churches nonetheless went into hiding. That is, except for the churches who truly BELIEVE in the 91st Psalm that the Lord protects His own from the plague and the pestilence.

Many churches fear the government more so than God. Romanian pastors in the Chicago refused to stop meeting and were threatened with arrest. Likewise in California. Could you IMAGINE the church in the book of Acts reacting in such a cowardly way as the church today? No way. They would tell today’s church to “get a grip.” Maranatha, Pastor Steve <><

Acts 5:29 New King James Version

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.“

The Sword Of The Lord ~ Dr. Shelton Editor ~ February 19, 2021

Judges 7:20 King James Version (KJV)
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.

An Independent Christian Publication, Standing for the Verbal Inspiration of the Bible, the Deity of Christ, His Blood Atonement, Salvation by Faith, New Testament Soul Winning and the Premillennial Return of Christ; Opposing Modernism (Liberalism), Worldliness and Formalism.

The Amen Corner

Because the Devil’s orchard produces lots of bitter fruit, you are well advised not to feed your family there. -Dr. Shelton Smith

Some of us have felt the warm glow of revival fires and we cannot live where there is only smoke! -David Dawson

The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained. -George Washington

In these days of national strife and international confusion, when the seeds of hatred are being cultivated in the hotbeds of communism and radicalism, let us throw back our shoulders, double up our fists, rough with the calluses of honest toil, and stand up for true, fundamental, godly Americanism. -Dr. B. R. Lakin

The first sin of America is indifference – just plain, wicked indifference. We have said, “Well, I’m only one. I can’t do anything”; and we have allowed the Devil to take us further and further and further down the road of ruin. -Dr. Curtis Hutson

I drive the same kind of nails all orthodox preachers do. The only difference is that they use a tack hammer and I use a sledge. -Billy Sunday

Idolatry is deadly; graven images cannot be harmonized with the true God. The First and Second Commandments cannot be ignored and the remainder of the Decalogue kept. It is God or nothing! It is the Bible or nothing! It is “the faith which was once delivered” (Jude 3) or infidelity! -W. B. Riley

Faith in God has not saved people from hardships and trials, but it has enabled them to bear tribulations courageously and to emerge victorious. -Dr. Lee Roberson

I am thankful for the Bible, the Book upon which our nation was founded. It is evident to all who know history that America would never have known freedom except for the influence of the Word of God. Today, we would not have one vestige of freedom if the Bible had not been the Guidebook and inspiration of our Founding Fathers. -Dale Crowley

The wages of sin is more than physical death. Sin brings spiritual death as well. Sin separates us from God and His home. Sin closes to us the doors of the mansions of glory. -Ralph W. Neighbor

NCAA March Madness Opens Door To Attack On Christian Schools & Athletes

Breaking News Updates – March 25, 2021

NCAA March Madness Opens Door To Attack On Christian Schools & Athletes

BY TONY PERKINS/FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL MARCH 25, 2021

If USA Today has it’s way, Christian schools such as Oral Roberts University should never play in major sports competitions again due to their bigoted ‘Christian beliefs’.

Everyone loves an underdog. Well, almost everyone. While the rest of the country rallies around Oral Roberts University, cheering on the Cinderella of this year’s NCAA basketball tournament, USA Today says the slipper doesn’t fit. 
The small Tulsa college is evangelical, they announce, as if it’s news. That means they believe the Bible. And if they believe the Bible, an editor argues, there should be no place for them on the court — or anywhere else in polite society.
“Oral Roberts isn’t the ‘feel good’ story we need,” the headline screams. Forget the heart it took for these players to topple powerhouses like Ohio State. Ignore the improbable run they’re on toward a national title. 
All that matters is that they have Christians beliefs that “can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.” 
The university is “deeply bigoted,” Hemal Jhaveri insists, and as it enters the rare air of the Sweet Sixteen, her goal is to make sure they never get there again.
“While the school has been soundly mocked on social media for its archaic standards of behavior and code of conduct that bans profanity, ‘social dancing,’ and shorts in classrooms,” she writes, “it is the school’s discriminatory and hateful anti-LGBTQ+ policy that fans should protest as the Golden Eagles advance in the tournament… As part of their honor code, the university requires students to abide by a pledge saying that they will not engage in ‘homosexual activity,’ and that they will not be united in marriage other ‘than the marriage between one man and one woman.'”
Calling the school every nasty adjective in her thesaurus — “toxic,” “morally regressive,” “prejudiced,” “homophobic,” “sexist,” “transphobic,” “fundamentalist,” and “discriminatory” — she goes on to make the case that Christians like these kids shouldn’t even be allowed to compete. 
“The team earned a ticket to the Big Dance even though the university’s foundations expressly go against the very things the NCAA say they value. The fact is, any and all anti-LGBTQ+ language in any school’s polices should ban them from NCAA competition… Whatever the Oral Roberts men’s basketball team manages to do on the court can’t obscure the dangerous and hateful ideology of its core institution.”
Of course, at the end, she leaves no room for comments — guessing (rightly) that most Americans would be horrified by the suggestion that there’s no room for Christians in collegiate sports. 
But as shocking as that idea may be, what lurks beneath is much more sinister. 

