The Important People In The Church

[Michael37]

6 hours ago, Mije said:

Great thread @Starise! One day after church my kids were listening to my wife and I talk about something similar to this and my son coined the phrase, ‘The Power 14’. He suggested that at each church we had attended there seemed to be a close knit group who controlled and ran everything. And looking back I think he was right! This power 14 exists in churches and although they ‘preach’ equality and access they really are lords over the process and the people they deign to serve.

Kind of funny now that I am much older- I watch the younguns scrambling and positioning themselves and I just smile. And like someone here suggested, our meetings are really led by mere men and women so they will not by any means be perfect. Those of us who are perfect will just have to keep scrubbing toilets and humming away happily😂.

Bless "The Power 14", and "The Gatekeepers". 

These days I can slip in and out of any congregation in the city without getting caught up in church politics, and my years of church attendance have trained me to recognise the power brokers and the gatekeepers.

I expect the gatekeepers to keep me at arm's length, after all there is a pecking order to observe. 

 

[Starise]

4 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Bless "The Power 14", and "The Gatekeepers". 

These days I can slip in and out of any congregation in the city without getting caught up in church politics, and my years of church attendance have trained me to recognise the power brokers and the gatekeepers.

I expect the gatekeepers to keep me at arm's length, after all there is a pecking order to observe. 

 

Sad but true.

The Lord sees all The Lord knows all. 

[Wayne222]

20 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Bless "The Power 14", and "The Gatekeepers". 

These days I can slip in and out of any congregation in the city without getting caught up in church politics, and my years of church attendance have trained me to recognise the power brokers and the gatekeepers.

I expect the gatekeepers to keep me at arm's length, after all there is a pecking order to observe. 

 

I been to a church that had no pecking order. Most do I guess. I think like the new testament says we are all brothers. And servants of Christ. I find a lot of Christians still are carnal. 

 

[Mije]

1 hour ago, Wayne222 said:

I think like the new testament says we are all brothers.

That’s what I meant when I referenced the equality we share in a church- before the cross we are one

 

[Marathoner]

On 1/6/2023 at 2:03 PM, Michael37 said:

Bless "The Power 14", and "The Gatekeepers". 

These days I can slip in and out of any congregation in the city without getting caught up in church politics, and my years of church attendance have trained me to recognise the power brokers and the gatekeepers.

I expect the gatekeepers to keep me at arm's length, after all there is a pecking order to observe. 

 

The Committee Committee had a meeting about committee meetings and after everything was said and done, a great deal was said but nothing was done.

[Marilyn C]

On 1/7/2023 at 11:36 AM, Starise said:

Sad but true.

The Lord sees all The Lord knows all. 

Oh Starise, you are not so grizzly though somewhat hairy, now I can see your face.

 

[Vine Abider]

On 12/5/2022 at 9:47 PM, Marilyn C said:

Hi Starise,

Please don`t be sorry, for it really has exposed man`s poor attempt to control and organize the Body of Christ. The public meeting run by organizers is actually lulling the believers into a false sense of security that they are part of the Body of Christ.

When actually Jesus did NOT say `Go make public meetings...`

Jesus said , "Go make disciples."

So, are you making disciples, (not just converts or pew sitters) and over a few years guiding, praying, teaching them and then helping them to make disciples also?

When Jesus asks you, "Who are your disciples?" Can you name them?

May I encourge you to turn your focus from man`s public meeting to actually making disciples and having the joy of the Lord in them. 

Marilyn. 

I have to say I'm in agreement with Marilyn here.  The ekklesia in general has become more of a human organization, when it is supposed to be a living organism . . . a new man being built by Him.  

Has anybody read "The Pilgrim Church" by Broadbent?  I loved reading about how the early church, and the ones that stayed away from the organized RCC system, didn't adopt much or any of the whole clergy/laity system.  The meetings appeared to be more open and free to follow the Spirit, instead of someone's agenda.  Plus members seemed to function much more freely instead of depending on someone in an office or formal leadership role.

The RCC really ran with making the whole thing into a human organization with leaders set up as something more than the common members.  The reformation dumped part of that, but much was kept, which we still have today to a large degree.

[Marilyn C]

43 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

I have to say I'm in agreement with Marilyn here.  The ekklesia in general has become more of a human organization, when it is supposed to be a living organism . . . a new man being built by Him.  

Has anybody read "The Pilgrim Church" by Broadbent?  I loved reading about how the early church, and the ones that stayed away from the organized RCC system, didn't adopt much or any of the whole clergy/laity system.  The meetings appeared to be more open and free to follow the Spirit, instead of someone's agenda.  Plus members seemed to function much more freely instead of depending on someone in an office or formal leadership role.

The RCC really ran with making the whole thing into a human organization with leaders set up as something more than the common members.  The reformation dumped part of that, but much was kept, which we still have today to a large degree.

And I think people get over awed by the outward public meetings and tend to judge the work of the Lord, the Head of His Body, by man`s efforts. 

The true church, the ekklesia, the called out ones from Israel and the nations, are all over the world and through out the centuries, We are not going to see the amazing work the Lord has done till we all are gathered together on that day. 

Glad so many are seeing this too. 

Going to a public meeting should not be the focus, but say, for some special teaching etc. Just as Paul gathered the believers from many home groups to one big gathering to farewell them. Also, conferences can be helpful for presenting a good teacher etc to many in the Body.

 

[Marathoner]

49 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

And I think people get over awed by the outward public meetings and tend to judge the work of the Lord, the Head of His Body, by man`s efforts. 

The true church, the ekklesia, the called out ones from Israel and the nations, are all over the world and through out the centuries, We are not going to see the amazing work the Lord has done till we all are gathered together on that day. 

Glad so many are seeing this too. 

Going to a public meeting should not be the focus, but say, for some special teaching etc. Just as Paul gathered the believers from many home groups to one big gathering to farewell them. Also, conferences can be helpful for presenting a good teacher etc to many in the Body.

 

Indeed, which is why I'm fond of saying that the day comes when all shall be revealed by the Lord. 

[Starise]

8 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Oh Starise, you are not so grizzly though somewhat hairy, now I can see your face.

 

Yes they finally held me down and shaved me lol.