Accountability, Yes.
Legalism, No.
I am in favor of Jack Hayford's recommendation in "Practicing What We Preach" (November/December 2003) to create an ICEA [International Council for Ethical Accountability]. There are many questions to be answered, but they can be addressed in the formative stages by an abundance of godly counselors.
Floyd McClung, Senior Pastor
Metro Christian Fellowship
Kansas City, Kansas
I believe the ICEA is a wonderful idea, and can add strength and credibility to the body of Christ. However, I also agree with Jim Bakker that the answer is never more law. "The power of sin is the law" (see 1 Cor. 15:56b). The challenge is avoiding impersonal hierarchical structure that has created these problems in the first place.
Jon Wanberg
via e-mail
Heart Exam
Ted Haggard's insightful Simply Put column ("'Maybe We're Not Christians'") in the November/December 2003 issue is a convicting word in due season. Surely this is a call for the church to examine herself as Paul challenged the Corinthian believers to "examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" (see 2 Cor. 13:5). Thank you for the boldness to proclaim the piercing truth.
Tim Nelson, Pastor
Jonesville Pentecostal
Holiness Church
Jonesville, North Carolina
Not Just Men
While Patrick Morley and David Delk's assertion in "Where Are the Men?" (November/December 2003) that "the church is central to God's plan" is biblically on the mark, the remainder of the statement, "discipling men is central to the mission of the church," is flawed because of Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:17-18 and Galatians 3:28. Discipling men and women is central to the mission of the church. To this female pastor the authors come across sounding more like promoters of a male takeover than discipleship.
Carlene Appel, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Cambridge, Illinois
Sparks From the Dark Side
The article "The Dark Side of End-Time Teaching" (Paul T. Coughlin, November/December 2003) would lead one to believe that it is wrong to teach on the subject of end-time events. I agree that speculation and irresponsible conclusions must be avoided, but we cannot discount the value of a positive, well-balanced approach to teaching on end-time events. Someone should write an article on "The Light Side of End-Time Teaching."
George Morrison, Senior Pastor
Faith Bible Chapel International
Arvada, Colorado
I'm a pastor of a very large church in the state of New York. I think "The Dark Side of End-Time Teaching" is one of the worst articles I've ever seen in my life. It does not pertain to the whole body of Christ--maybe a specific isolated incident. The Bible talks about preaching the full gospel, not a portion of it to suit people's fancy.
Anonymous
phone call
I've enjoyed everything I've read in Ministries Today except "The Dark Side of End-Time Teaching." I'm surprised you allowed a five-page article subtitled, "How unbiblical perspectives ..." to have only one scripture of support in the text. Soon after becoming a Christian I read The Late Great Planet Earth and drew closer to the reality of Jesus Christ. Hal Lindsey had a lot more influence on me for Jesus Christ than this article ever will. How about a quote from Lindsey on this issue instead of Manson and Hawking.
Ray O'Grady, Pastor
Pendleton Faith Center
Pendleton, Oregon
Mourning Derek Prince
I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of Rev. Derek Prince in Ministry Matters (November/December 2003). He was a pioneer in recognizing and appreciating the biblical debt Christians owe the Jewish people. Today, we are seeing more Christians reclaiming the Jewish roots of their faith and standing with Israel. This is in no small measure due to the bold and prescient wisdom and biblical faith of people like Derek Prince. He was a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people, and we will long remember him appreciatively for that friendship.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President and CEO
International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews
Chicago, Illinois
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