If you follow her logic to its natural conclusion, this isn’t just about sports. 
If orthodox Christians don’t belong in basketball, why should they be allowed in business, entertainment, education, government, or medicine? 
If Christianity behind closed doors, on private property, in a private school, is now a target of outrage, where do you draw the line? Extremists like Jhaveri wouldn’t.
This is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to religious freedom. Because the real goal here isn’t just pushing ORU to the exits. It’s about driving all Bible-believing Christians, Christian education, and Christian institutions into some sort of spiritual ghetto — far away from the public square. 
It’s the idea that religion is something we should keep to ourselves. And eventually, as we’ve seen in oppressive regimes throughout history, even that won’t be enough.
The Left hasn’t fully implemented their plans, because they haven’t had the benefit of another radical president in the White House to build on Barack Obama’s legacy. Now they do. And his intentions could not be clearer: surgically target people of biblical faith. 
With the Equality Act, Joe Biden would light to the torch to the First Amendment, giving Democrats the power to demand conformity on the party’s only true religion: LGBT orthodoxy. 
Some Christians, desperate to stop him, have suggested a compromise. Leave us a tiny patch of ground to practice our faith, they say — an island where the government can’t coerce us on gender and sexuality. They call their proposal, quite mistakenly, Fairness for All. And plenty of well-meaning believers have lined up behind it.
What they don’t realize is, in the face of intolerant crusades like Jhaveri’s, their concessions wouldn’t matter. 
ORU wouldn’t be protected from a private organization like the NCAA under Fairness for All — nor would any Christian entity. Their players would be left like any believer who wants to participate in the culture: twisting in the wind, with no power to fight back. 
Maybe Fairness for All would protect them from the government’s mandates (for now), but their island would have no shade from the rest of society’s heat. 
Nothing would stop the NCAA or any other organization with student ties from cutting off biblical institutions at the knees — including medical programs, debate teams, science competitions, internships, scholarships, research fellowships, training programs, you name it. 
Under a law like this, it’s only a matter of time before Christians are stranded on the island they traded their constitutional rights for.
“It’s hard to imagine higher stakes,” Dr. Albert Mohler warns. “Because we’re talking about nothing less than the future of religious liberty in this nation.” 
Finally, the church — which has been lulled to sleep under false assurances for too long — has no excuse. The Left’s true agenda, which they’ve worked to disguise for years, is hidden no more. 
“Many fellow Christians think they can escape the cultural conflict over LGBT-related issues,” FRC’s Travis Weber has warned. “They really don’t think it will come to the door of their home or their church — or their school. Yet it’s coming to our doorsteps, whether we like it or not.” The time to stand is now.
Originally published at Family Research Council – reposted with permission.

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Our nation was formerly replete with a Christian acceptance and emphasis, but no longer. As Christians have laid their weapons down long ago, pagans were only too quick to fill the vacuum. It seems it is time to leave Sodom. Jesus Christ is America’s only hope. Pastor Steve <><

Pray For Revival In America!

The Cult Of The Vaccine

By Landon Freeman March 25, 2021

Close your eyes and think back to a time in which you, your kids, or any other loved one received a vaccine.  Chances are, the event wasn’t treated as if it was some grandiose event.  No, the vaccine was simply administered, and you moved on to other things.  That nonchalant, non-celebratory attitude toward vaccines was an almost universally accepted outlook for decades.  However, in 2021, a new precedent seems to have been set.

Indeed, with the arrival and widespread distribution of several different coronavirus vaccines, getting the vaccine has become something of a special occasion.  People gleefully post photos of themselves with their vaccine cards as if they had accomplished a spectacular feat.  Birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations, and vacations, fine — but a vaccine?  That just doesn’t seem right to me.

People are being misled into believing they’re virtuous and brave for taking a highly experimental vaccine that was hastily conceived and is the first mRNA vaccine ever distributed.  We don’t know what negative effects the vaccine will have on our bodies.  We don’t know if there will be side-effects or the possibility of death later on.  Despite this, the media, businesses, and government officials have helped create what I call the “Cult of the Vaccine.”

Just recently Krispy Kreme announced that you can have a free doughnut every day this year.  The catch?  You guessed it.  You have to be vaccinated and able to provide proof of your vaccination when visiting one of Krispy Kreme’s locations.  Should we risk our lives and well-being for a free doughnut every day?  Of course not.  That would be extremely risky and irrational.

Various entities are doing all they can to entice Americans to get the vaccine.  They’ll tell you that you need it.  They’ll make getting vaccinated a momentous, celebratory occasion, and they’ll promise trivial rewards for doing what they say.  This ridiculous amount of enticement and desperation should terrify all of us.  It makes me think that they want us vaccinated for some nefarious purpose.  Ask yourself this: if the vaccine is truly normal, safe, and effective, would they really have to do all that they’re doing to convince us?

To conclude, I’d like to offer my advice to those still debating whether or not they should get the vaccine.  Please think about what I and many other like-minded conservatives have said regarding this matter.  Consider just how much they want you to be vaccinated and all that they’ll promise to get you to finally go through with it.  Be skeptical.  Be vigilant.  Something’s fishy with all this, and I’ve decided to decline my invite to the newly formed “Cult of the Vaccine.”  I hope you’ll also decline their suspicious invitation.

