BAPTIST MENTALITIES THAT RETARDED OUR GROWTH AND MINISTRY PROFITABILITY BY REV OLUSEGUN O. IGE Introduction Mentalities are offshoot of traditions long held without Biblical backing and which succeeding generations never bothered to verify from the word of God. Mentalities are not doctrines. They are not ordinances, for these are sound. Note that Jesus Christ had troubles with the Jewish elders because of their traditions. We still have the same troubles today because of traditions and not because of the theology. Some of these mentalities are: THE PASTOR AS A HIRED LABOURER Many Baptists see their Pastor as hired labourer. Some as employee while very few see their Pastor as Presented by the Bible. Judges 17:9-10 He is father and Priest Judges 17:9-10. He is leader 2 Chr 26:5. He shepherd Psalm 23. He is elder. He is representative of God Isa.44:26. He is part of your destiny. Hos.12:13, Ecc 12:11, Mt.10:41 WE ARE THE OWNER OF OUR CHURCH This is an aberration and not found in the Bible. Jesus Christ is the owner of the Church. He came for the Church. He suffered, died and resurrected for the Church. Mat. 16:18. The Church was built upon the teachings of the Apostles. Eph 2:20-22. This mentality grew out of the erroneous impression that the Church building is the church. Saved people who came together to worship God is the church, wherever they meet. THE PASTOR AS THE WIFE, THE CHURCH AS THE HUSBAND This is another erroneous thought. By implication, this mentality expects the Pastor to submit to the Church if we abide by Eph.5:22-23. This is not right. If the Church and Pastor relationship will be likened to a couple, then the Pastor should be Husband while the Church will be wife. Jesus Christ is the husband of the Church Rev 19:7, Eph 5:23; the Pastor is His representative. MAJORITY CARRIES THE VOTE This is a long held tradition that is diametrically opposed to the word of God. It is AMERICANISATION OF THEOLOGY. Everywhere the majority took decision in the Bible against minority in the will of God, it ended in disaster if not for God’s timely intervention Judges 7, Ex. 32:1 ff when majority came to Aaron for a golden calf many died. Paul in Acts 27:10-11, 21-22 was in minority, yet his opinion about their voyage was fulfilled against the majority. God has always led his people by one person from Genesis to Revelation. GIVINGS Many of us have the mentality that we are doing God favour if we are faithful in our giving. To the extreme some even think that they are paying the Pastor. Mal.3:10-12, 2Cor. 9. These Bible passages are explicit that giving is done that God will bless the giver. Because of our mentalities concerning this many of us have been retarded in all areas of growth and not at all levels. You cannot rob God. All kinds of biblically based giving in the church are ways of receiving from God. WE ARE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK We are often called the people of the book. We should truly be. How much of the word we know do we practice? We are like the church in Sardis to which the Lord of the Church says “…You have a name that you are alive but you are dead.” Rev. 3:1-6. We need to re-read Rev.3:3. The world is perishing because of this mentality. CONCLUSION As a result of these mentalities, many destinies have been aborted, many glorious ministries have been rendered unfruitful and many members who could have made our Church vibrant have gone elsewhere and prospered the lives of many to our detriment. Our Church has not really grown the way it should. We need to be delivered of these mentalities and we shall once again regain our leadership in comity of Churches. Here I stand.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:25:50 +0000
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