here's something from a messaged with dearly beloved ones
although i agree much with what Relevant writes, yet let us remember that they are also still written by man. One downside is that they dont really put Bible verses in (but of cause we could link verses in our memory to the contents of what they write).
anyways that being said, i think all churches are unique in their own sense that each caters to the need of the community around. For example, as the Holy Spirit leads the leaders to start ministering to say... the university students around... of cause they have to run it in a way that is relevant to the younger generation... and as long as the word is preached (the whole counsel, not just parts of it) , there is repentance to God and faith in Jesus, the leader doesn't look for personal profit (important!).. and careful attention is given to the flock (and the elders themselves!) against wolfs like how Paul' last words to the ephesian elders encompasses it :
Acts 20:28 - "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."
at the end of the day, no matter how it is run... those who still choose to leave a church after all this is done ... even Paul said "I am innocent of the blood of all" .. as we cant force someone to stay, its their choice and life anyway.
take some time to to ponder on Paul's heavily weighted speech (made light by sharing the yoke with Christ) that starts from verse 17... which is to me the passage that all elders MUST read...
i wonder why sometimes we are so critical of how other people run their churches. didn't Paul write a letter to the Ephesians saying that "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
i wonder why sometimes we are so critical of how other people run their churches. didn't Paul write a letter to the Ephesians saying that "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
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