Landon Freeman is a writer, political enthusiast, and advocate for Christian apologetics.

Image: Triggermouse via Pixabay, Pixabay License.

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If you are skeptical about whether receiving a Covid-19 vaccine or not is a good idea, you have good reason.

May we do His will in ALL things, Pastor Steve <><

It’s Worse Than We Thought: FOX News Reporter Says Joe Biden Was Asked But Had No Idea He’s Holding a Press Conference on Thursday (VIDEO)

Reporter: Are you ready for your press conference tomorrow, sir?

Biden: What press conference? pic.twitter.com/LitaiNbHje

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 25, 2021

By Jim Hoft
Published March 25, 2021 at 8:09am
1129 Comments

Joe Biden and his lost eyes

Joe Biden got confused again on Wednesday during a meeting at the White House discussing the border crisis.

As reported earlier by Biden lied about the border crisis on Wednesday and blamed Trump for the migrant surge.

After lying about the migrant crisis, Joe Biden got confused again so his Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, told the press to leave the room.

“Umm, now we’re going to get down to business here and, uh, Ron, who am I turning this over to?” Biden said to his Chief of Staff.00:5901:32

TRENDING: VIDEO: Regent University Election Integrity Conference — TGP’s Jim and Joe Hoft Release Exclusive Content – Also: FULL CONFERENCE VIDEO

But, it was even worse than that.

According to FOX News reporter Peter Doocy, Joe Biden has NO IDEA he’s holding a press conference on Thursday.

When Biden was asked about his upcoming press conference he had absolutely NO IDEA he is holding a press conference today.

Via Conservative Brief:

During a report on Fox News with anchor Brett Baier, network correspondent Peter Doocy revealed that Biden apparently had no idea on Wednesday afternoon that he has planning to do a press conference.

“Somebody shouted out to Biden ‘how are you getting ready for your press conference’ and he said: ‘what press conference?’” Doocy reported.

Fox News’ @pdoocy: “Somebody shouted out to Biden ‘how are you getting ready for your press conference’ and he said: ‘what press conference?’”
pic.twitter.com/R9A7IrfnqG

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 25, 2021

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“Hey, c’mon man, you’re jiving me. There’s no press conference.” Hidin Biden

Hey, if we don’t laugh, we will lose it. Blessings, Pastor Steve <><

The Sword Of The Lord ~ Dr. Shelton Editor ~ February 5, 2021

Judges 7:20 King James Version (KJV)
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.

An Independent Christian Publication, Standing for the Verbal Inspiration of the Bible, the Deity of Christ, His Blood Atonement, Salvation by Faith, New Testament Soul Winning and the Premillennial Return of Christ; Opposing Modernism (Liberalism), Worldliness and Formalism.

The Amen Corner

When you get a man to open his eyes and shut his mouth, there is hope for him. It is when he shuts his eyes and opens his mouth that he discourages you. -A. C. Dixon

If Jesus could pardon those that seriously mistreated Him, then surely you can pardon those that have slightly mistreated you. -Dr. John N. Hamblin

The world is not concerned about the storms you’ve faced but rather if you kept sailing through them. -Dr. John R. Rice

The one person, the only person, Jesus ever refused to save was Himself (Matthew 27:42). -Dr. Shelton Smith

A revival is like a fire that burns in hearts. It burns out the dross. It purifies the life. It ignites the cold heart. It makes the Christian to be what God wants him to be. -Dr. Lee Roberson

Critics of God’s Word, knowingly or not, criticize Christ. He revered the Scriptures, each jot and tittle, and asserted that “the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). He quoted it as His supreme authority; the critics do not…. Let us then share His respect for “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). -Stanley Anderson

It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine. -D. L. Moody

History reveals that the churches periodically degenerate through giving moral and religious sanction to things that are contrary to the will of God. Fires die down and the frost of faithlessness covers everything. -William Ward Ayer

Rejecting things because they are old-fashioned would rule out the sun and the moon.

A person is reckoned a part of what he supports. Thus it is of tremendous importance that we support only those things which are truly for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. -R. I. Humberd

A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, simply to swell its ranks. -Ronald Reagan

Apart from Christ, we are nothing and can do nothing (John 15:5); but with Him we can say with beloved Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). -F. E. Marsh

Do not let anyone claim to be a true American if he ever attempts to remove religion from politics. -George Washington

Because Her Husband is in Prison, Pastor’s Wife Able to Proclaim Jesus to Millions on Live TV

ByREFORMATION CHARLOTTE
–
MARCH 19, 2021

In a stunningly perfect and brilliant example of God’s perfect will in working all things for good (Romans 8:28), Erin Coates, wife of pastor James Coates, was able to proclaim the cross of Christ on live television to millions of viewers last night.

Pastor James Coates of Grace Life Church in Alberta, Canada was arrested and jailed by a homosexual activist police officer last month on charges of breaking health department orders that churches not meet for worship. The order goes against the very command of Scripture for Christians to gather and worship regularly and is clearly an overreach by the Canadian government to infringe upon that God-given right and duty.

