Ministry News

The ‘Clergified' Church

Details: Monday, 23 February 2009 15:55

QUOTE: "We have to recognize that we've created the system that we loathe. I don't think the reason 15 percent serve is because 85 percent are lazy. We've created a system that glorifies the clergy and marginalized the laity. We got the outcome we created programs for. We've become ‘clergified.' There's a three-tiered structure: laypeople, clergy and missionaries. ... All religions tend to create a class of people who are above others so 1) they can revel in that and 2) the rest of us can say it's their job. Christianity was started without any of those structures, and ended up like so many false religions do when they create a ministry caste structure. When we see real movements of God take off, they happen when people are free." -Lifeway Research director Ed Stetzer [rev.org, 2/09]

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Comments

0 #3 Laverne Lancasterr 2009-02-27 03:09

Today people are being stirred in their spirits. They are wondering if going to church on Sunday is all there is. Well, I have discovered the missional chruch. For those of you who have felt that you must get out beyond the walls of the church and do something of significance for God, this is one way--a very good way. THe purpose of the missional chruches is to go out introduce others to Christ as their Savior and Lord, then bring them in, train and equip them, and send them out to mulitply the Kingdom of God. Some will start another missional church.
This is a way to activate the Great Commission in our lives and the lives of our community.
Goggle the missional church. Who knows what God will do!

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0 #2 Kerry 2009-02-25 02:26

Good comments. This subject is so sensitive among church "leaders" especially those whose identity is so wrapped up in their positions in the church structure as it has come to be defined. Unfortunately, so much of our understanding and paradigms of church structure, government, and "ministry" is based not upon New Testament Scripture and the Spirit of God but on patterns taken from either Jethro's advice to Moses or from the corporate culture of our society. Perhaps its time to go back to Jesus' definition of leadership which puts humility and serving in love as the big priorities. I believe that God is in the process of purifying His church and that will mean that the Bride will take on a new look. May we all take on His heart and His priorities as He redefines and reforms what the church really is. Blessings and thank you for the courage to address these types of topics.

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0 #1 Kim Droptiny 2009-02-24 17:32

Mr. Stetzer is right-on! Wake up church! I had real growth in my spiritual life when I started attending a home church where we were all equal. Each one of us grew tremendoulsy and it was so wonderful to mutually edify and build one another up. I'm in Germany now as a missionary but hungry for MORE HOME CHURCH!!

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