Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:
and the LORD hearkened, and heard it,
and a book of remembrance was written before him
for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Malachi 3:16

This is how I’m seeing it now. I do reserve the right to be wrong.
I’ve changed my mind a few times after I knew I really knew it all. {;o)

We are warned that some will preach another Jesus.
Do you think some preach another ekklesia?
A false ekklesia, where man is in control and not Jesus in control?

Jesus is the head of the body the church.
Do not be called master/leader for you have one leader the Christ.

1st Samuel chapter 8 is about God’s people rejecting God’s leadership for that of a man, A King, to be like the other people.
God was not happy but he gave them what they wanted
and said to Samuel;

“they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me,
that “I should not “reign” over them.”

God’s people did not want God to “reign over them.

Can you see any differences between
The Kingdom of “God;
The rule, the “reign,’ the dominion of “God ruling in a man.
and
The Kingdom of “The Institution;
The rule, “reign, dominion of “The Institution ruling in a man?

Can you see any differences between
“The Church of God,
The ekklesia, the people of God.
and
“The Church of The Institution?
The people of the Institution?

1-”The Church of God, (the ekklesia, us,)
is purchased with His blood.

1-”The Church of Baptist (The Institution)
(or what ever name) (Church of Man, Lutheran, etc)
purchases us with things that are of the world.
Fear, flattery, security, friends, promises of wealth and blessings, etc. Those things that feed the flesh.
Power, profit, prestige, salary, retirement, flattery,
invitations to speak, titles, etc.

2-”The Church of God is built and added to by Jesus.
I will build my church… Matthew 16:18
And the Lord added to the church daily
those who should be saved. Acts 2:47

2-”The Church of Baptist” is built by man.
With programs, seminaries, conventions, crusades,
tithes and offerings sermons,guilt and commitment sermons,
bring your neighbor to church sermons, etc.

3-”The kingdom of God comes not with observation,
it is “within” hidden.
It is the rule, the “reign, the dominion,
the goverment of God in one’s heart.
This government shall be upon Jesus’ shoulders.

3- “The kingdom of Baptist is “without,” where it can be seen,
names on church buildings, schools, credentials, diplomas,
business cards, phone books, written “I believes,
rules and regulations, how to dress, how to speak,
where it can be “seen.

“…let us build us a city and a tower,
whose top may reach unto heaven;
and let us make us a name… Gen 11:9

It is the rule, the “reign, the dominion, the goverment of Baptists.
This government shall be upon
The Southern Baptists Conventions shoulders.

4- In “The Church of God you serve one master, Jesus,
and we are equal bretheran.
The Lord is our shephered and we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
None call themselves leader or shepherd. All are bretheran.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16

There is, One Voice – One Fold – One Shepherd.

4- In “The Church of Baptist you serve many masters,
some more equal than others.
You have hierarchy, local leaders, youth leaders, church leaders,
board leaders, district leaders, denominational leaders.
You have – leaders, followers – clergy, laity – shepherds, sheep –
And you have separation. You have some lording it over others.

There are many voices – many shepherds – many leaders.

Have they rejected God, that God should not “reign over them?

For “the leaders of this people cause thee to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Isaiah 9:16

O my people, “they which lead thee cause thee to err,
and destroy the way of thy paths.
Isaiah 3:12

My people hath been lost sheep:
“their shepherds have caused them to go astray…
Jeremiah 50:6

Unfortunatly, or is it fortunatly, that has been my experience.
And the experience of many.

Be blessed.

In His Service. By His Grace.

I’ll tell a bit of my story too, so you can see where I’m coming from.

I’ve been a member of just 3 churches over the past 40 years. When I’ve changed, it’s only been because of a geographical move.

I’ve seen things in church I have not liked. I have seen things in leadership I have not liked. On the other hand I have seen much grace there too.

I’ve been in leadership, I’ve been out of it. I know what it’s like to be critical of some leadership decisions and I also know what it’s like to wrestle with hard and thankless choices behind closed doors and never be able to tell our reasoning to others because of confidentiality issues.

I don’t think anyone has ever tried to flatter or groom me. I’m not the kind people look to first for a leadership role. I’m more the low-profile, steady guy they ask to be interim leader when there is a leadership meltdown, and who returns to the shadows afterward.

I’ve learned not to take my standing in the church too seriously. Whether at the centre or in the margins, I just try to serve as I’m led and called. I try to respect the leadership for Jesus’ sake, but the attitude I have chosen throughout is to see the church as bigger than its leaders. The leaders are trustees, but the owner is Christ.

That’s why I’m still here.