Coates continued to hold worship services in defiance of the order and was subsequently arrested–he has been in prison since. Last night, his wife, Erin, was given the opportunity to go on Tucker Carlson on Fox News to discuss this case. Because of this, Erin was able to boldly and confidently proclaim the cross of Christ and their trust and faith in him–it was not only verbal proclamation, but her attitude clearly expresses their true faith.

Watch The Following Video As God Is Glorified:

Watch God be glorified by this.https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ywfs4rQipQ?feature=oembed

We also thank Tucker Carlson for giving the Coates family and their church this platform.

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The Coming Global Enslavement To Digital Currencies

Breaking News Updates – March 19, 2021

BY BRITT GILLETTE/END TIMES BIBLE PROPHECY MARCH 18, 2021

Central Bank Digital Currencies are the future of currency, and when they arrive, they’ll enslave the world. To understand why, you first need to understand what they are, how they serve the vision of those in power, and why they’re inevitable.

Central Bank Digital Currencies are the future of currency, and when they arrive, they’ll enslave the world. To understand why, you first need to understand what they are, how they serve the vision of those in power, and why they’re inevitable.
What Are Central Bank Digital Currencies?
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have yet to be launched on a large scale, but advocates envision a government-controlled cryptocurrency that replaces national currencies. CBDCs will use digital tokens on a computer network to represent a national currency. They’ll rely on blockchain, the same technology behind Bitcoin, Etherium, and other popular cryptocurrencies.
As a replacement for paper currency, CBDC will serve as the digital equivalent of paper currency for use as payment and an official unit of account. It will carry its own unique serial number or digital watermark to prevent counterfeiting. 
Across the world, central banks are openly discussing the introduction of CBDCs, including England, Canada, China, the European Union, and the United States. So why should you care? Because CBDCs are far different from Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is decentralized. No single authority controls it. In contrast, central banks will operate, regulate, and control CBDCs. As you’ll soon see, this simple distinction is the difference between a Libertarian’s dream and every citizen’s nightmare. How Central Bank Digital Currencies Give Unprecedented Power to Government
In the future, “you’ll own nothing and be happy.” So says Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. Schwab’s vision is one shared by many of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals. They envision a world where you own nothing. But this begs the question. If you own nothing, who owns everything? The answer is simple. They do.
So how do they intend to make their vision a reality? They’ll do it through an event called “the Great Reset.” While this vague term covers a number of policy ideas, the heart of the Great Reset is a complete overhaul of the global monetary system. This isn’t anything new. It’s happened before. 
Since 1900 alone, we’ve had four global monetary systems – the gold standard, the gold exchange standard, Bretton Woods, and the U.S. fiat dollar standard. On average, these systems have each last around 40 years. We’re now in year 50 of the U.S. fiat dollar standard, which means we’re overdue for a new global monetary system. 
In all likelihood, it will feature central bank digital currency at its core. If so, governments will gain unprecedented power over individuals.
Under such a system, private bank accounts will disappear. In their place, everyone will have an account with the central bank. Unlike paper currency, which people can exchange in private, all transactions will take place in a digital ledger. This means central bankers will have the ability to view all transactions. Nothing will be private.
Why Central Bank Digital Currencies are Inevitable
Before CBDCs can become the standard, paper currency first needs to be eliminated. We’re moving toward that goal now. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend toward cashless payments. 
According to the Pew Research Center, during any given week nearly a third of U.S. adults said they typically make no purchases using cash. And the younger you are, the more likely you are to use cashless payments. This means the trend will continue long into the future.
But even if people don’t voluntarily chose cashless payments, paper currency will disappear anyway. This is because new technologies will soon make it impossible to prevent counterfeiting. 3D desktop printing technologies will soon create objects where every molecule is perfectly positioned. 
With such technologies, counterfeiters will flood the world with perfect copies of every national currency. No one will be able to tell the difference between fake currency and real currency. When that happens, both the fake and the real will be worthless. World governments won’t have a choice. 
They’ll quickly do away with all physical currency, and all economic transactions will go digital. The replacement will be either a series of central bank digital currencies or a single central bank digital currency for the whole world.
Think most people will reject CBDCs? While I hope so, it’s highly unlikely. Governments will make sure adoption is quick and easy. They’ll simply launch a campaign to “claim your digital wallet.” To incentivize people to do so, they’ll provide an initial deposit of $10,000 (or $20,000, $30,000, or whatever amount is necessary to get people to take action). 
Once everyone is onboard, they’ll eliminate paper currency and other options for payment of goods and services. The result will be a government-controlled economic system based on CBDC.
The Global Assault on Freedom
The end of paper currency and its replacement with CBDC will give unlimited power to government leaders. Not only does it offer a way to permanently record every financial transaction, but CBDC will track where you go and what you do. It will track the websites you visit and the friends you interact with. 
While most of this information is already available through tracking of credit and debit cards, mobile phones, and social media profiles, a state-sponsored digital currency will provide unfettered access to this information. 
It will create a closed, government-controlled economic system where everyone is dependent on central bank digital currency to participate in society.
This gives government the ability to control your behavior, down to the most minute details of daily life. If the government decides they don’t like you, they can cut off access to your account and freeze you out of the economic system. 
They’ll be able to tell you what you can and can’t buy. They’ll be able to tell you where you can and can’t go. In essence, they’ll have complete control over your life. 
For example, take China’s “social credit” system, which establishes a centralized record for individuals and businesses. The system uses a numerical score to punish and reward people and businesses on the basis of their economic and personal behavior. Imagine a similar system where you live. 
The government could punish certain businesses such as gun shops. Or they could force you to buy broccoli instead of ice cream because they “know what’s best” for you. The possibilities are endless.
But most important in the eyes of central bankers will be the ability to truly manipulate your economic behavior. Today, central bankers can print currency, but they can’t make banks loan it, and they can’t make you spend it. This means they have zero control over currency velocity, an essential component of economic planning. But with CBDC? They’ll be able to introduce negative interest rates. For example, imagine you have $1,000 off CBDC in your account. Due to a slow economy and the uncertainty of your job situation, you choose to save it. The central bankers want you to spend it and spur economic growth. With central bank digital currency, they can implement a negative rate on your account, telling you to spend the $1,000 by a certain date or else lose 5% to negative interest. 
For central bankers, this is a tool they’ve always lacked, and it gives them the ability to directly control individual behavior. Because CBDCs enhance their power, you can be sure they’ll do everything they can to make them a reality. And while I’d like to think we can avoid them, the emergence of CDBCs is inevitable.
The Bible Foretold All of This
For those who have read the Bible, none of this comes as a surprise. Almost two thousand years ago, the Book of Revelation foretold of a global economic system eerily similar to the one we see taking form today.
The Bible says a time will come when a global dictator will require everyone on earth to receive a mark on their right hand or their forehead (Revelation 13:16). Without this mark, people will be unable to buy or sell anything (Revelation 13:17). How will this work? The exact details aren’t clear. But the worldwide rush to create central bank digital currencies provides us with a glimpse as to how such a system might work.
The Bible says the Antichrist will rule a global government (Revelation 13:7). To control who can buy and who can sell, he’ll need a system capable of tracking every transaction on earth. He’ll need a way to monopolize all financial transactions and a way to kick people out of the system if they don’t do his bidding. CBDCs create such a system. 
All that’s required to bring about this “Great Reset” is a global economic crisis. Hungry people will be more than willing to adopt such a system if it means the difference between eating and not.
So what does all this mean? It means we’re fast approaching a time the prophets warned about. 
We’re in the midst of a global pandemic (Luke 21:11). Israel is back in the land (Jeremiah 23:7-8). The Jewish people are back in Jerusalem (Luke 21:24-28). And the Gospel is being preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14). The end times approach. 
The tribulation, the Antichrist, and global government are on our doorstop. But first, the rapture must take place. So don’t despair. While it looks like the world is falling apart, every Christian should have peace. We know how it ends. Jesus is coming (Revelation 22:20), and He’s coming soon!
Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus as well as the books Signs of the Second Coming & Racing Toward Armageddon.

