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Most towns have welcoming signs at the "city gates" posted by civic groups such as Ruritan, Lions, Optimists, or Kawanis. Most of these groups are into service of some sort and that of a voluntary nature.
Many think that without a paid pastor, a church will fall apart yet these civic clubs do not have paid leaders and they keep on going from one generation to the next. Some even have local chapters in the schools for the young.
The Boy Scouts is another example of how community organizations without professional leaders can have local impact and a secure future, too. The troop which my sons are a part of often has half a dozen parent-leaders show up.
posted
Wow, D, I think you hit that one right out of the park!
I agree - that is what "eldership" would look like - men doing what needs to be done in addition to their regular life duties. I'd go further: all these organizations have risen up to fill the vacuum created by the absence of biblical eldership. D'ya think?
L
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
In light of what you wrote about the vaccum, this is how I have come to understand as "the bible school syndrome". Instead of nurturing eldership as the Lord leads here and now in our midst as we see in scriptures, there has been a continual progress of splitting up of the spiritual communion for the profit of intellectualizing christianity's empowerment. All man-made as far as I can see!
-------------------- ...all blessings be with us all... Benoit Couture
A vacuum does not exist for very long in the physical nor the spiritual world. The church got off this (voluntary and multiple leadership) horse long ago - others mounted up and headed out.
Pass that iced tea over to my table, please... Thank you.
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We've been looking at some historical figures who the church has kind of "written off" as non-churchgoers (therefore it is assumed, not believers), and wondered if they were not people who "got it" and refused to conform to cultural norms, and just went on their merry way making contributions to mankind and modeling servanthood.
For example, Ben Franklin and Albert Einstein come to mind.
We are rethinking so many things as we seek The Kingdom of God in this new way!
Laurie Ann
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
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Let me just add that the civic groups, above mentioned, do not own properties nor view properties as essential to their existence or reproduction.
LA, would you mind to copy your last post to the church history section of basic issues? It's certainly worthy of a new page. Much thanks to you, friend.
Email this page to someone.
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