FIRST-PERSON: From decline to decision

Is this where they get the “leave it to the experts” attitude?

I believe it is a direct result of Seminary. Not that it is taught, just that it is observed.

Much of what the church does today is a result of "reacting" to the world, as opposed to acting in accordance with the Scriptures.

Consider this quote: "I am as sure as I am of the fact of Christ's reign that a comprehensive and centralized system of national education separated from religion, as is now commonly proposed,will prove the most appalling enginery for the propagation of anti-Christian and atheistic unbelief, and of anti-social, nihilistic, ethics, individual, social, and political, which this sin-rent world has ever seen." Dr. A.A. Hodge 1890

Link

The churches "reaction" to the Secular Humanistic push in the late 1800's? Sunday School....1 hr a week to offset the 14000 seat hours of Secular Humanistic indoctrination of our children from k-12

“Don’t try this at home. Leave it to us professionals.”

I worked several years as an “unprofessional” youth minister (volunteer), and was offered a position to go “professional” but I noticed something...the kids that were the most messed up were the kids of the “professional” ministers. I am sure that it is not always this way but the churches that I dealt with the pastors spent all of their time doing church work and spent very little time with their children...and the children told me that they felt like they were not important to their own parents. When I would bring this to the attention of the pastors they became upset that I would question them...since they were the ones that had all the schooling in this area...I chose my family over the “status” of the position.

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-- if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5-9

According to these qualifications, there are many character traits need to be an Elder, but only two skills...raising his kids and able to teach. I've had one minister point out to me that we as a church make such a big deal about alcohol. Can't touch it. Better not even look at it if your gonna be in leadership. But funny, the Scriptures don't teach not to touch it. They teach not be drunk with it or abuse it. So in the very same breath we have an exaggeration of one trait and a complete disregard of a skill, raising children.

As this minister pointed out to me, it takes nothing to wake up and not have a drink. He doesn't touch alcohol, never has. But it takes every fiber of his being to raise his kids the way the Lord commands. But we as a church have elevated the lesser important quality and lowered one of the highest qualities. His quote, "We pick our leaders like Enron picked theirs."

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