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Turn Or Burn / Jonah 3:1-10

Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player when Jesus Christ saved him and called him into the ministry. He became one of the greatest evangelists of the early twentieth century. Billy preached with fiery boldness and passion. One night, he preached a scorching and convicting sermon on the power of sin. A dignified woman in the congregation was offended by his bluntness. After the conclusion of the service, she approached him and said, “Sir, I want you to know that I didn’t like that sermon on sin one bit.” Without any hesitation Billy Sunday replied, “Well, ma’am, the Devil didn’t like it either, so classify yourself.”

God wants preachers to be bold and speak the truth, just as Jonah did when he walked into the gates of the wicked city of Nineveh. He didn’t mince or sugarcoat his words. Jonah had only two points to his sermon. They were “Turn or burn.” But after he preached that powerful two-point sermon, revival swept through Nineveh. Today, many preach only what the congregation wants to hear or what won’t offend. God’s view is simple. It’s all of His Word or none of it. We cannot pick out the bits we like and discard the rest.

From “Daily Devotions For One Year / GOOD MORNING GOD”

By Rick Coram / Aneko Press 20216

Page 87 / March 22

Pray For Revival In America!

30 REASONS THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH FINAL AUTHORITY OR ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY OF A SINGLE PASTOR

An Article Written by James Sundquist

1. In the multitude of Godly Counsel there is wisdom. Proverbs 15:12.

2. In every single passage of New Testament, elders is always plural.

3. Elders (again plural) govern (direct) the affairs of the church. I Timothy 5:17.

4. Obey the laws of the land. In Romans Paul commands Christians to submit to authorities — once again plural. Romans 13:1-6. Non profit law requires a board of directors (board is plural). Word of caution. This applies primarily to the United States, as most countries don’t have the privileges or rights afforded by Non-Profit Status Corporations. In fact, it is illegal up to being punishable by death to even assemble in the Name of Jesus Christ.

5. Spiritual gifts of wisdom, knowledge, discerner of spirits are given to many. I Co. 12:10,28.

6. Paul instructs Timothy to appoint elders (plural) to govern local church. Titus 1:5.

7. I Timothy 4:14 states: “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” Once again “elders” is plural. But equally revealing is that the object (person) whose hands are being laid upon could be an individual receiving the gift of administration which adds one more voice to singular rule — making the plural even larger.

8. That James presided over a meeting in the Council in Jerusalem in the Book of Acts does not mean he had absolute authority . Conflict and policy was hammered about by many elders (not just James). “apostle and elders met to consider” Acts 15:6. “Then the Apostles, Elders, with the whole church (plural) decided…” Acts 15:22.

9. Even apostles subjected themselves to decision of the multitude of counsel at Council in Jerusalem. Acts Chapter 15.

10. Rehoboam refused counsel of elders who were older. Rehoboam in I Kings and II Chronicles, who would not listen to the older elders who served him, but surrounded himself with the young men he grew up with. I Kings 12:8, II Chronicles 10:8.

11. Peter appeals to fellow elders (plural) to be good shepherds (plural). Could this possibly mean there is only one elder who could be a shepherd? I Peter 5:1,2,5.

12. Let something be established in the witness of two or three. Matthew 18:16. (accountability is plural and non-unilateral).

13. Jesus said to “call no man master.” Matthew 23:8-11.

14. A WISE MAN ACCEPTS COUNSEL OR CORRECTION. An absolute dictator does not have to receive correction. To accept correction, there is at least a second party involved. Therefore a second party means at least two — not one. So it is the fool who thinks he is not subject to correction.

15. A serious matter can eventually be brought before the congregation who decides the ultimate fate of an unrepentant brother. If one man has final authority, then why is the final appeal and decision is left to the congregation in Matthew 18? Isn’t a congregation more than one? (Here I am not suggesting democracy, as all who decide must be believers).

16. Even in the time of the Apostles, no one man was an absolute authority. James (not Paul) presided over the church in Jerusalem. The final decision came of consensus among many elders.

17. What about the argument for the “Moses” model of government? Then who is Moses today for the entire church? He would have to be one person for the whole world — unless we want to become Roman Catholic.

18. PREFERRING OTHERS BEFORE YOURSELF – Romans 12:10. Once again, does having elders to whom the pastor is not accountable sound like preferring others before oneself? Is showing absolutely no interest in inquiring what each prospective individual elder might want to do and is able to do in such a role, preferring others before oneself? Is constantly planning what the church is going to do without bothering to first ask anyone, preferring others before oneself? What about trusting the elders so much that an individual pastor tells them they are afraid of them? Absolute authority rules out preferring others before self! Romans 12:10, I Timothy 5:21.

19. PRIVATE AGENDAS EXCLUDE CONSIDERATION FOR BEING AN ELDER. Does a form of government that says pastors alone set the agenda sound like a private agenda to you? (The Bible says an elder should NOT have a private agenda). If a pastor has a vision for the church is it exempt from being tested by fire and other men of God? Is a vision exempt from being changed if it continually fails? Note II Peter and Jude regarding false shepherds.

20. Three cords can not be easily broken. This sounds a whole lot like more than one to me? Ecclesiastes 4:12.

21. Absolute authority of one man (or woman) is the exact form of government of most cults. They have no outside testing the spirits to see if they are of God. I John 4:1. Ronald Reagan’s modern day vernacular of these Scriptures certainly applies: “Trust but verify!”

22. Moses as one man rule in the Old Testament was correct. Miriam and the Sons of Korah were wrong in suggesting “Does not God also speak to us?” Numbers 12:2, Numbers Chapter 16. Certainly we can not suggest that any man alive today can speak with the SINGLE authority of Moses who heard from God directly. Can we dare suggest that a pastor alone in the New Testament age alone hears from God at a local church? Moses had authority given him directly by God who said of Moses he spoke face to face. Is there any man alive who can say that they have seen God face to face? Is there any pastor that can make that claim? Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest — so this would mean that he out ranks Moses. Yet he said the least Christian is greater than John the Baptist. Matthew 11:11. And once the Holy Spirit was sent, the Scriptures record — Jesus speaking “My sheep hear my voice and follow me? That sounds a whole lot like many people besides one “hear my voice”. John 10:27.

23. If every true believer is a priest and king according the Apostle Peter, then this would require that there would be a multitude who govern, not one. II Peter 2:9.

24. Can one Scripture be found which supports “the job of the congregation and elders is to support the vision of the pastor — one person?”

25. “Submit to authority God has placed over you (elders).” Once again plural. Hebrews 3:17.

26. Paul rebuked people for trying to make Paul and Barnabas a king or god over them. Acts 14:12.

27. If a single pope is not acceptable for the whole world, why is one acceptable for a local church? Did we fight the Revolutionary War in America to get rid of the Divine Rights of Kings only to hand it right over to a single pastor?

28. Paul commended the Bereans to not simply take his word for something, but study the Scriptures as the final authority. Acts 17:11.

29. I Timothy it gives the requirements of an elder. It does not state that pastors govern the affairs of the church. Pastoring is a gifting NOT an office, as are teachers and evangelists. Ephesians 4:11. Do evangelists govern affairs of the church? Do teachers? Clearly not. And once again even pastors here is PLURAL. Even after the collapse of the shepherding movement, I still hear “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft”. I Samuel 15:23. To be in rebellion, one would have to be talking about rebelling against God’s form of New Testament government. So truly, someone is indeed in rebellion, if they submit to only one counsel. Following one counsel, alone, would therefore be as the sin of witchcraft.

30. Matthew 18 brings a person before the entire congregation as the final authority regarding church discipline — NOT a single man or pastor. Most importantly, as the Prophet Isaiah states, “His government is upon His shoulders”. Isaiah 8:6.(c)1999 James Sundquist, Last Generation Artists, Inc.- – Return to Top of this Page – Go To Next Article – Listing of All Articles – Back To Leadership Articles – – Download This Article

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“Elder Rule – From Wolf to Wolf Pack

Another thing we see among elder rule advocates is the nonsensical idea of “first among equals”. This is the insane notion that one of the “equal” ruling elders is the “head” elder. But the whole idea of “first among equals” is an obvious contradiction in terms that immediately collapses in upon itself. This is because as soon as one of the “equals” is considered to be the “first” or “greatest” among them, he is no longer an equal. He is a superior. Simple logic and simple math. Something cannot be both equal to and greater than a given thing all at the same time. It has to be one or the other, equal to or greater than, but not both. These are mathematical concepts that are mutually exclusive. They are not one and the same. So the “first (or greatest) among equals” doctrine is pure garbage and is nowhere to be found in the Bible. It is based on gross self-serving assumption, in fact a very convenient assumption.  

Advocates of this position dance quite a doctrinal tight rope in an attempt to incorrectly establish validity for one of the elders to ultimately be in charge over all the other elders. The elders as a group are allegedly in charge of the whole assembly but the truth of the matter is the head elder, the “first among equals”, is really the one who is in charge and is pulling the strings from behind the scenes. This is pretty much back to where they started, one man ultimately in charge, just in a more cleverly disguised and insulated form that beguiles the congregation into thinking that control-based man-centered authoritarianism is not present in their church. “ Paul Howey

Introduction

Many Christians within home church circles and even in some institutional church circles incorrectly believe that the key to solving problems caused by an errant one-man pastor is to spread that power and authority out over a small group of elders so that no one individual has “too much” power. This is typically called “elder rule”. 

This might sound like a profound improvement over a runaway pastor, but this doesn’t work because this establishes a runaway elder system and elders are not supposed to rule either. Elders are supposed to watch, warn and encourage those who they care for to understand and obey the Bible. That is all the authority that they have. They have no power or authority whatsoever to control God’s people.

(Actually all Christians have the exact same authority to watch, warn and encourage others to understand and obey the Bible. The main difference in this is a general overall watch, while elders have a more specific watch that God has given them where they are responsible to care for a small specific group of Christians but of course not in a controlling way. This doesn’t make elders better or more important than other Christians. They just have a different role.) 

Another popular argument and justification for “elder rule” that we hear is that elders will police and cross check each other to make it more difficult for any one of them to gain too much power or prominence. This brings to mind a picture of wolves in a hen house keeping an eye on each other to make sure none of them eats too many hens, to make sure there is enough food to go around.

It is also believed that in a church governed by a plurality of controlling elders it is allegedly more difficult and less likely for one of them to rise up and take the church off of a doctrinal cliff. But this kind of so-called elders have already taken the church off a doctrinal cliff so this doesn’t matter. It’s just a shell game. Even worse, what happens if all or most of the ruling elders are in gross theological error or worse what if all or most of them are corrupt? The church is off for another even bumpier ride, this time likely much more serious.  

These arguments for elder rule might sound like at least a step in the right direction, but this is simply not the case. In either scenario, one-man or multi-man rule, far too much weight rests on celebrity-level personalities and if the personality goes wrong so does the church. This is a sure sign of an unbiblical hijacked church, which can be very much likened to a cult.

The bottom line is all authority has been given to Jesus Christ and He has not left His church in the hands of man, not one man or a small group of men. Jesus is still the Head of His church and He has left the doctrinal policing of His church in the hands of all faithful obedient Christians working together as a body to encourage obedience to the Scriptures.

Without realizing it, those who believe that controlling elders are an improvement over a one-man controlling pastor tend to go from wolf to wolf pack, from the strength of one to strength in numbers, from a more isolated power base to dangerous synergy of power that often makes things much worse. The truth is a lone wolf is easier to catch and conquer than an entire wolf pack.

“Biblical Eldership” –  Elder Rule in Disguise?

(This section is a recently revised and updated version of a posting that I did awhile back on another website)

While I have already outlined what genuine biblical eldership really is, the term “biblical eldership” is a buzzword today that has often been redefined to incorrectly represent elder rule in disguise. Many articles and even some books have been written about such so-called biblical eldership. Take for example Alexander Strauch’s book “Biblical Eldership”.

While this book teaches a number of things that are consistent with what the Bible teaches, Mr. Strauch misses the bigger picture: The source of true authority, the reality of the Headship of Christ and the fact that we have One Master Christ and we are all brothers and equals. 

Mr. Strauch is quite right in saying things along the lines that, “It was never our Lord’s will for one individual to control the local church.” But what he doesn’t seem to realize is that it was never the Lords intention for a group of men to control the church either! (See Mark 10:42-45, Matt 23:8-10, 1 Pet 5:1-4, etc.)

Mr. Strauch is apparently a church elder within an obvious framework of man-centered power and control so he probably cannot see these problems. This is likely because he has probably not submitted some of his key doctrines on these issues to Scriptural examination. In general, Christians tend to fail to examine unbiblical practices that they unwittingly take part in.

Mr. Strauch’s book, like similar works from other authors, is an attempt to shift the control of a church from a one-man to a multi-man team. This is really no help. It can actually cause more problems as it has an “appearance” of wisdom and will therefore tempt many to drop their guards even further. The average Christian today needs a predisposition towards more discernment not less. 

Even worse than a one-man novice or one-man wolf is a group of three or four novices or wolves in synergy with each other drawing off each other’s diversities in abilities. This can create a very dangerous and beguiling multi-minded “super-leader” with a diversity of earthly talents.  A church so governed has not the headship of Christ. Therefore, as bad as a one-man controlling pastor is, a plurality of elders operating in “elder rule” is potentially much worse.

And, what if these men are doctrinal nutcases, which is not at all uncommon but actually rampant today? Now with their newfound power in numbers they can, even more easily, convince the whole congregation to believe that they are right! By showing agreement and unity among themselves even on false doctrines they can deceive many into following them. Less people are likely to question an errant synergistic eldership compared to an errant one-man pastorate.

“Elder rule” establishes multiple authoritarians in place and in power, a multiple headed monster that can devour far more. It has more mouths and more teeth! Now they can devour the church as a pack of wolves with much more skill, power and efficiency compared to a single wolf. 

In fact, today we regularly see far more dangerous wolf packs emerging where a lone wolf once ruled and devoured. This is not the solution. Wolf packs can give the impression of even more false humility than a lone ranger. (If unavoidable it would likely be much less dangerous to contend with a single lone wolf rather than an entire wolf pack.)

While a proper plurality of true elders is a good thing, books like “Biblical Eldership” advocate a type of controlling plurality of eldership that is nothing more than a multi-man dictatorial leadership system that is often a wolf pack in disguise. Again, true elders are faithful servant-guard protectors who watch, warn, advise, admonish, plead with and try to convince members to obey the Bible, but they do not control them. There are specific Christians that they watch over and care for. They have an advisory role but nothing in the realm of power and control. This is a key thing to remember.

First Among Equals? 

Another thing we see among elder rule advocates is the nonsensical idea of “first among equals”. This is the insane notion that one of the “equal” ruling elders is the “head” elder. But the whole idea of “first among equals” is an obvious contradiction in terms that immediately collapses in upon itself. This is because as soon as one of the “equals” is considered to be the “first” or “greatest” among them, he is no longer an equal. He is a superior. Simple logic and simple math. Something cannot be both equal to and greater than a given thing all at the same time. It has to be one or the other, equal to or greater than, but not both. These are mathematical concepts that are mutually exclusive. They are not one and the same. So the “first (or greatest) among equals” doctrine is pure garbage and is nowhere to be found in the Bible. It is based on gross self-serving assumption, in fact a very convenient assumption. 

Advocates of this position dance quite a doctrinal tight rope in an attempt to incorrectly establish validity for one of the elders to ultimately be in charge over all the other elders. The elders as a group are allegedly in charge of the whole assembly but the truth of the matter is the head elder, the “first among equals”, is really the one who is in charge and is pulling the strings from behind the scenes. This is pretty much back to where they started, one man ultimately in charge, just in a more cleverly disguised and insulated form that beguiles the congregation into thinking that control-based man-centered authoritarianism is not present in their church.

In Conclusion

It is astonishing how the few Christians who are finally fed up with one-man pastor political machines think that a multi-man elder rule machine would solve the problem and be much better. The reality of the situation is some problems can appear to be solved but can actually get much worse. It doesn’t matter whether a church has a one, two, three or a six man regime. Regimes like this in and of themselves are unbiblical and are therefore a huge problem.

The solution to the rampant one-man authoritarian pastor problem is NOT to establish and authoritarian eldership. Otherwise, all this does is change the problem into a different form. The problem is still there because the root problem itself of control-based leadership has not been dealt with. The problem is that control is still vested in men. Until control is vested in Christ, things will not change for the better. Things may be cleverly masked and may appear to be an improvement but that is just a short-term illusion at best. 

Regardless of whether a church is controlled by one man or a small group of men, it is still controlled by men and authoritarianism remains present. A church must be controlled by God through Christ. This means controlled solely by the written Word. Christ must remain the sole Head otherwise we have multiple masters in our midst and in Matt 6:24 and Luke 16:13 Jesus made it very clear that it is impossible to obey two masters (let alone three, four, five or more). He said that you will love the one and hate the other. The sad fact of the matter is Jesus is getting a lot of hatred today from a multitude of professing Christians, while authoritarians in the church are getting a lot of love.

Paul Howey

This article has been selected and has been copied exactly from the source website.

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Elder Rule – From Wolf to Wolf Pack
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By Paul Howey